MWR shoots on covering the Midwest.
Posted by flairwhoooooo on March 8, 2012
By Brian Kelley
Today, I had a friend contact me on why I have not been to one of there shows while I have attended quite a few of other shows recently. First off I wished I had enough money to just go to the shows, I love being there, I love taking photos and I love seeing the fans and the wrestlers. MWR has been worth every dime to me and I hope that you the fans have enjoyed the site and Id love for MWR to have a positive impact on the wrestlers careers going forward.
For the past 8 months, I have been looking for a job with nothing promising in sight. As you may have read in Mick Foley’s Have a nice day book or Matt Murphy’s book “The Somebody Obsession: A Nobody’s Desperate Journey to Stardom” you know that there is little money for the wrestlers in the sport that so dearly deserve it at our level. There is no $50.00 to take home at the end of the night as a booking fee. With that said, there is no money whatsoever for the photographer,(or at least this one) who also runs and edits the site for your enjoyment.
I know I don’t have the skills of an ACH in the ring or the good looks and body of a Ryan Slade or the sheer power of Brian Breaker or the natural ability of Mike Sydal , but I feel as if MWR is my way of being a part of my first true love , which is Wrestling. I have no regrets about this site and with this post I am not trying to pat myself on the back (Though I could see where you get that ideal) , no just trying to leave a clear understanding to my friends who don’t understand what time it takes just to get to and back from a show.
Often my girlfriend Dubray is kept from doing what she wants to do because of my love of covering a show. If I was to win the lottery, I would still be doing what I am doing. Dubray has been wonderful in her support of the site, though it can be weary for her at times just to drive 250 miles, not have time to sight see cause we are low on time and more likely just have enough money to get back, sit 3 hours, wait for me to get a promo or two then head out for the 250 mile drive only to get home at 4 in the morning.
Once again,  this isn’t to complain as the friendships that we have made throughout the Midwest at each promotion is priceless , and has been a dream come true. Having people such as Larry Matysik, MsChif, Davey Richards and Trevor Murdock just to name a few to endorse MWR has been truly awesome. Teaming up with a top company like 3XW to help spread the MWR name to their fans with a promotion like the Mark Sterling vs Jeremy Wyatt trading card, to be able to present Brandon Espinosa and Stacey O’Brien their 2011 awards at MMWA-SICW and AAPW respectably is such an honor This week it was great to have David Schmida owner of the The Wrestling Press.com to add a link to our site using the MWR logo, while Adam Testa mentioned us on The Greg DeMarco show and Ringsyders invited me on their show this last Sunday . I am always happy to see the local wrestlers and fans wear the MWR shirt and to have Harley Race’s permission to work with his promotion WLW has never lost its luster in my heart.
How great it has been to be a guest at Mike Chapman and Bob Geigel’s house in the past, getting the chance to hear from two men who have worked with the best and have also been inducted in several Hall of Fames.
Thanks to all the promoters, wrestlers and fans that support MWR, I know that can is said so often but without each of the three of you, the site would be nothing.
Let’s be real no one put a gun to my head to make me go to the shows, I just want my friends to know that it is nothing personal that I make shows that are closer to me than the ones that they are at
With that said lets take a basic look at the promotions we cover, how close their normal shows are and how much it cost to get to that show from my house in Salisbury, Mo.
WLW
Driving directions to Eldon, MO
Distance: 117.07 miles
Time: 1:52 hr
Total miles 234 x $2.47= $57.80
NWA Dynamo
Driving directions to Glen Carbon, IL
Distance: 144.3 miles
Time: 2:17 hr
Total Miles 288 x $2.47= $71.14
Metro Pro Wrestling
Driving directions to Kansas City, KS
Distance: 160.35 miles
Time: 2:29 hr
Total Miles 320 x $2.47= $79.04
IHW
Driving directions to Red Bud, IL
Distance: 161.75 miles
Time: 2:38 hr
Total miles 324Â x$2.47 =$ 80.03
MMWA
Driving directions to St Louis, MO
Distance: 178.53 miles
Time: 2:51 hr
Total miles 357 x $2. 47 = $ 88.18
SLA
Driving directions to Granite City, IL
Distance: 181.27 miles
Time: 2:58 hr
Total miles 363Â x $2.47= $89.66
MECW
Driving directions to Wood River, IL
Distance: 187.13 miles
Time: 3:01 hr
Total miles 374Â x 2.47 =$ 92.38
SICW
Driving directions to East Carondelet, IL
Distance: 189.26 miles
Time: 3:09 hr
Total miles 378 x $2.47 = $93.37
New Midwest Wrestling
Driving directions to Springfield, IL
Distance: 193.59 miles
Time: 3:16 hr
Total miles 388Â x $2.47 = $95.84
PWE
Driving directions to Mt Pulaski, IL
Distance: 218.49 miles
Time: 3:47 h
Total miles 438 x $2.47 =$ 108.19
3XWrestling
Driving directions to Des Moines, IA
Distance: 244.33 miles
Time: 3:52 h
Total miles 488Â x $2.47 = $120.54
Zero-1
Driving directions to Mattoon, IL
Distance: 252.49 miles
Time: 3:57 h
Total miles 506Â x2.47 = $ 124.98
Magnum and PWP
Driving directions to Council Bluffs, IA
Distance: 262.66 miles
Time: 4:10 h
Total miles 526Â x $2.47 = $ 129.93
AAPW
Driving directions to Marion, IL
Distance: 297.69 miles
Time: 4:44 h
Total miles 596Â x $2.47 =$ 147.21
IWA U and IWAP
Driving directions to Olney, IL
Distance: 317.56 miles
Time: 5:14 h
Total miles 636Â x $ 2.47 = $157.09
Missouri Wrestling Revival 
Kim Morris said
Mr. Kelly, I jus want you to know that I personally appreciate all of your hard work you put into helping these indy companies out…and when I win the lottery sir…your travel expenses will no longer be a worry for you! Also you WILL have that billboard! Thank You for everything you do,,,,Kim Morris
Adam Testa said
Brian,
I’ve said it a lot in public and on social media, but I have to say it here, as well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, personally, and from those of everyone else at All American Pro Wrestling.
Your commitment, dedication and passion to this business are unrivaled. I hate people with the mentality that only the performers in the ring matter to wrestling. Yes, I admire and respect what they do to no end, but there are people like you who let people know about these guys and why they should care about them.
More people know the names of Heath Hatton, Edmund McGuire and Jay Spade because of you. Don’t let anyone ever let you feel bad about what you’re doing. You do this because you love it; the same reason everyone else does.
I had no idea that AAPW was the second farthest (and not far from being the farthest) commute you have. That makes me appreciate your presence at our shows even more. You are part of our family, whether you’re at the shows or not.
Again, thank you for all that you do and continue to do. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Adam Testa
Marketing Director
All American Pro Wrestling
Herb Simmons said
Brian,once again I agree with you. If it wasn’t for the compassion you have for this entertainment you could find something else to keep you busy. For those who may be concerned that you aren’t paying much attention by attending their programs, may be they should compensate you with a few dollars if you attend their show and promote it. The articles that you write are a promotional tool that all of the promotions shoule be glad is available to them. Adverting is expensive. With gas reaching over $4.00 a gallon I say they either buck up or shut up and be grateful for what you do. Keep up the good work.