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Two Cents Worth: My Journey To TAP

Posted: May 10th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Though I usually write for the Maximum Wrestling Alliance, yours truly visited Tornado Alley Pro this past Saturday in Wagoner, OK, and TAP lived up to their moniker of ?tornado? as I was truly blown away by the amazing action!

CANADIAN RED DEVIL V. MIKE YORK (W/ SAINTS OF TWILIGHT & J. P. STEELE)

In a match that was promised to the fans at the April TAP show, the Canadian Red Devil finally got a chance to go head-to-head with Mike York. Of course, York didn?t come to the ring alone, as he was accompanied by the Saints of Twilight (Ignition & TAP Heavyweight Champion, Reckless) and TAP commissioner, J. P. Steele. Despite being heavily outnumbered, CRD showed little, if any, intimidation. He immediately began attacking York, as he had built up enough frustration because of York?s antics. However, the numbers game would come into play, as York distracted the ref, giving Reckless & Ignition a chance to attack CRD on the outside of the ring. During the attack, The Greatest American Bolo was able to sneak to ringside and retrieve his kendo stick that York stole at the April show. This gave CRD a chance to recover and gain the upper-hand on York. With G.A. Bolo keeping the Saints of Twilight & J.P. Steele at bay, CRD nailed York with the Faceplant from Hell and picked up the victory. Afterward, J.P. Steele indefinitely suspended the Canadian Red Devil without pay. However, CRD went to the back and came out with a surprise for Steele. It was revealed that John the Encourager had a contract naming him as the co-commissioner for TAP, and he immediately reinstated CRD, much to the delight of the fans. He also announced that the main event for the evening would be a gauntlet match to name the #1 contender for the TAP Heavyweight title.

WINNER: CANADIAN RED DEVIL

TAP ADRENALINE #1 CONTENDER?S MATCH
DAVID KYZER V. RYAN REYES (W /MR. B)

Unlike the April show, Ryan Reyes came to the ring with his assistant, Mr. B. With the presence of this new assistant, David Kyzer approached the ring cautiously, giving him time to re-evaluate his game plan. Kyzer had the obvious power advantage over the Texas native, as he used his strength to his advantage. Being the cagey veteran that he is, Reyes immediately adjusted his strategy, and threw Kyzer to the outside of the ring, giving Mr. B an opportunity to earn his pay for the evening as he attacked Kyzer and threw him back into the ring before the referee could catch him in the act. This gave Reyes the opportunity to ground the more-powerful, Kyzer, and work more methodically. However, Kyzer was able to draw on the support of the crowd in attendance, and mounted a comeback. That was enough to give Kyzer the ability to finish Reyes, get the victory, and to be named the new #1 contender to the TAP Adrenaline title, currently being occupied by Richie Adams.

WINNER & NEW #1 CONTENDER TO TAP ADRENALINE TITLE: DAVID KYZER

TAP ADRENALINE TITLE MATCH
EVAN NEWCASTLE V. RICHIE ADAMS (CHAMPION)
Few people can argue with the fact that former powerlifter, Evan Newcastle, has had an incredible first year in professional wrestling. Few people can argue with the fact that his opponent, Richie Adams, has had an even more incredible year, as he is currently the TAP Adrenaline champion and the Compound Pro Heavyweight champion. When the match began, the fans were treated to a match that would be expected from wrestler with more longevity in the profession. The two wasted no time going right after each other. Adams was not intimidated by the power advantage that Newcastle had, nor was Newcastle thrown off by the quickness of Adams. There were several times when Newcastle would be able to add another title to his resume, but Adams persevered to retain his TAP Adrenaline title.

WINNER AND STILL TAP ADRENALINE CHAMPION: RICHIE ADAMS

IGNITION (W/ MIKE YORK & RECKLESS) V. THE GREATEST AMERICAN BOLO

Since returning to TAP on March 26, The Greatest American Bolo has had his eyes set on winning the TAP Heavyweight title from current champion, Reckless. However, in May, he would have to settle for the twin-brother of Reckless, in Ignition. Ignition was, of course, accompanied to the ring, once again, by Mike York and Reckless. Conspicuous by his absence was G.A. Bolo?s manager, Sensei Bolo. However, the kendo stick was the trusty valet for Bolo on this night. Bolo came out like a ball of fire, taking it right to the Saints of Twilight member. But, Ignition used his power to counter the attack of Bolo. At one point, Ignition almost got the pin, but utilizing his unorthodox style, Bolo grabbed the referee?s hand before the three-count was completed. After a brief comeback by Bolo, Ignition was once again able to use the numbers game and get the victory.

WINNER: IGNITION (W/ MIKE YORK & RECKLESS)

TAP TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TRIPLE-THREAT TAG-TEAM ELIMINATION
EXCELLENCE PERSONIFIED (?DARLING? DUSTIN HERITAGE & SE7EN, W/ MIKE ILES V. STEVEN STERLING & ANGEL SKYCALL V. X-RATED (BOBBY STAR & KEVIN JAMES SANCHEZ)

Prior to the match, J. P. Steele (TAP co-commissioner) came out to the ring and announced that he was stripping the Mexecutioners (Ray Martinez & Jesus Rodriguez) of the TAP tag-team titles, and the winner of the triple-threat elimination match would be the new TAP tag-team champions. It was also announced that the Mexecutioners would be suspended without pay, indefinitely. Also, before the match, Excellence Personified drew names to determine who would be the members of the group going for the tag titles. EP played smart, as they let X-Rated and the duo of Steven Sterling and Angel Skycall do most of the fighting for the first part of the match. At one point, Dustin Heritage was tagged in, but executed no maneuvers before tagging in a member of X-Rated. Consequently, X-Rated would be the first team to be eliminated by Sterling and Skycall. This gave EP an immediate advantage, as they were the fresh men in the ring, against an already tired Sterling and Skycall. Though the duo put up a good fight, EP would be the duo raising their hands in the air and adding more gold to an already impressive lineup.

WINNERS AND NEW TAP TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS: EXCELLENCE PERSONIFIED (?DARLING? DUSTIN HERITAGE & SE7EN, W/ MIKE ILES)

TAP HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
RECKLESS (W/IGNITION & MIKE YORK) V. COBRA KAI

In what may have been the quickest match in the history of the TAP heavyweight champion, Reckless defended the title against the odd-ball of Oklahoma professional wrestling, Cobra Kai. With his entrance taking longer than the actual match, Reckless quickly disposed of Cobra Kai to retain his title.

WINNER AND STILL TAP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: RECKLESS (W/ IGNITION & MIKE YORK)

TAP OKLAHOMA HERITAGE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
?TERRIFIC? TIM ROCKWELL & ?THE LUXEMBOURG BEAST? DUTCH HAGEN

In his first appearance at TAP in nearly a year, ?Terrific? Tim Rockwell returned, and he appeared to have turned over a new leaf. His first action of business was to venture after his former title, the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Championship, and ?The Luxembourg Beast? Dutch Hagen. Hagen immediately accepted the challenge, and the match ensued. Rockwell seemed different this time out, as he was actually obeying the rules of the match and giving Hagen props for being a tremendous competitor, but once Hagen was able to get the upper-hand, Rockwell?s frustration began to build. No matter what he tried, Rockwell couldn?t seem to gain the advantage over Hagen, who has been on quite a roll, as of late. After Hagen landed the flying European uppercut on Rockwell, it appeared as if the Texas native was going to call it quits and head back to the locker room. However, Hagen made the cardinal mistake of turning his back of the cagey veteran, and Rockwell returned the tactics that made him a multi-time champion. He grabbed the TAP Oklahoma Heritage title belt, and hit Hagen from behind, earning himself a disqualification. Afterward, Rockwell grabbed the microphone and warned Hagen, ?I?m your worst nightmare.? With Rockwell seeming as vicious as ever, that may, in fact, be true.

WINNER BY DQ AND STILL TAP OKLAHOMA HERITAGE CHAMPION: ?THE LUXEMBOURG BEAST? DUTCH HAGEN

GAUNTLET MATCH TO DETERMINE THE #1 CONTENDER TO THE TAP HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

Dexter ?Hardtimes? Hardaway v. ?The Gun Show? Rick Russo

Hardaway came to the ring as cocky as ever, claiming that he was going to win the gauntlet. Those would be hard words to live up to, as his first opponent was Chi-town native Rick Russo. Despite having an obvious size and power disadvantage, Hardaway looked as if he may be able to live up to his promise, as he was able to overcome Russo, to eliminate him and move on to the next opponent in the gauntlet.

Dexter ?Hardtimes? Hardaway v. Pennywise

Oklahoma?s clown prince, Pennywise came to the ring with the unrecognized World Clown Wrestling Federation championship belt. However, Hardaway was in no mood to clown around, and he immediately went after the three-ring warrior. Pennywise managed to mount an impressive amount of offense against the ring-savvy veteran. However, he was unable to go nose-to-nose with Hardaway (as the nose on his masked was nearly ripped off), and the big top came crumbling down on Pennywise?s dreams of winning an official singles title.

Dexter ?Hardtimes? Hardaway v. Ty Thunder

In his TAP debut, Ty Thunder had the unique opportunity of gaining a shot at the TAP Heavyweight champion. With Hardaway having wrestled two opponents for quite some time, he already had an advantage. The youngster was immediately attacked upon entering the ring, and it looked as if Hardaway would eliminate another opponent. However, Thunder was able to impress the crowd in his debut match, and he was able to get the victory over Hardaway and move on, leaving Hardaway distraught over not being able to live up to his boasting.

Ty Thunder v. The Canadian Luchadore

Making another TAP debut was the current ComPro X-Division champion, The Canadian Luchadore. The two competitors had been teaming in 2009 in Compound Pro against the Popped Collar Posse; however, they would put their friendship aside on this night, as both men knew what was at stake. Ty Thunder continued to be impressive in his first outing with TAP, but his one mistake led to his downfall. Thunder tried to hit Luchadore with the Shooting Star Press, but the crafty veteran rolled out of the way. With Thunder stunned, Luchadore capitalized and got the victory to move on in the competition.

The Canadian Luchadore v. ?Mr. Endurance? Sugar Shane Morbid

Since losing the TAP Oklahoma Heritage title to Dutch Hagen and his manager, Richard Pearce, Morbid has been a different man. With the fans behind him, Morbid has his eyes set on the TAP Heavyweight championship. The first stop on his road to living that dream was The Canadian Luchadore. Though the Luchadore is an impressive athlete, Morbid?s stiff working style was more than the Luchadore could withstand, and Morbid was able to move on to the next combatant in the gauntlet.

?Mr. Endurance? Sugar Shane Morbid v. Maniac Mike

Once again released from the hospital, Maniac Mike was ready to release some of the frustration he?s had built up from being in the psych ward. He would have his hands full with Morbid, but Mr. Endurance had already wrestled a difficult match against the Canadian Luchadore. Maniac Mike stormed the ring, and immediately began going crazy on Morbid. However, Morbid was able to strait-jacket his opponent, and get the victory to move on to his final adversary.

?Mr. Endurance? Sugar Shane Morbid v. ?Mr. Saturday Night? Michael Barry (w/ Excellence Personified)

The final match of the gauntlet was a rematch that was seen at the last Compound Pro show, when the two met for the ComPro Heavyweight title at the final Compound show on the Sheridan Avenue Christian Church. Rather than capitalize on an already tired Morbid, Barry took him time getting into the ring, which may not have been the best game plan. However, once in the ring, Barry went right after Morbid, and the two picked up where they left off, except this time, Morbid wasn?t a bloody mess. In a first that I?ve ever seen, Barry had Morbid in an abdominal stretch, and he used Mike Iles for added leverage?but, it didn?t end there. The members of EP (Se7en, Heritage, Legacy, Haji the Manservant, and Lars Manderson) all formed a chain, and it continued into the first row of the front row of the crowd. Approximately 15 people were adding leverage to Barry?s abdominal stretch on Morbid. However, Morbid was able to persist, and he defeated Michael Barry.

WINNER AND NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE TAP HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: ?MR. ENDURANCE? SUGAR SHANE MORBID

Well, folks, that?s it for this special edition of Two Cents Worth. I encourage all of you to make out to the next TAP show on June 12 from the Wagoner Civic Center. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are only $5.00. The action is great, and this fan had an excellent time!!

Until next time, that?s my two cents worth?
John Wayne McGillicutty

Tags: MWA, TAP, Canadian Red Devil, Michael York, Saints of Twilight, J. P. Steele, Reckless, Ignition, Greatest American Bolo, John the Encourager, David Kyzer, Ryan Reyes, Richie Adams, Evan Newcastle, Richie Adams, Sensei Bolo, Excellence Personified, Dustin