Missouri Wrestling Revival

We are joined with Wild Wade Chism, a former five-time WLW Champion. He also held the WLW Tag Team Championship three times (with Trevor Rhodes (Murdock), Dakota and Mike DiBiase) and is one of the most popular wrestlers to ever set foot in the WLW ring. We were proud to catch up with the former star recently.

1) Wade, I know that you are very modest about yourself but it’s no secret that you are a legend of sort in your hometown. Tell the MWR fans about your home and your achievements prior to becoming a pro wrestler.

Chism : I’m from Versailles , Missouri, a town of 2,500 people. I played football, basketball, ran track and am proud to say that I hold the record for most TDs in a game. I was second leading rebounder in the state in my junior year in basketball and was a three time state runner up and one time state champion hurdler in college. I also traveled the Midwest playing softball.

Chism became a fan favorite with Harley Race’s World League Wrestling for many years.

2) As a student of World League Wrestling you trained under the watchful eye of Harley Race. What do you remember the most about your first time in the ring with Race watching?

Chism: Harley saying “I got big plans for you kid.”

3) One of your very first wins was against Trevor Rhodes (Murdock). Murdock has gone on to become a three time WWE Tag Team Champion and recently proved to the world that he is still one of the very best in the game in a terrific match up against Pro Wrestling NOAH Champion Takashi Sugiura. You were able to defeat him then, but what has the current WLW and Metro Pro Wrestling Champion done to improve his game that you were able to exploit at that time?

Chism: Trevor was kind of new at the time so I was able to capitalize on the mistakes he had made. Now his game is top notch. You would have to wrestle a perfect match to beat him

4) You currently have five WLW Championships to your credit. On the flip side however, four men were able to defeat you for the title including Takao Ōmori, Daniel Cross and powerhouses Jason Bates and Keith Walker (Editors note: Chism’s second title reign was held up after a match with Walker). You by no means were a pushover as far as size goes, so which one of these individuals gave you the most trouble and why?
Chism: They all were rough and tough but Omori was the one who I had the most trouble with because of his Japanese style at the time. I was still learning that style of wrestling.

5) In 2006, you toured with Pro Wrestling NOAH. Give us some insight on what wrestling was like in Japan at that time and who you faced off against?

Chism: The pace was fast and you had to be tough and ready to fight. I wrestled everyone on their roster on the tour, all in tag matches.

6) You were able to capture singles gold and become a three-time Tag Team Champion with Trevor Rhodes, Dakota and Mike Dibiase. Who did you gel with the most as a partner and just exactly who were the best team that you went up against in tag team action.

Chism: I gelled most with Trevor. He taught me a lot about psychology and never say die attitude. The team of Matt Murphy and “Superstar” Steve Fender gave us the most trouble and each match was great.

7) The 2011 Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion just happened in the month of April at Las Vegas. You had wrestled during the festivities in the past. What memories come to mind thinking of that week.

Chism: In Vegas I got to see a lot of legends I saw when I was a kid. I met Stu Hart and his family and got to wrestle in front of the legends

8) Now Chism, I am going to put you on the spot; the best WLW wrestler other than you and Murdock is…… and why?

Chism: As far as wrestling goes I’d say Matt Murphy. He could do it all, air, ground, psychology. He was tough and had it all. I learned a lot of the basics from him.

Wade has been spotted at the matches recently at WLW and Metro Pro, here we caught Wade teaching Trevor Murdocks son a move or two.

9) WLW has been known for their special guest throughout the years, who was your favorite and why.

Chism : Rick Stiener he was down to earth and funny and it was thrilled to get a chance to wrestle him.

Maybe Wade taught Murdocks son too good.

10) Wade, if you could wrestle any WLW Star today, who would it be? Also if you were to go after the WLW Champs Cancun Kid and Ethan Wright, what star of the past would you bring back to challenge them for the belts.

Chism: Today I would like to wrestle Brian Breaker and “Superstar” Steve (Fender). To go after the tag belts it would be Trevor and I of course.

We would like to thank you Wade for taking part in this exclusive MWR interview.

Chism : Thank you, it’s always a pleasure. Keep doing what you’re doing for the sport