Joshua Bishop looks to regain the AIW Absolute Championship on Saturday, April 22 when he faces Matt Cardona for the title.
Cardona won the match in a four-way bout at IW 2-1-SYXX in March, but now has to defend against the former champion in singles competition. Cardona will be accompanied by Bill Alfonso and Steph De Lander.
The war between Cardona and Bishop has been brewing for years, dating back to their first match in October 2021 and their canceled match that Bishop earned by winning Gauntlet For The Gold 2022 to challenge for the Absolute and Intense Championships. The bout never happened due to Cardona's injury.
Speaking to Jeremy Lambert and Joel Pearl on In The Weeds, Bishop discussed the upcoming bout.
"It's kind of a dick move if you're going to beat the shit out of somebody and then complain about it in the back," Bishop said when discussing his love of hard-hitting affairs, "or maybe, I don't know, let's say if I had a move in my arsenal called the Broski Boot or something. Maybe, every time I hit you with it, I kicked you in the head as hard as fucking possible and then called you Stiffy McGee on my podcast and said you hit me really hard and that I would never stiff anybody, but in reality, my boot in the corner, allegedly, maybe an instant heel to the back of your head. I kick you in the front of the head and you feel it in the back. That's all alleged. I'm not talking about anyone in particular, that's just if I had a move called the Broski Boot."
Bishop continued, saying he's not worried about De Lander or Alfonso, but did give Caronda credit for what he pulled at 2-1-SYXX.
"Cardona, I'll be honest, you pulled a fast one on me, you got one over on me in Cleveland, but in Akron, there is no chance. You're going to have to bring a tank or something. I am ready to destroy this dude. I have been looking forward to getting my hands on this dude in a one-on-one rematch. We haven't had a one-on-one match since October 2021. It's been years in the making. You've been ducking and dodging me. Your bicep, how hurt was it? Were you trying to avoid Stiffy McGee? This Saturday, there will be no avoiding the Intense Icon. Stiffy McGee, I've been getting these hands ready. I've been smacking bricks trying to callous the hands up. I've been doing heavy deadlifts, my hands look rugged and rough. He puts that good cut in his shirt to show off his pecs. I can't wait to get him in the corner. I'm gonna rip that shirt off completely, expose that chest, and I'm going to chop the fuck out of this dude. I can't wait to light him up. I'm going to try and rip his heart out through his chest," stated Bishop.
Strong words from a strong man.
Cardona vs. Bishop will be the headlining bout at AIW DAMN! on April 22. The event will air on FITE+. Fans can learn more about the event by clicking here.
Check out the full interview with Bishop in the video above.
