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Pierce Rebounds From Defeat With Surprise Acquisitions

Posted: Jun 16th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Newcomer manager Richard Pierce looked to be something of a flash in the pan. He made an initial appearance guiding Shane Morbid to defences of his TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title against Dutch Hagen. But when Hagen ultimately upset Morbid for that title, "Mr. Endurance" kicked Pierce to the curb and he disappeared from TAP for a couple of months.

He's now returned and plans are afoot for him.

Pierce joined TAP ringside commentator C. M. Burnham for show this past Saturday and announced that he was scouting talent. Although he would not reveal who he was looking at specifically, he did share some of his thoughts on the TAP roster. But plans began to be revealed during Hagen's match against Tim Rockwell.

Rockwell had returned to TAP last month and made an immediate impact by laying out the champion after what began as a scientific match. Standing over him, Rockwell told Hagen that he was his "worst nightmare". So this month, Hagen was looking for some revenge. Rockwell's success ratio across the state hasn't been all that high, be it in ComPro, MWA or TAP. So it seems he invested in some insurance. With Hagen on the offencive and looking to put Rockwell away, Richard Pierce grabbed Rockwell's cowbell and left the announce table. He slid it into the ring for Rockwell, then distracted the referee while Rockwell nailed Hagen in the head with it. After the 3-count, it was obvious that Pierce and Rockwell were allied. And once again, Rockwell stood over Hagen and reminded him that he was his worst nightmare.

That wasn't Pierce's last involvement in the night, though. He returned to the announce table after intermission and oversaw TAP Adrenaline & ComPro Champion Richie Adams defend the former title against SWCW All-American Champion David Kyzer. Once again, Pierce waited to choose his moment, grabbing the belt from the table, running to the ring and throwing it to Adams. Adams slammed Kyzer in the head much like Rockwell had hit Hagen. And again, history repeated itself as Adams got a 3-count and officially revealed Pierce as his manager. Rockwell ran to the ring and a 2-on-1 beatdown occurred for a brief moment until Dutch Hagen arrived to resce Kyzer. Hagen grabbed the microphone and said that if Pierces dastardly duo wanted to both be involved, they should even up the odds. He challenged Adams & Rockwell to a tag team match against himself and Kyzer on July 17. Rockwell pondered that decision and then capitalised on an opportunity. Having defeated Hagen earlier, he had earned a title shot against Hagen at a future date. He proposed that the winning team gets to pick the stipulation for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Match between Rockwell & Hagen. Hagen agreed and TAP co-commissioner J. P. Steele made it official.

So now, Pierce has bounced back from having nothing to having one title under his control and another possibly soon within his grasp. Plus, having scouted much of the TAP talent, it's possible that he's made some overtures to other wrestlers and the fans just aren't aware of them yet. Pierce looks to be doing everything he can to rebuild his reputation. And TAP needs to keep an eye on this sly opportunist at all times.

Tags: Richard Pierce, Shane Morbid, TAP, Dutch Hagen, C. M. Burnham, Tim Rockwell, ComPro, MWA, Richie Adams, SWCW, David Kyzer, J. P. Steele