26/01/10 -
SEVEN UNRESOLVED ISSUES FROM 2009 – Part VI
Hell or Highwater
2008 was one of the most emotional nights in Explosive
Pro Wrestling’s history.
The main event saw a six man street fight as Davis Storm
teamed up with Jimmy Payne and Nate Dooley to take
on the team of Bobby Marshall, Jay Taylor and
Tyler Jacobs. (Match
can be viewed here) It was an EPW classic as Dooley and
Payne were wrestling their farewell match in Explosive Pro
Wrestling.
The vision of the two men celebrating in the ring together at
night’s end is one that noone in attendance that night will soon
forget. Seven years earlier, they started their journey into
professional wrestling together and now they were bowing out
together. Two best friends who had achieved their collective
dream.
It had been rumoured backstage that while Dooley felt he was
coming to the end of his wrestling days, he hadn’t quite been
ready to hang up the boots at the time. But upon hearing that
Jimmy was going to retire, he felt it would be appropriate if
they could bow out on the same night.
So what has brought these former best friends to where they
stand now?
A phone call from mutual friend, Davis Storm.
“With a shot at getting the tag team titles back from Slex
and Carlo Cannon, I knew there was only one man I wanted
to go to war alongside,” said the Ironman. “I knew after he had
retired, it would take a lot of work to get Jimmy back in the
ring. But I also knew I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
Jimmy not only returned but looked as good as ever. When he
heard Nate was making a trip back to Perth, Payne contacted his
closest mate about teaming up with him one last time.
When the Mirrabooka Shopping Centre shows last October
coincided with Dooley being in Perth, Jimmy was able to convince
him to appear on the show.
Tragically, Nate seriously hurt his hand during the bout and had
to undergo surgery to correct the break. Although the surgery
went well, it left Dooley with a diminished feeling in his right
hand for life.
Feeling extremely bitter over the experience, Nate withdrew
himself from EPW circles and even refused to answer calls from
Jimmy. In his limited contact with friends within Explosive Pro
Wrestling he assured them he was fine, but remained distant.
He returned with venom at RE-AWAKENING 8
as he not only cost Jimmy his match with AZ Vegara, he
also cost him his undefeated streak at the biggest show of the
year.
Jimmy has been quiet on the issue saying only that he does not
want to fight his former best friend. When informed of this,
Dooley was livid and has promised to live up to his threat of
making Jimmy Payne’s life a living hell.
Jimmy may now feel like he made a mistake in ever returning to
EPW as 2010 is shaping up to be the longest year of his life.
