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Rockwell Surprised By Return Of Uncle Bernie

Posted: Nov 10th 2010 By: CMBurnham

For a team that was voted Tag Team of the Year two consecutive years, Texas, Inc. certainly spiraled downwards at the end. They lost the ComPro Tag Team Titles to Dawn of Extreme two weeks after winning them. They lost an Old School Butt Whoopin' Match against The Old School Express. All the success they'd had meant nothing as Tim Rockwell placed the blame for the collapse of the team on his uncle, Bernard Funk. And while many fans probably expected a feud between the two Texas stars, that never happened because Funk chose to retire rather abruptly.

Both in MWA and ComPro, Funk's retirement speech was interrupted by Tim Rockwell, who then attacked his uncle. Not exactly the way that Funk wanted to leave, but it seemed that was going to be the last memory fans had of "The Texas Veteran." Now, it appears that Funk is stepping forward to make one more attempt to write the last bit of his legacy the way he wants to.

Last month, MWA made thier debut in Vinita and as part of the debut card, Rockwell faced off against the Canadian Red Devil. Both men intended to gain favour from the crowd by making their first appearance a victorious one. And it appeared that the Devil was going to have his hand raised for the first time in MWA this year. But Rockwell eluded the Sharpshooter and grabbed the ringside chair from Lars Manderson, throwing it in the ring. Referee Johnny Humble grabbed the chair took it back outside. This all proved to be ruse on Rockwell's part as it allowed him to grab his cowbell, which he had stashed under the ring prior to the show, and knock the Devil out. During his post-match celebration, Rockwell noticed that Funk was in attendance and had made his way up to the ringside area. Rockwell launched into a tirade on his former partner, asking if he'd been released from the local hospital (Vinita is home to a state mental facility). He said he'd just beaten one of the best in Oklahoma and that family meant nothing to him. They're just going to stab you in the back. As far as Rockwell was concerned, Funk could go off and be a family man all he wanted to be. If he wanted to see the old action, he could pay his $6 in Vinita and his $5 in Spavinaw. After Rockwell backed away, Funk took the mic and said that he was going to be in Spavinaw.

Rockwell took no chances when he came to the ring in Spavinaw last Friday. The previous Saturday, Rockwell had suffered a broken hand due to ComPro Showtime Champion Michael Barry. So Rockwell brought with him the Longhorn Assassin to handle any attmpts at outside interference (and to give him someone to rely on for that extra boost for a win). He told the crowd that after the show in Vinita, he had been attacked by a masked man and suffered the injury to his hand, but he was still going to wrestle that night because he is a "Texas Champion". And to his credit, for someone facing an opponent the size of Silo Sam, Rockwell handled things well, when taking into account the FACT that he only had one hand to use during the match. But that wasn't enough for Rockwell, who needed a win to prove that his victory of the Devil wasn't a fluke. So the Longhorn Assassin hopped up on the ring apron and distracted the referee, allowing Rockwell to give Sam a low blow which led to a pin. Victory was sweet, but it wasn't enough and Rockwell then demanded that the Longorn Assassin step in the ring and hurt Sam. Rockwell held the 300 lb behemoth while the Assassin took the cowbell and charged towards Sam. But instead of hitting Sam in the forehead, the Assassin collided with the forehead of Rockwell, knocking him down. The Assassin then stood in the ring and unlaced his mask, revealing the face of Bernard Funk. Funk took the microphone and reminded Rockwell that he had promised to be in Spavinaw and he had followed through on that promise. He then informed his nephew that he planned on being in Vinita in December. Rockwell could only look on in fear as his uncle then left the ring and went to the back.

Rockwell and Funk are no strangers to each other as opponents. Rockwell's career began in SRPW with him at odds against Funk over the Texas Heavyweight Championship that Funk carries with him. Rockwell defeated Funk for that title and then lost it back a couple of months later. Since that time, Rockwell and Funk realised that they had more going for them together than apart. Now, it's time for another decision to be made. Can Rockwell stand up to his uncle and send him back into retirement? Or will the grizzled veteran have enough to put his uppity nephew in his place? This family feud is just beginning and the holidays don't look inviting for either man.