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Dexter vs. Rocco: Will This Match Ever Happen?

Posted: Aug 30th 2006 By: CMBurnham

AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion Dexter Hardaway has practically been begging to get his hands on NWA Oklahoma & COMPOUND Champion Rocco Valentino for the past 5 months. It looked like things might be going his way last Saturday, but once again things fell through for "Mr. Entertainment."

Rocco last encountered Dexter when the two were competing for TPW. Dexter had provoked Rocco into stepping over the bounds of decency and actually got him suspended from TPW, but Rocco used a rented monkey suit to make his way back into the federation and interfered during a match between Dexter and TPW Oklahoma Champion Michael Faith. TPW commissioner Kitty set up a match between Rocco & Dexter which was supposed to happen in May of 2006, but it never did, as TPW shut down after their last show on May 13.

Since that time, the feud has festered but no confrontations have occurred. Rocco has not appeared in AACW or IZW, both of which Dexter frequented. Dexter has not made a return to NWA-U since Rocco's debut there. There were rumours that Rocco might make a one-time appearance in SRPW to face Dexter on his home turf, but nothing came of that and it appeared that the bad blood between the two men would just have to work itself out in some other way.

Then COMPOUND announced their debut show at the Backyard Burger's Grill-Off this last Saturday and once again Rocco and Dexter were on the same card together. Dexter faced former TPW Champion Michael York in the semi-main event and, after winning that match, grabbed the microphone and demanded that Rocco stop running from him and face him later that night. Dexter returned to the dressing area and COMPOUND Champion Rocco Valentino came out to face former SRPW Champion Shane Morbid in the main event. During this match, Dexter came out and stood watching the match, commenting to anyone who would listen about the quality of Rocco's wrestling and the match he wanted to have later. After Rocco disposed of Shane, Dexter ran in the ring and attacked Rocco from behind, but only got a few blows in before Rocco recovered and ran Dexter off. Rocco then grabbed the microphone and demanded that COMPOUND Commissioner Kitty make a title match between Dexter and Rocco for the second show which would occur 45 minutes later. Kitty complied, the match was set and it looked like the fans would finally see Rocco vs. Dexter in a wrestling ring.

Sadly, mother nature refused to co-operate and that second show was rained out. Thus the feud stays open. Will Rocco ever face Dexter in the ring? Sources indicate that when COMPOUND begins to run regular shows, this issue will be one of the first to be dealt with. Until then, fans will just have to wait to find out whether "Hardtimes" can overcome "The Oklahoma Legend".