The story between Matt Cage and Cecil Cerveza is stuff of legend within the Central Illinois wrestling scene. Cecil, the hungry, young and talented buck looking to make a name for himself. Cage, the ruthless, vicious individual who burst on to the scene and took any opportunity he could at the expense of anyone and everyone. These two men have been heated rivals for quite some time; They are very familiar with each other.

“It’s been no secret that I’ve always had a deep hatred for Cecil, but I do respect him,” Cage stated. “When I moved to Illinois, Cecil was the first wrestler I saw in action who caught my eye. I went to the Peggy Cooper Invitational 2008 and saw Cecil have one of the best matches of the year with Adam Evans that night”

That very match that Cage referred to sent Cecil’s career to new heights that night. The tournament, which many claim is the biggest tournament in Central Illinois, was won that night by Cecil Cerveza.

“Cecil came in that night, and tore things up. His match with Adam Evans was excellent. Ultimately, if I recall, he defeated Eric Ruffington in the finals to win the whole PCI tournament. And I knew that night that when I signed my GAW contract that he posed a threat to me,” Cage barked.

“He was young, hungry and talented. He had all the traits that I had at the time and I knew that I had some legitimate competition”.

At the time, Cecil was the reigning and defending GAW Central States Champion. A belt that he held with pride. As Central States Champion, many claimed that Cecil was the greatest champion since the title’s inception. Cage knew this.

“Of course! I knew he was good. He didn’t have the belt for a reason. Seeing him with that title, knowing and witnessing his talents, I knew that I had to defeat him for the belt,” Cage explained. “He had something I wanted. It was my goal to take it from him.”

Team Cage (Matt Cage, The Hooligans & Big Joel) vs. Team Cerveza (Cecil Cerveza, Josh Powers, Andy Roberts & Temple Rain)
United We Stand
July 19, 2008

At “GAW United We Stand” in July 2008, Cage was booked in a Survivor Series inspired Eight Man Tag Team Match; Team Cage, harboring Cage himself, Devin & Mason Cutter and Cage’s then “bouncer”, Joel against Team Cerveza – a team which was doomed from the start.

“Unfortunately, my quest for the Central States Title was to be postponed. You see, on that night, Cecil had issues with his teammates – Andy Roberts and Temple Rain. I remember pinning Josh Powers during that match, eliminating him, and looking up to see the uncomfort in Cecil and Temple’s eyes. Roberts had already turned on Cecil at the beginning of the match. I knew that I was going to have to make a statement,” Cage claimed.

“They came out there, already with the same idea in mind. Make a statement, make an impact and receive a title shot.”

And Cage was right.

Andy Roberts and Temple Rain were successful in their attempt to make an impact, as later on that night, they were placed in an impromptu title match, and Cecil was upset by Temple Rain.

“I was livid,” Cage said through gritted teeth. “That piece of crap came in there, stole MY title shot, my hard work. Hell, I was the one who won the freakin’ match. But the only thing that will be remembered is that they got the title shot and that Temple won.”

Cage’s goal of defeating Cecil for the Central States Title was gone, and Cage was upset. And rightfully so. He knew that he had to surpass Cecil, and his plans of doing so by pinning Cecil himself were thwarted.

“It was a trying time for me. I had to regroup. I knew that I was going to have to invest some of my money into my career. I paid for the backing of JC Michaels, the owner of GAW. He placed me into a WarGames Match with every title on the line. And even though everyone called me crazy for not attempting to win the Heavweight Title, I knew what I had to do to cement myself. I had to pin Temple for the Central States Title. And I did.”

Cage pinned Rain for the title in the Cage and finally got the belt that he had been chasing throughout 2008. Though he didn’t defeat Cecil for it, he righted a wrong. Temple had thwarted his plans, so Cage thwarted Temple’s. A month later, Cage found out that he’d be defending his title in January 2009 against former WWE and TNA superstar, Zach Gowen.

“Wrestling Gowen was a blast. But beyond that, it was something I needed. I have all the respect in the world for Gowen. He defeated cancer and made it to the WWE on one leg,” Cage expressed. “But far be it from me to allow him to come into my turf and expect to take my title from me. I was building a legacy. And he became a part of it.”

Cage went on to defeat Gowen, and then proceeded a trail of destruction the likes that Cecil had never seen as Central States Champion. Between Andy Roberts, Ryan Phoenix and Markus Crane, Cage had quite the title run. But finally, he got exactly what he wanted. The man he had been chasing.

Cecil Cerveza.

Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
Peggy Cooper Invitational
March 21, 2009

“There was a little controversy, you see. I got stripped of the Central States Title and wound up having to compete in the 2009 Peggy Cooper Invitational. To regain my title, I had to win the tournament. And low and behold, in the first round I find myself across the ring from the man who won it the previous year.”

The match was a back and forth affair that had the Maroa, IL crowd on their feet. Cecil came close to defeating Cage many times. But a little tug of the tights during a school boy wound up bring Cage to the next round and ultimately, Cage won the tournament and the Central States Title once again.

“I did exactly what I wanted and at that point, I felt that I had nothing left to prove. I KNOW Cecil. He tried to get me with Roll The Dice (Cecil’s finishing move), but I had him scouted. He went for it, I rolled him up. I know how to get out of anything he can do. He doesn’t understand,” Cage explained, “that I became OBSESSED with erasing him from this area. I needed it. To me, he was the only legitimate threat to me. But he was a persistent little bastard”.

Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
Against All Odds
April 18, 2009

One month later, Cage found himself across the ring from Cecil once again. This time, the Central States Title was on the line. It was one of the most anticipated matches in GAW history. Many felt that Cecil had Cage’s number. But Cage had acquired the services of Anderson Rhodes, and came in to the match with a new piece of the puzzle. This new revelation threw Cecil off, and Cage wound up defeating Cecil yet again, this time doing a tremendous amount of damage to Cecil’s shoulder and arm. The damage done to his arm caused Cecil to take a short sabbatical from GAW.

“Yeah, I was a bit ruthless during that match. But I knew that I needed to do whatever it took to remain Central States Champion and I had to bring it hard. I hired Rhodes because he was available. He wasn’t necessary, but he helped at the time and brought me more money and good competition as my agent. But the thing that mattered the most was the fire I had in my eyes that night. I had a vicious streak inside of me, but it truly had never been tapped into until I stepped into the ring with Cecil.”

He may have been right. From there, Cage defended his title against all comers before being upset by Kenny O’Brien in June.

But he didn’t need to fret.

“I never step into an venue unless I have a plan A, B and C.,” he explained. “I knew that if I ever lost that Central States Title that I would have to step it up. So I did. I competed for the Heavyweight Title, a title that Cecil never held – and never will, for that matter. My legacy was written at this point and Cecil never even crossed my mind.”

But then Cecil came back. He saw that Cage had won the GAW Heavyweight Title and cringed as he saw the celebration when Cage also won the Heritage Wrestling Coalition Title from his friend, Angelo Santelli. Further proving a point, Cage took out Santelli and broke his shoulder and elbow following their match. Cecil was in attendance that night, and saw that Cage was happy. He saw that Cage had two prestigious pieces of gold. He saw that Cage truly had surpassed him as a wrestler.

Having let go of any need to take on Cage again, Cecil and Cage hadn’t stepped in the ring together since that warm spring evening in April of 2009. But he began to boil. Cerveza began to sweat. He began to yell. He was the one who people were citing as “the future of Central Illinois wrestling”. He was the one.

Until Matt Cage.

He sat back and watched as Cage’s stock rose and rose. He remained silent as Cage began to make more and more money and certainly looked on as Cage’s talent took him to promotions he only dreamed of being a part of.

Cage laughed, “He had and has every right to be jealous”.

All these emotions simmered inside of Cecil for months. During this time, Cage successfully defended his Heavyweight Title against former champions like Jaxson Pride, Truk Thompson and Jonathan Napier. He defended his title against great wrestlers from promotions all around the country such as Matt “Krotch” Mayday, Bill The Butcher and the returning Temple Rain. He even successfully put the title on the line against legends like Ian Rotten and Dingo, who at the time was reigning as IWA-MS World Champion; one of the most prestigious titles of all time.

“I knew deep down,” Cage said, “that at this point, I had cemented my legacy and far surpassed Cecil. I wasn’t only the greatest GAW Heavyweight Champion of all time, I was the greatest wrestler that the Central Illinois fans, promoters and wrestlers had ever seen.”

It’s hard to argue Cage’s statement.

But questions began to arise in October. Cecil was rumored to be wrestling Cage for the Heritage Wrestling Coalition Title, a travelling championship, on Cecil’s home turf of New Breed Wrestling Alliance. But the fans were screwed out of the match, as Cage demanded to wrestle a less deserving competitor.

“Jimmy Karryt can go to hell. Yeah, he does a bunch of flips. What the hell else does he have? He’s got an attitude the likes of my ex-girlfriends, he’s pale, he’s got greasy long hair and the piece of **** got a FLUKE victory over me. It was a FLUKE! Don’t think it was anything else but the obvious,” yelled the angry Cage. “If I ever step in the ring with Jimmy Karryt, he’s getting his ass handed to him. I will teach him respect and will prove to him that he was lucky.”

Obviously a touchy subject.

Karryt was Cecil’s friend and Cage knew this. He lost the Heritage Title, but he still remained GAW Champion. He entered the month of November with the belt, but soon found out that an old familiar face was coming to visit. At “A Fight for Mya” in Decatur, IL, Cecil Cerveza found his way back into title contention and he and Cage had one of the greatest GAW Heavyweight Title matches of all time. It was a stiff, brutal, back and forth encounter that saw Cecil show a side of him he had never seen. There truly was a deep hatred between these two men as they tried to break each other’s jaws with their vicious forearm strikes.

But all this and more could not lead Cage to victory. He proved once again that he had Cecil scouted all to well. Cecil attempted a moonsault off of the top rope, but Cage rolled out of the way. Cecil landed on Cage’s title belt which had found it’s way into the ring, and Cage rolled him up for the victory.

Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
A Fight For Mya
November 15, 2009

“Screw all those people who said I needed to use the tights to beat Cecil that night. I think by that point I had already proven that I had him where I wanted him at all times.”

Just one week later, however, Cage was set to defend his coveted belt in an Escape Only, Steel Cage Match against “Tru Talent” Jonathan Scott. But an attack by one of Tru Talent’s old rivals left him prone on the ground, apparently concussed after he was given a Pedigree on the floor of the Lincoln College gym.

“I laughed, honestly. Did you SEE that Pedigree? My grandmother could deliver a better Pedigree than Dumpster Doug, or whatever the hell his name is,” Cage laughed. “But the bigger story wasn’t Dumpster Doug’s laughable finishing maneuver. The bigger story was Cecil coming out, sticking his big head in business it didn’t belong in.”

As Cage attempted to walk out of the Steel Cage, Cecil stepped up and realized he had an opportunity. One that possibly wouldn’t come again. He realized that this was probably his last shot at Matt Cage. So he challenged Cage to a match, right there on the spot. Neither man was prepared, but they knew each other too well. And when Cage accepted, the violence began. And it was a bloody affair. Without a doubt the best Cage Match in GAW history, these two men beat each other from pillar to post. Both men were busted open during the combat, proving that they would go through great lengths to win the match. Ultimately, Cage wound up delivering an incredible and impressive top rope Hole in One (Death Valley Driver) to Cecil. This took a lot of energy out of Cage, and almost broke Cecil’s neck. And as Cage crawled for the door to escape with his championship clutched in his arms, Cecil was overcome. He heard voices. He heard his wife, calling for him to prove he was the better man. He heard his children, begging their daddy to “do it for them”. He heard his fans, chanting his name. He heard Cage, yelling that he could never defeat him. He heard himself, claiming that he was better than Cage and could defeat him.

He rose from the canvas and began climbing the Steel Cage. His ascent was dramatic. He had no strength, no energy left. But he found his way up and over the top. The crowd waited with baited breath as both men escaped the cage. But when both men hit the floor, what should have been a glorious moment for Cecil turned into a tragic moment, full of controversy. Though many claim that Cecil hit the floor first, others stand ground stating that Cage hit first. The decision would no doubt be controversial, but Co-Owner JC Michaels ruled, along with the referees, that the match would go down as a no contest since it could not be determined who indeed hit the floor first.
Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
Lincoln Lockdown
November 22, 2009

Cecil felt that he was out of “last chances”. And he was. But something strange happened. Cage stepped up and demanded one last match. Cecil didn’t have to ask.

“I realized something. Cecil wants that belt more than I do. I have nothing left to prove. I have defeated everyone, literally, while reigning as champion. I contemplated vacating the title, if only to move on to something new. My pay isn’t going to rise and I have grown tired of defending my title against unworthy contenders, just because I’ve defeated all of the “TOP” contenders,” Cage stated.

“I’m giving Cecil one last shot to prove to me that he wants it. If he wants it as bad as I think, he’ll defeat me for the title. But if he can’t come out on top with all of the cards on the table and everything on the line, then he is nothing more than a choke artist like everyone else in GAW. When I came to Central Illinois, I wasn’t threatened by Jaxson Pride or Connor Riley. I wasn’t concerned with Gavin Alexander. I wasn’t worried about anyone. The only man who I knew was truly better than anyone else in this territory, was and is, Cecil Cerveza. But we won’t find out for sure if he’s as good as me or better than me until February 22nd,” Cage said through a devious smile.

“On that day, one man will wake up with the title next to him and a smile on his face. The other will wake up, a failure and disappointed at what his career has become. And trust me, it should only take one guess that the latter will be Cecil Cerveza.”

It’s just a few short weeks away. It’s the Series Finale – Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza, The Last Chapter. If Cecil can defeat Cage, the current champion has opted to never challenge Cecil for the belt as long as he’s champion. But if Cage defeats Cecil (once again) Cecil can never again challenge for the belt. Either way, it will without a doubt be the greatest GAW Championship match of all time.

http://www.MyGAW.com
www.MySpace.com/GAW_Productions
www.MySpace.com/thecageeffect
http://www.Facebook.com/thecageeffect
http://www.MySpace.com/CecilCerveza

Pro Wrestling Phoenix returns to action on Saturday Night February 13th with – PWP 50 (Our 50th Event!)

Last month at Year of the Phoenix, several shocking things took place – most notably, the re-birth of the Murder Militia, under the guidance of Jayden Draigo. The Militia was able to reclaim the PWP Tag Team Titles, and were pretty much dominate throughout the evening – until PWP Champion “Babyface” Tony Cortez took a stand against the Murder Militia, uniting with Jaysin Strife. We now look to PWP’s 50th Event, On Febuary 13th:

*** The Murder Militia will defend the PWP Tag Team Titles against the team of PWP Champion “Babyface” Tony Cortez & Jaysin Strife!!! What combination Militia members will be defending the titles? And what impact will Jayden Draigo play this time? Be there on the 13th to find out!

*** Also in Action: “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon, Chris Havius, Donnie Peppercricket, Abu Colossus, Darin Corbin, Mike Sydal, David Clark, Matty Star, Jimmy Rockwell, Ryan Slade, “The Passion” Zac James, Stephen Saint and more!!!

DON’T FORGET – All PWP Tickets are now JUST $10!!!!!!

Saturday February 13, 2010

National Guard Armory
2415 E. Kanesville Blvd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Doors: 6:30
Bell Time: 7:00

http://www.ProWrestlingPhoenix.com
http://www.MySpace.com/ProWrestlingPhoenix
http://www.Twitter.com/PWPwrestling

Mark and Andy brings back AWR with a Vengeance talking about

1)Brock Lesnar’s comeback and the UFC title picture

2)WWE Royal Rumble Predictions

3) Strikeforce Miami predictions and much much more.

Check out the new podcast here.

Plus add their new AWR website to your favorites. All you have to do is click here.

Des Moines-based 3XWrestling Presents Reign of Terror
Iowa’s Top Pro Wrestling Company Features Best in the Midwest

DES MOINES, Iowa – Hot on the heels of a record-setting crowd in January, Des Moines-based 3XWrestling (3XW) is set to impress fans once again as it presents Reign of Terror on February 5th at the Des Moines Social Club, one of the top venues for professional wrestling in the Midwest.

Featuring some of the most talented wrestlers in the United States, Reign of Terror is scheduled to be headlined by three spectacular championship matches.

“The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt, who racked up an almost endless list of awards in 2009 – including 3XW Wrestler of the Year – defends the 3XW Heavyweight championship against fan-favorite Maddog McDowell. McDowell, 3XW’s largest athlete at 6’4″ and approximately 300 lbs., poses the biggest challenge – literally – Wyatt has faced since winning the championship in August 2009. It’s McDowell’s first shot at the title in over a year and his first at the Des Moines Social Club.

In a highly-anticipated 3XW Tag Team championship rematch, the mega-popular High Flyers (“Unbreakable” Zach Thompson and Mike Sydal), the 2009 3XW Tag Team of the Year, defend the titles against the underhanded tactics of the The Gentlemen’s Club (Gage Octane and Mark Sterling with 3XW Commissioner Todd Countryman). The High Flyers won the titles from the Gentleman’s Club at the King of Des Moines event in a fantastic match and February 5th will be the first time these two teams face one another since August. Both teams are currently considered among fans and wrestling press as the two best teams in the Midwest.

A fast-paced, high-flying team, Sydal and Thompson recently earned individual accolades; Sydal became the first 3XW star to be named Pro Wrestling Illustrated “Rookie of the Year”, while Thompson was voted the 2009 3XW Most Popular Wrestler of the Year.

One of 3XW’s most heated feuds will come to a culmination when the 3XW Cruiserweight championship will be decided at Reign of Terror in 3XW’s first-ever Submission Match, where the winner can only defeat their opponent by submission. “The Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell, who admittedly isn’t the strongest submission-based wrestler in 3XW, defends the championship against two-time former champion Casanova, the master of the Sleeperhold. This match was signed by Casanova’s manager Todd Countryman, the leader of the Gentlemen’s Club and the commissioner of 3XW, in retaliation to Rockwell defeating Casanova for the belt last month at New Year’s Revenge.

As seen on the latest episode of 3XW Outside the Ring at http://www.3XWrestling.com, however, Rockwell is heavily training in the art of submission wrestling and vows to leave Reign of Terror the greatest Cruiserweight champion in 3XW history.

Other scheduled bouts include:

Grudge Match!
“Torturous” Tony Sly vs. Rory Fox
– It appeared Fox, a national star who now calls 3XW home, was moments away from defeating Wyatt for the Heavyweight title in a classic 2-out-of-3 falls battle at New Year’s Revenge when Sly shockingly attacked Fox from behind, costing Fox the victory and inciting a locker-room clearing brawl. Sly made the impact he wanted in 3XW, but will he pay for it against a furious Fox in their first one-on-one encounter?

Also scheduled to perform: 3XW Pure Wrestling champion “Viking Warrior” Kraig Keesaman, former three-time 3XW Heavyweight champion “Delicious” Devin Carter, “Laotian Sensation” Ricky Kwong with Chad Mylan, “Canadian Sex Icon” Ryan Slade, “The Right Price” Aaron Masterson, Domino Rivera, Sparrow, Brady A. Dezire, “The American Fury” Jon West, the 3XW debut of Lance Storm Wrestling Academy graduate Bradley Charles and more!

Doors open for Reign of Terror at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. start time. The Des Moines Social Club is located at 1408 Locust St. in beautiful downtown Des Moines.

Founded in 2005, 3XWrestling, a Des Moines-based organization, has performed in front of thousands of fans across Iowa and been featured on KCWI TV, Des Moines Radio Group stations, Iowa Public Radio and in publications including the Des Moines Register, Juice, Cityview and Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 3XW events are held the first Friday of each month in Des Moines.

3XWrestling and its performers are also heavily involved with charity work. Most recently, 3XW and Toys For Tots worked together at November Knockout to collect toys to help provide a happier holiday for children.

In February 2009, one-legged wrestling star Zach Gowen competed in 3XW and helped raise over $10,000 to help the family of a young man whose leg was amputated due to his battle with cancer. All proceeds from that event we’re given to the family to offset medical costs, with every wrestler performing on a volunteer basis.

For more information about 3XWrestling, including details on purchasing advance tickets to events, bringing 3XW to your town and to watch 3XW’s highly-acclaimed monthly webshow Outside the Ring and the Free Match of the Month, please visit http://www.3XWrestling.com. Card subject to change.

Missouri Wrestling Revival was able to catch up with number one contender for the GAW title Cecil Cerveza to get his thoughts on his upcoming match with the GAW Champion Matt Cage. It will be a No Holds Bared match for the title on Sunday February 21 in Lincoln Illinois.

Want to know more about the young Cecil Cerveza then all you have to do is check out the MWR Cecil Cerveza Spotlight right here.

Mephisto vs. Brandon Aarons vs. Sean Vincent vs. Billy McNeil vs. Eric Allen vs. Bailey Mannix – No-DQ Match For The IHW Title

Also in action Steven Kennedy, Matt Mayday, “The Future” Donovan Ruddick, Mississippi Madman, Shawn Almighty, Jimmy Karryt

Plus check out the brand new Independent Hardcore Wrestling website at
http://www.ihwrestling.net/index.html

Chapter 27: Sharing Knowledge

I loved training wrestlers. To me, developing a wrestler from the infancy stage of his career to success at any level was more rewarding than any of my own in-ring accomplishments. It’s important to know that not every good wrestler makes a good teacher and not mediocre wrestler makes a mediocre teacher.

Look at some of the top trainers around: Larry Sharpe, Les Thatcher, Jesse Hernandez, and Ron Hutchison were never huge stars in the sport. That’s not saying that any one of them was not a good wrestler, but each has created stars bigger than they became themselves.

Training aspiring wrestlers in an awesome responsibility. Every person who steps through the doors of a wrestling school has a dream of wrestling success. The wrestling hopeful is trusting you with his dream. Unfortunately, not everybody is cut out to be a wrestler. You might find yourself in a situation where you’re in need of money and looking at a tryout who has zero chance at being an asset to the business as a wrestler, but he has a pen in-hand and he’s ready to write a check out to you. You have to have enough commitment to the business to turn him away.

Training is something that should be done out of love for the sport and a desire to see it survive by feeding it new, well-trained talent. It takes time, patience, and a genuine investment in the trainee.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was not a veteran when I became the lead instructor at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy. Guided by Harley, I learned with my students, but I took the role seriously, sometimes training nine hours each day: I became, I believe, a very good trainer. The only things I expected from my students were attention, effort, and hunger. I expected their undivided attention while I was speaking, a 100-percent effort every time they came to train, and a hunger to succeed. When I began training students, I remembered everything from my own training and echoed the voice of then-lead instructor, Derek Stone, until I found my own voice.

Confidence is vital to the development of wrestlers. When training students, there is a time and a place to be critical. You can nit-pick anything, but sometimes it’s best to consider the big picture rather than each pixel of the photo. If one of your students has only been wrestling for a few months and you watch him make it through a solid match but could see him stomp on a punch, save that battle for another day. He made it through a solid match, so let him feel good about it. You want your students to be the best they can be, but leave them hungry to learn more, anxious for the next time they have the pleasure of stepping into the ring.

I learned quickly that you can’t deal with everybody the same. Some needed a fire lit under their asses, others needed nurtured like frail baby rabbits. Damn, I really just wrote that. Also, a trainer can’t just teach everybody to work like the trainer works. He has to imagine what he would need to do to get over and do well if he was each individual trainee. A big man needs to be taught differently than a cruiserweight.

Like just about any profession, business and personal relationships must be kept separate. When I began training Derek McQuinn, we quickly became friends. I told him the first time we drank beer together that we could hang out and have all the fun the world had to offer together, but when we were in a wrestling environment, it was business. I had a responsibility to him, to Harley, and to wrestling to train him well, and I couldn’t do that and be his friend when it was time for training.

If you train students, do it for the benefit of the business, not for the money. Your goal should be to produce excellent workers with the tools to survive and succeed in this business.

XXVIII. The Finish

Here are a few more tips before I wrap this up:

•If you get hurt or hurt your opponent frequently, then you are not a good worker.

•Don’t stomp when you punch. People know that fist hitting flesh doesn’t make the same noise that a wrestler being slammed to the mat makes.

•Always be honest with yourself. I’ve seen too many wrestlers who can’t get over themselves long enough to see the things they need to improve upon.

•Spots should be used to help tell your story. Don’t fall in love with a spot and throw off your whole story just to get it in your match. There’s a saying in the writing world that goes “Murder your darlings.” That means that sometimes an author has to cut out words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, often even chapters that he loves the most because, no matter how poetic or witty or profound those words might be, they are self-indulgent and don’t serve the story.

•Always protest a babyface turn that occurs because heels reject you. After Randy Orton won his first World Title, he and Chris Benoit had a very good rematch. His Evolution partners beat down Benoit and celebrated with Orton before attacking him. Orton became a babyface because he was rejected as a heel. Why should fans care about a dickhead who would still be a dickhead if the other dickheads hadn’t turned their backs on him? On the other hand, if Orton would’ve saved Benoit from the beat-down because of his newfound respect for his opponent and for the World Title, that would have been an effective turn. He would’ve turned because he chose to do the right thing, not because the other heels rejected him.

•Professional wrestling is a brotherhood. Look out for one another and always be respectful, considerate, and helpful to others. The camaraderie you’ll experience in the wrestling business is like no other friendship with a large group of people you will ever find, and it’s what many former wrestlers miss the most about the business.

•Learn everything you can about the history of this business. It offers a fascinating history with characters and stories unlike anything else. The person who said, “There’s no business like show business” never met professional wrestling.

•Buy books and audiobooks on goal-setting and achievement. None of that Dr. Phil crap, but books like The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield provide outstanding guidance. Play the audiobooks during road trips and work commutes and listen to them many times over.

•Learn to work with everyone. The term “he could have a good match with a broomstick” is overused, but the mark of a great worker is the ability to have great matches regardless of the skill level of the opponent.

•Evaluate yourself honestly and set goals. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you need to do to be ready if you ever get the call from WWE? Close your eyes and picture the life you want, then write it down. Determine what you will have to make the dream a reality. Set small, attainable goals daily that will feed the monster that is your dream.

You’re ready to become a star. Fame and fortune and ring rats hotter than your high-school prom queen are almost within your reach, right? I wish I could tell you that’s the case, but in reality you’re more likely looking at a few years or more of poverty and hooking up with an ugly girl after shows because she’ll cook you dinner and let you stay at her apartment, since what you’ll lose in pride is less valuable than the cost of a hotel room. I’m not advocating that route, but it’s a road many wrestlers travel.

Never lose sight of your dreams. Chances are, you’re in this business with dreams of going all the way to the top. Work hard every day to move a step closer to making your dream a reality.

Write yourself a note or make a sign that you’ll see every day that reads:

What have I done today to become great?

Acknowledgments

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this! Please be sure to pass it on or recommend it to a friend, help spread the word in your blogs, on message boards, and by posting a review on Amazon.com

I welcome any feedback. Please send it to: mjhmurphy@gmail.com

Thanks to Missouri Wrestling Revival for hosting my book in blog form and for laboring to better the independent wrestling business.

Thanks to those who offered me guidance during my time in the wrestling business: Derek Stone, Griz, “Tiger” Treach Phillips, Jr., Harley Race, Dave Marquez, Johnny Jett, Drill Instructor, Ace Steel, Skippy Johnson, Ron Harris, Don Harris, Malia Hosaka, Mr. Destiny, T.S. Aggressor, John Cone, Juan Fourneau, Bob Geigel, Larry Matysik, Ian Rotten, Les Thatcher, Danny Hodge, Disco Inferno, Meng, the Barbarian, Bobby Eaton, Butch Reed, Ron Powers, Gary Jackson, Mick Foley, Tony Atlas, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Vader, Scorpio, Juventud Guerrera, Michael Modest, Donovan Morgan, Richard Slinger, Honky Tonk Man, Daisuke Ikeda, Takao Omori, Jun Akiyama, Mitsuharu Misawa, Matt Hardy, Tony Garea, John Laurinitis, Kevin Kelly, Jon Weiner, Brian Gewirtz, Naomichi Marufuji, Shane Hooker, Dorty Reid, James Wells, Shannon Moore, Chris Cruise, and many others.

Many thanks and much respect to the fans, especially independent wrestling fans.

Be sure to check out my first book, available at Amazon.com: The Story of a Nobody and the Pursuit to Become a Somebody