Missouri Wrestling Revival

Editors Note: MWR would like to thank MMWA-SICW for allowing us to be ringside to take pictures for this wonderful event. We got to see one of the most entertaining matches this year between Dave Vaughn and AJ Williams for the Junior Heavyweight Championship that highlighted a fun filled evening of matches.

A special thank you goes out to MMWA-SICW photographer Michael Van Hoogstraat for his advice and hospitality that evening. Michael has been willing to allow MWR to use his photographs in the future to allow fans to see what they may have missed or relive the excitement. To check out more of Michael Van Hoogstraat work please go to Vans Digital Photo Service. Don’t hesitate to contact Michael to phoograph your next wrestling event.

Now without further ado please take time to check out the great recap by Kari Williams.

By Kari Williams

Relentless attacks and fire-hot ferocity personified the Valentine’s Day MMWA-SICW show at South Broadway Athletic Club. From the opening match to the main event, tempers flared and emotions raged with blazing desire—all for the chance to prove their own worth as a competitor or to show the naysayers that they truly do have what it takes to succeed as a champion. Themed as a ‘luck of the draw’ night, each match was determined at the beginning of the show.

Bobby D attempted to establish his dominance in the company when he fought “Wild Child” Billy Diamond in the main event. D’s reluctance to start the match did not sit well with either Diamond or the fans. Neither man gained a clear advantage throughout the bout, but D did everything in his power to do so, including using illegal maneuvers. At one point when D seemed to be on the verge of dominating, he let his ego get the best of him and covered Diamond for the pin with only one foot resting on Diamond’s chest, allowing the wounded man to easily escape the pin. Those tactics must have gotten into Diamond’s head because he never fully regained his composure. D scored a spoiled victory after distracting the ref, hitting Diamond with a low blow and surprising Diamond with a roll-up while holding the tights.

Jeremy Lightfoot thrills the crowd on the way to victory- Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

Jeremy Lightfoot, Diamond’s tag team partner, took to the ring prior, against one of MMWA-SICW’s newer competitors, Blade. Both men failed to gain the advantage early on, but minutes into the match, Blade connected with a suplex and began to take over. Blade then targeted Lightfoot’s knee and ankle, possibly in an attempt to eliminate the Lightfoot Driver from his opponent’s arsenal. Slowly, but surely, Lightfoot regained his compsure, and did not allow Blade to get the upper hand again—despite multiple attempts. The former champion decided Blade’s fate with a Lightfoot Driver and pin. After the match, the two men showed no hard feelings and shook hands as a symbol of respect.

The Connecton sent its prodigy, Dave Vaughn, out to ruin Junior Heavyweight Champion A.J. Williams’ day as the two battled for Williams’ title. In the best match of the night, the two young men fought with all their might for the gold.

Dave Vaughn masterfully grounds Junior Heavyweight Champion A.J. Williams- -Photo Credit – Dubray Tallman

Vaughn controlled the match from the get-go and solidified his dominance after a brutal shoulder tackle that sent Williams down to the mat. Not one to be deterred, Williams attempted to gain momentum with a drop kick and stinger splash, among other things, but nothing could stop Vaughn’s determination.

A.J. Williams pulls out all stops to keep his championship-Photo Credit Michael Van Hoogstraat

As the match progressed, Williams did get in some formidable offense, as he flew over the top rope to a stunned Vaughn on the outside, which he followed up with running the number one contender head first into the ring post. Nothing Williams did slowed Vaughn down. With Travis Cook acting as a cheerleader at ringside, Vaughn had all the support he needed. Vaughn proved to be too much on this exchange as he walked away with the Junior Heavyweight Championship.

In a match of the year candidate, Dave Vaughn is the new Champ and his Manager Travis Cook could not be any happier- Photo Credit – Dubray Tallman

Travis Cook accompanies Phil E Blunt- Photo Credit Michael Van Hoogstraat

Shaft’s issues with The Connection continued on this night, as he faced Phil E. Blunt. Shaft seemed hellbent on destroying Blunt and had the means with which to do so.

Shaft sends Phil E. Blunt on a ride – Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

He relentlessly attacked Blunt’s ankle in preparation for the ankle lock. Then, Cook, sensing defeat, interjected himself in the matchup, causing Shaft to chase him around ringside. Cook’s neck injury notwithstanding, he ran fairly fast without complaint. Seeing that he could not conquer Shaft, Blunt finished the match by forcing a disqualification victory as he stood on the outside next to Cook while the referee counted to 10. After the verdict was announced, Blunt questioned Shaft on whether or not he would join The Connection—an option which they presented to Shaft last month—and Shaft said nothing.

Heavyweight Champion Gary Jackson lets Lumberjack Gabe know where he stands. – Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

Heavyweight Champion “Night Train” Gary Jackson put his title on the line against the Battle Royal Champion Lumberjack Gabe. Jackson announced that he would leave their friendship up in the dressing room, and the bout got underway. Both competitors had the fans cheering for them, but it apeared as though Jackson had more fans on his side. Jackson fought with all his might to deter Gabe. Jackson connected with two elbow drops, but only received a two count for his actions. He then trapped Gabe in a submission hold, but Lumberjack Abe, who had been at ringside, distracted the ref, causing Gabe to try and steal the win with a roll-up. However, Gabe was disqualified for Abe’s interference and Jackson walked away with the belt. He then got on the mic and stated that he does not back down from anyone in any federation.

Womens Champion Alexis Lightfoot works over Stacey O’Brien’s leg-Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

The first title match of the evening took place previously, when Stacey O’ Brien challenged Alexis Lightfoot for the Women’s title. Not willing to let her hard-earned title just slip away, Alexis fought with all of her might.

The MWR 2008 Female Wrestler of the Year Stacey O'Brien was on top of her game as she uses the ropes to punish Lightfoot- Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

From the get go, O’ Brien used underhanded tactics in an attempt to sway the advantage. On a couple of exchanges, O’ Brien’s plan worked, and she could have won the match and regained the belt, but Alexis had the wherewithall to grab the bottom rope and break up the pin attempt. Just when it looked like Alexis would reign supreme yet again, O’ Brien trapped the champion in an excruciatingly painful double-leg Boston crab. Just moments before Alexis was sure to tap out, Destiny Diamond came running out of the crowd, broke up the hold and attacked O’ Brien. Alexis retained the belt due to Diamond’s interference, but O’ Brien emerged victorious.

Big Texan slams Saladin to the mat- Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

Big Texan and Saladin put on a show in the second match of the night. Saladin had a difficult time overpowering his larger opponent, which caused Texan to dominate the bulk of the bout. However, at the five minute mark, Saladin delivered a swift kick to Texan’s head, sending him flying out of the ring. Without the support of the fans on his side, Saladin could not get enough momentum going to keep Texan on the ropes. Texan caught Saladin off guard, slammed him hard to the mat and got the three count.

Lumberjack Abe chops Waco and gets a big win to start the night- Photo Credit Dubray Tallman

Waco took on Lumberjack Abe in the opening match in what can only be described as a brawl. They came to blows immediately, especially with Lumberjack Gabe’s pending interference on the outside. After the five-minute mark, Waco began to gain control and connected with a flying drop kick, followed by 10 consecutive punches. However, Abe began to sense victory slipping from his grasp, and he quickly pulled out a win.