When MWR started in 2008 thanks to the talents of Michael Strider, Steve Fender, Trevor Murdoch and others who showcased that wrestling was alive and well in the area, I believed that it was crucial to be seen at shows to support wrestling by meeting fans, and working with the top promoters, and wrestlers other than sitting in front of a computer talking about something that we knew nothing about. Our main goal was to give the wrestling talents in the Midwest some positive exposure.

With that in mind, for those that know me close enough understand that I have a mild case of OCD, and when I get involved in something I go all out. I was inspired from the likes of Mark Sterling and later Brandon Espinosa, two men that wrestled every weekend sacrificing their bodies in the ring, doing whatever it took to get noticed by giving a 100 percent in sold out shows or in front of 20 people. Both Sterling and Espinosa and countless others as well, did what they could do to become better wrestlers for the opportunity to become a star in the business, so there is no doubt that it was worth every moment covering these men and ladies on their journey.

I have always loved wrestlers that kept their match listings for their career as it made it easier to come up with story lines and feuds for articles. Also, as time goes by memories come and go, so why not have a quick reminder to remember where you were throughout the year.  I thought to myself, why not keep a list of the matches that we have covered in the four state area? In the past last yearbook, I did that and this year I decided that with each week I kept track of not only the shows, but the amount of miles and time we were on the road.

How many more miles MWR has left in the tank is anyone’s guess, but I would like to thank everyone that have been sincere in their efforts to support us along the way.

Total estimated miles driven to shows in 2014: 16,256.73
Total estimated hours in the car in 2014: 11 days 6 hours & 46 minutes

Below is the list on what wrestler Brian Kelley photographed the most matches  in 2014.

Brandon Espinosa 27
Jake Dirden /Ricky Cruz (tie) 20
Gary Jackson 17
Jake Parnell 16
Jeremy Wyatt 14

Top 2 Tag Teams photographed in 2014

The Hooligans 11
The Black Hand Warriors 10

A special thank you goes out to Andrew Abbenhaus, Nick Ridenour, Gary Weiss and TNT Keny G
for allowing us to be a guest in their home for a few double shots in 2014.

Shows attended in 2014

3XWrestling 1
Beyond Wrestling 2
Dynamo Pro Wrestling 8
Global Wrestling Federation 2
High Risk Wrestling 3
IWA-Midwest 2
Metro Pro Wrestling 2
Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance 5
NWA Central States Wrestling 1
Pro Wrestling Championship Series 2
Pro Wrestling Phoenix 1
Proving Ground Pro 2
Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling 10
St Louis Anarchy 6
World League Wrestling 6
Total 53

1) 1/10/2014 St. Louis Anarchy – Alton, Illinois – 5.51 hours 367.34 miles
2) 1/11/2014 Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 5:36 hours 357.38 miles
3) 1/18/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
4) 2/08/2014 Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri- 5:36 hours 357.38 miles
5) 2/09/2014 Beyond Wrestling -St. Louis, Missouri (private event) 3:45 hours 235 miles (From Mexico)
6) 2/22/2014 Proving Ground Pro Wrestling – Sherman, Illinois- 6:38 hours 397.99 miles
7) 2/28/2014 St. Louis Anarchy – Alton, Illinois -5.51 hours 367.34 miles
8) 3/08/2014 Pro Wrestling Phoenix – Council Bluffs, Iowa -8:11 hours 529.89 miles
9) 3/14/2014 World League Wrestling – Otterville, Missouri- 3:04 hours 145.21 miles
10) 3/22/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
11) 3/29/2014 NWA Central States Wrestling -Richland, Missouri- 5:15 hours 309.45 miles
12) 4/05/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling – Fenton, Missouri –5.32 hours 345.75 miles
13) 4/12/2014 Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri- 5:36 hours 357.38 miles
14) 4/19/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois – 6:03 hours 379.56 miles
15) 4/20/2014 Beyond Wrestling -St. Louis, Missouri – (private event) 3:45 hours 235 miles (From Mexico)
16) 4/26/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
17) 5/02/2014 St. Louis Anarchy- Alton, Illinois – 5.51 hours 367.34 miles
18) 5/03/2014 Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – Stayed in ST. Louis for this Show
19) 5/03/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Fenton, Missouri – Stayed in ST. Louis for this Show
20) 5/10/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois- 6:03 hours 379.56 miles
21) 5/17/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
22) 5/24/2014 IWA Midwest –Pekin, Illinois – 8:19 hours 450.01 miles
23) 5/31/2014 Pro Wrestling Championship Series – Granite City, Illinois – 5:51 hours 362.9 miles
24) 6/14/2014 Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas – 4:19 hours 227.33 miles
25) 6/21/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois- 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
26) 6/22/2014 IWA Midwest – Pekin, Illinois – 8:19 hours 450.01 miles
27) 6/28/2014 World League Wrestling – Troy, Missouri – 4:33 hours 282.59 miles
28) 7/10/2014 World League Wrestling – Troy, Missouri – 4:33 hours 282.59 miles
29) 7/12/2014 Dynamo/High Voltage Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois – 6:03 hours 379.56 miles
30) 7/19/2014 GWF/MCW “A Fight for Krislynne – Chillicothe, Missouri- 2:25 hours 133.04 miles
31) 7/25/2014 St. Louis Anarchy- Alton, Illinois- 5.51 hours 367.34 miles
32) 7/26/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
33) 8/02/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling – Fenton, Missouri- (Stayed in St. Louis)
34) 8/03/2014 High Risk Wrestling – Belleville, Illinois – 6.22 hours 389.73 miles
35) 8/09/2014 Global Wrestling Federation- Independence, Missouri – 3.56 hours 209.41 miles
36) 8/16/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
37) 9/07/2014 3XWrestling/ Iowa Latino Festival- Des Moines, Iowa – 7:35 hour 402.51 miles
38) 9/13/2014 Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri- 5:36 hours 357.38 miles
39) 9/20/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
40) 9/27/2014 World League Wrestling – Troy, Missouri – 4:33 hours 282.59 miles
41) 10/03/2014 St. Louis Anarchy – Alton, Illinois -5.51 hours 367.34 miles
42) 10/04/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling – Fenton, Missouri- (Stayed in St. Louis)
43) 10/11/2014 Dynamo Pro Wrestling – Glen Carbon, Illinois – (Stayed in St. Louis)
44) 10/12/2014 High Risk Wrestling – Belleville, Illinois – 6.22 hours 389.73 miles
45) 10/18/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
46) 10/25/2014 Pro Wrestling Championship Series – Granite City, Illinois – 5:51 hours 362.9 miles
47) 11/01/2014 World League Wrestling – Richmond, Missouri – 2:46 hours 143.93 miles
48) 11/15/2014 World League Wrestling – Troy, Missouri – 4:33 hours 282.59 miles
49) 11/22/2014 Proving Ground Pro – Petersburg, Illinois – 6:52 Hours 386.51 miles
50) 12/05/2014 St. Louis Anarchy – Alton, Illinois -5.51 hours 367.34 miles
51) 12/06/2014 Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas – 4:19 hours 227.33 miles
52) 12/13/2014 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 6:07 hours 378.83 miles
53) 12/28/2014 High Risk Wrestling – Belleville, Illinois – 6.22 hours 389.73 miles

One of the very best wrestlers to come out of the Midwest in the modern era is Trevor Murdoch. Last seen in an exciting matchup at Metro Pro Wrestling he has wrestled around the world including a 3-time reign as one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with his partner Lance Cade.

For promoters that are looking for a man that can excite the fans and have a great match, do not hesitate to contact him today via facebook or his e-mail Trevor.murdoch@aol.com

Trevor Murdoch returns to the Kansas City area for a great cause this month along with a great roster on Jan 17th!!

President Strider’s Choice: Jeremy Wyatt vs. Christopher Daniels
– Metro Pro Championship Match: Derek Stone (c) vs. “Dirdey” Jake Dirden
– No. 1 Contenders Match for the Central States Title: Mark Sterling vs. Mat Fitchett
– The Commission vs. Left Coast Guerrillas
– “Yoga Monster” Mike Sydal vs. SBC
– Miss Natural vs. Nga T

Tickets on sale now at http://www.MetroWrestling.com

SICW is already keeping good on their promise for a bigger year than last, already booked for Saturday February 21th, will be Legendary Wrestler / Manager for the four horseman, JJ Dillon. Its been since the early 80’s since Dillon has been in the area and promoter Herb Simmons has just signed him to make an appearance. SICW continues to bring some of the best in the business to the SICW fans.

01/17/2015 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling (East Carondelet, Illinois) 823 State Street Tickets $11.00 adults $6.00 under 12

02/21/2015 Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling (East Carondelet, Illinois) 823 State Street Tickets $11.00 adults $6.00 under 12

By Jimmy “Big Time” Harris Sr.

In the world of independent wrestling, the name Castaldi doesn’t ring too many bells. But in 1975, that young man, then known as the Hitman, began his career in the Midwest. Competing under a mask and learning the craft of professional wrestling, he evolved through his training and added several matches to his resume before re-inventing himself into Tony “Little Dynamite” Casta. He became a premier wrestler in the Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance, which the fans in South St. Louis recognize as MMWA, based out of the South Broadway Athletic Club in the Soulard area.

Casta worked with many of the greats, including King Kong Bruiser Brody, Tojo Yamamoto, Spike Huber, Ox Baker, Buddy Roberts, Iceman King Parsons, Crusher Blackwell, Chris Adams, Bob Orton, Scott Casey, Gypsy Joe, Toro Tinaka and the Kelly Twins. Casta also worked in the ring with several local legends and held titles with several of greats in Missouri. Among his many accomplishments was the opportunity to serve as referee for a match involving former NWA World Champion Lou Thesz.

Not confined to singles competition, Casta also competed as a tag team with the legendary Ed Smith, who had worked as a referee and wrestler in Sam Muchnick’s Wrestling at the Chase. The pair captured the MMWA Tag Team Championship on two separate occasions. Casta also held the MMWA Junior Heavyweight Title seven times, and, in 1981-1982, he was the Outlaw Champion. In the late 80s, Casta suffered an A/C separation injury that sidelined him for six months.

Because of the injury, he changed course and became the promotor for MMWA and, at one time, teamed up with Herb Simmons, creating the joint promotion known as MMWA-SICW. The two had spent years in Missouri and Illinois, working with the legends of Wrestling at the Chase, as well as independent wresters such as the Giant Assassin, Big Daddy, Big Ron Powers, Gary “Night Train” Jackson, the Freedom Riders, the Masked Executioners, Ricky Robinson, John Blackheart, Buddy Stevens, Tom Sullivan, Dr. Blood, Keith Smith, Rock and Roll Kid and others.

Casta also became the president of the South Broadway Athletic Club and helped take wrestling in the area to new heights by having his promotion help raise money for local charities. He also tried to help promote local talent and kids as a way to keep them off the streets and to encourage them to better themselves and find other ways to use their time constructively. His guidance led to charity events like the spaghetti wrestling fundraiser, emceed by the legendary Smash, that raised money for local children’s homes and helped bring smiles to kids who would have had nothing for the holidays.

Through the years, Casta had no problem convincing wrestlers to share in his dream and give their time for the troops and to help with charity events. He wanted to show that, as wrestlers, they have a responsibility to the community to demonstrate to young fans in the area that there is more to life than gangs and crime, that young fans need role models and that the great wrestlers of the Midwest could easily fill those roles.

To this day, Casta continues to lead MMWA, which is filled with a locker room of hungry talents who want more but have to learn to walk first before they fly. The MMWA has seen everything from the likes of a young Randy Orton, working his way toward the WWE, to Ted DiBiase recording a taping of the history of Wrestling at the Chase in the promotion’s training building. Casta and Larry Matysik are also members of the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of fame committee that is showcased at the SBAC.

From his days training in the backroom of the SBAC to helping hone and showcase the talent of outstanding local workers, Casta has cemented his legacy as a true hall of famer in the Midwest. He has shown his big heart for local youth and community organizations with special needs. Casta works hard to make a difference in the community, as well as in his own personal life. He has held strong for 38 years with the help of his lovely wife, Wanda; his nephew, Anthony, and some of the faithful talent he has brought up and given a chance to shine. But, most of all, he does it all for the fans and wants nothing but the best for each and every one of them.

From PWCS Facebook page

Fans we have to call this a total sell out! The event will be standing room only, so get there early to be in when doors open at 6:30! We sincerely hope you secured your seats for this landmark event!