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ComPro Championship Controversy!

Posted: Mar 19th 2009 By: CMBurnham

The match peaked the interest of the fans as it pitted ComPro Champion Draven Cross against the undefeated Brandon Groom. But when it was over, confusion reigned as Groom's claim to the title seemed a little tenuous.

Brandon Groom didn't make his desire to be ComPro Champion known for a long time. Content to be a contender to the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title, it wasn't until his chance to win that belt was ruined by Draven Cross and Tim Rockwell that the ComPro Title became a goal in his eyes. Groom's popularity with the female fans, combined with his being one of the few wrestlers in the federation who could match Draven in size and power, created a must-see match for Night of Champions XIII.

The week before, Groom had come out after Draven had beaten Oklahoma X Division Champion Jake McCoy. Groom locked Draven in a submission move, forcing him to tap out. Groom refused to release the hold and Draven actually passed out in the ring from the pain. Groom was so frustrated at Draven and his manager, Stevie Caballero, that he even threatened to hit Stevie, which prompted a huge :"Hit him in the head!" chant from the crowd. Groom took the Heavyweight Title belt and placed it over Draven's head. He then promised the crowd that next week, he would force Draven to tap out and take the belt from him. In a final venting of his frustration, he stomped on Draven's head (and belt) and then left.

Both men arrived ready and willing for their championship confrontation during the main event on March 14. Generic Referee One was very watchful of Stevie and ordered him off the apron on multiple occassions when it looked like he might be trying to interfere and help his man out. He even threatened to send him to the back if he continued that behaviour. After talking his way out of it more than once, Caballero sensed that he wouldn't have many more chances, so as soon as the referee turned his back, Caballero hit him in the back of the head with his megaphone, knocking him out. Draven then hit a devastating move on Brandon and covered him for the pin, but there was no referee to make the count. Brandon escaped the pin and managed to once again lock Draven into a submission hold. The referee weakly signalled for the bell and then the confusion started.

Groom stood up, took the microphone and asked ComPro ring announcer Jamie if she had rung the bell. She nodded in confirmation, but didn't announce Groom as the winner and new champion. Groom took the championship belt off the table and claimed it as his, raising it high for everyone to see. At that point, ComPro owner Mike Two came from the back to confer with Jamie. He made no statement and tried to help the referee to the back. Draven, who had recovered from the submission hold and was being encouraged to the back by Stevie, shoved him down on the ground of the walkway in frustration, creating another situation where he had to be helped up and assisted to the back.

So, what's the controversy here? Well, the referee, who had been knocked down, was not facing the competitors when the bell was rung. So how could he call a submission when he didn't ask for one? It's true that Draven was tapping out, but did the referee actually see that, considering that Draven's body was completely blocking the area of the ring he was tapping on? Also, since he raised his head and signalled towards the ring announcer at the same time, that also makes it odd for the decision to have gone in Groom's favour.

Many fans think there might be another reason why the referee signalled for the bell and Oklafan has received word that a clarification of this situation will be made at the opening of the ComPro show this Saturday. As often seems the case, ComPro generates controversy each and every week and this was certainly no exception.

Tags: Draven Cross, Brandon Groom, Tim Rockwell, Jake McCoy, Stevie Caballero, Generic Referee One, Jamie, Mike Two