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Rockwell, Barry Trade Title Opportunities

Posted: Jan 13th 2011 By: CMBurnham

One of the more intense rivalries in ComPro has had some effects in MWA as TAP Tag Team Champion Michael Barry and ComPro Showtime Champion Tim Rockwell each capitalised on a key victory in a title picture by beating each other.

Barry & Rockwell have been feuding in ComPro ever since Barry defeated Evan Newcastle for the Showtime Title on August 14th. Two months later, Barry broke Rockwell's hand during the Halloween Hardcore Battle Royal. This slowed down Rockwell's push for the title, but didn't stop it.

Rockwell & Barry finally met in a 1-on-1 match on December 18th in ComPro. Well, almost 1-on-1 as it was a Lumberjack Match for the belt. And while there was plenty of outside distraction, Rockwell did walk away victorious in that match, becoming one of only 2 people in ComPro to hold 3 different titles in the federation

While taking nothing away from Rockwell's victory, it's safe to say that Michael Barry has been distracted of late. Seems like his relationship with the rest of Excellence Personified is beginning to crumble, especially when it comes to TAP Tag Team & MWA Champion Jack Legacy. Last month in Vinita, Barry & Legacy had an argument after losing a match to Jeff Starchild & UWE & MERC Tag Team Champion Max McGuirk. At the time, it looked like not even manager Mike Iles could keep Barry & Legacy from coming to blows. But Barry simply stormed out before things got violent. This past Friday, Legacy was not at the MWA event, but that didn't keep him from having influence over things as Barry, Rockwell and Starchild all competed in a Triple Threat Match to determine the #1 contender to the MWA Title. Early in the match, it appeared Barry was going to simply let Starchild and Rockwell beat each other up while he egged them on. But he finally got involved about 1/3 of the way through the proceedings. Tim Rockwell tried 3 times to polish off either competitor with the Grapevine DDT. At one point, he applied it to both men and covered them in succession, but was unable to gain a pin on either. After going for it a 3rd time on Barry, it was reversed into a Saturday Night Special and Barry became the #1 contender. Rockwell slithered away, unhappy with the outcome, but Starchild remained behind, offering his hand in congratulations. After repeatedly refusing to shake Starchild's hand, Barry finally embraced his opponent and raised his hand after Starchild led a "Barry!" chant with the crowd.

While Barry might be embracing the crowd in Spavinaw, back in Tulsa, things were business as usual for the EP member. The stipulations for the Showtime title say that it must be defended at every show and Barry elected to call for his title rematch. Coming off the victory the previous night, Barry felt confident that he could do it again, although he knew he would have to be more participatory since it was a standard 1-on-1 match. This time, Rockwell was either more prepared or helped by the support of the fans (something he doesn't have in Spavinaw). At one point, Rockwell had Barry in a modified Camel Clutch, fishhooking the mouth. Barry tapped out, but referee Mark Wilson didn't see it as he was being distracted by the other EP members at ringside. Barry must have figured that the distraction that helped once could do so again, so he called for "Sexy Dancing" from IZW Impact Division Champion Kenny Campbell (who, for reasons known only to himself, insisted on being billed this night as "The Weapon of Mass Seduction" Duke Swellington). Once more, Mark Wilson was unable to focus on the match and while Swellington ground his hips in Mark's face, Mike Iles hopped up on the ring apron and removed his show. Barry had Rockwell held from behind, but not securely enough and as Iles swung with the shoe, Rockwell evaded and Iles connected with Barry, ending his opportunity to regain the Showtime Title.

Rockwell certainly has plenty of irons in the fire. Besides defending his Showtime Title in ComPro, he is pursuing the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title held by Dutch Hagen. He also wants revenge on his uncle Bernard Funk and cost him an opportunity to regain the MWA Tag Team Title Friday. Barry, meanwhile, may be involved in the TAP Tag Team title defence this Saturday in Wagoner (with Freebird Rules in effect, it is unknown which of the EP members iwll be defending the belts). And one has to wonder just what will happen when Barry finally elects to receive his MWA Title opportunity against his fellow stablemate.