Missouri Wrestling Revival

By Kari Williams

At the Moose Lodge in Nashville, IL, All-American Pro Wrestling put on a classic show with impressive matches throughout the entire night. With 150 in attendance, not one fan should have left the show disappointed because every person could find at least one match that they enjoyed the most.

Mark Sterling and Eric Fantabulous took on Mike Sydal and Rebelucha after Sterling complained about losing the tag titles in a match where he teamed with Rebelucha. These four men put it all on the line in the opening bout, which consisted of high flying by Sydal and Rebelucha and a more grounded attack from Fantabulous and Sterling.

Eric Fantabulous and Mark Sterling used many illegal tactics in their battle against Rebelucha and Mike Sydal. Photo by Kari Williams

With the fans solely aligned with Sydal and Rebelucha, Sterling and Fantabulous had to scratch and claw their way through the match, resorting to illegal tactics to gain the advantage. However, when the weakened Sydal finally made the tag to Rebelucha, the tide began to turn.

Mike Sydal launches onto Eric Fantabulous on the outside while Rebelucha takes care of Sterling in the ring, closing in on victory. Photo by Kari Williams

The fan favorites began launching themselves onto their opponents, both inside and outside the ring. Rebelucha then had the chance to cover Sterling for the three count after a devastating suplex.

The next bout put El Magnifico against “Mr. Attitude” Tony Stetson. Magnifico’s childish antics gave Stetson problems early on. Stetson then became enraged and tried with all of his might to end the match swiftly.

"Mr. Attitude" Tony Stetson attacked El Magnifico with the pinata that Magnifico brought to ringside. Photo by Kari Williams

However, he could not gain the upper hand for long and Magnifico’s distinctive form of offense allowed him to pick up the win via disqualification. Stetson used the Easter basket pinata that Magnifico brought to ringside as a weapon.

“Thee” Brandon Espinosa and “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony battled each other in their second meeting (the first being in Mount Vernon, IL). From the begininning, Anthony appeared frustrated with the fans’ enthusiasm for Espinosa, but he did not let it distract him.

"Thee" Brandon Espinosa tries to intimidate "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony after the fans showed their favoritism for Espinosa. Photo by Kari Williams

Espinosa challenged Anthony to a test of strength. Photo by Kari Williams

The two put on an impressive bout, with each man gaining the advantage at one point or another, but Espinosa had fans backing him, giving him slightly more leverage. As a result, Espinosa defeated Anthony with a quick roll up after Anthony tried to use an illegal object.

Prior to intermission, Carnage wrestled Mike Masters in a fairly one-sided match up. Early on, Carnage took Masters to the mat, but Masters soon began to use his power and dominated the remainder of the match.

Mike Masters did his best to take down Carnage from the moment the bell rang. Photo by Kari Williams

Barely giving Carnage a chance to gain momentum, Masters decisively pinned Carnage to score the one, two, three.

Next, Curly did his best to defeat “Homicidal” Steven Davis. As the clear-cut fan favorite, Curly already had a pyschological advantage over Davis. This technically sound match gave Davis an opportunity to end Curly’s undefeated streak in AAPW.

"Homicidal" Steven Davis attempted to deliver an elbow drop to Curly, who telegraphed the maneuver and got out of the way. Photo by Kari Williams

Both men had their moments to shine, but some of Davis’ moments were flawed due to his manager’s interference. Exacting revenge, Curly snuck away with the win when he grabbed Davis’ tights out of the sight of the referee.

The recently crowned AAPW Tag Team Champions, Money Makin’ Jam Boyz, K.C. Jackson and Mississippi Madman, defended their titles against the old school team of “Thunderbolt” Brandon Walker and Ax Stevens. Just coming off of their victory, Jackson and Madman had all the confidence in the world—and the skill to back it up.

K.C. Jackson and Mississippi Madman used double teams on "Thunderbolt" Brandon Walker and Ax Stevens to over power their opponents. Photo by Kari Williams

Madman dominated Walker and Stevens, barely giving them a chance. Jackson’s high flying complmented his partner’s style. However, the veteran skills of the AAPW originals got the best of the champions.

Jackson tries to ground Stevens in the AAPW Tag Team Title match. Photo by Kari Williams

In the closing moments, Walker had an illegal object in his hand and with the referee occupied with Madman, Walker hit Jackson, causing Stevens to cover Jackson for the win.

In the main event, AAPW Heavyweight “Serial Thriller” Shane Rich defended his belt against Shawn Shultz. These two men stole the show with their remarkable match. Although their styles appear similar, the mindsets they went into the match with determined how they performed.

"Serial Thriller" Shane Rich controls Shawn Shultz with a headlock during the Heavyweight Title match. Photo by Kari Williams

Rich’s quickness benefited him in the longrun, but Shultz held his own as well. Neither man took control right away, but that is not to discount the athletic skill they both posess. Shultz attempted to score mulitple pinfalls, but each time Rich’s tenacity forced him to push through, angering Shultz. Rich won the match through a bridged pin, and it appeared that Shultz may have had his foot on the rope as the ref’s hand came down for the three count.

Rich displays his title after his victory against Shawn Shultz. Due to a controversial win, according to Shultz, these two men will meet again. Photo by Kari Williams

When Shultz attempted to pin Rich only moments earlier, Rich’s foot was on the ropes, and the ref broke up the pin. After a verbal altercation with Rich, it was decided that at the next AAPW show Rich v. Shultz II would take place with two referees to ensure impartiality.