Missouri Wrestling Revival just got word from Hunter Matthews that he is cleared to wrestle after suffering from acidity in the blood, a diseases which can become a dangerous and weakens all body systems. Matthews struggled with low energy and chronic fatigue during the fall of last year. Always known for his high endurance and charisma, Matthews was concerned for his career as he made the call to the doctor. Thankfully he did that as the past four months and the matches he was able to withstand seemed like an eternity until the doctor got him on the proper medicine and dieting.
Matthews will be moving in the Central area to make an impact in 2010 but can he come back in the shape that he was in that allowed him to defeat Shane Hollister, Krotch, Jordan McIntyre and PWI Rookie of the Year Mike Sydal in the past?
Hunter Matthews has a reputation of running his mouth, but in 2010 he wants his actions to speak for themselves by taking on two of the young stars in the Midwest. .(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Matthews was quick to let MWR know that he wanted a crack at two of the top talents in the Midwest Brandon Aarons and “The Future” Donovan Ruddick. Aarons and Ruddick are two different styles of wrestling that Matthews will have to contend with.
ST Louis got a taste of Matthews at Ring Of Honor last year when he met up with former WLW Champion Steve Anthony in an exciting match up between the two of the top young wrestlers in the Midwest.
I asked Matthews is if it was wise to call out Aarons and Ruddick so early in the road to recovery.
Matthews has this to say
“You can say I look at those two as stepping stones to get back into my grove. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen them and believe they are extremely talented individuals, but I don’t feel they are quite to my level yet. If anything I feel me being on this road to recovery will make it a fairer match for them.”
Whether wise or not this challenge has been made, will any promotion step up to make Matthews vs. Ruddick or Matthews vs. Aarons happen?
Last week at High Voltage Wrestling, the Midwest Dream Girl Santana G whom most recently was seen on TNA at SPIKE TV escorting Orlando Jordan was kind enough to support the Hottest Wrestling wear in the Midwest today, A Missouri Wrestling Revival T-shirt. Prior to her match with the NWA Women’s World Champion MsChif she threw the shirt in to the crowd for one lucky fan to have.
So everyone at MWR asked ourselves why stop a good thing?
This weekend we our proud to team up with one of the most popular wrestlers in the Midwest and former AAPW Champion Edmund “Livewire” McGuire to give away another MWR T-Shirt prior to his match tomorrow night. Yes all you have to do to get a free T-shirt is cheer on Edmund “Livewire” McGuire enough to get his attention. How easy is that?
If that wasn’t all AAPW wrestling has been RED HOT in 2010 and it’s about to explode when the AAPW Champion the Mississippi Madman defends his title against “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt. I would not miss this for the world.
Also in action will be the 2009 MWR Wrestler of the Year Mark Sterling, Carnage, Mike Masters, and Playboy Paul Rose, The PWI Rookie of the Year Mike Sydal, The Three Stooge Fanatic Curly and much more.
MWR Fans join us at AAPW in West Frankfort, IL tomorrow night for a fun night of wrestling action.
DES MOINES, Iowa – After a shocking night of action on February 5th, Des Moines-based 3XWrestling (3XW) is set to impress fans once again as it presents The Ash Has Risen on March 5th at the Des Moines Social Club, one of the top venues for professional wrestling in the Midwest.
Featuring some of the most talented wrestlers in the United States, The Ash Has Risen is scheduled to feature a variety of compelling matches and big returns to 3XW.
Here’s the The Ash Has Risen TV commercial that is scheduled to air this week during TNA Impact and next week during WWE NXT and TNA Impact for those with Mediacom cable in Des Moines. It will also air throughout the week on Spike TV and Scy Fy.
Here it is – the March 2010 edition of 3XW Outside the Ring! Featuring the highlights and aftermath of The Gentlemen’s Club vs. The High Flyers and Jeremy Wyatt vs. Maddog McDowell at Reign of Terror! Lots of new insight into Devin Carter joining the Gentlemen’s Club.
Full Announced and Updated Card for The Ash Has Risen:
Tag Team Grudge Match! 3XW Legend Brian Ash (returning to 3XW) & Maddog McDowell vs. 3XW Heavyweight champion “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt & Gage Octane w/Todd Countryman
3XW Tag Team Championship! The Gentlemen’s Club – “Delicious” Devin Carter & Casanova w/Todd Countryman vs. The High Flyers – 2009 Pro Wrestling Illustrated “Rookie of the Year” Mike Sydal & “Unbreakable” Zach Thompson (c)
Women’s Wrestling! SHIMMER’s Melanie Cruise vs. Mia Martinez
The Return of Shane Hollister to 3XW! Shane Hollister vs. Sir Bradley Charles, an impressive graduate of the Lance Storm Wrestling Academy
Grudge Rematch! Rory Fox vs. “Torturous” Tony Sly
The Return of Krotch to 3XW! Krotch vs. “The Laotian Sensation” Ricky Kwong w/ “The Laotian Liaison” Chad Mylan
3XW Cruiserweight Championship!
Brady A. Dezire vs. “The Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell (c)
3XW Pure Wrestling Championship! “The Viking Warrior” Kraig Keesaman (c) – who has not been pinned or submitted in 19 months – has challenged any former 3XW competitor.
Also in action: “The American Fury” Jon West, Sexy & Smooth – Ryan Slade & A.J. Smooth & more!
Tickets:
$12 General Admission
$6 Kids 10 & Under
Kids 3 Years & Under FREE admission
Doors open for The Ash Has Risen at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. start time. The Des Moines Social Club is located at 1408 Locust St. in beautiful downtown Des Moines.
Founded in 2005, 3XWrestling, a Des Moines-based organization, has performed in front of thousands of fans across Iowa and been featured on KCWI TV, Des Moines Radio Group stations, Iowa Public Radio and in publications including the Des Moines Register, Juice, Cityview and Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 3XW events are held the first Friday of each month in Des Moines.
3XWrestling and its performers are also heavily involved with charity work. Most recently, 3XW and Toys For Tots worked together at November Knockout to collect toys to help provide a happier holiday for children.
In February 2009, one-legged wrestling star Zach Gowen competed in 3XW and helped raise over $10,000 to help the family of a young man whose leg was amputated due to his battle with cancer. All proceeds from that event we’re given to the family to offset medical costs, with every wrestler performing on a volunteer basis.
For more information about 3XWrestling, including details on purchasing advance tickets to events, bringing 3XW to your town and to watch 3XW‘s highly-acclaimed monthly webshow Outside the Ring and the Free Match of the Month, please visit http://www.3XWrestling.com. Card subject to change.
If you were to start naming the greatest Japanese wrestlers of all time names like Inoki, Baba and Rikodazan might be among the firsts. Then you might start naming more modern names like Ohtani, Masawa, and Kobashi. You might even start dissecting the impact of gimmicks like Tiger Mask I-IV, Jushin Liger or Hayabusa. However as great as these athletes are, how many of these names are even recognizable in America?
Who are the most successful that arrived from the land of the rising sun? Whose name could be acknowledged in Tokyo as well as Tucson or Tampa Bay? Who was able to take their infinite wealth of knowledge from their homeland’s product and translate it into the American style?
To me, no one is as iconic as The Great Muta.
Maybe it was the face paint or the samari garb, or maybe, just maybe it was the unique style of Muta that made him stand apart from pack. His matches with Sting, usually for the television title, in the late 80s were one of those rare occasions were you had two guys that were so different, yet so similar. Billed as the son of Florida/Texas star The Great Kabuki, Muta adopted the same gimmick, mist and all. Muta went on to become an NWA World Champion eventually losing the strap to Barry Windham. As great as The Great Muta was, the last time he was seen by American fans was in mid 2000 in WCW. So who has carried that torch the last decade?
The Japanese Buzzsaw, Yoshohiro Tajiri without question has been the most recognizable Asian athlete in pro wrestling for the past 10 years.
He first showed up in WWF in ’97 to compete in the light heavyweight tournament. A tournament designed to showcase another talent. His talent caught the eye of wrestling mad scientist, Paul Heyman and began working for ECW. A triple threat match pitting Tajiri vs Supercrazy vs Little Guido became a match that could happen anywhere, at anytime and was used as a great addition to any ECW card. When ECW closed in 2001, Tajiri began his WWE career. In his four years with the company, he had title reigns as US Champion, Cruiserweight Champion and Tag Champion with the late, great Eddie Guerrero.
It’s hard enough to make it as a pro in anything. Now imagine trying to make it half way around the world. These men have been cornerstones of the sport in Japan and have for sure made their mark on wrestling in America. They aren’t just great Japanese wrestlers, they are great wrestlers. I’m just glad we got to see them in America.
THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS FU-MANCHU MEETS THE WORLD’S LARGEST FU-MANCHU
TNA Wrestlingconfirmed today that it is attempting to break the existing Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of People With Mustaches at the Hogan Fu-Fest, set for this Friday, February 26.
Hogan Fu-Fest will be held from 2-4 p.m. CT at Mike Shannon’s Steak and Seafood (620 Market Street) in downtown St. Louis, minutes away from the Gateway Arch – which truly is symbolic of the world’s largest fu. TNA’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record is sponsored by Doc’s Harley-Davidson of St. Louis, and endorsed by the St. Louis-based American Mustache Institute (AMI).
AMI Chairman Dr. Aaron Perlut will be present to honor and recognize the golden whiskers of the pop icon, Hulk Hogan.
“We have been in contact with officials at the London headquarters of Guinness World Records, and know TNA fans and Hulkamaniacs will turn out to the Hogan Fu-Fest to shatter the existing Guinness record,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “We need everyone with a mustache, especially a fu, to show up at Shannon’s in St. Louis this upcoming Friday afternoon.”
TNA Wrestling is holding Hogan Fu-Fest in St. Louis on the same day that tickets go on sale for TNA Lockdown 2010, the pay-per-view extravaganza set for Sunday night, April 18, at the Family Arena in suburban St. Charles, Mo.
Lockdown is TNA’s first 2010 PPV away from the company’s stomping grounds of The iMPACT! Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.
AJ Styles, the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Championship, leads the St. Louis invasion of TNA stars for Lockdown 2010, along with U.S. Olympic Gold Medal winner Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, Jeff Jarrett, Kevin Nash, Mick Foley, Samoa Joe and more.
Tickets for “TNA Lockdown” go on sale Friday, February 26, at http://www.MetroTix.com, the Family Arena box office or charge by phone at 314-534-1111.
WHO: TNA Wrestling’s Hulk Hogan WHAT: “Hogan Fu-Fest” – Judging of Fu Manchu’s to win front row tickets to “TNA Lockdown 2010”; Many prize giveaways, attempting to set a world record for largest gathering of Fu Manchu wearers. WHEN: February 26, 2-4PM WHERE: Mike Shannon’s Steak and Seafood (620 Market Street) EVENT: TNA Wrestling is attempting to break the existing Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of Mustached People.
Billy Diamond had the Purple passion on the ropes early.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Diamond was on the offense often and gained another victory to start of MMWA-SICW in the month of February. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
*Billy Diamond d. Purple Passion
Jaysin Static goes to the air to his Isick Manson. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
The fans loved every minute that the young Static pounded on the evil Manson.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
*Jaysin Static d. Isick Manson
The Big Texans manager Travis Cook let Jackson know how he felt prior to the match. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
“The Great One” Gary Jackson looked strong in the match and won by DQ.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
*Gary Jackson d. MMWA-SICW Tag Champ The Big Texan by DQ
Phil E Blunt gets dirty in the fight on the popular Moondog.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
*Moondog Rover d. Phil E. Blunt by DQ
Phil E Blunts nasty ways got him DQ’D in his loss against Moondog but a match with Bobby D awaited him.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Bobby D brought the fight to the former MMWA-SCIW Champ. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Blunt may be cocky but one can not deny that he is very good.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
*Phil E. Blunt d. Bobby D
The MMWA-SCIW Champ Dave Vaughn(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
The Future Donovan Ruddick gets a crack at MMWA-SICW Champion Dave Vaugn. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Ruddick lays in to Vaughn (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
A hard hitting battle with both men feeling it early.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Vaughn looking for a submission. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Ruddick impressively powers out of Vaughns submission this time. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Vaughn Spears Future, with most men it would be all over but Ruddick was able to kick out. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Vaughn goes to the air but Ruddick catches him !!!(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Vaughn is at Ruddicks Mersey with a big move on the horizon.(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Vaughn shows his heart by kicking out after this crushing blow by Ruddick!!(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Ruddick looks poised to take home the MMWA-SCIW belt. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Vaughn withstands the punishment of Ruddick and gets a roll up to retain the title. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
*MMWA-SICW Heavyweight Champ Dave Vaughn d. “The Future” Donovan Ruddick
One half of the MMWA-SICW Tag Champs, Waco goes one on one against Gary Jackson ans Travis Cooks the connection looks to avenge the loss of The Big Texan from earlier. (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Gary Jackson struggles to get out of the move of Waco(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Jackson succeeds!!(Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Waco goes high risk on the Great One Gary Jackson (Photo Credit Mike Van Van Hoogstraat)
Larry Matysik (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
This Thursday from 6pm until 9pm Larry Matysik will be in attendance at the Applebee’s in Swansea Illinois where they will be playing some of the tapes from the “Wrestling At The Chase” program on the big screen televisions. Larry will be there to talk to the fans, and local promotor Herb Simmons will be interviewing fans for his nostalgia show on the radio station KZQZ 1430am.com
Missouri Wrestling Revival takes great pride in supporting the great men and women in the sport of wrestling and if you have not met Larry we highly encourage you to meet this wonderful man. MWR will be giving fans a chance to win 2 free MWR T-shirts so come out and join Larry as he takes a stroll down memory lane.
Larry Matysik is the author of Wrestling at the Chase, Drawing Heat the Hard way “How wrestling really works and Brody. He was only 16 when he started working for Sam Muchnick in 1963. He was both the St Louis promotions publicist and office manger. Later in his career he booked matches and produced and called play by play television. He also worked for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation from 1984 to 1993, and has since been involved in Independent Wrestling Promotions.
Applebee’s is located at 2421 N. Illinois St in Swansea Illinois
It’s free, and there’s no cover. For information, call 235-4577.
Josh Ray sent word to me today that Bao Nguyen has received a great opportunity to sign on as a WWE developmental wrestler contract. We all would like to wish Bao the best in this wonderful opportunity. Bao is one of the nicest guys that we have had the privilege of covering as he was trained at Harley Race’s WLW.
Let’s take a look at Josh Ray’s MWR Spotlight from October 14th 2008 as well as an interview with the “Vietnam Phenom”.
Just more proof that one of our mottos is true “The Stars of tomorrow is in the Midwest Today.”
On April 25, 2008 in the hometown of Missouri Wrestling Revival, a match between Brian Breaker and “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen turned a few heads. The apparent underdog, Bao managed to secure a victory over his larger and more experienced opponent. I approached him after the match to tell him how impressed I was and was shocked to learn that this was only his fourth match as out of training. The fact that he was that good in such a short time out of wrestling school resonated in my mind.
“This guy is somebody to watch, for sure,” I thought to myself.
At the time, I wasn’t the only person to take notice. While the crowd definitely enjoyed him and the match as a whole, my wife and sister took immediate notice of the “Vietnam Phenom” as their favorite wrestler. Out of all of the wrestlers who appeared that night, my sister wanted a picture with only one: Bao Nguyen.
My sister Becky, "Vietnam Phenom" Bao Nguyen, and my beautiful wife Sara.
I’ve had the opportunity to see him twice since then, and he hasn’t disappointed. When I heard his story, it was easy to understand why he’s as good as he is at this stage in the game. He’s not afraid of listening to others, and he’s not afraid of hard work. His first break into the business happened due to his hard work and competitive drive.
“I started out in 2004 as a referee in Sacramento, CA for a promotion called Supreme Pro Wrestling. After going to a few practices, I wanted to become a wrestler due to my competitive nature,” Bao said.
At the time, Bao was in college. This didn’t stop him from pursuing a career as a professional wrestler, but it also didn’t keep him from studying hard and finishing college. Where most young men might leave one for the other, Bao Nguyen chose to tackle and succeed at both. He trained for a year for Supreme Pro Wrestling, before moving back home to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was there he had his first exposure to Japan’s Pro Wrestling NOAH when he resumed his wrestling training, this time for Pro Wrestling Iron.
During this time, Bao stayed active with the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC), a nonprofit professional wrestling organization that emphasizes friendship through pro wrestling. The CAC puts a well-deserved focus on the wrestling legends, and that fact says even more about Bao’s character. It was at a CAC function that he learned about Harley Race’s pro wrestling training camps that are held each year.
“I’ve known about Harley Race’s wrestling camps because I stay active with the Cauliflower Alley Club. In 2006 I went to the camp and really enjoyed how Superstar Steve taught. I had no doubt that I would be able to hone my skills in that atmosphere,” Bao said.
Going to that camp was fate, it seems. Pro Wrestling Iron closed downshortly later and left the “Vietnam Phenom” without a place to train. Once again, Bao’s desire to get better and his willingness to work shined through. Where some might stick around the area and find just any place to train, he looked for the best place to train.
“I wanted to go somewhere where I would have more opportunities to work in Japan and for WWE. Since Pro Wrestling Iron already had a relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH through Donovan Morgan and Michael Modest, I wanted to go somewhere that could keep me exposed to them (NOAH). I chose the Harley Race Wrestling Academy,” said Bao.
After choosing where he would train, he concentrated on getting there.
“I saved everything I could for seven months and took the long trip to Eldon, MO to start training,” said Bao. “I’m always trying to get better and I’m willing to learn from people who are willing to teach, so I think that has helped me develop as a wrestler.”
The "Vietnam Phenom" in action.
This hard work paid off recently at World League Wrestling (WLW) show. At the end of the annual training camp that Harley Race’s conducts with Pro Wrestling NOAH, there is a big joint show that features some of the best from Pro Wrestling NOAH, WLW, and the trainees who attended the camp. On September 19, 2008 in Eldon, MO as part of the show, Bao was rewarded by being featured in the main event tag team match. The main event featured two reknown wrestlers from Japan, as well as the son of a pro wrestling legend.
“To tell you the truth, I was pretty surprised when they picked me to be in the main event with Takeshi Morishima against Marufuji and Steamboat Jr. (for the WLW-NOAH show on September 19, 2008). It was definitely the highlight of my career at this point, and I worked as hard as I’ve ever worked. I hope that I did well enough for them to offer me something,” Bao said.
While he recognizes that he doesn’t hold the magic card that can get him closer to his goal of wrestling in Japan or for WWE, he’s not afraid to put in the work needed to get there. No get rich quick schemes for the “Vietnam Phenom”. He’s more than happy to pay his dues and diligently work toward his goals, saying, “It’s up to NOAH as to whether or not I ever tour with them, but I’ll continue to work hard and become a total wrestler to improve those chances.”
He summed it up by adding, “Basically, I want to make wrestling my career. That would be my ultimate goal whether it be NOAH or WWE. I’ve just got to work hard and maintain my focus. It will happen when I am ready.”
Tyler Cook, me, my beautiful wife Sara, and "Vietnam Phenom" Bao Nguyen.
This Saturday in West Frankfort Illinois All American Pro Wrestling returns with a match that you will not want to miss. The 6”7 450 pound AAPW Champion The Mississippi Madman will defend his title against The Belt collector Jeremy Wyatt!
Wyatt has been after the AAPW title in the past and he will have to be at the top of his game if he is to win his first AAPW title.
Missouri Wrestling Revival caught up with the Rebel.
Independent Hardcore Wrestling fans win a free MWR T-shirt Jennifer Timpe and her son Glen Cadell won a free Missouri Wrestling Revival t-shirt during the February 5th Zachary “Napalm” Porter Tribute show in their hometown of Dupo Illinois.
IHW raised $600.00 to go toawards the children of Zachary Porter.
MWR'S Kari Williams, Glen Cadell, Jennifer Timpe and MWR'S Dubray Tallman.
Independent Hardcore Wrestling returns March 6th in Dupo Illinois at the VFW Hall 200 N 5th Street Tickets $10.00 Kids 5 and under Free. Shows 6:30
Missouri Wrestling Revival 