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Albright Gains Revenge For "Saturday Night's" Attack

Posted: Mar 11th 2009 By: CMBurnham

No one can say that MWA Champion Blake Albright isn't a fighting champion. Since defeating Tim Rockwell for the title in January, Albright has been challenged by the man who cost him the title initially: Michael Barry.

At MWA's first event in September, 2008, Albright & Barry faced off in the second round of the tournament to determine the first MWA Champion. Barry had already caused damage to Albright's ribs after Blake defeated Jack Legacy to advance in the tournament. Barry continued to focus on those ribs during his match with Albright, but his confidence proved to be his undoing. Towards the end of the match, Barry had Albright covered, but pulled his head up at the 2-count. He then went to deliver a vertical suplex, but Albright countered this with a small package for the win. Barry's fury was uncontainable and he delivered his signature move, the "Saturday Night Special" to Albright after the loss, then beat on him. This might have been enough to ensure that Albright couldn't win the final match, but just to make sure, Barry came out and distracted Albright during tournament final, spitting water in his face and allowing Tim Rockwell to schoolboy him for the pin.

Albright spent the next 4 months trying to take what so many felt was rightfully his. And after defating Rockwell and MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion Max McGuirk in a Triple Threat Bullrope Match, Albright finally had his first wrestling championship. He didn't rest on this accomplishment, as Michael Barry, who had been out with a leg injury, returned and immediately stepped up to challenge the new champion. Their first encounter since Blake won the belt was in February and the match was outstanding. Both men had plenty to prove. Albright needed to show that he wasn't a fluke or transitional champion while Barry wanted everyone to understand that he was just as much of a threat as he was before his injury. This match spilled outside and over to the ring announce table where Mike Iles and C. M. Burnham were seated. Albright even damaged the table when he suplexed Barry onto it. Inside, outside, these men held nothing back, but ultimately Albright was able to capture the win for his first title defence.

At that point, it appeared that Barry was going to show some good sportsmanship. He extended his hand to Albright, but the champion was cautious in accepting it. Barry stood with his hand out for about a minute as Albright consulted the crowd as to whether he should accept the shake. Barry finally tired of making the offer, withdrew his hand and began to leave the ring, but Albright stopped him, turned him around and extended his own hand. Barry accepted and the show of respect was delivered. But then Barry kicked the champion in the stoumach and delivered a Saturday Night Special onto the title belt, damaging it in such a way that it could no longer be used at the shows.

Blake displayed his new belt when he came to the ring for his rematch against Michael Barry. Traditionally, MWA does what are called "Japanese introductions", where the competitors are introduced to the crowd after their music has played and they are in the ring. Blake wouldn't wait for that. He dropped his new belt at the top of the ramp and ran to the ring, sliding in and immediately going after Michael Barry. Both men held nothing back and again, this match spilled outside. This time, though, there was the unexpected presence of IZW Impact Division Champion Dustin Heritage. Heritage came to ringside, allegedly to observe the procedings, but he brought a chair with him and distracted the referee so that Barry could grab that chair. Barry went to hit Albright with it, but Albright ducked and Barry hit the chair on the ropes, which caused it to bounce back into his face. This didn't knock Barry out, but it certainly took away the advantage for a while.

Blake captialised on this chance as best he could, but he couldn't keep Barry down. Knowing that his title opportunity was slipping from his grasp, Barry went into his trunks for a chain, which he wrapped around his fist and used to knock Albright out. Three seconds later, Michael Barry was announced as the new MWA Champion and the crowd was livid. Barry began to celebrate, raising his hands above his head, which allowed the chain, which was stored under his arm, to fall out. Senior referee Jeremy Evans saw this happen and quickly came to the right conclusion, taking the belt away from Barry and returning it to Blake as a result of a DQ.

Who's the next #1 contender? Or will someone else step up to challenge the champion? Rumours have it that Max McGuirk may be a little upset at his friend, believing he has a title shot earned. After his match on the MWA card, he told the crowd that he would get his title shot, no matter what.

Tags: MWA, Blake Albright, Jack Legacy, MSWA, Red Devil, Mike Iles, C. M. Burnham, Dustin Heritage, IZW , Jeremy Evans