This is the first of many micro blog posts for MWR, in which I will post on-the-go from my mobile device on various topics.
Today, I want to discuss the MWR-controlled Wrestling Revival Cup. In 2008, the Cup was awarded to “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt based on the points-related structure of the rankings at the time combined with votes from MWR’s faithful readers. In 2009, Wyatt will defend his title as Revival Cup Champion in a yet-to-be-determined match, so I pose these questions to you:
Who should be considered the top contender to the Cup?
What type of match should determine the Cup’s rightful owner?
Comment on this post with your thoughts or send me an e-mail at inadvertent.nerd@gmail.com.
The Intensity of Mark Sterling:
A look at the most relentless man in the Midwest
by Josh Ray
A few years back, I had the opportunity to do a sit down interview with Mark Sterling when I was just starting to establish myself on the Midwest pro wrestling scene. Looking back, it’s easy to see that the assignment was given to me as an initiation of sorts. Those in charge of Central States Wrestling at the time knew I was fresh into the business, but they also knew that Sterling was slowly beginning to descend into madness. It would be the perfect way to make sure I was serious about doing what I said I was going to do. Fast forward a few years into the future, and it’s easy to see that Sterling has channeled this “madness” into a very violent form of professional wrestling… not hardcore, but every bit as dangerous. It’s a safe bet that in the ring he is as punishing as any man in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Total Nonstop Action (TNA), or Ring of Honor (ROH).
Not only is the man intense, but he is a notorious workhorse on the Midwest independent wrestling scene. Since the beginning of 2009 Sterling has wrestled in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, and Oklahoma, encompassing promotions such as Lethal Wrestling Alliance (LWA), High Voltage Wrestling (HVW), NWA Dynamo Pro, Scott County Wrestling (now known as Pro Wrestling Next [PWN]), Central Empire Wrestling (CEW), All American Pro Wrestling (AAPW), 3XWrestling (3XW), Pro Wrestling Phoenix (PWP), NWA Showcase , Wrestling Past Present & Future (WPPF), Maximum Wrestling Alliance (MWA), Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PWE), Metro East Championship Wrestling (MECW), and IWA Mid South (IWAMS).
Sterling takes professional wrestling very seriously. He trains hard and he wrestles even harder. Many promoters know Sterling as a go to guy who doesn’t mind putting in the driving time to inflict some punishment on whoever his scheduled opponent happens to be. Win or lose, Sterling is always welcomed back to do it all over again.
Always outspoken “TNT” Keny G of High Voltage Wrestling agrees. “No doubt about it. Sterling is the real deal. He brings a hard-hitting, grounded style to any show he is a part of. Champions should worry when a guy like me brings a guy like Mark Sterling in for a show. It’s a sign that the champ’s days could be numbered,” he said.
One of Sterling’s rivals, 3XW President Skylar Pierce, begrudgingly relented when asked to comment on Sterling’s worth. “He’s good… and he gives the fans somebody to hate, which is always nice,” Pierce confessed.
Wrestlers might not fear him, but they certainly respect him. I was witness last year at a World League Wrestling/Pro Wrestling NOAH Camp show in September to a Dustin Lane beating at the hands of Mark Sterling the likes of which hasn’t been seen in some time. It’s not something I will soon forget, so I can imagine Lane has it engraved in his mind, too.
More so than singles competition, Sterling seems to enjoy tag team battles. When asked why he is involved in so many tag team matches in so many promotions, Sterling replied, “Why do you think? One-on-one I only have one guy to beat up, but in tag teams there are at least two morons that I can destroy. Now why don’t you type that up on your little Internet site.” Sterling is a member of the Gentlemen’s Club with Gage Octane and manager Todd Countryman, the 3XW tag team champions. He has wrestled with “#1” Brett Young and Rebelucha in AAPW in efforts to defend AAPW tag team gold, but won those belts by defeating the Phoenix Twins with his long time tag team partner, Darrien Sanders, as the tag team Leaders of the New Revolution (LONRs). The LONRs were front runners for MWR’s 2008 Tag Team of the Year and 2008 Match of the Year (versus the Northstar Express for PWP ), having been the PWP and AAPW Tag Team Champions. Sanders has since retired and Sterling has been forced to look elsewhere for a reliable, week in and week out tag team partner. In addition to the previously mentioned tag team partners, Sterling has teamed with a handful of others within the past year. John Saxon and Eric Fantabulous are on the short list, although there have been more.
The Gentlemen's Club celebrates a victory at a 3XW event in Des Moines, IA.
If you want to see more of Mark Sterling, you probably do not have to go far. He wrestles throughout the Midwest and is truly one of the best. Fortunately, Sterling has another way for you to see what he is capable of. The Best of Mark Sterling Volume 1: “Descent Into Madness” is available on DVD and features some of his best work from the early years of his pro wrestling career. You can buy it online by going to Mark Sterling’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/marksterling123 or by visiting SEP Video’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/sepvideo. I will be doing a full review of this DVD in the future, but what I’ve watched so far has made it one of the best compilation DVDs a wrestler in the Midwest has put together!
Mark Sterling can be contacted via his previously mentioned MySpace page for booking information. In June he is returning to Denver, Colorado for a Fusion Pro Wrestling (FPW) event, and plans to invade the Southern U.S. later in the year. Sterling is booked completely through September 2009, and from october to the end of the year only has a few dates open. Book him now!
Sterling has a big match on the horizon that wrestling fans will not want to miss. May 23, 2009 in Ottawa, KS will be highlighted by a NWA Dynamo Pro professional wrestling event in which Sterling goes one on one with Ring of Honor Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lynn. Lynn has been around the world and back again, and on May 23, 2009 he will get a true test from Sterling, one of the most intense men in the Midwest! This intense man will also be a part of the Gauntlet for the Gold at 3XW‘s “May Flowers… of POWER” on May 15, 2009 in Des Moines, IA. If he wins that match, he will have a shot at the 3XW Heavyweight Championship!
Also on tap for Sterling in the upcoming weeks and months as of press time:
May 9, 2009 (7:00PM) – Central Empire Wrestling @ Oskaloosa, IA
May 16, 2009 (7:00PM) – Pro Wrestling Phoenix @ Council Bluffs, IA
May 30, 2009 (7:00PM) – Lethal Wrestling Alliance @ House Springs, MO
June 5, 2009 (7:00PM) – Pro Wrestling Next @ Davenport, IA
June 6, 2009 (7:00PM) – Central Empire Wrestling @ TBA, Iowa
June 13, 2009 (7:00PM) – Fusion Pro Wrestling @ Denver, CO
June 19, 2009 (7:00PM) – Pro Wrestling Next @ Moline, IL
June 20 2009 (early) – Pro Wrestling Entertainment in Springfield, IL
June 20, 2009 (later) – Lethal Wrestling Alliance @ O’Fallon, IL
June 26, 2009 (7:00PM) – 3X Wrestling @ Des Moines, IA
June 27, 2009 (7:00PM) – Pro Wrestling Phoenix @ Council Bluffs, IA
July 4, 2009 (7:00PM) – Central Empire Wrestling @ TBA, Iowa
July 10, 2009 (7:00PM) – Pro Wrestling Next @ Davenport, IA
July 11, 2009 (7:00PM) – Lethal Wrestling Alliance @ St. Charles, MO
July 17, 2009 (7:00PM) – 3XW Wrestling @ Des Moines, IA
July 25, 2009 (7:00PM) – Lethal Wrestling Alliance @ House Springs, MO
August 1, 2009 (5:00PM) – All American Pro Wrestling @ Marion, IL
Don’t miss your chance to see the intense Mark Sterling in action!
Professional Wrestling Returns to Des Moines Social Club May 15
3XWrestling will be in action in Des Moines on Friday, May 15 when they present “May Flowers…of POWER” at the Des Moines Social Club. The Des Moines Social Club, located at 1408 Locust in Des Moines, is the home for 3XW monthly events in 2009.
In the main event at “May Flowers…of POWER,” 3XWrestling will present the Gauntlet for the Gold. The match starts with two men in the ring, with another competitor entering every minute and contenders being eliminated by being thrown over the top rope. The last man standing will be the #1 contender for the 3XWrestling Heavyweight Championship.
In six-man tag action, the 3XWrestling Tag Team Champions “The Gentlemen’s Club” will team with 3XWrestling Pure Champion Jeremy Wyatt to take on 3XWrestling Cruiserweight Champion “The Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell, Tyler Cook and Maddog McDowell. “The Unbreakable” Zach Thompson will also take on the debuting Bailey Mannix.
There will be a total of six matches on the card. 3XWrestling Heavyweight Champion Casanova, Kraig Keesaman, Ricky Kwong, AJ Smooth, Brady A. Dezire, Ryan Slade, and Aaron Masterson will also be in action. The card is subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $12 for general admission, $6 for children 10 & under and children 3 & under get in for free. Advance tickets can be purchased at Jay’s CD & Hobby located at 5921 SE 14th in Des Moines, by e-mail at Ticketinfo@3xwrestling.com, or via the store at 3XWrestling.com.
3XWrestling also continues to hold a training seminars and tryouts for aspiring pro wrestlers at the Des Moines Social Club. Interested parties can come to the show or visit 3XWrestling.com for more information.
To give fans a feel for the quality of 3XWrestling’s product, the company has posted matches from throughout their 3-year history on Youtube. The matches, along with the most recent episode of “Outside the Ring: The Internet Show” are available for viewing at 3XWrestling.com and at youtube.com/3xwrestlingcom.
Tensions have been building for a little over a week, as “TNT” Keny G of High Voltage Wrestling (HVW) accepted Absolute Wrestling Radio host Mark Bland’s open challenge on behalf of HVW Heavyweight Champion “The Future” Donovan Ruddick. Footage is soon to be released of Ruddick totally destroying Bland’s co-host Matt Krueger in Granite City on May 9, 2009, but until then, let’s see what Bland had to say about the actions of Donovan Ruddick, Keny G, and Magic Man this past weekend:
Missouri Wrestling Revival strives to give pro wrestling fans in the area what they want in the way of news, rankings, interviews, and results, but did you know that MWR also has a storefront? It’s true! Our catalogue is growing, so check back often…
Come visit with Josh Ray, Brian Kelley, and Kari Williams on May 9, 2009 in Granite City, IL as Missouri Wrestling Revival supports High Voltage Wrestling’s “Peace and Blood” event! Come to the merchandise table and pick up the first copies of HVW’s last event featuring Ric Fuller, plus be on the lookout for the brand new MWR t-shirts!
HVW Heavyweight Title Match:
“The Future” Donovan Ruddick (C) vs Rebelucha
After a time limit draw with Ruddick’s Magic Inc. associate “Thee” Brandon Espinosa, Rebelucha was attacked by Espinosa and his tag partner Brandon Aarons. Now he has a shot at retribution… as well as the HVW Heavyweight Title.
HVW Livewire Title Match:
Kahagas (C) vs Gary Jay
Gary Jay could very well have been the first ever Livewire Champion at “Diamonds and Dust” on March 14, 2009, but Magic Inc. members “The Future” Donovan Ruddick and Brandon Aarons helped Brandon Espinosa pick up the victory. The celebration was shortlived, however, when Kahagas pinned Espinosa in a tag match less than an hour later to become the new Livewire Champion. Kahagas brings respect and honor to the Livewire Championship, offering Gary Jay the first shot at the belt at “Peace and Blood”.
PWE Tag Team Title Match:
Hooligans vs Zero Gravity (C)
Pro Wrestling Entertainment offers a tag team match that also has implications for the tag team division in High Voltage Wrestling!
Also in tag team action:
Hybrids vs B.A.B.E.WATCH [/b]
The word on the street is that the HVW Championship Committee is looking to introduce Tag Team Titles to the mix, and with four talented tag teams such as these in action on May 9, 2009, it’s not hard to see why! Watch as the future of the tag team division in HVW heats up!
Plus much much more!
Don’t miss out!
HVW presents “Peace and Blood” on May 9, 2009 in Granite City, IL:
River’s Edge Reception Center (formerly the Army Depot)
1635 West First Street
Granite City, IL 62040
Tickets are $10. Children 7 and under get in FREE!
Professional Wrestling Returns to Des Moines Social Club May 15
3XWrestling will be in action in Des Moines on Friday, May 15 when they present “May Flowers…of POWER” at the Des Moines Social Club. The Des Moines Social Club, located at 1408 Locust in Des Moines, is the home for 3XW monthly events in 2009.
In the main event at “May Flowers…of POWER,” 3XWrestling will present the Gauntlet for the Gold. The match starts with two men in the ring, with another competitor entering every minute and contenders being eliminated by being thrown over the top rope. The last man standing will be the #1 contender for the 3XWrestling Heavyweight Championship.
In six-man tag action, the 3XWrestling Tag Team Champions “The Gentlemen’s Club” will team with 3XWrestling Pure Champion Jeremy Wyatt to take on 3XWrestling Cruiserweight Champion “The Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell, Tyler Cook and Maddog McDowell. “The Unbreakable” Zach Thompson will also take on the debuting Bailey Mannix.
There will be a total of six matches on the card. 3XWrestling Heavyweight Champion Casanova, Kraig Keesaman, Ricky Kwong, AJ Smooth, Brady A. Dezire, Ryan Slade, and Aaron Masterson will also be in action. The card is subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $12 for general admission, $6 for children 10 & under and children 3 & under get in for free. Advance tickets can be purchased at Jay’s CD & Hobby located at 5921 SE 14th in Des Moines, by e-mail at Ticketinfo@3xwrestling.com, or via the store at 3XWrestling.com.
3XWrestling also continues to hold a training seminars and tryouts for aspiring pro wrestlers at the Des Moines Social Club. Interested parties can come to the show or visit 3XWrestling.com for more information.
To give fans a feel for the quality of 3XWrestling’s product, the company has posted matches from throughout their 3-year history on Youtube. The matches, along with the most recent episode of “Outside the Ring: The Internet Show” are available for viewing at 3XWrestling.com and at youtube.com/3xwrestlingcom.
George the Third in a post match interview with AAPW Heavyweight Champion “Serial Thriller” Shane Rich after his exciting title defense against MWR 2008 Wrestler of the Year, “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 