La Rebelión: Can Their Deal With The Devil Save The NWA Tag Titles?

In a shadowy corner, National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Champions La Rebelión and pro wrestling legend Vampiro are huddled in heated debate. Their raised voices, speaking largely in indiscernible Spanish, echo behind-the-scenes at the 2023 Crockett Cup.

 “What the hell was that?!” an angry Mecha Wolf finally blurts in English, “We brought you here to protect these belts, dammit!”

 “That was the only thing I could really understand,” disclosed a source who witnessed the fiery backstage exchange at the Winston-Salem Fairground Annex, “I don’t know all the details, but it was obviously not a shining moment for the champs.”

Will the addition of Vampiro as an advisor help or hinder reigning World Tag Team Champions Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf? With the potential for two massive title defenses at NWA 75, only time will tell.

That might well be understatement. The altercation, described by the witness solely on the promise of anonymity, allegedly happened within minutes of  La Rebelión’s elimination from The 2023 Crockett Cup.

 It was a surprise to many, La Rebelión included, it seems. Indeed, few would have predicted the outcome when the No. 1 seeded World tag champs faced Blunt Force Trauma on night two of the iconic event.

 The No. 8 seeds, Damage and Carnage are always impressive. Yet many insiders gave BFT little hope against Mecha Wolf and Bestia 666. The addition of AAA rival and lucha icon Vampiro as mentor and advisor for the tournament, says NWA interviewer Kyle Davis, seemingly guaranteed La Rebelión’s spot in the finals.

 “Mecha and Bestia have dominated the NWA tag division all on their own,” Davis pointed out, “To be honest, I thought adding Vampiro to the mix would only make them more unbeatable.”

 Assuredly that’s what the champions were banking on as well. Unfortunately, as all who witnessed it can attest, their “secret weapon” appeared to backfire, arguably costing them the match.

 With BFT’s manager, the wily Aron Stevens, causing distraction after distraction, action quickly spilled out of the ring. Eventually, with Stevens prone on the mat, Vampiro ascended the ropes to finish him off and level the playing field for La Rebelión.

As he did, though, Damage recovered, pushing the legend into the ring. The momentary distraction was just enough for Mecha Wolf to fall victim to a vicious double-team, giving the masked duo a pinball victory.

 “I think Aron Stevens was the only person not shocked by the win!” observes NWA’s Joe Galli, who was calling the action live in Winston-Salem.

 The loss instantly erased La Rebelión’s hopes of becoming the first reigning tag champs to win the coveted Cup. According to former NWA World’s champion Tim Storm, it could pose a much bigger problem in coming months

 “One of the greatest advantages any champion can have is an aura of invincibility,” asserts Storm, now a respected color commentator on NWA Powerrr.

 “La Rebelión has defended the World Tag Team titles all over the world,” he explained, “For a while, it felt like there was nobody who could defeat them — but The Crockett Cup proved they can be beaten. Teams gunning for the gold will see that as blood in the water!”

 La Rebelión are now the longest-reigning World tag champs of the Lightning One Era. They undoubtedly realized The Crockett Cup would increase the number of teams ready to challenge for their belts.

 Many surmise La Rebelión brought Vampiro into NWA as something of an insurance policy. In fact, if the account above is true, Mecha Wolf openly admits it. Now, though, some wonder if the investment will pay off.

 “We don’t have a problem beating up an old man — I mean ‘a legend’ — to get our hands on tag team gold,” stated Wrecking Ball Legursky, who with partner Jay Bradley became the first NWA United States tag champions of the Lightning One Era.

 “If La Rebelión thinks Vampiro can stop The Fixers from taking the World tag team titles, they might want to talk to Bobby Fulton,” said Legursky, referencing the way the team pushed around the former tag great amidst efforts to regain the U.S. straps. “We’d be happy to send another old geezer back to the home.”

 Other challengers are less belligerent, but no less determined to step up to the champions. “Magnum Muscle,” the pairing of Dak Draper and “Big Strong” MIMS also want a shot at the titles.

 “A veteran like Vampiro at ringside changes our strategy,” says MIMS, “But Dak and I already proved we can beat the champs — even before BFT did — and we’re gunning for them even harder now.”

 “La Rebelión better watch their backs, Jack, and that’s a fact!” says Stevens, “Damage and Carnage are racked, stacked and on track to attack!”

 According to Stevens, his team’s victory over the champs eclipses the “fake news” win Magnum Muscle hold. It appears some agree, as the masked duo now face La Rebelión for the gold during Night 1 of the NWA 75 pay-per-view. The victors of that match will defend the belts against Crockett Cup winners Knox and Murdoch on Day 2.

Even if La Rebelión escapes NWA 75 with the straps — and that’s a big “if” — the road ahead won’t be easy.

 Prior to the Cup, few viewed The Brothers of Funstruction as credible threats. A recent edition of NWA Powerrr, however, saw Vampiro again seemingly cost his team. Clowns Yabo and Ruffo continued their "Cinderella story,” upsetting the champs in non title action. Heading into NWA 75, they’ve added the managerial services of Violent J of The Insane Clown Posse, making them an even greater challenge!

 Truth-be-told, the list of possible opponents grows by the day. Whether Vampiro’s presence can extend La Rebelión’s stranglehold on the gold is in question.

 “Vamp brings a wealth of knowledge, a devious mind and still has enough gas in the tank to provide an imposing physical presence at ringside,” says Danny Dealz, now apparently acting in a managerial capacity for the newly-formed NWA faction “The Southern 6.”

 “What we don’t know yet is whether the tag champs work well with him as an advisor,” Dealz concluded, “If the Crockett Cup and everything we’ve seen since is any indication, he’s more of a liability than asset!”