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SRPW Lives!

Posted: Jun 16th 2011 By: CMBurnham

August 4, 2006: The P. I. N. K. Nation is triumphant in a War Games Style Match when Luc Lapointe betrays his team and allows them to lose. This ended SRPW's run in Sapulpa and everyone believed that it was the last time fans would hear those initials at an Oklahoma independent wrestling event.

Almost 5 years later, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, SRPW is once again an active federation.

For most of 2011, Jake O'Brien had been waging a one man war against the Foundation. He had defeated Kyle Everlast and J. B. Varsity in both singles matches and a Handicap Match, but had been unable to get his hands on the one person he wanted: MERC Patriot Champion Robbie Awesome. But MERC management promised that Awesome would get a title shot at the show on June 11. When that show began, Awesome, along with Varsity and their manager Moses Manson came to the ring and announced that they had no intentions of competing against O'Brien. Everlast then came out with a leprechaun's hat on, saying that he was Jake O'Brien. He "demanded" a match and Awesome agreed. The sham put on in front of the fans in Mounds was as embarassing as many of the Foundation's losses. Awesome used the "finger poke of doom" and Everlast went down. Awesome then covered Everlast and Manson counted 3. Awesome then announced that he would not have to return later in the show as he had already defended his title, but the crowd had none of that and neither did MERC management.

The Foundation set the tone for the night as Everlast scored a victory of X-Statik and Varsity ended his losing streak by gaining a win over Kobra Kai. But by the end of the show, the mood had changed. O'Brien came to the ring, focused and knowing that momentum seemed to be on the side of Awesome. The entire Foundation confidently arrived for the match, but senior referee John the Encourager utilised his authourity to eject Everlast & Varsity from the ringside area. He couldn't do anything about Manson, though, as he was a licensed manager and Manson refused to let go of the title belt. So the match progressed. And as O'Brien was preparing to give Awesome a Stinger Splash in the corner, Awesome yanked the referee in between them, knocking them unconscious. Manson then made his way into the ring and swung the belt at O'Brien, but "The Irish Handgrenade" ducked and grabbed the belt from Manson, knocking the manager out of the ring. He then dumped the belt outside and covered Awesome, but it was only good for 2. Both men then tried for their finishers, but a series of reversals and escapes followed resulting in Awesome connecting with a Zig-Zag. He didn't go for the pin, instead trying to hit one more move, but O'Brien moved and then set Awesome up for a Pedigree, but still only got 2. In a last desperate gamble, O'Brien then wrapped Awesome up in a Victory Roll and got the 3 count. The crowd was elated as the hometown boy not only captured his first championship, but ended the domination of the Foundation in front of them.

But the surprises weren't over. As ring announcer C. M. Burnham entered the ring to congratulate the new champion, a package was delivered to him. Burnham announced to the crowd that he had received a call from MERC management during the match and had been instructed to give the package to O'Brien. O'Brien opened the package and pulled out an SRPW T-Shirt, which he showed to the crowd. He then told the crowd that this was the last time that a MERC show was going to be promoted in Mounds. He went on to say that he had begun his training at SRPW and pointed out former owners Luc Lapointe & Sarah Harmon at ringside. As of that moment, Main Event Reality Combat ceased to exist and Steel Rage Pro Wrestling was reborn. O'Brien thanked the crowd and a new chapter in pro wrestling was started (or perhaps "restarted") in Mounds, OK that night.

Though most have moved on to other things, there are a few alumni of the original SRPW still with the company. The last SRPW Champion was Bobby Burns and the last SRPW X Division champion was Ray Martinez. Das Karnage, who had been a referee for SRPW, made his return to the company at this show. Former Boys & Girls Club Champion Pork Chop has been a regular since the company's beginning. Trey Christian, Brandon Groom, Rick Vyper and J. W. Hardin (who competed as Terry Montana previously) all are also SRPW alumni who have made appearances for MERC.