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Striker Wins The 2022 Crow Cup: "It's A Debt I Can Never Repay!"

Posted: Jun 14th 2022 By: Michael Hunt

One might be forgiven for thinking that, at 51 years old, EPW Champion Striker was slowing his career down. If anything, it's on a big upswing as demonstrated by the accomplishments achieved over the past couple of weeks.

On May 28th, things looked down for Striker as he lost the EPW All-American Title to Logan Knight. The next day, at a special EPW event in Edmond, things rebounded as he took the EPW Title from his son, Maddox Jones. The emotion of that event was overwhelming. But that might not compare to the feelings he would exhibit at the end of June 11th.

Striker was one of eight participants in the 2022 Crisstopher Crow Memorial Tournament. Crow, the brother of CPW Tag Team Champion Drake Gallows, was killed in an automobile accident in 2011. In July, less than a month following his death, MSWA put on a memorial show for Crow and Striker teamed with Brad Michaels and John O'Malley as the Old School Assassins in a losing effort to Rage Logan, Damien Morte and Damon Windsor, with Shawn McKeaigg, collectively known as Nemesis.

For those who do not know, Oklahoma athletic commission rules state that all active participants at events sanctioned in this state must renew their licenses by July 1st. When Striker heard the news that Crow had died and that there was going to be a show held in his memory to help raise money for the family, he swore to license up. Even though he had been told by his doctor that he should never compete again because he had over 50 fractures in his face, he still was determined to do what was needed to help Crow's family.

And it was a good thing that he did. Because going in to get the physical in order to obtain his new license was what caused him to be aware that he had kidney cancer. Striker literally owed his continued existance to Cris Crow and it is, in his words, a debt that he can never repay.

Striker battled his way back from kidney cancer to return to the ring. He then battled his way back from a near-fatal lawn mower explosion to return to the ring once again. And now, even after those physical issues, Striker was determined not to let down the legacy of Criss Crow in this event.

The first round saw Striker take on UWO Champion Derek James. While neither man's title was on the line, this champion-vs-champion match was very intriguing in itself. Striker brought the veteran instincts to the match while James' youth and tenacity, along with the ringside presence of his manager, Tuck Davion, challenged Striker to push his talents a far as they would go. And it appeared that James was going to make his way to the second round until the arrival of Sam Stackhouse, who had lost his first round match to Red James due to Derek's distraction. Sam returned the favour and ensured that the UWO Champion would be eliminated from futher contention, allowing Striker to advance to the second round.

That second round match was challenging in a totally different way as Striker took on the Oklahoma Hardcore Legend, Kareem Sadat. Both men are veteran competitors, but Sadat's unpredictable style is difficult to overcome. And while this was not a hardcore match, Sadat still did as much as he could get away with. Striker was able to overcome that and pick up a pinfall, making his way to the finals of the tournament.

His opponent in that final match was Brawler Morrison. Morrison had gained a victory over Mitch Onyx. During that match, Onyx focused a lot of attention on Morrison's leg, making it less than useful. He then faced off against Red James, who was woefully unprepared for a man the calibre of Morrison. Morrison's youth and brawling style, combined with his lowered concern for his own safety and well-being, certainly presented some concerns for Striker, but the biggest issue at hand had to be the ringside presence of Morrison's manager, C.M. Burnham. But Burnham negated those concerns before the match started, stating his respect and admiration for Striker and removing himself from the equation, instead taking a seat in the crowd to watch the match. The match was dominated for the most part by Morrison. The toll of 2 other matches was beginning to show in Striker's offence. While Morrison had also competed in two matches, one was very short and was earlier than Striker's, so he had had more time to rest and recouperate. After taking quite the beating, Striker rallied and hoisted Morrison up, attempting to give Morrison an Emo-Killer, the finisher used by Crow. But Morrison's weight was too much for Striker to balance after almost 3 full matches and while he was able to convert it into a rolling slam, it wasn't enough to put Morrison away. So Striker went back to what had brought him victory so many times: The Stroke! And that was enough to put Morrison down and give Striker the tournament victory.

The show of respect, admiration and love by not just the fans, but the entire locker room, who came out to surround the ring after that match, was amazing. And Striker's post-win speech to the fans, to Drake Gallows and to Drake's mother, was heartfelt and emotional to say the least. Another accolade was added to his bio. And now, Striker faces the biggest challenge of his career on June 18th. It's him versus his son for the EPW Title. Both men's careers on the line. Either Striker pulls the hat trick and sends Jones packing.....or Striker walks away from wrestling once and for all.