In our second week of team highlights for Carolina Carnage Fest, we'll be taking a look at the Silver Tier teams from the Midwest and Western regions as well as the two International teams that will be present in the Silver Tier. Seven teams from the Pacific and Midwest will take the field, and we'll delve into their recent histories in the sport and provide more info on where to follow their journey.
Team Name: Knyaz Fire
Fighting out of: Michigan
Captain: Scott Turgeon
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 8-4
Knyaz Fire is part of Knyaz Medieval Fight Club, home of the #3 Knyaz USA, a partner of the international team, Ukraine-based MFC Knyaz. Knyaz USA is known for some of the sport's most athletic plays and maneuvers, with several former Team USA members on its roster. Its "Fire" team consists of newer fighters, led by 6-year veteran and Knyaz USA founding member Scott Turgeon.
At Carolina Carnage 2024, Knyaz Fire dominated their pool, achieving victories over Order of the Gauntlet, Rose, and Atlanta Valor. They continued their journey through the bracket, defeating Bastion and the #7 Company of the Pale Horse before facing off in the final match against the newly created Superteam, the Berserkers. Knyaz Fire gave it their all, but after two rounds, they settled for the silver medal that year.
Later on in May, Knyaz Fire defeated the Ohio-based Barbarians at Cincinnati Siege. Still, a trio of losses, including a three-round rematch with the Iron Lions, prevented them from advancing that day.
Last season saw Knyaz Fire dominate early on, with agile plays learned from their parent team, Knyaz USA. This year, they'll face equally tough competition from the rest of the country, and they'll have their work cut out for them. Make no mistake, though: This team is primed and ready for Carolina Carnage Fest and the start of the 2025 season.
Knyaz Fire Social Media
Team Name: Phoenix Blood Eagles
Fighting out of: Arizona
Captain: Rick Thom
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 6-5
Based out of the Armored Academy of Arizona, the Blood Eagles are a veteran team known for their agile field play, brutal two-handed axe shots, and true grit. Taking the field as their captain is Rick Thom, who has been an instructor at the Academy for over four years now
In their pool at Carolina Carnage last year, the Phoenix Blood Eagles faced off against various rookie teams. They achieved a series of wins over Florida Men, NYC Armored Combat, and the Lexington Lycans. The New Order handed them their first loss of the day, but still, they advanced into the brackets with a 3-1 record.
At the Ventura Melee Megabowl in California, the Phoenix Blood Eagles joined forces with another team to form the BloodWolves and went 3-3 in the round-robin tournament. They found victory against Order of the Gauntlet and Rose, and the rookie team Ordo Draconis Omega, but losses against the Warpigs, Soldados, and Omega's big brother Ordo Draconis Alpha kept them from making a podium appearance.
The team later combined with the #4 New England Executioners and Utah's Order of the Silver Rose for the Armored Combat Sports National 10v10 Championships. After garnering victories over the Hired Hands and Golden Boar, they secured 1st place in the 10v10s and a 3rd-place medal in the 5v5s. With another year of experience and accolades, the Phoenix Blood Eagles look ready to showcase their speed and tenacity at Carolina Carnage Fest.
Phoenix Blood Eagles Social Media
Team Name: The New Order
Fighting out of: Iowa
Captain: Zachary Shadu Fry
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 7-10
At Carolina Carnage 2024, The New Order advanced from the pools with tight matches against the seasoned Blood Eagles and the rookie Lexington Lycans, with a loss to the Florida Men and a decisive win over the NYC Armored Combat Team. Unfortunately, their first match in the brackets was against the eventual Silver Tier champions, Berserkers. With a first-round win, it looked like The New Order would beat out the new Superteam. Still, two more rounds saw the Berserkers advance, and The New Order would end their Carnage run with a 3-2 record.
Later that year at Cincinnati Siege, The New Order showcased their skills with dominant victories over Hyperion, 'wesome 'possums, and avian-themed 'merc' team Silly Little Guys. Although they suffered a loss to the #2 Warlords, they again advanced from their pool with a 3-1 record. Their first-round match in the brackets saw them up against the formidable #3 Knyaz USA, resulting in elimination after two rounds and another 3-2 record.
To close out their season, The New Order traveled to Texas for Whacksgiving 2024, where they were paired up against the top three teams in the country, alongside the San Jacinto Knights.
The New Order regularly performs at several Renaissance faires, including Sleepy Hollow, where they hold electrifyingly entertaining combat bouts. Their consistent performances throughout the year ensure that The New Order has a constant stream of new recruits and regular steel training time, which they hope to use this year in the Silver Tier.
The New Order Social Media
Team Name: DFC Dire Wolves
Fighting out of: Michigan
Captain: Bolvar
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 1-4
While historically, the Detroit Fight Club (DFC) men's melee team has always fought under the club's name, DFC Head Trainer Boris Tuman has taken steps to reintroduce the team as the DFC Dire Wolves. The Dire Wolves debuted at the AMCF Qualifiers in December last year, showcasing a refreshed roster and new name. They defeated the Regulators Armored Combat club but were beaten by the Berserkers, the Oklahoma team Tulsa Free Company, and the Warlords 'B' team that took the field that day.
Although the DFC Dire Wolves did not participate in Carolina Carnage 2024, the DFC club was present and showed limited success in their pool. A promising two-round victory against rookie team 'wesome' ossums highlighted their potential. However, tough losses, including those against the eventual silver and bronze medal winners Knyaz Fire and the #7 Iron Lions Vanguard, ended their tournament run with a 1-4.
DFC has been known for their dynamic field positions and creative plays in the past, which would try to catch other teams off guard with unconventional field movement. DFC Dire Wolves might follow in their footsteps, but this new crew might bring something entirely unexpected.
(DFC Dire Wolves at the AMCF Qualifiers - Snapping Dragon Photography)
DFC Dire Wolves Social Media
Team Name: Twin Cities Wyverns
Fighting out of: Minnesota
Captain: Spence Fasching
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 1-4
The Twin Cities Wyverns are a historied and scrappy team from the Midwest with their fair share of accolades. Videos of them fighting and training as a team can be found on their Facebook page as far back as 7 years, and many of their members are veterans of the old and now defunct league Armored Combat League.
Carnage 2024 however saw them with a roster of newer fighters due to illness and injuries and they struggled to gain a significant foothold in their pool. Losing rough fights against the Canadian team Wendigo, the #7 Company of the Pale Horse, and the eventual first-place winners, the Berserkers, kept them from advancing into the bracket rounds. Despite these challenges, the Wyverns demonstrated their capabilities with a win over the renowned Cerberus team, proving they still possess the skillset to live up to the glories of the Wyverns team that took 1st place in the Silver Tier at the Arnolds Classics in 2023.
The Wyverns were absent from the MCUSA season for the remainder of the year but have not been idle. With a silver medal from their self-run event 10v10 War in the North, and a joint event with the Colorado Wardens in June, the Twin Cities Wyverns will enter the Silver Tier with scores to settle and axes to grind.
(Left: Twin Cities Wyverns at Wardens. Right: Twin Cities Wyverns at Arnolds Classic)
Twin Cities Wyverns Social Media
Team Name: Wardens
Fighting out of: Colorado
Captain: Greg Fisher
Last Year's MCUSA Record: N/A
The Colorado Wardens team represents Southern Wyoming and all of Colorado, including Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs. They are led by Greg Fisher, a seven-year veteran of the sport and recent Sword and Shield gold medalist at the AMCF National qualifiers in December. They formed as a team roughly in 2023 and fought at Carnage that year but did not partake in the 2024 MCUSA season as a team at all. Carolina Carnage Fest at the end of this month will be the perfect opportunity for the Wardens to reintroduce themselves.
Their performance at Carnage 2023 saw them square off against teams from the East Coast and Canada. Victories against the military veteran team Steel Legion and Bastion showcased the team's skillset and athleticism. However, losses against the Iron Lions and the Canadian International team Scallagrims led to an early exit that year.
While the Wardens as a team have been inactive for the 2024 season, their individual fighters have been busy fighting frequently with other teams around the country. This practice, known as mercing, is a common way for fighters to hone their skills and stay in shape. Although this may be the Wardens' first time back on the field since 2023, their roster is sure to be deadly sharp.
Wardens Social Media
Team Name: Order of the Silver Rose
Fighting out of: Utah
Captain: Trevor Hutton
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 1-2
A team from Utah closes out the US teams. The Order of the Silver Rose looks to make their Carnage debut this year, but this Salt Lake City team isn't exactly new to the sport.
They debuted last season at the Idaho Armored Combat Invitational. The Order of the Silver Rose won over the Idaho Falls Peace Breakers in a three-round bout. Still, they took losses against the #5 Rat Pack and the Montana Sun Eaters. With no other MCUSA events, their season record stands at 1-2.
Yet, team members have been hard at work getting more experience individually and as a team. Members of the Order have been seen with the Phoenix Blood Eagles at the ACS National 10v10 Championships, where combined, they won gold that year and a bronze medal in the 5v5s. Several more of their fighters were at the ACMF Qualifiers in December, filling out other rosters as mercs, and gained some valuable lessons there. The Order of the Silver Rose was also seen overseas at the Castle Shield Tournament in Ireland, fighting some of the more formidable European teams in the sport.
Some might underestimate the Order of the Silver Rose when looking at their 1-2 record from a single regional event, but with extensive experience gained from mercing and international competition, they should not be counted out. With a year of heavy training and a good number of tough fights as a team, their Carnage debut this year will be one to watch.
Order of the Silver Rose Social Media
International Teams in the Silver Tier
Team Name: Wendigo
Captain: Land Pearson
Fighting out of: Canada
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 1-4
Last year, Wendigo was a coalition of various Canadian teams; fighters from the Moncton Marauders, Halifax Citadels, Le Dogue de Montréal, and many others joined forces to form a dynamic roster of veterans and rookies alike. They were placed in what was considered the toughest pool last year, which included the future 1st place winners the Berserkers, internationally acclaimed Cerberus, 2023 Arnolds Classic Silver Tier Gold Medalists Twin Cities Wyverns, the popular Cincinnati Barbarians, and the now #7 ranked Company of the Pale Horse. Wendigo fought hard that day but only managed to secure a victory over the Twin Cities Wyverns and left with a 1-4 record.
While the Coalition has not reappeared in the MCUSA season since the Canadian teams within the organization have been diligently preparing. Local and regional training events have kept their fighters honed for the upcoming tournament. Leadership of the teams that make of Wendigo consists of some of the best fighters on the continent. One of those fighters is the Halifax Citadels captain, Land Pearson, has also regularly been the captain of the IMCF Team Canada since 2016, and will be leading the Wendigos.
It's hard to tell exactly what to expect from this Canadian Coalition this year, but with such a large talent pool to choose from and fighters chomping at the bit to fight on the world stage, Wendigo will surely be a team to keep an eye on.
Wendigo Social Media
Team Name: Italian Bastards
Captain: Luca Peinetti
Fighting out of: Turin, Italy
Last Year's MCUSA Record: N/A
An international team from Italy will attend Carolina Carnage this year. The team has made tournament appearances all across Europe, including Torneo delle Alpi, Tavola Rotonda, and the Germany International Tournament Way of Honor 2024.
At Way of Honor, the Italian Bastards advanced from their pool with victories over the French team Ostlander and the German teams Ferox and Nassauer Löwen. They suffered defeats from the Australian-based Team Kraken and the Dutch team Lions of Steel. Their first match in the brackets saw them eliminated, however, when they faced off against the eventual first-place winners, European-ranked #1 White Company.
The Italian Bastards' participation in this year's Silver Tier adds a unique flavor to the tournament, especially since most US teams rarely travel outside their home states. The Italian Bastards will surely try to live up to their name, though. They will be eager to prove themselves at Carolina Carnage Fest.
Italian Bastards Social Media
Wrapping up:
That concludes the Men's Silver Tier teams for this year's Carolina Carnage Fest. If you missed the Silver Tier Eastern region highlights, be sure to check them out here. Carolina Carnage Fest is less than three weeks away, and in that time we'll cover the femme teams and the Gold Tier teams fighting their spot on Team USA.
Be sure to follow our Facebook page, Buhurt USA, for updates on future articles as we keep you up to date on the 2025 Buhurt Season.
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