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Group Dynamics Abound At Crow Tribute Show

Posted: Jul 21st 2011 By: CMBurnham

MSWA held the second of three tribute shows to Crisstopher Crow this past Sunday. And collections of three dominant Oklahoma factions appeared to not just pay tribute to one of their fallen brethren, but also to perhaps establish once and for all who the dominant group in the Oklahoma City area was and is.

First out was the return of the Old School Assassins: Striker and IZW Tag Team Champions John O'Malley & Brad Michaels. For many, many years, the OSA were THE group in MSWA with Michaels as the mastermind behind the assortment. Membership changed many times (with Michaels even being kicked out at one point and fighting against his own creation), but when Oklahoma City fans think of past group glories, they go straight to this group. And Michaels made it clear that things weren't going to be any different. While this might just be a one-time reunion, they were still the strongest and intended to leave with that image in everyone's head.

At that point, Mike Iles led members of Excellence Personified (in this instance, Duke Swellington and SWCW Tag Team Champion Se7en) to the ring. Michaels enquired as to why they were there and Iles responded that the last time he had come to MSWA, they were cheered, but it got them nowhere, so this time they were going to what they wanted, when they wanted and and didn't care who they pissed off. Iles said OSA had done it all but they were the past and EP was the future and beyond. Iles also mentioned that Striker was barely medically cleared to wrestle. Michels said that they were going to show OSA still meant business. This war of words continued between the two mouthpieces until Drake Gallows made his appearance. Gallows, the brother of Crow, got in the ring and reminded everyone what they were here for. It wasn't about EP. It wasn't about the OSA. It was about Crow and great wrestling. And that seemed to get through to Michaels and his assortment as he backed off, shook Gallows' hand and made his way to the back. Iles then got the mic back and said "Bad Brad, you want to pretend to be the bigger man? You want to think you are still the straight arrow in pro wrestling in Oklahoma? Well, EP can do the same. Drake, you are right We are here to honour your brother, and EP is ready to help tear this house down!". Iles handed the mic to Swellington, who said "How about we start with some of our favourite Crisstopher Crow stories both in and out of the ring? I don't have any. I only get in the ring with talent, so I never faced him. In fact, I don't even know why you are here in the ring with me." He handed the mic to Iles, who asked Se7en if he wanted to say anything and he said no. And then a vicious sneak attack followed as EP beat down Gallows in the middle of the ring. It looked like Gallows was on his way to being taken to a hospital until, in a shocking return, "The Widowmaker" Angel Williams came to his rescue.

EP wanted nothing to do with an enraged Williams, but when the challenge was issued for a tag team match, it was on. And while Swellington & Se7en had Iles at ringside to assist, they couldn't fight off the combination of the power of Williams combined with the aerial tactics of Gallows. In the end, Williams hit Dead Right There on Swellington and picked up the win in honour of Crow and his family.

The main event was a 6-man tag with the aforementioned Old School Assassins taking on Nemesis, in the form of Rage Logan, Damien Morte & Damon Windsor, with Shawn McKeaigg at thier side. An interesting situation, as Windsor had recently been mentored in IZW by O'Malley as one of the Future Hall of Famers, but now had a chance to use that knowledge against "The Hate Machine" and his partners. Michaels and O'Malley, as tag team champions, worked most of the match for their team, allowing Striker in for swift appearances and there were the expected high spots from the Nemesis side. And even though he was the veteran performer, Michaels was also the one caught at the end with a Wheelbarrow Facecracker combination by Logan & Morte, resulting in the pin. And, in the spirit of the event, both teams shook hands and showed tremendous respect for each other at the end of the match as the fans chanted "Freakshow!"

Nothing was proven in regards to the who the greatest group was, but that wasn't really the point of the event. It was simply to show that wrestlers from all different federations could come together and put on a supershow (something Crow had long dreamed of) for many of the Oklahoma fans. And there will be one more opportunity to celebrate his life as SWCW will present their tribute show on Saturday, July 23rd. Striker will make his return to SWCW and rumour has it members of EP will also be present. Plus Gallows will take his brother's place in the 4-Way Match for the SWCW Title in the Six Sides of Sickness. With groups like EP on the same turf as the Hardcore Connection, perhaps something will happen to continue this faction warfare. Or perhaps common ground can finally be found at "The Crow's Nest" for this last tribute to a fallen star.