By Brian Kelley
What a great honor it was to be invited once again to the annual Harley Race World League Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, WWE camp.
I was able to come on the third day of the week long camp in Eldon, Missouri where the students had just gathered to stretch for the high demanding training that the camp would prepare them for.
While they were busy preparing for the day I was happy to see Pro Wrestling NOAH’S Ryu NAKADA, Ken Hirayama and wrestling superstar Takeshi MORISHIMA out watching over the events , while the 8-TIME NWA Worlds Champion had just came out of his office to get to work.
A great group of students took part in the camp, as well as the young and hungry WLW students. MWR fans will recognize the WLW Head Trainer Jason Jones and students Jack Gamble, Ryan Drago, Britton Tucker, Stacey O’Brien, the Cancun Kid, Chris Harris, Jon Webb and Elvis Algeria. Also in the mix were MWR wrestlers Dirty Jake Dirden, Mizfitt Mannerz and Justin Reno all in the camp.
Several wrestlers traveled from all around the country and overseas to gain valuable experience that will help them for years to come.
Throughout the day the students listened intently as they were shown proper techniques and in working wrestling moves to make them look more crisp and safer for the one delivering the move and the one that was taken them.
With two rings set up one for beginners and the other for the more experience, the younger wrestlers took part in how to take a proper landing and positioning. Before long the students were each chosen a partner for a tag team match or was set for singles and given time with their opponents to come up with a game plan.
Then the fun really began as each of them wrestled their singles or tag match. After each match the students respectfully shook hands as they headed towards Race and the Pro Wrestling NOAH instructors to receive feedback on their matches. MORISHIMA who spoke little English would relay his thoughts to NOAH’s Hirayama who would then let the wrestlers know what he liked and what they could improve on, as both NAKADA and Race would also provide more insight into the two of the great minds around the world today in the sport.
After lunch, I had came in a little bit late and the students were around the ring with MORISHIMA, NAKADA, and Hirayama speaking to them. They asked the students if there were any questions or anything that they wanted to work on. When Jake Dirden wanted to work on a move, MORISHIMA was quickly in the ring working with him on the move as Hirayama translated the important information. I could tell that MORISHIMA was enjoying giving his insight but was very focused and cared about what information he was giving to them.
Before long many of the students had taken the turn to work on various wrestling moves and techniques with the superstar.
As the day was heading to over three fourths done, the students each took turns in another match for Race and the instructors to watch. At times after the review was done for the students from all the men I would see Race pull them aside to give them even more further training. How many people can say that they had an 8-time Worlds Champion pull them aside for a one on one?
I was told that the camp would be done at four but neither Race nor the NOAH family were in any hurry to call it a day as time would slip by and it was 5:30 before I knew it.
MORISHIMA was set to call it a week as he was heading out, while WWE Superstar Steve Regal was set to come in the next day for a fresh set of eyes and views for these young students.
I was able to ask MORISHIMA his thoughts on this year’s camp and he stated that “He was thrilled to be back here in Eldon with Harley Race again, and that he had been a Champion at WLW a few years ago. Though he enjoyed assisting in the students this week, he looked at the week as a chance for him to learn as well.” He went on to say that he thanked Race, WLW and the students for this year’s camp”
I had caught up with a few of the students who were kind enough to give me their take on the experience of a WLW/NOAH/WWE camp and here were just a few testimonies from the students themselves.
This year’s camp has been very productive. With this being the second camp that I’ve participated in there’s no doubt its well worth the time and money. As far as I know there’s nowhere else that you can go to have the opportunity to be seen by and learn from two major promotions like WWE and Pro-Wrestling NOAH.”—- Elvis Aliaga
What a great week in Eldon, MO at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy. It was a true honor and privilege to learn from Jason Jones, Takeshi Morishima, Ken Hirayama, Ryu Nakata, Ace Steel, William Regal and of course the man himself Mr. Harley Race. The knowledge I have walked away with from this experience you honestly cannot put a price on. Absolutely the greatest learning experience of my life.—- Mizfitt Manners
Now let me share with you some awesome photos of the day of training as well as the 2012 WLW/NOAH/WWE graduates receiving their certificates at the camp show at the end of the week.
Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Ken Hirayama makes sure everyone is prepared to start the day off right.- Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Midwest Star Justin Reno takes a bump and listens in to advice from the instructors- Photo Credit Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Harley Race has wrestled around the world. His experience is masterful- Photo by Brian Kelley
Takeshi MORISHIMA shows the students proper technique -Photo by Brian Kelley
The Cancun Kid goes for a ride. –Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
The excitingfFormer 2-time WLW Tag champ Darin Waid helps a younger student during the camp as he continues to learn himself- Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
The ultra talented Jason Jones takes a break to catch his breath Photo by Brian Kelley
Hard work and good times. — Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
A main event anywhere is Jason Jones and Takeshi MORISHIMA , during the camp the students took part in an exhibition match as these two did at the end of the camp. Was this foreshadowing what is to come in Japan in 2013 ?- Photo by Brian Kelley
Ryu Nakata and Harley Race presents the WLW/WWE/NOAH Camp certificates Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Photo by Brian Kelley
Takeshi MORISHIMA , MWR owner Brian Kelley anf former 8-time Worlds Champion Harley Race pose for a photo.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 