Missouri Wrestling Revival

Kathy Hanner and wrestling star Brandon Aarons. Aarons was a guest at the Body Slam recently.

The Body Slam are the home of the independent artist…please go to http://www.stlouisflo.com/and listen to me on the body slam every Sat from 9:30 am-12noon.

Several professional wrestlers share their stories about life in the ring. Every month the wrestlers compete at the Turner Recreation Center for Metro Pro Wrestling.

http://www.shawneedispatch.com/videos/2012/mar/14/1580/

March 17.

This weekend’s event marks the first taping of the second season of “Collision.” AAPW debuted the bi-weekly television series in 2011. It returns to the airwaves on WSIL-TV 3, an ABC affiliate in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee, on Saturday, April 14.

In January, AAPW hosted “Main Event,” featuring international superstars Colt Cabana, PAC, El Generico and Matt Cross. That show, which drew more than 400 fans to the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion, Ill., is available on DVD at aapwrestling.com.

With the first season of “Collision” finished and “Main Event” in the past, the focus shifts to Season Two. Several big changes and surprises are in store for AAPW in 2012, and they officially begin this weekend.

The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and free for veterans. They can be purchased in advance at aapwrestling.com.

Seven matches have been announced for the show, but there are a few unannounced bouts on the card as well. Those announced matches include:

Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom addresses the Heavyweight title situation

While no AAPW Heavyweight Heavyweight Championship challenger has been announced for Edmund “Livewire” McGuire, Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom has declared he will address the title situation. As of right now, there’s apparently no clear challenger for the title, as Pokerface, who assaulted McGuire in an unsanctioned attack after “Main Event” had concluded, is not responding to AAPW’s messages. Event advertising, however, states that McGuire WILL defend the championship on Saturday. But who will his opponent be?

Team Overkill (Matt Cage and Christian Rose) defend the AAPW Tag Team Championship against the Money Makin’ Jam Boyz

Team Overkill used legal loopholes to get out of a scheduled title defense at Main Event, but at that same show, the Jam Boyz became number one contenders by defeating Roscoe Dwayne Harris and Bull Bronson. Now, Team Overkill must make their first defense of the titles against the former three-time tag team champions! The Jam Boyz are intent on winning tag team gold once again, and if they have it their way, it will come at the expense of Team Overkill.

Stacey O’Brien vs. The Great Cheyenne

“Main Event” saw women’s wrestling return to AAPW for the first time in four years, as “The Boston Brawler” Stacey O’Brien defeated Rebecca Raze. AAPW officials were impressed with O’Brien’s performance and have invited her back. This time, she faces the challenge of The Great Cheyenne, who overpowers and outsizes O’Brien. But the Irish schoolgirl doesn’t shy away from any challenge, and she’s preparing for the fight of her life. Will the luck of the Irish be with O’Brien on St. Patrick’s Day or will she become Cheyenne’s latest prey?

Mike Sydal and Heath Hatton vs. Kansas City Killers (Mark Sterling and Jeremy Wyatt)

This match marks the returns of Sydal, Sterling and Wyatt to AAPW. All three men are well-known and accomplished in the Midwest, and this is their chance to prove their value to the AAPW faithful. A lot has changed since they last appeared. Sydal has been named the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year, Wyatt came within inches of winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and Sterling has continued to widen his path of dominance and destruction. But one thing remains: Sydal’s animosity with his trainers who turned their back on the young superstar. Sydal hand-picked Hatton as his partner for this match, looking to prove that youth can top experience.

“Farmer” Billy Hills vs. “Old School Warrior” Ax Allwardt

These two men are a pair of the larger men on the AAPW roster. Their stories in 2011 couldn’t have been more different. Allwardt is the established veteran, who spent the year chasing and challenging Edmund “Livewire” McGuire and his AAPW Heavyweight Championship. Hills, on the other hand, debuted late last year and found a mixed degree of success. This match pits a “Day One” original against a newcomer, but when it comes to fan support, Hills has the obvious advantage. But will the cheers be enough to carry “Farmer” to a victory over the former number one contender?

Team XXX (Jay Spade and Joey O’Riley) vs. Elitism (Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins)

These two teams are both fan favorites, so the crowd will be hard pressed to choose who to support in this match. Both teams are young and looking for their chance to break out in AAPW. All four men were seen in AAPW last year, but this is the first chance “Collision” viewers will see either team work together. The action in this match will speak for itself, and whichever team emerges will leave its mark on the AAPW tag team division. The winning team may be well positioned for a shot at the AAPW Tag Team Championships.

Bull Bronson demands competition

The monstrous Bull Bronson arrived in AAPW in 2011 and has destroyed everything in his path. He’s a man on a mission, looking to make his way to the top, and he’s demanding competition. Can anyone stand up to Bronson’s challenge

HARRISBURG – Southern Illinois-based All American Pro Wrestling will be hosting a special benefit show to support victims of last month’s deadly tornado in Saline County.

AAPW, the region’s premier professional wrestling organization, has been built upon a foundation of community support. The company began in 2006 with a fundraising show to support the victims of a house fire in Herrin.

“The devastation and destruction caused by the tornadoes is still hard to believe,” said Chris Hagstrom, promoter and executive producer for AAPW. “We know the recovery process will be long and slow, and we want to do even the smallest part to help out.”

AAPW is partnering with Southern Illinois Relief, the non-profit organization spearheading Hands Across Harrisburg, to present a special matinee show at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14. The Hands Across Harrisburg event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Saline County Fairgrounds in Harrisburg and will feature musicians performing on three stages, games, a silent auction, vendors and more.

Admission to the event is $10 with proceeds supporting the recovery effort.

“We at Southern Illinois Relief are really excited to have All American Pro Wrestling be part of this event,” said Patrick Beasley, president of the organization. “It really means a lot to the people in the communities who have been affected in the last few months. AAPW will be providing entertainment for people of all ages.”

Stars scheduled to appear at the show include AAPW Heavyweight Champion Edmund “Livewire” McGuire, AAPW Tag Team Champions Matt Cage and Christian Rose of Team Overkill, Heath Hatton, Team XXX of Jay Spade and Joey O’Riley, “The Masterpiece” Mike Masters, Elitism of Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins and more.

For those unable to attend the event, donations toward the recovery effort can be mailed to Southern Illinois Relief at PO Box 116, Pittsburg, IL 62974.

More details on the April 14 event can be found online at http://www.facebook.com/HandsAcrossHarrisburg.

AAPW has promoted professional wrestling shows throughout Southern Illinois since 2006. Last year, the company debuted “Collision,” a bi-weekly television series, on WSIL-TV 3.

In addition to the April 14 fundraiser, other upcoming dates for AAPW include television tapings on Saturday, March 17, and Saturday, April 21, at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion.

For more information on the benefit show, television tapings or AAPW, visit www.aapwrestling.com, facebook.com/aapwrestling or twitter.com/aapwrestling.