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Brad Michaels: One Man Alone Against His Former Associates

Posted: Aug 18th 2010 By: CMBurnham

In the history of pro wrestling in Oklahoma, there have been few characters as controversial as Brad Michaels. The 2009 Oklafan Manager of the Year also made the record books as the 2007 Most Hated Wrestler of the year and that seemed to be a role that Michaels was comfortable with the most in his career.

Michaels has been associated with two strong factions over the past 12 months. His most prominent appearances have been as the leader of the Future Hall of Famers in IZW. There, he guided John O'Malley to the IZW TItle and Shane Rawls & NWA-OK Oklahoma Champion Dane Griffin to the IZW Tag Team Titles, a championship they still hold today.

Michaels also was appointed the southern liason for Excellence Personified and managed current ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion & TAP Tag Team Champion Se7en at GPCW as well as leading members of the faction into BYEW in June where he assisted current ComPro Showtime & TAP Tag Team Champion Michael Barry in capturing the BYEW Championship.

All this from a man who made a career as "The CEO of the OSA", that being the Old School Assassins, the first faction he was part of.

So, with all that said, why would someone like that choose to stand alone? Because even Brad Michaels understands when things have gotten out of control. Especially when part of that is his fault.

When NWA-OK announced it was coming to Madill on August 17, the advertising said that Michaels planned to confront his former associate Griffin. Michaels had not been in Griffin's corner since May 15 and many rumours had circulated as far as his association with the Future Hall of Famers went. Obviously this "confrontation" had no effect on Griffin's actions as he and Michael Faith attacked Blackteria and Mascarita Suprema after their match which opened the show. Griffin said that he was the champion and did what he wanted, when he wanted. This was all Michaels needed to hear and he emerged from the dressing room in his suit and tie, then entered the ring and took the microphone. Michaels informed the crowd that he had a history with Griffin. He'd managed him all over the state. He then listed the accolades that Griffin had accomplished, including Griffin being named #1 in the Oklafan Top 50 twice in a row and also being named Most Improved Wrestler of the Year. Michaels told Griffin that most of these accomplishments were due to his affiliation and that he was disappointed in the champion. He even went so far as to say that Griffin was a "disrespectful puke". Griffin countered that by saying that if anything was disappointing, it was a "27-year old retired pro wrestler". Griffin finished by saying he learned nothing from Michaels and that was the final straw. Michaels went to punch Griffin in the face, but Michael Faith intercepted. Michaels ducked under Faith's fist and superkicked Faith on the chin. He then grabbed the mic again and said that even though he was retired, he followed the tradition of always bringing his gear with him. He told Griffin that if he wanted a fight, he was ready and challenged him for the Oklahoma Title. Before Griffin could reply, Faith hit him from behind, putting him down. Griffin then took the mic and said that Michaels could have a match, but it wouldn't be for the title. He'd have to earn his way to a title shot by competing in a Fatal 4-Way Match to determine the #1 contender to the Oklahoma Title. And if Michaels won his match, he would earn a slot in that Fatal 4-Way Match.

It was difficult for Michaels to prepare for his opponent when he didn't know who it was going to be. But the veteran pulled everything together as well as he could and entered the ring confidently. To his surprise, he would be standing across the ring from fellow Excellence Personified member, Michael Barry. Barry was accompanied by Lars Manderson, which immediately put Michaels at a 2-to-1 disadvantage. But Michaels knew all the tricks of having someone on the outside and was familiar with many of Barry's skills given their association together in the past. With that knowledge, Michaels held off the larger opponent, even being prepared for Manderson's interference. When Manderson entered the ring, Michaels was able to deliver a pair of thunderous counters to his planned interference, including switching Manderson into a Stunner and taking him out of the match. Things almost looked dismal for a moment when Dane Griffin ran to the ring with a steel chair, but when he swung for Michaels, Michaels ducked and the chair connected with Barry's skull. All this happened while the referee was dealing with Lars and when he turned around, he saw Michaels on top of Barry and counted the pinfall.

Michaels joined Thug Nasty, Michael Faith and Oklahoma newcomer Kevin Douglas as the participants in the Fatal 4-Way Match, which will take place in Davis on September 17. As for Michaels' associations, it seems that his time with the Future Hall of Fame is over and done. He is still listed as a member of Excellence Personified and this match with Barry could be seen as a one-time situation. Michaels seems content to continue as his own man. But if he needs help, there are certainly plenty of people from his past that he could call on to come and assist him.

Tags: Brad Michaels, Future Hall of Famers, IZW, John O'Malley, Shane Rawls, Dane Griffin, NWA-OK, Excellence Personified, ComPro, TAP, Se7en, GPCW, BYEW, Michael Barry, Old School Assassins, Michael Faith, Lars Manderson, Thug Nasty,