Last night at NWA Coastal’s “Proving Grounds II” show, “The Cuban Crippler” Ricky Reyes showed why he’s again wearing the NWA Coastal Iron Man Championship.

At the beginning of the show, Commissioner Tommy Cairo called out Kevin “Mister” Tibbs, who advised that he’d be unable to defend the championship after separating his shoulder.  After some in ring discussion, Cairo was about to “hand over” the title to the number one contender, “The Coqui Kid” Sebastian Cruz.

That’s when Reyes took over.

Reyes grabbed the mic, and confronted Cairo’s decision, asking how could he simply GIVE a belt to someone who had yet to earn it, ESPECIALLY when Reyes (the former champ) wasn’t being given an opportunity to win the belt back?  While the NWA Coastal fans aren’t particularly fond of Reyes, they saw his point, and left the former ECW star turned commissioner no choice but to book the match between Reyes and Cruz.

Cruz, who has seen a wealth of opponents this past year, from former NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kevin Douglas to the WWE’s Mark Henry, did his best to take the fight to Reyes.  Using every move in his arsenal, Cruz put in his best effort, and at times had the former champ on the ropes.

Reyes however, would not be denied, and after several minutes of non stop battle between the two, bested Cruz, and took the belt that he feels is rightfully his, almost a birth right.

Kevin Tibbs entered the ring, reluctantly “handed” (more like it had to be pulled from his grasp) the Iron Man Title to Reyes, and demanded his own rematch once his injury is healed, which Commissioner Cairo assured him would happen.

Congratulations to the NEW NWA Coastal Iron Man Champion, Ricky Reyes.