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CRD Cements Triple Crown, Eh?

Posted: Jun 14th 2013 By: CMBurnham

It takes a special kind of dedication to become a champion in pro wrestling. Holding 2 titles in 2 different federations is even rarer of an accomplishment.

But only a select handful can claim to be champions in 3 federations at one time. Names such as Rocco Valentino, Shane Morbid and Dutch Hagen can all proudly say they were Triple Crown Champions in Oklahoma. And now, they are joined by The Canadian Red Devil.

The journey for the Devil to this goal began in April 20th when CRD defeated Shane Morbid to become the very first OWA Champion. Perhaps it was a bit of predestination that CRD should defeat a former Triple Crown Champion on the way to accomplishing the same goal. But it certainly sparked CRD with more determination in his quest.

Step two was accomplished May 12th at Mid-South Meltdown when CRD was finally able to corner current ComPro Showtime Champion Bobby Starr and wrest the MSWA Oklahoma Title away from him. Starr had ducked and avoided putting the title up for grabs many, many times, but could not avoid the masked challenger any more. Both competitors were very familiar with each other and it was clear the match would come down to one error. That error occurred when Starr was put in the Sharpshooter by CRD. Starr clawed his way to the ropes, but CRD dragged him back and locked the hold even tighter. Starr could not fight through the pain any more and had to tap out. And CRD rewarded this with a sign of respect and applause as Starr had put up a tremdous fight.

But the last step was certainly the most difficult and the most personal. On November 17th, CRD had won the ComPro Title from Michael York, but York cashed in his Any Time, Any Title contract and took it back. CRD did not even have the belt long enough to put it around his waist. For the first half of 2013, ComPro fans witnessed CRD chase York repeatedly, trying to win back the title he believed was rightfully his. York practically destroyed CRD on February 2nd in a Sperry Street Fight to keep his title. Three months later, York and current ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion Ignition won a tag team match over CRD and Super Skunk Ape, Jr. after York chokeslammed the Devil. This allowed York to pick the stipulation in their championship match on June 7th. But that left plenty of time for York to play mind games as he challenged CRD to a Title-vs-Mask match. And on May 17th, those mind games came to full fruition. As CRD took on Ignition, York rang the bell early in their match. This distracted CRD and allowed York to slide the belt in to the ring so Ignition could use it to knock CRD out and pin him. Then York and Ignition double-teamed CRD and were able to remove his mask, but CRD managed to cover up before his identity could be revealed. With York standing holding the mask of the Devil, it seemed that York had already won the mental war.

So when it came time for their title match, York believed that perhaps CRD would not show up. Or maybe he would be easy pickings. That could not have been further from the truth. CRD showed up with a new mask and took the fight straight to the ComPro Champion. Knowing his identity was on the line seemed to light a fire under CRD. But York still had the assistance of Ignition and was focused on removing the mask again. Apparently York misunderstood the rules of the match as he was able to accomplish this goal, but as he paraded around the ring, CRD rolled off the apron and grabbed the previous mask (which York had brought to the ring with him) and put it on. Reinvigorated, CRD put all his efforts into forcing York to tap out, eventually locking him in a Triangle Choke. After resisting as much as he could, York finally submitted and the Devil cemented the last piece of the Triple Crown!

While he certainly is thrilled at being a triple crown champion, CRD is not content to just sit on his laurels. He could very easily be looking at adding the IZW Impact Division Title to his acquisitions. And if BYEW were to reactivate, he was the last champion there and would certainly be in that position again. For now, he will be kept plenty busy with the titles that he has.