Missouri Wrestling Revival

Adam Pearce made an impact and created emotions with each and every fan at the former MWR Promotion of the Year, Kansas City’s Metro Pro Wrestling . Pearce was able to have memorable moments in his career at MPW including winning the NWA World Championship from Colt Cabana. Fans around the country are shocked and sadden by the company announcing that their last show was this past Saturday night.

Since I got word late last week that the company was basically shutting down, I have wanted to write something about Chris Gough’s Metro Pro Wrestling out of Kansas City.

This past Saturday, Metro Pro presented what appears to be their final event as the promotion is now on an indefinite hiatus after their television outlet, Metro Sports, decided to go into a broadcast partnership with the University of Kansas. This new partnership represents a de facto overhaul of the programming for Metro Sports, with an obvious emphasis on KU sports, and in the process eliminates the timeslot occupied by Metro Pro Wrestling for the past three years.

It isn’t a bad thing, either. Promoter Chris Gough works for Metro Sports as Program Director. He’s got bills to pay like anyone else and has to answer to people just like anyone else, and when his bosses make a decision, he’s got to live with it like anyone else. And while it may be a blow to wrestling fans in the area or to wrestlers like me that selfishly want Metro Pro to live forever, the fact is that money talks, and that is simply the world works. It makes all the sense in the world for Metro Sports.

So rather than be bummed or focus on what “could have been”, I’m going to focus on what WAS.

Metro Pro largely did things the RIGHT way. In an independent wrestling world that has more than its fair share of scams and shitbags, Chris Gough always treated me with the same level of respect and professional courtesy that I gave him. It was a beautiful relationship that allowed me to find a nice foothold squarely in the realm of the Kansas City fans’ boos and cheers, and obviously a steady place where I could earn a wage. In the process we became friends. There are very few in wrestling that I attach that word to.

The locker room was the definition of cohesive and complete in the sense that everyone had a role. I never sensed any egos or attitudes, at least nothing major. I always had fun, and I always felt like part of a family. I’m positive everyone else that shared the Metro Pro locker room and ring feels precisely the same. The fans were passionate and vocal and everything a performer could want. And the man captaining the ship seemed to always have the proper course charted for everyone along for the ride.

I’ll personally miss Metro Pro Wrestling for a number of reasons, but most of all for the talented men and women that will undoubtedly miss it with me. I extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Chris Gough and the entire Metro Pro family, it was great making memories with all of you.

-AP