Missouri Wrestling Revival

Write up by Ben Simon

Missouri Wrestling Revival is proud to present our most prestigious year-end award to the “Mile High Magnum” Dak Draper.

The 2017 Wrestler of the Year award recipient is a unique one for two reasons.

First, this was the first year anyone had ever heard of Dakota Draper under any ring name in the Midwest.  Formerly known as Sammy Six Guns, Draper had wrestled in WWE NXT, but he was unknown in the MWR states.

Second, the MWR board voted unanimously for Draper.  This never happens!  The decision wasn’t tough though; the six-foot five-inch tall Draper has had one of the best years of any independent wrestler we have ever seen.

It is rare to see such a blend of size, strength, athleticism, and charisma as Dak Draper possesses.

The 250 lb. heavyweight was one of the first signings of the National Wrasslin’ League, which launched in January 7, 2017 and is already the most active promotion in Missouri.

Dak Draper proved unbeatable the entire year.  He won the tournament to crown the first NWL Champion on April 1 and held the title until December 8, when he lost it in a 30-man Rumble match (which he entered voluntarily).

Our mathematical Missouri Rankings system has had him at #1 in the State since the end of April (26-0-1 record; the blemish was a double countout in St. Joseph against Maverick).  He even surpassed Ricky Cruz‘s record high rating, which means he is the most dominant wrestler in Missouri (at least!) since 2013 (at least!).

Draper’s relationship with the fans has matured this year.  He has always been charismatic yet brash.  Most NWL viewers thought he was downright annoying at first.  However, the man who likes to point and proclaim, “Shame on you!” eventually had a popular catchphrase on his hands.

The fans joined Draper’s favor after he was accused of throwing an elimination match for control of the NWL’s matchmaking.  Dak denied the accusation by company owner Major Baisden and sought to prove his word by putting his title on the line in the NWL Rumble, which he lost.  This has redeemed his abrasive personality to many fans.

The Denver, Colo. native is a master of self-promotion.  He even has his own YouTube series, The Magnum Minute.  He has produced about 50 short episodes this year.

Congratulations to “The Mile High Magnum” Dak Draper for earning the 2017 MWR Wrestler of the Year award.

Past MWR Wrestlers of the Year

2016 Mike Outlaw

2015 Jeremy Wyatt

2014 Ricky Cruz

2013 Jake Dirden

2012 Adam Pearce

2011 Brandon Espinosa

2010 Mike Sydal

2009 Mark Sterling

2008“The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt