July 30, 2016 at Metro Pro Wrestling will be talked about for years to come as two of the best wrestlers in the country, Michael Strider and Jeremy Wyatt delivered an epic battle that left both men beaten, bloodied and battered.
Strider and Wyatt have spent years winning titles, matches and awards, but their biggest achievement will be reviving pro wrestling in the Kansas City. Gone many years ago were the days of Harley Race, Rufus R Jones and Bulldog Brown in Kansas City as the only wrestling making their way in the area was WWE and the rare appearance of Harley Race’s WLW.
Strider would come onto the scene with his hard hitting style, great mic skills and Charisma. This revolution would be called Strider Nation and the fire was lit for a new era in Kansas City. Just as Steve Austin had Mr. McMahon and Batman had the Joker, Strider would find his archrival in Jeremy Wyatt. Wyatt was a young upstart at the time looking to make a name for himself. The two would meet in the historic 2008 No Ropes Barb bloody barb wire match that would earn them the Match of the year. It would not be long that Wyatt would be traveling the country winning matches,nearly starting riots and being considered by many to be the best wrestler no signed for quite some time.
Strider and Wyatt would earn the respect of promoters and fans for their work rate and professionalism. So when the talented young promoter Chris Gough called Wyatt and Strider to let them know that he was to start Metro Pro Wrestling the foundation of the area was laid down.
Chris Gough would wisely book many of the best talent around the Midwest, mixed in with stars that had been huge success in the WWE and beyond .Wyatt and Strider would be in the thick of the action with the likes of Adam Pearce, Mark Sterling, Trevor Murdoch and Derek Stone.
Even though Gough is one of the finest minds in the sport today, make no mistake about it no matter what the storyline Wyatt and Strider was put in, or how fancy the lights around the ring were or the special guest on the evening is, the fans would not have come if the men at the top did not deliver.
This was the refs first night on the job.. Maybe the last.
Each and every event that they were on, Strider and Wyatt did just that, they gave the fans their monies worth and then some. When the final bell rang in the final weekend of July of 2016 , Wyatt was standing triumphant over Strider with the fans on their feet. The Turner Rec Center looked like a warzone with blood splattered in and out of the ring, broken tables and chairs scattered everywhere.
The greatness of any professional is to leave their environment better than when they started. There is no doubt that professional wrestling is in a better place today thanks to the talents and sacrifices of Strider and Wyatt.
Metro Pro Wrestling Referee Michael Crase
I’ve spent 24 hours trying to think of the right words to express my thoughts on the Metro Pro main event last night. I’ll try to give it a shot.
I’ve been extremely fortunate over the years and had the opportunity to work with many different workers and promotions, various “names” that have passed through the Midwest, younger guys that went on to get signed to bigger things, talent from different eras, etc.
There has never been a match involving Jeremy Wyatt that I have seen or been a small part of that failed to remind me why I fell in love with this business so long ago. He is a storyteller extraordinaire and I’m honored that I was given the opportunity to raise his hand in his final match. The rasslin’ business and my career as a referee are both better off because he has been a part of them.
Justin Appleberry, your performance last night was the absolute definition of brotherhood. Kudos on a job well done.
True backstage story for any fans reading this. Earlier in the day, before we knew the referee assignments, I approached Jeremy and said, “What if I just refuse to count to three? Then the match won’t end and you don’t get to retire, right?” His response was classic, simple and 100% Jeremy Wyatt. Without missing a beat he replied, “Nope, that just means I’ll have to knock you out.”
Metro Pro Wrestling Fan Debbie Chmidling
Since this going to be a conglomerate effort, I didn’t write a full-blown account, but this what I came up with. In an amazing display of skill and bravado, Wyatt/Strider harkened back to the “good old days” of wrestling, when you believed these guys really hated each other and wanted to hurt one another.
For over a year we watched as Strider did everything he could to remove Wyatt from his rightful place at the top of the company ladder. Dirty tricks, double, triple and quadruple teaming,
Two fabulously talented individuals who left it all in the ring to delight and entertain, made the main event a match-of-the-year contender. It started fast, furious and at the top, then worked its way into a frenzied crescendo. We bought tickets for this roller coaster ride that saw two mainstays of the local independent promotions put each other through the paces. No one would have ever guessed these two men were over 35.
It was a fast-paced match that told a story of frustration, bitterness and betrayal. Chair shots, landing on chairs, going through tables, using weapons, it was two gladiators leaving a path of destruction and pain. With each punch, kick, back drop and flying elbow, they pushed their hatred for one another to the limits and beyond.
With lightning quick turn arounds, no man kept the upper hand for a prolonged period of time, but with each move you believed the end of the match was within reach. Then a new reservoir of strength would be found and the battle raged on. Lucy managed to find her way into the melee with a couple of cheap shots and a choke on the ropes while the ref was distracted. Fans were on the edge of their seats, until Wyatt and Strider found their way into those seats, then it was a pushback by referees and security to keep the fans at bay as the action continued in the seats, in the bleachers and at ringside.
Both men ended the match covered in sweat and blood, but it was Wyatt who triumphed. As his hand was raised in victory, he was covered in confetti and streamers, as was Strider, lying on the mat.
Metro Pro Wrestling Referee Nick Chinn
I’ve only been a part of Metro for about a year and a half. Arriving at the arena for the show I was feeling more excited as usual, after saying hello to everyone, I was approached by Strider and Wyatt about being the ref for the main event, I was taken a back a bit and shocked that they trusted me with such a match. Now I’m standing in the ring and handed Michael ( Metro Pro senior ref) a jacket and he tells me “you deserve this” I told him thank you and as I turn back around I get choked up and almost start to cry, then Wyatts music hits and the place comes unglued.
Never have I felt that crowd that loud before, it was truly an amazing night for metro pro and Indy wrestling in Kansas. Nights like this remind me of why I love pro wrestling.
Look for a full recap from James Head in the near future at MWR.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 