Missouri Wrestling Revival

Zach "Napalm" Porter

I can’t really find the right words to express the shocking events from this past weekend that led to the brutal murders of Midwest wrestler Zach “Napalm” Porter and his girlfriend’s parents Jeffrey and Glenda Smith in LEBANON, Mo.

I had met Zach for the first time this year at Pro Wrestling Entertainment’s debut show where he took on Mephisto for the PWE US Title. I had introduced myself and exchanged pleasantries. I was ringside to take photographs of their match and wished him a safe trip at the end of the night. Mephisto would ask me later on in the week what I thought of the match, and I had to be honest. I told him point blank that it was not that good. In return mephisto spoke up for his friend and said that Zach may have been rusty but in fact could put on a good match.

Fast forward to this past September; I was invited to Independent Hardcore Wrestling (IHW). On the card for the night was another hardcore match between Napalm and Mephisto. These two tore each other up giving it their all for the fans. At the end of the night I went up to talk to him and he asked me my thoughts on this match as he knew I wasn’t too thrilled with their first encounter. I did not have to lie to him. I enjoyed the match very much. Zach was very humble, polite and friendly  even though I had stated that I wasn’t impressed with him before which really impressed me on the man’s demeanor. Afterwards we said our goodbyes till next time.

The problem is there will not be a next time. It sheds the ever reminding truth that we need to love and respect each other because we may not know when our last day is. Zach may not have been a household name but to many in the Midwest, he was a friend. In my short time that I spoke to him, I could tell why. MWR’S condolences go out to the family of Zach’s, as well as Jeffery and Glenda Smith’s.

I am going to leave you with a word from a man who always stood up for Zach, his good friend Mephisto.

“No matter what Zach was always laid back and chillin.
When there was trouble and everyone was taking themselves too seriously and bitching and worrying about shit he was calm almost every time and always joking.

He never complained about putting anyone over or doing any kind of business you asked him too.

He was one of the most genuine people I have met in this business and people can say what they want to about him but they can’t take away the fact that he was one of the best of us because he had a Good Heart.

YOU WERE MY BROTHER AND I LOVE YOU MAN.
YOU WERE ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE MET IN THIS BUSINESS”

MEPHISTO