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Devil Endures To Strike Gold in OWA

Posted: Apr 27th 2013 By: CMBurnham

There are times that people get exactly what they want, but not necessarily the way they want it.

That may the best way to sum up the situation revolving around The Canadian Red Devil, Shane Morbid, Striker and the OWA Title. All three men were part of an 8-man tournament on April 20 in Sperry, OK. The winner would be crowned the first OWA Champion. But in this instance, it seems that controversy came out the actual victor.

The Canadian Red Devil did not have an easy road to the finals. In the first round, he faced Ignition, a long time foe. Both men knew each other very well, but Ignition had the advantage of his tag team partner, ComPro Champion Michael York being at ringside. York's presence made the match for all intents and purposes a 2-on-1 as his constant interference made it nearly impossible for CRD to focus on his in-ring opponent. Ultimately, CRD ran Ignition into York when York stepped up on the ring apron once too often, then connected with the Face Plant From Hell for the win. But York took the opportunity to put a beating on CRD after the match, trying to weaken him for the second-round match.

CRD was certainly the weaker opponent when he faced York in the semi-finals. Not only had York put a beating on CRD after his first match, but York also did not have to compete in a first-round match as he had qualified for a bye to the second round after gaining the pinfall in a 6-man tag team contest the previous month. And again, it was 2-on-1, this time with Ignition present at ringside. CRD was a victim of near-constant 2-on-1 assaults and at one point the action spilled outside the ring where York hiptossed CRD over the restraining barrier and into some empty seats. Ignition then took the ring bell and slammed it across the head of CRD. But all of this still didn't gain York a victory. As York attempted to put CRD down with a chokeslam, CRD reversed out of it and connected with the Face Plant From Hell, earning his slot in the finals.

Shane Morbid's journey to the finals was just as difficult. During his opening round match with S. L. U. G. G., Morbid suffered two cracked ribs. This didn't stop him from eliminating S. L. U. G. G. with the Godzilla clothesline and moving on to round 2. That semi-final match saw Morbid facing Striker and it seemed like, between the cracked ribs and Striker's experience factor, this would be the end of the road for "Mr. Endurance". But out of nowhere, Morbid rolled Striker into a small package and came away with a victory that surprised him, but absolutely flabbergasted Striker.

So it came down to CRD and Morbid in the finals. Both men had crowd support, although CRD's was more vocal. Morbid tried to embarass CRD by yanking Devil's trunks down in the back and exposing his full Canadian Moon. But those kinds of games were the rarity as both men relied on their strengths. CRD focused on the technical side. Morbid focused on Strong Style force. Towards the end of the match Morbid catapulted CRD into referee Thomas Knight. Morbid then levelled CRD with the Godzilla clothesline. But, in an unexpected twist, Striker reappeared, grabbing the bell hammer and slamming it into Morbid's head. He then draped a nearly-unconscious CRD on Morbid and revived the referee. Three seconds later, The Canadian Red Devil was your first OWA Champion...and none the wiser as to what had actually happened.

The motivation for Striker's action seems a little unclear. He is certainly no friend of CRD as issues between the two of them have recently arisen in IZW. It appears that Striker simply wanted revenge for the surprise victory from Morbid. The Devil will have to remain vigilant as both these men, as well as Michael York, pose immediate threats to prematurely ending his championship reign.