By Brian Kelley

Less than 24 hours after Adam Pearce survived an onslaught from “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt at 3XWrestling in Des Moines, the NWA Worlds Champion made his way to Council Bluffs, Iowa for Magnum Pro Wrestling.

His opponent was hometown favorite “Babyface “ Tony Cortez, a man who has been in battles with many of the best in the Midwest. Cortez’s moment that he has been waiting for his whole life had come to that very moment on January 28th, the chance to prove that he was among the very best in the world.

From the moment the doors open you could feel the electricity spark from wall to wall, with the ring being the spark that got it going. World titles opportunity chances come to wrestlers very few if ever in a wrestler’s career.

In the past Cortez has succeeded and survived an epic war games steel cage match, defeated former friend Jayden Draigo, captured wins against the hottest stars of wrestling like Mike Sydal and “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon.

Champions have had to beware of the feisty Cortez as he has defeated Hype Gotti and Golden Boy” Vic Victory thus making him the only man to be a two time PWP Champion. Cortez has also won the PWP tag team championship with the before mentioned Gottie (Simply the Best) in a classic as MWR sponsored the PWP Tag team title match between the Northstar Express (Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz) on November 21st, 2008.

As we walked into the building that night, we had to wonder just how could Cortez keep up with the much favored NWA Worlds Champion Adam Pearce?

No doubt the Magnum Pro Wrestling fans were on Cortez’s side. As he entered the ring, the building exploded with cheers. I could see nor feel any doubt from the Magnum pro wrestling’s fans that Cortez was the underdog on this night.

When the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion came to the ring with his “ten pounds of gold” he was still all smiles but you could tell that the night before’s defense against Wyatt had him a little bit more focused than normal .

Pearce is a master strategist and agitator from the moment his music hits till the final bell ring. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

After studying hours of tapes of Pearce, I have come to conclusion that no wrestler enjoys taunting the crowd more than Adam Pearce, at first I thought it was a tactic to get under his opponents skin. I am now convinced that just like his rival from the night before Wyatt that he thoroughly enjoys seeing them in total anger. I was beginning to wonder if I would need protection to take photos at ringside the emotions were so hot from the fans in the front row.

“Babyface” Tony Cortez was up to the challenge of meeting the Worlds Champion. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Before I knew it the action was fast and furious as Cortez strategy was to move forward. From the get go it looked as if he had the right plan as Pearce was reeling from the quickness of the challenger. Like any smart champion Pearce found a way to slow down the momentum of Cortez and the fans mood by grabbing hold of him then taking him down with a headlock.

To slow down Cortez, Pearce brought him to the mat. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Cortez would fight to get back up once again hitting a belly to back suplex that seemed to have given the challenger the chance to get the pinfall. Any other man that may have been enough but Pearce did not become a 4 –time NWA’S World Champion by not taking a beating. Just as the ref was to hit the 3 count, Pearce’s shoulders came off the mat, keeping the Champion still alive in the match.

Knowing that this was his moment to shine, Cortez pulled out all the stops. Surprisingly the fans didn’t mind the least. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Back and forth they went, as Cortez turned his back, Pearce rolled him up but Cortez was able to kick out, moments later it was the challenger using his feet on the ropes for extra leverage but Pearce was still too strong.

A headbutt from Pearce dropped Cortez. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

One mistake against Pearce and many of men are done for the night, as was the case with Cortez, when Pearce locked in his pildriver, there was no escape for the hometown favorite.

Though Cortez fought with all his might, the champion was able to hit his patented piledriver. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Unlike many wrestlers who try to use the move but are unable to deliver it with enough force to get a win , Pearce knows what he is doing and the crushing blow sent Cortez crashing head first into the mat.

Three seconds later, the NWA World Champion Adam Pearce retained his championship and survived the Terror of the Midwest tour weekend against both Jeremy Wyatt and Tony Cortez.

Pearce remains the NWA World Champion. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

The cocky grin was still there on the champ , his eyes were glazed a bit. You could tell he now knew that the Midwest is in fact the “Danger Zone” for his title. Men like Tony Cortez, Jeremy Wyatt, Michael Strider and Kahagas all have their sights set on “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce.

Magnum Pro Wrestling returns next Saturday!!