Three of the minds behind Southern Illinois’ All American Pro Wrestling are preparing to tackle professional wrestling on a larger scale.

Beginning Thursday, March 29, AAPW Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom, Marketing Director Adam Testa and Play-By-Play Announcer Kevin Hunsperger will be presenting a weekly talk radio show focusing on pro wrestling.

The show, From the Rafters Radio, airs locally in Southern Illinois on WGGH 1150 AM. Fans can listen worldwide at wggh.net.

The show will feature discussion and debate on everything from AAPW to WWE and will feature guest interviews in the near future.

The show is a partnership of Monster Radio, All American Pro Wrestling, My 1-2-3 Cents and the Baltimore Sun’s Ring Posts blog.

“We each have our own ventures in the wrestling industry, but AAPW has brought us together,” said Testa, who writes for Ring Posts. “We have debates and discussions about wrestling all the time, and this gives us a chance to share those thoughts and moments with a much wider audience.”

Hunsperger, who runs the My 1-2-3 Cents blog, agrees.

“I’ve been watching wrestling for nearly 30 years,” the morning news anchor at WSIL-TV 3 said. “I look forward to having a chance to discuss my passion for the business with my friends and talk about everything from indy wrestling to the WWE.”

But for the hosts, the show is more than just an outlet for them to share their thoughts on wrestling. It is also another outlet to promote All American Pro Wrestling and set it apart from the pack in terms of independent wrestling exposure.

AAPW has promoted shows in the Southern Illinois area since 2006. Last year, the promotion debuted a bi-weekly television series, “Collision,” on WSIL-TV 3, bringing the product into a five-state region.

This year, the company is also unveiling a web series called “All Access” that will be hosted at aapwrestling.com in the weeks between “Collision” airings.

“There are not many – if any – independent promotions that produce television, web and radio content on a regular basis, so this is just another step in advancing the AAPW brand and increasing awareness of our product both within the greater Southern Illinois community and beyond,” Hagstrom said.

From the Rafters airs from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday on WGGH 1150 AM and on Monster Radio online at wggh.net. Recordings will also be available on aapwrestling.com.

Fans can connect with the show and its hosts online at http://www.twitter.com/raftersradio and on Facebook under “From the Rafters Radio.” Details on calling into the show will be available in the coming weeks.

To support the sponsors of From the Rafters Radio, visit aapwrestling.com, my123cents.blogspot.com and baltimoresun.com/sports/pro-wrestling/ring-posts-blog.

Kathy Hanner and wrestling star Brandon Aarons. Aarons was a guest at the Body Slam recently.

The Body Slam are the home of the independent artist…please go to http://www.stlouisflo.com/and listen to me on the body slam every Sat from 9:30 am-12noon.

Several professional wrestlers share their stories about life in the ring. Every month the wrestlers compete at the Turner Recreation Center for Metro Pro Wrestling.

http://www.shawneedispatch.com/videos/2012/mar/14/1580/

March 17.

This weekend’s event marks the first taping of the second season of “Collision.” AAPW debuted the bi-weekly television series in 2011. It returns to the airwaves on WSIL-TV 3, an ABC affiliate in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee, on Saturday, April 14.

In January, AAPW hosted “Main Event,” featuring international superstars Colt Cabana, PAC, El Generico and Matt Cross. That show, which drew more than 400 fans to the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion, Ill., is available on DVD at aapwrestling.com.

With the first season of “Collision” finished and “Main Event” in the past, the focus shifts to Season Two. Several big changes and surprises are in store for AAPW in 2012, and they officially begin this weekend.

The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and free for veterans. They can be purchased in advance at aapwrestling.com.

Seven matches have been announced for the show, but there are a few unannounced bouts on the card as well. Those announced matches include:

Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom addresses the Heavyweight title situation

While no AAPW Heavyweight Heavyweight Championship challenger has been announced for Edmund “Livewire” McGuire, Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom has declared he will address the title situation. As of right now, there’s apparently no clear challenger for the title, as Pokerface, who assaulted McGuire in an unsanctioned attack after “Main Event” had concluded, is not responding to AAPW’s messages. Event advertising, however, states that McGuire WILL defend the championship on Saturday. But who will his opponent be?

Team Overkill (Matt Cage and Christian Rose) defend the AAPW Tag Team Championship against the Money Makin’ Jam Boyz

Team Overkill used legal loopholes to get out of a scheduled title defense at Main Event, but at that same show, the Jam Boyz became number one contenders by defeating Roscoe Dwayne Harris and Bull Bronson. Now, Team Overkill must make their first defense of the titles against the former three-time tag team champions! The Jam Boyz are intent on winning tag team gold once again, and if they have it their way, it will come at the expense of Team Overkill.

Stacey O’Brien vs. The Great Cheyenne

“Main Event” saw women’s wrestling return to AAPW for the first time in four years, as “The Boston Brawler” Stacey O’Brien defeated Rebecca Raze. AAPW officials were impressed with O’Brien’s performance and have invited her back. This time, she faces the challenge of The Great Cheyenne, who overpowers and outsizes O’Brien. But the Irish schoolgirl doesn’t shy away from any challenge, and she’s preparing for the fight of her life. Will the luck of the Irish be with O’Brien on St. Patrick’s Day or will she become Cheyenne’s latest prey?

Mike Sydal and Heath Hatton vs. Kansas City Killers (Mark Sterling and Jeremy Wyatt)

This match marks the returns of Sydal, Sterling and Wyatt to AAPW. All three men are well-known and accomplished in the Midwest, and this is their chance to prove their value to the AAPW faithful. A lot has changed since they last appeared. Sydal has been named the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year, Wyatt came within inches of winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and Sterling has continued to widen his path of dominance and destruction. But one thing remains: Sydal’s animosity with his trainers who turned their back on the young superstar. Sydal hand-picked Hatton as his partner for this match, looking to prove that youth can top experience.

“Farmer” Billy Hills vs. “Old School Warrior” Ax Allwardt

These two men are a pair of the larger men on the AAPW roster. Their stories in 2011 couldn’t have been more different. Allwardt is the established veteran, who spent the year chasing and challenging Edmund “Livewire” McGuire and his AAPW Heavyweight Championship. Hills, on the other hand, debuted late last year and found a mixed degree of success. This match pits a “Day One” original against a newcomer, but when it comes to fan support, Hills has the obvious advantage. But will the cheers be enough to carry “Farmer” to a victory over the former number one contender?

Team XXX (Jay Spade and Joey O’Riley) vs. Elitism (Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins)

These two teams are both fan favorites, so the crowd will be hard pressed to choose who to support in this match. Both teams are young and looking for their chance to break out in AAPW. All four men were seen in AAPW last year, but this is the first chance “Collision” viewers will see either team work together. The action in this match will speak for itself, and whichever team emerges will leave its mark on the AAPW tag team division. The winning team may be well positioned for a shot at the AAPW Tag Team Championships.

Bull Bronson demands competition

The monstrous Bull Bronson arrived in AAPW in 2011 and has destroyed everything in his path. He’s a man on a mission, looking to make his way to the top, and he’s demanding competition. Can anyone stand up to Bronson’s challenge