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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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Supplemental Information

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Spotlight in History

  • 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
  • 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
  • 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25

  • 04-19 1987 Bubba Rogers def. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 04-19 2014 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 04-19 2014 Miss Diss Lexia def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-19 2014 Erica def. Miss Diss Lexia for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-19 2014 Brandon Groom def. Warhammer for the BPPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
  • 04-19 2024 Kari Wright def. Tommy Prince for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 04-19 2024 K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) def. Rock-N-Rugged (Rook Tyler & Gabe Welder for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2025 Rook Tyler def. Auzzy for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
  • 04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 04-20 2019 B. M. F. (Kareem Sadat & Maniac Mike) became the EmpCW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-20 2019 Double D became the EmpCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-20 2024 Malachi & Ozzy Hendrix def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-20 2024 Kevin James Sanchez def. Montego Seeka for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Title
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
  • 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Title
  • 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
  • 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
  • 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
  • 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
  • 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
  • 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
  • 04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
  • 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
04-24
  • Ethan Price Apr 24th Today!
  • Lou Thesz Apr 24th Today!
  • Lance Von Erich Apr 24th Today!
  • Max Mercer Apr 25th
  • Brett Stopp Apr 25th
  • Crash Davis Apr 25th
  • Zack Zilla Apr 25th
  • Bobby Joe Bristow Apr 25th
  • Carl Fergie Apr 25th
  • Eric Roberts Apr 25th
  • Walker Stewart Apr 25th
  • Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
  • Havoc Apr 26th
  • Karl Kox Apr 26th
  • Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
  • Siva Afi Apr 28th
  • Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
  • Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
  • Sunshine Apr 29th
  • Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
  • Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
  • Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
  • Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
  • Prince Maivia May 1st
  • Big Bossman May 2nd
  • Don Fields May 2nd
  • Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
  • Americos May 2nd
  • Barrett Brown May 2nd
  • Kari Wright May 2nd
  • Johnny Humble May 3rd
  • Lily McKenzie May 3rd
  • Lester Welch May 3rd
  • Jay Hazzard May 4th
  • Dory Funk May 4th
  • Bull Schmitt May 4th
  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
  • Malik Mayfield May 4th
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th
  • Bill Watts May 5th
  • Zane Morris May 5th
  • El Gallardo May 5th
  • El Matador Dos May 5th
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th
  • Princess Victoria May 5th
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th

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