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SRPW Championship Spotlight Series: Paul Puertorico

Posted: Nov 1st 2014 By: CMBurnham

The demand for the SRPW United States Title has certainly upped in recent weeks, as the spotlight fell on it during the Tulsa State Fair shows.

SRPW recently had the opportunity to display their talents during the Tulsa State Fair at 5 different shows and they started off with a bang as Matt Majestic defended the SRPW United States Title against Paul Puertorico. This scientific competition allowed both men to show off the skills that made them two of the top stars in SRPW and mentally, both men approached the match from a different perspective. Majestic was the new star on the block, solidly in the middle of his second US Title reign. Puertorico was the established veteran who had not held a title in Oklahoma since 2003. In the end, Puertorico pulled off what some would consider an upset and got the pin and the championship. But now, as champion, the expectations become much higher.

Puertorico went to the IWR event the next night and competed in a Triple Threat Match against Bobby Starr and Drake Gallows, which Gallows ultimately won. But the next night, he returned to Tulsa and teamed with Psycho Sawyer against Ray Martinez and SRPW Champion Cody Burns. Two underhanded wrestlers against two men that the crowd loved and even though Martinez had his cousin Tito at ringside, Sawyer and Puertorico still came out victorious. While this certainly provided Sawyer with another step on his path to the SRPW Title, Puertorico also marked off Martinez as a potential challenger to his new championship.

The next week, SRPW put on two more matches at SRPW and the first major challenger to step forward was Diamond. Puertorico faced Diamond twice, once in a singles match where he was victorious and then the next night, Diamond and Puertorico faced each other again with the added presence of Anarchy 2nd in a Triple Threat Match. In both instances, Puertorico was victorious, but neither was what anyone would consider an easy victory, proving that Puertorico's veteran instincts are a major factor in his victories.

In fact, Puertorico competed three times that night as, after successfully defending his United States Title, he headed over to the COMPOUND event and faced Matt Majestic. Although no title was on the line, Majestic and Puertorico both are looking to earn a title opportunity against ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion Terry Montana. The desire to become a dual champion, combined with some personal frustration towards Montana, resulted in Puertorico schoolboying Majestic and pulling the tights. Apparently that was not sufficient for Puertorico, though, as after the match was over, he delivered a beatdown to Majestic, resulting in the referee reversing the decision and handing the result to Majestic. Puertorico was not pleased and had some very pointed words for the crowd (and for Majestic) after the match was over.

The competition for the US Title elevated tremendously on October 12th Puertorico and Majestic faced each other one more time with the US Title on the line. This was Majestic's contractually obligated rematch and while he was more determined, he did not want emotions to get in the way of regaining his title. But again, Diamond wanted to make it clear that he deserved a title opportunity as well. He was not alone, though, as MSWA Oklahoma Champion Spike Lopez also made an appearance. Diamond and Lopez delivered a strong beating on Majestic and Puertorico until SRPW Commissioner Bobby Burns turned the match into a Fatal 4-Way. Puertorico suddenly had multiple targets on his back with 3 challengers facing him and everyone wanted to use him as a stepping stone in their career. At one point, Majestic pulled off an impressive Frog-Splash 3/4 of the way across the ring onto Spike, but it was not enough to gain the 3-count. Puertorico was fortunate to grab Lopez in a Fujiwara armbar and force Lopez to tap out. It was another close call, but Puertorico once again walked away as champion.

Puertorico still is not done with Majestic, as he earned another title opportunity this past Saturday by defeating Diamond again. Puertorico also seems to have Drake Gallows in his sights as he has been defeated twice by Gallows at IWR events. With Majestic and Gallows immediately in his sights, Lopez, Diamond and Montana in the distance, Puertorico will certainly be busy as long as that US gold is around his waist.