Missouri Wrestling Revival

Matt Murphy has not been happy in the least after his debut at SICW- Photo credit Brian Kelley

Editors Note:  MWR and SICW fans have seen here on the site the disgruntlement of “All That” Matt Murphy as he felt he was “set up” during his debut at SICW against Alexander Rudolph.

For those that are new to the site let me please get you caught up to date on this war of words that we thought would simmer down but in fact Murphy’s continued comments has had both SICW promoter Herb Simmons and now booker and legend Larry Matysik to speak out.

Matt Murphy calls out Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons after SICW Debut. June 27, 2012

SICW promoter Herb Simmons responds to “All That” Matt Murphy.  July 13

“Murphy vows to destroy SICW” ? July 22, 2012

This leads us to an e-mail from our friend Larry Matysik on this heated subject.

While I truly dislike getting involved in online or website verbal battles, I guess the time has come to respond to some recent rants from Matt Murphy.

Let’s make a couple things clear.  Nobody is more respectful of the guys in the ring than me, and that respect is for every single performer, not just the all-time greats or the big stars.  Doing pro wrestling is demanding and dangerous.  Everyone at every level pays his or her dues.  They battle to achieve their dream, which is obviously no easy task.

That’s true for Matt Murphy.  He’s always been a terrific performer, lots of knowledge and spunk.  His tag team with Superstar Steve was a dandy duo.  Matt fought through a horrendous auto accident.  He kept his hunger despite the unforgiving politics of this business. He wrote an outstanding book.  And, golly, with all of that background, how could he have been caught by surprise when he came to SICW and was battered by young powerhouse Alexander Rudolph?

Alexander Rudolph is only getting better with each match. Did Murphy underestimate him? – Photo Credit Brian Kelley

I know promoter Herb Simmons was happy to have Murphy agree to wrestle in SICW.  So was I.  He’s good.  He’s quality.  But, he fell asleep at the wheel and didn’t do his homework.  Rudolph is driving toward a shot at the Classic Championship currently owned by Ricky Cruz.  Matt just failed in the scouting he usually would do and paid the price.

Now, with Murphy’s return on Aug. 18 at East Carondelet, he gets the opportunity to rebound.  In the great tradition of St. Louis wrestling, this is when Matt Murphy can prove how good he really is.  Every great star bounced back from tough losses.  And I mean everyone from Thesz to Race, from Bruiser to Flair, from Kiniski to O’Connor.  The ball is in Matt Murphy’s court – and not to talk or complain, but to deliver the goods when the bell sounds.

As to Matt’s complaints about me and Herb Simmons, everyone is welcome to his own opinion.  I know this; I learned from someone like Sam Muchnick who never took a bump, and from Wild Bill Longson and Gene Kiniski who certainly did.  Furthermore, Nick Bockwinkel explained to me how NOT being a performer often made people like Sam, Vince McMahon Sr., Wally Karbo in Minneapolis, Frank Tunney in Toronto and – wow – even me more insightful about the business because we had no preconceived ideas about what works and what doesn’t.

Forget all that though.  Don’t rip the remarkable tradition of St. Louis wrestling, which Herb fights so doggedly to preserve.  Don’t pick on Gary Jackson, or bookers, or referees.  Bluntly, I don’t care what you say about me, for I’m comfortable with what I’ve done in pro wrestling.  I do care about what St. Louis means to wrestling.  It comes down to this.

Matt Murphy – put up or shut up IN THE RING.  On Aug. 18 at the East Carondelet Community Center, you can start to build a winning streak and demonstrate your skills.  Show everyone what a competitor you are inside the squared circle.  No talk.  Action.

And, surprisingly despite your complaints about me or anyone else, we all think you are good enough to deserve this chance.  Let’s see if you have what it takes in the ring.

Larry Matysik-  Author of the upcoming ECW Press book “The 50 greatest Professional Wrestlers of All Time” The Definitive Shoot