For months Mark Bland of Absolute Wrestling Radio challenged champions around the Midwest. With no takers Bland made the call himself to High Voltage Wrestling promoter TNT Keny G and the fire was lit for a feud that will rock St Louis.
Donovan Ruddick along with his manager The Magic Man forewarns AWR’S Matt Krueger to get out of his ring. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Matt Krueger hits Donovan Ruddick with a chair. A move that Krueger would soon regret. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Matt Kruger goes for a ride for his trouble as the High Voltage Champion sends a message to Absolute Wrestling Radio’s Mark Bland. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
“The Future” Donovan Ruddick was not pleased with Absolute Wrestling Radio’s Matt Krueger and the respect that he showed the Champion at High Voltage Wrestling earlier this month in Granite City, Il. After words were exchanged Matt Krueger took it upon himself to hit Ruddick with a chair. Ruddick would go on to destroy Matt Krueger and sent a message to Mark Bland in the process.
Mark Bland on the AWR Radio 5-10-09 was more than upset about the attack and he and TNT Keny G had words once again. The stage is set for a war between Ruddick and Bland at High Voltage Wrestling in the near future.
Mark Bland started the mind games and sent this video out to let Ruddick know that there are many of his colleagues that feel as if Mark Bland will knock him out Volume 1. Former UFC World Champion Kevin Randleman, former UFC fighter Phil Baroni, St Louis Blues Cam Jansen, Bay –D Fyre Boy Records CEO and Brian Stull from ESPN radio were just a few of the stars that had sided with former pro wrestler Mark Bland.
A great crowd turned out to celebrate four years of PWP…no one could have ever expected what would happen by the end of the night…
1) Donnie Peppercricket beat Joey Daniels in a bloody and violent cage match to kick things off! Afterwards Brett Young and Mark Sterling came out to attack Donnie and get Joey to “man up.” Then in a shocking display Joey leaped off of the top of the cage with a leg drop to put Donnie through a table! This was just a taste of what was unfortunately to come.
2) “Babyface” Tony Cortez defeated The Yellow Dog in a highly entertaining match.
3) Preston Maxwell and “The Passion” Zac James defeated Jimmy Rockwell and Ricky Kwong.
4) Abu Colossus got a big win over Chris Havius in a tremendous match of power.
5) Stephen Saint beat Mike Sydal.
6) #1 Brett Young and Mark Sterling became the new PWP Tag Team Champions defeating “The Knights of Fire” – Jaysin Strife and Vic Victory! With a little help from Joey Daniels…this was still just a taste of what was to come.
7) “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt and Payday Patterson had a classic PWP Championship bout that ended in disgusting fashion. Wyatt retained his championship with assistance from Brett Young, Mark Sterling, and Joey Daniels! What then followed was pure mayhem as these four basically took over. Attacking innocent ring crew members, current and former members of the roster, and anyone who got in their way. They took our celebration and made it their own.
Nobody really knows what will happen from here, but it is safe to say that a new force has emerged in PWP, and they don’t look to be backing down any time soon.
Next event is June 27th at the Council Bluffs Armory, details and lineup to be announced in the coming weeks.
Note: Be on the lookout for future exclusive offers concerning this very special Dragon Gate USA show!
Dragon Gate USA
September 6th – 6:00pm belltime
The Congress Theater
2135 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
Tickets go on sale in the Store section of http://www.DGUSA.tv on May 27th at 10am.
The building is easily accessible 24 hours a day by public transportation on the CTA Blue Line or by driving from the I-90/94 Kennedy Expressway. Visit http://www.CongressChicago.com for more information on this classic building.
The first talent will be announced before tickets go on sale!!!
Every DGUSA show is a major, unique and rare event. These ticket options reflect the fact that DGUSA is the premium brand of pro wrestling in the United States. Here are some of the special things that are included in the various packages to show you our appreciation:
-The ticket itself is a high-end collectible item.
-Meet & Greet: The doors will open early and fans will get a chance to meet, get autographs and take photos with some of the stars on that night’s show.
-Bonus Match: The Meet & Greet will also feature a high quality live bonus match.
-Appreciation Bag: DGUSA will show you our gratitude by giving you a gift bag with exclusive DGUSA items. This will include show specific collectible items that will only be available in the Appreciation Bag.
1st Row Golden Ringside – $75 each
-Collectable ticket
-Early admission for meet & greet
-Early admission for bonus match
-Appreciation Bag
-1st row reserved seating
2nd Row Golden Ringside – $50
-Collectable ticket
-Early admission for meet & greet
-Early admission for bonus match
-A special gift
-2nd row reserved seating
3rd Row Golden Ringside – $35
-Collectable ticket
-Early admission for meet & greet
-Early admission for bonus match
-3rd row reserved seating
General Admission – $20
-Collectable ticket
-First come, first serve seating
World League Wrestling came to Slater Mo with a brand new WLW champion (Superstar Steve Fender), a former WWE Tag Team Champion (Trevor Murdoch), and a legend in Harley Race. With the stars shining bright on April 18th there was one man looking to cast his shadow on the whole evening. That man was former WLW Champion “King of the 450” Steve Anthony.
Our good friend Dan Gier was missing in action so the Slater crowd was treated with the announcing duties of former Gold Exchange manager Johnny Gold. Gold opened the night off with inviting his friend who had just lost the WLW title thanks in part because of the Rowdy one Roddy Piper in Eldon Missouri on March 21st. Anthony was quick to direct his comments to the former World Champion Harley Race. Anthony stated that “I am a gift to this company and I have a gifted body, the one with the gifted wrestling talent. There was one gift that was stolen from me and that was the coveted WLW title. Since it has been stolen from me I have had to go through men, week after week I keep coming out her and taking on an opponent but it’s not a title rematch against Fender. Harley. I know your hiding that paper champion Steve Fender, but tonight I am demanding a title shot and I am demanding that you come out here to tell the people that you are going to give me what I want.”
Anthony is one of the top talkers in the Midwest and would not stop so Race made his way to the ring to tell him” Steve you are already in a match tonight” Anthony’s reply was “It’s not a title match Harley”. Harley laid down the law and let him know that if he could win the first match then he would add him in the main event to make it a three way with Fender and Murdoch for a three way. Anthony, not happy about it but very confident in his abilities let Race and the crowd know that he was going home the WLW Champion.
Steve Anthony does not like the ultimatum from the wrestling great Harley Race. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
The first match of the evening was Brian Breaker taking on one half of the WLW tag team Champions Darin Waid. Waid with the speed did his best to keep away from Breakers raw power. Breaker at one point tried to catch a break outside but when Waid came close enough, Breaker pulled him outside the ring to punish him with a powerful shoulder block into the ring. Breaker kept the assault and looked to have the match well in hand. Waid never quit and the frustrating was setting in on the young stud.Breaker argued with the ref enough to allow Waid to hit a huge flying clothesline off the top rope. Back and forth these young warriors went but 15 minutes just wasn’t enough and the match ended in a 15 minutes time limit draw.
Darin Waid shows Brian Breaker that he has some power in his arsenal (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Brian Breaker Slows down the momentum of Darin Waid (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Match Results: Darin Waid wrestled Brian Breaker to a time-limit draw
Next up we had the “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen taking on the other half of the WLW Tag Team Champions Dustin Lane. Lane would be tested as Ngyuen was not in a good mood this evening and looked to do what it took to get the win. Both Lane and Nguyen have speed and can wrestle, so as I watched to see who would make the first mistake Lane was crisp early and really had Nguyens number and 7 minutes in was in complete control hitting a monkey flip in the corner and a flying body press along the way. Lane went to the well once to many and Nguyen capitalize by moving out of the way as Lane hit the floor head on. Nguyen hit a perfect kick to the head that landed Lane stretched on the second rope which prompted a fan to tell him that “You don’t have nothing”. Nguyen must had felt the need to show off because he smiled at the fan and teased a Rey Mysterio JR 619 only to stop when he got to the ropes and walk under it to kick Lane in the head instead. This prompted boos but Ngyuen looked very pleased with himself. That arrogance led to a mistake when Nguyen missed a flying punch that Lane went under, when Nguyen came back he was tripped into the corner head first. Lane looked to have momentum going his way but when he went for a backslide for a win Nguyen quickly reversed it for the surprising victory.
“Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen stalks Dustin Lane (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Match Result: Bao Nguyen defeated Dustin Lane
Anthony needed this next match but Jason Jones is young and determined and Anthony’s chance to get in the main event would have to go through him. Jones did not disappoint and was able to take it to the former WLW Champion showing signs of stardom at moments, but Anthony is on top of his game at this stage and would not be denied the rematch that he felt he deserved when he pinned Jones for the 1—2-3
Young up and comer Jason Jones proves his skills early in the match against the former WLW Champion Steve Anthony (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
The Refs eyes says it all in this picture as Anthony works over Jones (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Match Results: Steve Anthony defeated Jason Jones.
Johnny Gold then announced that due to Stacey O’Brien suffered a serious shoulder injury last week in the WLW match between Amy Hennig she would not be able to wrestle that evening but Hennig wanted to come to the ring to thank the crowd for coming to show. Hennig let the fans knowfrom the bottom of her heart she appreciated them and wished that there was some competition in the area. Hennig then noticed a mysterious beautiful brunette walking to the ring which prompted her to ask “Paris (Hilton) check your children I think one of them got loose and is coming to the ring.”
Amy Hennig is challenged by the Latino beauty (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
The Latino princess firmly let Henning know that it’s a shame she don’t have her license tonight but by the time the next WLW has a show she challenges her for her title. Then she went personal by letter her know and I quote “Sweetheart, it is about time that someone told you that you are not your daddy. That got the blood boiling and Hennig went for a clothesline but the princess was ready as she ducked, then she hit one of her own before bailing out of the ring to fight another day.
The first WLW title of the night was on the line as the MWR Tag Team of the Month for March, Dustin Lane and Darin Waid took on Brian Breaker and Bao Nguyen. Breaker teased that he would start off against Waid but quickly tagged in Nguyen. Waid took control early and hit Nguyen with a shoulder block that sent Nguyen scrambling to the outside. Breaker and Nguyen looked to get in the heads of the young champs by stalling but this young team has grown rapidly in the past few months and remained calm. Breakers power gave his team an advantage but the inexperience showed when he went to tag in Nguyen, he did not take the time to drag his opponent to the corner which allowed Lane to get back on the offensive.
For the WLW Tag Team Championship in Slater Missouri (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Breaker and Nguyen retreat outside the ring.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Darin Waid goes to the top as his tag team partner Dustin Lane holds him in place. Perfect Tag Team action.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Double teams have been the method of which Lane and Waid have been able to remain the WLW Tag Team Champions and they was able to offset the power of Breaker by hitting him with a double clothesline and keeping him in there corner. While watching this match I came to the realization that Darin Waid may be one of the most underrated wrestlers in the Midwest. He was able to hit Breaker and Nguyen from everywhere and with an arsenal of moves.
Breaker used some underhand tactics to get the advantage for his team when he pulled the legs from underneath him while the ref Mark Smith wasn’t looking. Nguyen quickly took advantage with a kick, and then he tagged in Breaker who was relentless in his attack. Breaker and Nguyen tagged in and out while dismantling there opponents. Breaker hit Waid with a clothesline that was so powerful in the corner it threw Waid full body across the ropes. As Waid was stuck there Breaker picked him up and tossed him like a rag doll in the center of the ring.
Action so fast it can be a blur.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
It looked as if we had brand new tag team champions but Waid hit a sweet drop kick on Breaker to allow him to get the tag and change the momentum. As the action broke down all four men were in the ring as the ref Smith did his best to regain control. In the chaos Waid threw Breaker out of the ring, and then went to the top to hit Nguyen with a flying diamond Cutter for the big win.
Darin Waid & Dustin Lane remains the WLW Tag Team Champions.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Match Results: Darin Waid & Dustin Lane defeated Brian Breaker and Bao Nguyen to retain the WLW Tag Team Titles.
An exciting tag team match brought us to the Main event. The World League Wrestling Champion Steve Fender defending his title in a three way with Trevor Murdoch which Johnny Gold announced “was the biggest red neck in wrestling” which brought huge cheers to the Slater crowd and the man who demanded a title shot Steve Anthony.
3 way Dance – WLW Style.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Fender and Murdoch who have had there shares of battles through the 10 great years have been around quickly took an understanding that they should go at Anthony. Anthony was overwhelmed and retreated out of the ring. As Fender urged Anthony to returned Murdoch struck from behind.
The battle was on between 3 former WLW Champions to see who would leave with the coveted Championship. Murdoch threw Anthony in the corner, and then he threw Fender and ran full steam ahead on top of both of them. The action was fast and furious with bodies flying everywhere. To say it was hard to keep up with all the action was an understatement. The key moment of the match came when Johnny Gold made his presence known by tripping Fender from the outside of the ring giving Anthony the win after . Harley rang the bell to let the fans know that it wasn’t going to happen like that and the tow arch enemies Gold and Race were eye to eye once again. Race hit with a left hook that sent Gold to the ground, Race picked him up and tossed him into the ring with a fired up Murdoch and Fender while Anthony snuck out of the ring leaving Gold behind Fender connected on a superkick while Murdoch kicked him out of the ring.
Trouble in the corner!!(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Trevor Murdoch is one of true big men who can do it all, here he goes to the top too punish Steve Anthony (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Harley Race had enough of Johnny Golds interference and steps in to take care of the mischievous manager. (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
The mouse is trapped in the ring with Steve Fender and Trevor Murdoch. (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
Murdoch wanted Fender to know that the WLW title was always special to him because it was Harley Races Champion. Tonight he (Murdoch) did not win the belt but wanted to congratulate him on being the Champion. On that moment two of the most important WLW Champions in their 10 years history shook hands out of respect.
Trevor Murdoch lets Steve Fender know that he respects the WLW title but he feels as if Fender is a worthy Champion. (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)
I was able to catch up with Trevor Murdoch after the match and he had this to say about coming so close to winning the WLW Championship.
You do not want to miss World League Wrestling when they come to Waterloo Iowa on July 10th along with the Waterloo Hall of Fame. The show will have none other former NWAWorld Champion Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Former AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel and Fritz Von Goering just to name a few. If you have never been to the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum I highly encourage you to come and see what you are missing you will not be disappointed. For info call Kent Sesker 319-233-0745.
NWA Dynamo returns to Ottawa, Ks., on May 23rd at the Ottawa National Guard Armory.
Tickets are only $8.00 in advance
$10.00 at the Door Double Main Event
ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn
vs Mark Sterling
********
Non-Title Grudge Match NWA Kansas Champion Brett Young
vs Tyler Cook
******** Jeremy Wyatt
vs Shorty Biggs
vs Shaun Shultz
****** “Ego Express” Steven Kennedy/KC Karrington
vs “Babe Watch” Brandon Espinosa/Mike Sydal
****** Trent Stone
vs Pierre Abernathy
****** Domino Rivera
vs Kraig Keesman
****** Adam Rich
vs Aaron Hawley
CHECK OUT THE LATEST EPISODE OF
ABSOLUTE WRESTLING RADIO
ON OUR PODCAST PAGE
THIS WEEK WE interviewed
Tom Atencio, CEO of Affliction, and talked about his upcoming fight and challenge to Dana White (“If Dana says I’m a loser…then it must be true!”) and answers the remarks made by White… and fires some back at him!
This is the first of many micro blog posts for MWR, in which I will post on-the-go from my mobile device on various topics.
Today, I want to discuss the MWR-controlled Wrestling Revival Cup. In 2008, the Cup was awarded to “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt based on the points-related structure of the rankings at the time combined with votes from MWR’s faithful readers. In 2009, Wyatt will defend his title as Revival Cup Champion in a yet-to-be-determined match, so I pose these questions to you:
Who should be considered the top contender to the Cup?
What type of match should determine the Cup’s rightful owner?
Comment on this post with your thoughts or send me an e-mail at inadvertent.nerd@gmail.com.
The summer is here and the action will be hot when the LWA returns on May 30th for a rematch of two of the best wrestlers in the Midwest. The LWA Heavyweight Champion Jeremy “The Belt Collector” Wyatt looks to retain his title and prove that he is the number one wrestler in all of the Midwest when he takes on “The Future” Donovan Ruddick in St Peters Mo.
Missouri Wrestling Revival has caught up with both of these warriors and they had this to say about May 30th.
6:30pm
Show Starts at 7:00pm
Tickets:$10 advance
$12 at door
$15 front row
When MMWA-SICW Announcer and Commentator Travis Cook betrayed management and revealed himself as the manager of The Connection, which, at the time, consisted of Phil E. Blunt, Jerome Cody and “The Main Attraction” Tommy Knight, he did so with more of a purpose than to stick it to the man—he wanted to create a dominant stable in the company.
Cook announced shows for MMWA-SICW for approximatley three years while also working for other promotions before he returned to the position of manager, which he has held in various promotions throughout his 12 years in the business.
“I suppose that through all of those months sitting at the announce desk, I saw several wrestlers with the raw ability to become stars—but they didn’t have the knowledge, the strategy or the killer instinct to do it. All of these are things I can provide. Also, I saw a promotion [that] desperately needed someone to come in, shake things up, cause a little excitement and raise a little hell. At the risk of sounding conceited, there’s very few people in the business today who can do those things better than yours truly,” Cook said.
Phil E. Blunt (second from left), Dave Vaughn (second from right) and Tommy Knight (far right) made up one version of The Connection since Cook's reign as manager. Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
Knight boasts of The Connection’s notoreity within the industry.
“[The Connection is] one of the most elite groups in St. Louis wrestling today, especially at South Broadway,” Knight said.
Not wanting to manage a group of individuals who could not compete at a high level, The Connection was an obvious choice for Cook.
“If I was going to come back, I was determined to come back on top, or not come back at all…Phil E. Blunt and Jerome Cody had proven track records and a long history of success. Plus, I’d known both of them from years back as we’d crossed paths here and there in the wrestling business. Tommy Knight was involved at the time as well, and I thought he was someone with a tremendous upside who could benefit from my input. In short, I had Blunt and Cody to dominate today, and Knight that I thought we could develop into somebody who could dominate in say three or four years,” Cook said.
Travis Cook has had many run-ins with authority figures in MMWA-SICW, including Commissioner Keith Smith (pictured). Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
The Connection gained Cook’s guidance approximately two years after Knight joined the group. The guidance the group received from Cook tamed the rowdy bunch.
“[Before Travis Cook became our manager] we were all running wild, [and] didn’t have a leader…[We were] already elite, but he polished us off,” Knight said.
Cook concurs with Knight, stating, “Everybody…wanted to take it in their own direction…Now, there’s one clear direction, one clear gameplan, and one clear focus.”
With “The Main Attraction’”s sudden retirement last summer, Cook searched for a replacement. He seeked a man who could match Knight’s promise in the ring, and he claims that while he did commentary, he professed only good things about MMWA-SICW Junior Heavyweight Champion Dave Vaughn, who won the belt from A.J. Williams on Feb. 14 under Cook’s management.
Travis Cook managed Dave Vaughn to the Junior Heavyweight Title, which Vaughn won from A.J. Williams. Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
“When he turned on Mr. Bibbs after the jolly, fat man cost him the Tag Team Title, then the questions about his killer instinct were answered—I knew at that point he had what it takes mentally to succeed. Soon after that, I began contacting Vaughn—my initial idea was to team him up with Knight and mold them into one of the great tag teams of the 21st century. However, with Knight retiring, we opted to concentrate on Vaughn wrestling singles. Either way it was a great situation for us, because I can’t remember seeing an athlete with the physical tools that Vaughn has at such a young age,” Cook said.
Vaughn earned his first taste of gold—tag team gold—with Bibbs prior to his affiliation with Cook and The Connection. However, Vaughn recognizes the loss of those belts as the catalyst for his membership with the group.
“Travis [Cook] saw my true, raw power and my wrestling ability. He approached me when I speared Shaft to get rid of my tag team titles,” Vaughn said.
Knight claims to have noticed Vaughn’s talent as well and, according to “The Main Attraction,” Vaughn is “ruthless, [he] shows no mercy, and you can tell he has gold in his eyes.”
Travis 'The Crook' Cook has managed a number of independent wrestlers to championship reigns, but his current focus is on robbing Current MMWA-SICW Champion "Night Train" Gary Jackson of his belt. Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
Boasting his own managerial prowess, Cook believes he deserves a majority of the credit for Vaughn’s title victory.
“Certainly Vaughn’s athletic ability had a lot to do with [winning the title from A.J.]—the guy simply has all the tools. However, I might humbly suggest that it was my strategic input—both prior to the match and during the bout itself—that made the difference in the end. I know the key to beating A.J. Williams—and it was proven during the title change,” Cook said.
Cook has managed numerous wrestlers to championship reigns, including but not limited to, “Spoiled” Steven Kennedy, Reid Reign and Jerome Cody. Only time will tell if Cook can carry the Connection toward victory, bringing the past (Phil E. Blunt) and the present (Dave Vaughn) into the future a powerful force in the Midwest wrestling scene.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 