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A Big Return For Big Stevie

Posted: May 8th 2009 By: CMBurnham

The 2008 Oklafan Manager of the Year, Big Stevie Caballero, has been conspicuously absent from the Oklahoma rings this past month. And most of it hasn't been due to his own choices. Approximately 5 weeks ago, ComPro owner Mike Two suspended Stevie until the beginning of May due to his interference in a match between ComPro Champion Draven Cross and current TAP Pure Xtreme Champion Brandon Groom. But even though Stevie's been gone, that isn't to say he's been forgotten.

While Caballero was suspended from ComPro, that had nothing to do with his standing in MWA. Last month, Caballero guided TAP Tag Team Champions Texas, Inc. to their second tag team title of the year as they became the inaugural MWA Tag Team Champions. On May 1st, MWA returned to Spavinaw and Texas, Inc. were in full force. It wasn't a pleasant opening to the night though when Jason Jones came to the ring and recapped how Texas, Inc. pinned him in the Triple Threat match to win those MWA Titles even though he wasn't the legal man. He said for 1 month, Tim Rockwell and Bernard Funk have stuck in his mind and he wanted a shot at those tag titles. MWA commissioner Raymon Downey, who is noted for being extremely fan friendly, offered that possibility to the crowd and they noted their approval. But then, a wrinkle appeared in the situation as Jones told Downey that his partner, Jake Boulder, hadn't arrived at the building and had not been heard from that day. At that point, the assembled masses of Texas, Inc. arrived and Funk was wearing a cowboy hat suspiciously similar to that of Boulder. Caballero demanded that the tag team title shot be recinded if Boulder wasn't present. Downey countered with an offer that seemed even better to the Texans: Boudler would have until bell time to show up. If he didn't, Jones would have to face Texas, Inc. in a handicap match.

When it came time for the match, Boulder still hadn't shown up, but Jones wasn't going to back down. He bravely entered the ring and prepared to face the dual champions in a 2-on-1 situation. Even though he knew the odds were against him, he didn't step back or fear being overwhelmed. But a well-placed chopblock to the back of Jones' right knee began the what seemed to be the inevitable downfall of the Space Cowboy. And then, to the shock of everyone, Jake Boulder entered the building from main entrance. He looked as if he'd been the victim of a mugging, with his head hevily bandaged and his clothing in disarray. Stumbling over the barricade, he used every ounce of strength in his body to haul himself up on the ring, then blindly tagged himself into the match. A brief flurry of offence was soon cut off and then Funk & Rockwell set Boulder up in the corner and delivered a devestating spike piledriver for the pin. It had been a valiant effort, but the champions retained their gold.

The celebration was almost short lived, though. Raymon Downey came to the ring to check on the condition of both members of the Old School Express. Jake took this opportunity to bring out his cell phone and show some video on it to Downey. Downey began to chuckle heavily and then announced to the crowd that the video he had seen showed Boulder being attacked by two masked men. But one of the men had taken off his mask too soon and could be positively identified as Bernard Funk!! As a result, Downey was suspending Funk from the next show in June AND forcing Tim Rockwell to defend the MWA Tag Team Titles in a Handicap Match against the Old School Express. Turnabout was fair play as far as Downey was concerned, but Caballero had one more huge ace up his sleeve.

After intermission, Caballero led El Famoso to a rematch against Shane Morbid. The previous meeting had gone in Morbid's favour and this would be no exception as Morbid hit a frog splash and gained the pin. Afterwards, Morbid cornered Caballero in the ring and looked to be delivering the beatdown that so many fans were waiting for. But to the rescue came Texas, Inc. accompanied by a HUGE Russian wrestler. 3-on-1 odds were way too much for "Mr. Endurance" to handle, especially given his recent injuries in the hit-and-run by Dexter Hardaway. Caballero introduced his newest charge as Boris Saarikoski and the Foreign Legion proceded to humiliate Morbid in the worst way possible: by burying him under the Soviet flag. Thankfully, before any further damage could be done, the Old School Express came to the rescue. But Caballero was quick to point out that his lawyers were prepared to take legal action against MWA if Rockwell were forced to defend in a handicap match. So, with that in mind, Saarikoski was announced a Funk's replacement for the title match in June.

The next night, Caballero made his triumphant return to ComPro, accompanying ComPro Champion Draven Cross in his handicap match against Dawn of Extreme. For a couple of weeks, Ty Thunder and Crucifer had challenged Cross in singles matches and had been completely overwhelmed. But now, with DOX together, they hoped for something different. The match didn't last long as Brandon Groom ran in with a chair, using it on Draven, and DOX also acquired chairs of their own to use against Texas, Inc., who had been hanging around ringside. Seeing the total chaos, the referee had no choice but to throw the match out and declare it a double DQ. But in the midst of that chaos, Groom was able to make Cross tap out in the ring. And with that motivation behind him, he called Mike Two into the ring to make one request. He wanted his match for the ComPro Title to be the first match on the card at Night of Champions XIV on May 9.

Mike Two granted this wish. May 9 looks to be a very busy night for Caballero. Not only must he have Draven ready to defend his title in the first match, there are special stipulations on the match. If Draven gets DQed or counted out of the ring, he loses the title. Plus, Texas, Inc. has their hands full as they will be facing Dawn of Extreme in a No DQ match.

Even though it looks like Caballero's back is to the wall, these are the situations where he always seems to come out strongest. His dominance in MWA now looks to be secure with the addition of Saarikoski. Might he bring the big Russian into ComPro as well? Or could Caballero have a different ace up his sleeve for NOC XIV?

Tags: Stevie Caballero, Mike Two, Draven Cross, Brandon Groom, MWA, TAP, Texas, Inc., Jason Jones, Tim Rockwell, Bernard Funk, Raymon Downey, Jake Boulder, Old School Express, El Famoso, Shane Morbid, Dexter Hardaway, Dawn of Extreme, Ty Thunder, Crucifer