Little Guys Cause Big Issues For Texas, Inc.
They say things come bigger in Texas. Since the beginning of the year, MWA Tag Team Champions Texas, Inc. has made it clear that they want to once again reign as Triple Crown Tag team champions in Oklahoma. Based on this weekend's results, when it comes to tag team competition, Bernard Funk and Tim Rockwell are unmatched. But it's the little things that cause them problems in singles bouts.
Last month, Texas, Inc. reunited in TAP and joined with Shane Morbid in a 6-man tag team event that was won by TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion Jon Cross and TAP Tag Team Champions The Innovators. Despite that loss, Texas, Inc. was still granted a tag team title shot and they didn't want to lose out on the opportunity. Fresh off the victory two weeks previous for the MWA Tag titles, Funk & Rockwell could smell blood in the water when it came to Fuel and Anarchy 2nd. The Innovators had been tag team champions for over a year and had fought the best there was in the federation. But all during that time, Rockwell was concentrating on singles victories, as he defended the Oklahoma Heritage title. Faced with the reunited Texas, Inc., the Innovators knew they had their backs against the wall. And they came prepared. Despite giving up about 60 pounds of weight and almost a decade of experience (to Bernard Funk), The Innovators were determined to hold on to those titles for one more month and establish a new record for the longest tag team title reign in Oklahoma.
But as the match seemed to be drawing to a close, Jesus Rodriguez & Ray Martinez came to ringside and things began to go straight downhill. Martinez distracted the referee while Jesus climbed up on the apron and attacked the innovators with his wooden club. Funk & Rockwell then hit a modified Doomsday Device and pinned the champions, securing the second jewel in the Triple Crown, the TAP Tag Team Titles.
Rockwell grabbed the microphone and told Ray that he hoped the money had been enough for their assistance, then noted that it was "2 down, 1 to go." And it seems that the "1 to go" will be the ComPro Tag Team Titles, although right now they have plenty of competition in the way.
Part of that competition are Dawn of Extreme, the team they defeated to advance to the finals of the MWA Tag Team Title tournament. Ty Thunder & Crucifer are about the same size as Fuel and Anarchy 2nd, but lack the experience of the previous team. They don't lack the heart though and are learning how to be just a devious as their TAP counterparts.
The last time Texas, Inc. and DOX met in the ComPro ring, it was in a 6-man tag (just like with the Innovators) with TAP Pure Xtreme Champion Brandon Groom on DOX's side, while ComPro Champion Draven Cross joined his Texas stablemates. As in Muskogee, Texas came out on the losing side of that confrontation. And they didn't forget.
This past Saturday, DOX were matched up against the returning team of Irish Pain. Though easily dominated at the beginning, Ty & Crucifer were beginning to make a comeback when Funk & Rockwell wandered out to ringside to observe. This caused a huge distraction and allowed Devan Scott & Justin Pain to take advantage and notch up a win on this visit. Texas, Inc. never actually interfered, but their presence was enough to cost the youngsters the match. It was a move that would come back to haunt them.
Later in the show, Tim Rockwell was matched up against the Amazing Bolo. Given Bolo's win/loss record, it seemed like this was going to be another easy victory for the #3 wrestler in the state. But, as in their previous match, both members of DOX wandered out to ringside. Rockwell ordered his uncle Bernie to chase them away and Funk took off, pursuing Ty & Crucifer to the back area. But that took Rockwell's mind off the game and let Bolo his the Red Asaki and score a HUGE win for himself.
And, sadly for Texas, history repeated itself when Bernard Funk took on Kevin Morgan after intermission. This time, it was Rockwell who chased off the rookie team with the cowbell, allowing Morgan to hit a powerbomb on Funk for the pin.
Sadly, things didn't get any better the next day, as Funk made his MSWA debut against Dexter Hardaway. Once again, Funk found himself staring at the ceiling and receiving the losers' share of the purse.
With Texas, Inc's victory, MSWA Oklahoma Champion Bad Boy is now the longest reigning current champion in Oklahoma, having held that title since June 1, 2008.
Now that they're double champions, perhaps Funk & Rockwell will stay away from the singles matches and focus on chasing that 3rd tag team title, which, ironically, is the first tag team title they ever won together. If they can three-peat, it certainly goes a long way towards cementing their legacy in this state. But both men could certainly use some help in the areas of focus and that help may should be returning soon as Stevie Caballero's suspension from ComPro is lifted as of May 2.