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Brandon Groom Still Believes He Can Make It

Brandon Groom Still Believes He Can Make It

Posted: Jan 21st 2009 By: CMBurnham

One of the biggest stars on the Oklahoma independent scene was Brandon Groom. A high school wrestling star, Brandon was brought into the professional wrestling world by his high school coach, Big Daddy Moore. He got his start in OPW and immediately found himself in a feud with Rocco Valentino. Groom formed a partnership with Brian Lakewood and chased the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles, but would not be successful in capturing them. In FACT, title gold would elude Brandon for the duration of the existance of OPW.

Even though he never held gold, it wasn't for a lack of trying. Groom repeatedly challenged for the OPW Oklahoma Title and even faced off against Rocco Valentino in front of over 5000 people in 2000. The frustration eventually got to Brandon and he turned his back on the fans, but did capture the OCW Oklahoma Title on the very first OCW card in 2002 from Splash Jackson. That title reign was short-lived as he would lose the belt to Vinnie Valentino just one month later.

Groom eventually gave up chasing his dream in OCW and became one of the premiere stars in SRPW. But acquiring the Heavyweight Title there wasn't any easier than it had been in OPW and it too him most of 2003 to put that belt around his waist. Once he defeated Slater Vain in a 2-out-of-3 falls match for the vacant title, he would go on to become the longest reigning SRPW Champion of all time, holding the belt over 9 months before losing it to Luc Lapointe. It was during this title reign that Groom began to get more serious attention from the WWE and they brought him in for some preliminary matches.

Groom continued to chase the dream of becoming a WWE superstar, while continuing to work around Oklahoma and the surrounding states. He entered NWA-OK and won the NWA-OK Oklahoma Title from Michael Barry. In an odd moment, he would compete on a WWE broadcast against then-WWE United States Champion Booker T. An NWA Champion vs. a WWE Champion. Something that would have received a lot more press many years prior.

Groom also captured the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Titles, although he never got to wear the belts as they were stolen by the New Texas Outlaws and NWA-U folded before they could be recovered.

By 2005 Groom's appearances in Oklahoma were diminishing. He eventually moved to Florida and made some appearances in Florida Championship Wrestling, the training ground for prospective WWE talents. Although not on a contract, he did impress them enough to continue to be brought back and work opening matches on their cards in hopes of earning a contract. But that never happened.

In what was certainly a shock to many fans, Brandon Groom returned to Oklahoma wrestling at the end of 2008, competing in the opening match of the ComPro show against the Amazing Bolo. Grooms skill and size overwhelmed the masked African and he won his return with ease. He also earned victories over Cast-Iron Cothern (due in part of interference from Shane Morbid), TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion Tim Rockwell and Matt Emerald, a wrestler that Groom trained himself.

The wrestling business hasn't always been the easiest for Groom. He was involved in a highly controversial decision surrounding the 2002 Oklahoma Stampede. He married fellow wrestler Summer Rain, but they have since divorced. He trained several other wrestlers in Oklahoma, including Michael York and Brett Taylor. And despite making effort after effort, he has yet to truly capture the eyes of the WWE.

But he never gives up. Brandon continues to do what he believes he does best. And even when people tell him he's too old, too short or doesn't have enough presence, Groom won't let them get him down. His entrance song says "Always Believe" and that's what Groom continues to as long as he can continue to step between the ropes.

 

Tags: Brandon Groom, Big Daddy Moore, OPW, Rocco Valentino, Brian Lakewood, OCW, Splash Jackson, Vinnie Valentino, SRPW, Slater Vain, WWE, Michael Barry, NWA-OK, New Texas Outlaws, NWA-U, ComPro, Amazing Bolo, Cast-Iron Cothern, Shane Morbid, Tim Rockwell, Matt

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  • 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
  • 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

  • 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
  • 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
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  • 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
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  • 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-07
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