Missouri Wrestling Revival

MWR Owner Brian Kelley was honored to present Harley Race his lifetime Achievement plaque with art from acclaimed artist Rob Schamberger- Photo credit Bill Smith

By Brian Kelley

Missouri Wrestling Revival first awards were given for 2008, as we looked to honor the men and women of the Midwest. To bring them exposure to the west and east coast as well as the fans of the Midwest.

The award for MWR Lifetime Achievement Award was a no-brainer as it would be the former 8-time NWA World Champion Harley Race. Race has traveled around the world bringing respectability to the sport of wrestling since his debut in 1960. While he won World titles, entertained fans as “King” Harley Race during the boom years of the 80’s at WWF (E) his biggest contributions could very well be outside of the ring. Race currently owns the wrestling school the Harley Race Academy as well as the wrestling promotion World League Wrestling. The school provides the proper training to be a pro wrestler and have produced stand out wrestlers such as Trevor Murdock, Matt Murphy, Wade Chism, Bull Schmitt, Joe Hennig, Keith Walker and current WWE Ref John Cone.

Just as important as the school for the aspiring wrestlers, WLW for over ten plus years has been able to raised over 250,000 thousand dollars for the families, communities and schools around the Midwest with wrestling fundraising shows.

He is a member of every prestigious and worthy Wrestling Hall of fame around the World and it was with great pleasure that we were to present Harley Race with a worthy MWR Lifetime Achievement plaque with a great illustration of the one of the worlds greatest wrestlers of all-time from artist Rob Schamberger.

Today’s WLW is filled with a great roster from the WLW Champ Jason Jones, Brian Breaker, Ryan Drago, Jeff Strong, Jack Gamble, Mark Sterling, Steve Fender ,Dustin Bozworth, Stacey O’Brien, Miss Natural just to name a few. So when you see wrestling poster in your hometown and it has WLW on it, know that your money will be well spent and go to a good cause.

Fans this month can catch WLW four times as the Second annual Harley Race invitational tournament will be decided. Last years ,winner “The Prince” Jason Jones propelled that momentum towards capturing the WLW Championship.

This month Kevin Von Erich returns to WLW , while his sons will have their very first match EVER!! 

April 20th – Brian Breaker/WLW Champion “The Prince” Jason Jones vs. Ross/Marshall Von Erich (with Kevin Von Erich ringside), WLW Tag Team Champions will make title defense, “The Well Mustacheod Gotch Stylist” Ryan Drago will have singles competition, WLW Ladies Championship will be defended as Stacey O’Brien faces The Great Cheyenne. More TBA.

April 21st – The Harley Race Invitational Tournament continues as Ryan Drago will face Dustin Bozworth in semifinal qualifiers as well as Superstar Steve wrestling to see if he can continue on in the tournament, WLW Champion “The Prince” Jason Jones will face Marshall Von Erich, Brian Breaker will face Ross Von Erich in singles competition. More TBA

April 27th – More Harley Race Invitational Tournament semi-qualifying matches will take place as Brian Breaker aims to secure a spot in the finals of the tournament. WLW Champion “The Prince” will have a championship title defense, and WLW Ladies Champion will defend her title (assuming the championship doesn’t change hand before this night), and the Von Erich brothers will be in action against WLW tag team champions Strong & Reckless!

April 28th – The finals of the Harley Race Invitational Tournament take place this night with the participants to be decided upon by previous matches, the Von Erich Brothers will be in action,  WLW Ladies Champion  will be defending her WLW ladies championship, and WLW Heavyweight Champion “The Prince” Jason Jones puts his title on the line.

Again, more superstars will be announced in the coming weeks and there WILL be more announced. The HUGE event in Eldon will also be the “Harley Race Appreciation Night” so many fans will be in attendance! Get your tickets reserved now at wlwtickets@earthlink.net!