Missouri Wrestling Revival

Editor’s Note: If you are a lover of pro wrestling autobiographies then you know the world of wrestling can be cut throat with mean spirited and bitter people. In honesty, no matter what is your job you will find that, it’s not only wrestling.

Unfortunately there are still egos, real life feuds, jealousy and backstabbing that occurs not only with promoters but the wrestlers in the locker room as well. Throughout my years of working with the fine men and women in pro wrestling around the Midwest there is no one that is more respected by his peers than Pete Madden.

In fact, I have never heard one promoter, wrestler or fan say one unkind word for him. Many feel as if he is the best to come out St Louis this side of Randy Orton. Though we have only covered him for a short time, we never saw Madden ever give less than 110%.

If I should ever stop covering the sport of pro wrestling and I would have just a quarter of the people’s respect that Madden has, I will say that my efforts would have been a success.

I dare not speak for Madden, but I am sure there will be times that we will see Madden at a show watching along with the fans as he leaves the sport with the love that you and I have for pro wrestling in the Midwest.

We do wish Pete Madden, the very best as he adjust to life outside of wrestling and I truly hope that I am right that we will see him at shows around the Midwest as MWR continues to grow.

Till then I hope that this article brings some recognition to one of the finest wrestlers/people in the world today.

Brian Kelley

SICW Promoter Herb Simmons– One of the best workers I ever had the pleasure of booking. He has always been a gentleman. (Pete) Always kept his word. I thank Keith Smith for introducing me to Pete years ago. Pete knows he will always have a spot in the SICW as long I have life in me.

Wrestling fan Kyle Valle –When I think of Pete Madden I think of his great matches in GCW. He went on to beat Big Bad Ben to become GCW champ, and was the greatest Gateway champ during the companies’ time. #LongLiveTheHumanWreckingBall.

Pro Wrestler Dave Rough Cut Ruby Pete has a great sense of control inside the ropes. Ring psychology is the main key when you work in this business , Pete just about tops anybody I know.

Pro Wrestler Steven Kennedy– He basically dragged St. Louis wrestling into the modern era. Before Pete came along, wrestling was incredibly old-school in this area. He helped bring ECW and Japanese wrestling influence to the Midwest. In the process, he trained and influenced many of St. Louis’ best wrestlers of today. Pete is also one of the classiest people in the business to boot.

“The Manager of Champions”  Travis Cook– He influenced pretty much everybody that came through this town for almost 20 years. I can’t count how many times I’d hear a wrestler ask how to do something and somebody would tell him, “Go ask Pete

Metro Pro Wrestling Promoter Chris Gough– Pete Madden is and has been one of the greatest people I’ve ever worked with in professional wrestling. The guy has no ego, and he understands the wrestling business as well as anyone. He’s got it all: Skill, talent, attitude and dedication. Although I wish Pete could have been an in-ring part of Metro Pro Wrestling for a long time, I am thankful that he was able to spend his last year with all of us at Metro Pro.

Pro Wrestler The Big Texan – He is a worker who could make anyone look good and he has a million stories to keep you entertained . If only I had a chance to work a longer program with him .

Pro Wrestler OutKast– Pete was one of the best guys I’ve had the honor of being around in my 12 years in the biz. One of the funniest, knowledgeable, selfless, and thoughtful guys you’ll meet. He’s one guy you could always count on to help you better yourself. Pete was always there to give you that advice no matter how big or little it was to improve who you are in and out of the ring. So much can be said about what he’s done in the ring through the years that he is known for. He helped pave ways for guys like myself, Dingo, (Mike) Sharona, and many others. Which I think it is safe for me to say that we are all thankful for.

But to me, it was always the time outside the ring hearing his funny and interesting stories. just getting to hang around and be the boys that I’ll always enjoy looking back on.

I would like to take time to let Pete know that he was one of the very best whom I’ve had many honors of stepping in the ring with.

Here’s to an all- time Great “The Human Wrecking Ball” Pete Madden.

Wrestling fan and the host of Metro Pro Wrestling’s PSQ Retro Rick– “I only knew Pete during his time in Metro Pro but I quickly found out he’s always entertaining and gives it his all every outing. Great guy and a class act.”

Pro Wrestler Sean Vincent– One of the most humble and respected men in the business. It’s an honor to not only have worked with him but to have also had his experience and knowledge passed on to me too better myself. The Midwest will never forget The Human Wrecking Ball.

Steven J Girthy– CEO Girthy Management Group Pete has always been one of the class acts in wrestling. Madden is a true gentleman and good all-around person. I have looked up to him since I first met him 14 years ago, and I still do. He’s the type of man my grandfather would have had a beer with, and I think that’s pretty high praise.

By Brian Kelley

Pete Madden was trained by John Blackheart, a man who he had much respect for. Madden would make his debut on May 1992 against Red Devil. Later Keith Smith took it up a notch and Smith would smoothed out his rough edges and Madden was off and running to a historical show. He would wrestled fourteen years between 1992 and 2011 with a six year break from 2004-2010.

In 2011,Madden would return for one last year as he wanted to take on some of his top former foes and some of the best young talent in the world today.

When he made his way to Kansas City, the average fans did not have a clue of the reputation as an exciting wrestler that Madden had earned during his career.

That would quickly change on May 7th in Lawrence Kansas would face a foe that he had met many times, OuttKast in a Hardcore match.

They tore into each other using weapons, wrestling moves and high risk maneuvers to win over the crowd. In the end a bloodied. Madden would get the win but ask the Metro Fans to show respect for the man who took him to the limits on that night.

Sometimes what you ask for isn’t always what you really should want. Case in point when Madden came back to Metro Pro Wrestling to meet an arch enemy in Kevin X.

The powerful Kevin X and Madden had feuded for years and time had not lessen their animosity towards each other. Though the fans were firmly behind the” Human Wrecking Ball”, Kevin X would not be denied as he would get the win against his former foe.

The very next night Madden would return to St Louis to MMWA-SICW for East Carondelet Illinois, and though he was announced to face Eric Allen, the man he would meet would be Dan Walsh. Walsh one of the rising stars in the sport today would suffer a loss against Madden and would not forget it as the year went on.

In July, the fans were clamoring for more hardcore from Madden, who would run into the beast known as Derek Stone. On this night Madden would bring his longtime friend and manager “The Magic Man”. A blood fest and that traveled all around the building as Madden were stalked by the insane Stone.

Madden would suffer his second loss even as Stone continued to complain that Metro Pro Wrestling’s commissioner Matt Murphy was using Madden as a way to take him out of the picture.

Back at MMWA-SICW in East Carondelet during the MWR Larry Matysik night, Madden would be able to wrestle twice. First Madden would defeat one of Harley Race’s student Ryan Drago, then in his second match going down in defeat to the Big Texan.

In August, Pete Madden would make his way to Dynamo Pro Wrestling to meet newcomer Hector Sanchez. In what could be known as the upset of the year Sanchez a student of Dynamo Pro Gym would capture the win against the grizzled veteran.

Back to Kansas City, Madden would meet Drago once again, as with most Harley Race’s students he studied the game plan and was able to get the win even though the Magic Man attempted to get involved.

Later that night Madden would take on a guy who had been at odds with his manager, #1 Brett Young. Young a former NWA Kansas Champion is known not only for his wrestling but for his magic. Once again Magic Man would try to interfere but to no avail as Madden would take home the victory.

In September, Madden was involved in tag team action with The Magic Man as his partner against the #1 Brett Young and Ryan Drago (The Mustache Mafia). The losing streak continued at Metro Pro Wrestling as The Mustache Mafia used double teams to get the win . During an interview with MPW Superfan Retro Rick after the show you could tell that The Magic Man was not at all happy with Madden.

The night would only get worse when Madden entered the ring to challenge anybody to come to the ring and challenge in the back to a hardcore match. Who would come out? None other than NWA Women’s Midwest champion MsChif, . Many believe that MsChif is the top female and The Magic Man even talked MsChif into putting her belt on the line.

With Hardcore rules in effect Madden and the Magic Man would double team MsChif to their advantage early but when the “green mist” settled it would be MsChif victorious and the Magic Man in deep pain as the green mist had hit him dead on in the eyes after Madden had accidently nailed the Magic Man with a chair moonsault.

Back at MMWA-SICW on September 17th East Carondelet Madden fought Johnny Courageous to a time limit draw to start the night.

In October, Pete Madden would avenge his loss to Hector Sanchez by DQ.

The next night Madden traveled to Metro Pro Wrestling for the Halloween show dressed as the Iron Sheik and was in a fun loving mood for a change. One man who wasn’t was his manager The Magic Man who brought in Maddens former foe Kevin X to blindside him then asked for the bell to ring. Once again Madden would go down to defeat to Kevin X, but this time the Magic Man was no longer by his side.

In November at MPW , Walsh came in with the game plan and multiple interference’s from his new manager the Magic Man, would be able to avenge his loss. Madden so angered challenged Walsh to a match in December in a one on one match and if he won he would get five minutes alone with the Magic Man. The cocky Walsh quickly agreed stating that he was going to “Put an end to Pete Madden next month”.

December had come and Maddens last night of wrestling had arrived. In a very gratifying match he shocked Walsh and Madden when he dressed as MPW reporter Retro Rick. Madden attacked Walsh to get the edge and was able to defeat Walsh to get his wish with five minutes alone.

The Magic Man quickly attacked Madden from the back, trying to keep from taking a beating. Good idea, but there was nothing but pain in the Magic Man’s future.

Metro Pro Wrestling management out of respect offered him a last match against anyone in the locker. When he went to the ring, he let the fans know what was offered to him.

Quickly chants of Trevor Murdock electrified the Turner Rec Center.

Murdock came out to the ring with a boom from the crowd. A classic match between two of the very best that the Midwest had produced in the past twenty years was on display for the fans of Metro Pro Wrestling.

The results would say, Trevor Murdock defeated Pete Madden, but the real winners were the Metro Pro Wrestling Fans.