Missouri Wrestling Revival

By Brian Kelley
Photos by Brian Kelley

One of the top moments in the MWR coverage area over the past three years has been in the heart of the city of St Louis in the community of Hillsdale. While many people tend to stay away from the area because it is unjustly labeled dangerous but the truth of the matter is the area is filled with kind hearted people, young and old that live there.

The annual event teams up pro wrestling with the community to bring the exciting action of the sport to many of the youth of the area that may never be able to afford the ticket to a WWE RAW event.

The cost of the event is FREE.

For one day only in Hillsdale, Jesse Jackson Ave is blocked off and the men and women of MMWA-SICW work together to put up a wrestling ring. You will have the chance to meet many of the wonderful people of Hillsdale including the Mayor Dorothy Moore, ST Louis County Executive Charles Dooly, and the Hillsdale Village council. The  hard work from the fine people of Hillsdale with the police department  paid off on Saturday as the community enjoyed  the free barbeque, soda, school supplies and a chance to win free bikes along with safety helmets for each winner.

Promoters Herb Simmons, Tony Casta worked closely with their right hand men Keith Smith and Tim Miller to invite some of the top talent in the area to donate their time to deliver several matches for the days event. This year saw fan favorite and a man who has been involved in all three Hillsdale Back to school show, Gary Jackson main event. Jackson teamed up with Ricky Cruz who has just returned from his home land of Puerto Rico the week prior to get a big win against the team of Jr. Heavyweight Champion Max Archer & Webmaster Stevie K.

The fans got to take photos, get autographs and speak to the wrestlers such as Sean Vincent, Brian James, Jimmy D as well as Jackson and Cruz during the intermission. Prior to the hard hitting action in the ring the kids were able to have some fun in the bounce houses, get their face painted and all the while have a day that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Take the time to enjoy some of the photos from the third annual MMWA-SICW Hillsdale Back to School show and we hope to see you next year for this must attend day in St. Louis including the winners of the bike giveaway.

Ricky Cruz and Sean Vincent with the youth of Hillsdale have fun in the middle of the ring.

Fun with Face paint.

The fans get to meet MMWA-SICW star Jimmy D.

Brian James takes time for the fans.

The Great one, Gary Jackson.

Ring announcer and co-host of the wrestling show Ringsyders Ben Simon announces the matches from the Hillsdale police car.

I wish this photo would have been better quality but I cropped it from another photo of the wrestling action and I thought that it was still worth seeing on its own. How great is it to see the police department and kids have this connection during the action of the sport we love, pro wrestling.