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History Repeats Itself! Double D Now 2-Time MSWA Champion

Posted: Aug 17th 2012 By: CMBurnham

On April 17, 2011, Double D defeated 3rd Rail, Xavior and IZW Tag Team Champion Kevin Morgan in a 4-Way Elimination Match for the vacant MSWA Mid-South Title. It was a great accomplishment for D, who many looked at like Rey Misterio, Jr: the cruiserweight with all the ability to hang with the heavyweights and be a credible champion.

But D never got to prove himself as then-MSWA Commissioner Shawn McKeaigg stripped D of the title as one of his many abuses of power. Additionally, he fired D from the company preventing him from ever gettting an opportunity to regain the belt.

Compounding the problem on August 6th, D put his IZW Impact Division Title on the line against Jermaine Johnson's IZW Title with Johnny Z as the special referee. That match ended with D standing triumphant holding both belts. But again, it seemed like fate wanted to deny D his special moment as Z's brother, then-IZW commissioner Jeff Wolfenbarger, filed an injunction with the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission saying that Z was unqualified as a referee as he was not impartial. They OASC upheld that decision and the belt was returned to Johnson.

D's absence was sorely felt for that year's time. But his surprise return on July was even more eventful as he came out of the crowd to assist MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion Damon Windsor to gain a victory over Jermaine Johnson. With Double D securely back in the fold for MSWA, fans' excitement began to boil up again in the hopes that perhaps he could finally secure that championship gold around his waist.

Come August 5th, MSWA owner Bad Boy had some issues to address with the fans pertaining to the newly returned Impact, Inc. And it appeared that Impact, Inc. had issues to address with him as before he could speak, Johnny Z, Jermaine Johnson, Jordan Jacobs and MSWA commissioner Erica arrived in force. The first thing they did was hand Bad Boy a "gag order" indicating that he was not allowed to say anything about the mystery co-owner of MSWA. That didn't stop Bad Boy from saying that he started the company on his own without the help of attorneys or co-owners. Since he's 50% owner he can certainly make matches and Impact, Inc. "can't do shit about it!" Johnny Z, in possession of the Mid-South championship despite not being champion,informed Bad Boy that he was "making a mockery of my title reign" and that Erica had all the authourity to make title matches, just like Bad Boy could. In a shrewd business move, Z said that he was willing to negotiate. Bad Boy stated that he was setting up a match for the heavyweight title between Double D and Johnny Z. Z countered by demanding a tag team title match for Impact, Inc. against Nemesis.

Both demands were met and the tag team title match opened the show. Johnny Z proved the deciding factor in that match as he snuck in towards the end and hit Windsor with the championship belt, then lay Johnson on top to crown new champions. A disappointing start for the MSWA fans. And when the main event arrived, Johnny Z's arrogance was overwhelming as he, the commissioner and the newly annoited tag team champions strode to the ring to take on Double D, who stood as a man alone. He wasn't alone long, though, as Bad Boy again made his way down and announced that he was the special enforcer for the match. His first act was to ban the Tag Team Champions from ringside, which didn't sit well with the Impact, Inc. members. Z was not content with the situation and tried to walk out of the match, but returned when he realised referee George Knight would not stop the count and could potentially award D the belt on a countout. At that point, the long history between the two kicked in and both men brought everything they were accustomed to seeing from each other. Floatover DDT from Johnny Z. The first appearance of "The Force" from Double D in a Mid-South ring. With D in the corner, Z warmed up and prepared for the Big Boot, but D avoided it and Z crotched himself. This led Erica to leap up on the apron to try and interfere, but Bad Boy yanked her down. Then, to the surprise of everyone, Kevin Morgan appeared, coming in through the front door. Despite being fired by Erica two shows prior, the former MSWA commissioner was not going to allow that to stand in his way and he came barging through to try and get his hands on the Impact, Inc. members. With Bad Boy desperately restraining Morgan, D connected with a crossbody and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause as the 3-count was made. Finally, without any hint of controversy, Double D was the Heavyweight Champion.

The locker room emptied in a show of solidarity for the newly crowned champion. Nemesis, Kyle Kelly and Crossfire Morrison all joined in the celebration for the new champion. But while he sits atop the mountain, it's a lonely view down at the people who want a shot at him. The last 2 years' history for the MSWA Title have seen the belt declared vacant 4 times. And that provides 3 legitimate contenders for Double D's newly won title. Legitimately, Johnny Z never lost the title. He was forced to relenquish it when Impact, Inc. lost a Loser-Leaves-MSWA match on March 6, 2011. 3rd Rail also never lost the title. He was champion when MSWA closed down last October and all titles were declared vacant upon MSWA's reopening. Rail's manager, Stevie Caballero, has been rather vocal about Rail being the rightful champion since the company started up again. And then there's the former champion Rage Logan. He was put out of action by Impact, Inc. on July 8th and has yet to return. Assuming he is able to return to the company, he certainly has a bonifide claim to facing Double D for the belt.

It seems very likely that at least one of these former champions will be stepping up to challenge Double D this Sunday when MSWA runs their next show. And perhaps history will repeat itself again with another short title run for the current champion.