It was a cold October night when I saw Scott Steiner debut The Frankensteiner during Halloween Havoc. I had just witnessed the greatest move in wrestling. It was athletic and powerful, smooth but devastating. The Steiners were very innovative and this was Scott’s Sistine Chapel. Now fast forward to 2010, is there any move that could make me feel that way again?
Let me clarify, as most already know, I’m more interested in the storytelling process of a match than the moves there within. However the moves themselves are important. What would Stone Cold be without The Stunner, or is there a move the embodies Shawn Michaels more than The Superkick? Having the right move can also tell a story of your personality.
Over the last 20 years we have become so desensitized to moves. Well actually we’ve become desensitized to life. The Frankensteiner was new; I’d never seen a headscissors that ended with a DDT like bump before, it blew my mind. I thought “What else is possible?” The Frankensteiner was innovation and revolutionary but most of all it was safe.
The industry now has this misconception that for something to be cool, then someone has to die. In the late 90s, I started seeing a lot of brainbusters being used in various places. It’s not hard to pick someone up in a suplex then drop them on their head. For awhile I had forgot how safe the brainbuster could be the way Koko B. Ware or Dick Murdoch used it. Some things need to change… back.
I’m not saying we should “devolve” as a business but we can for sure be safer. The business can only strive with talent individuals at the helm. What will happen to the business if the ones with all the talent are dropped on their heads by some goof who created a new move on Smackdown vs. Raw 2010? If the story is there then you don’t need a Three Flip Springboard Cradle Piledriver with a Bridge… I promise.
LWA started its year with its new incarnation, ushering in the year of No Restrictions and the headlock—at least from the Superfans’ point of view.
Shane Hollister returned to LWA to take on Gary the Nightowl. The action quickly spilled to the outside, with the two dueling until Hollister took it back to the ring. Hollister and Gary put on an impressive match, with counter after counter and nearfall after nearfall. Hollister had seemingly gained the advantage about half way through, but as prepared to on to Gary from the top turnbuckle, Gary ducked out of the way.
Gary the Barn Owl goes for the submission on Shane Hollister (Photo Credit Kari Williams)
This left Hollister prone to a vicious sharpshooter, but Hollister would not give up so easily. Shortly thereafter, Hollister got the win over the Nightowl.
Gorgeous Jordan and Ski Mask Malone went at it, with the stipulation that if Jordan lost, he would never wrestle in LWA: No Restrictions again. Malone’s athletic skill shocked Jordan, and the fans, as he put the Gorgeous one to the test. However, Jordan would not go down without a fight. Perhaps the most memorable point of the match up, when Malone was down and out, Jordan pulled a banana out of his trunks and ate a portion of it before throwing it out to the crowd.
Ski Mask Malone goes to the air to take out Jordan Lacey (Photo Credit Kari Williams)
Regardless of the shock value, Malone still managed to get out a win.
The newly crowned LWA Heavyweight Champion “Spitfire” Davey Vega came out to talk about ridding the LWA of former president Luke Roberts the previous month. As Vega began to address the crowd, Pierre Abernathy appeared on the video screen to challenge Vega for the LWA championship later that night. The video seemed to be a distraction, as Gary the Nightowl and Evan Gelistico showed up in the ring and tried to attack Vega with a steel chair. Adam Raw came to Vega’s aid and confirmed that the title match would take place.
Markus Crane, Krotch and Matt Cage competed in a three-way elimination match. Crane had his two opponents on edge with his unruly antics. Krotch and Crane appeared to form an alliance of sorts, but that quickly faded and it was every man for himself. Shortly after launching over the top rope onto Crane, Krotch was eliminated, and Cage and Crane fought to the end.
Matt Cage shows Marcus Crane and the LWA fans why he is the man to watch out for in 2010.(Photo Credit Kari Williams)
The two took each other to their limits, nearly causing the bout to end in a double-count-out. Though Crane fought valiantly, and the crowd appeared to be on his side, Cage walked away victorious.
Glamour, Inc. (Mike Sydal and Brandon Aarons) challenged the Hooligans (Devin and Mason Cutter) for the LWA tag team titles. In a battle of contrasting styles, Sydal and Aarons had their work cut out for them. The Hooligans’s power game meshed well against Sydal and Aarons faster-pace. Sydal kept Devin and Mason a good distance apart as he cut off the ring and taunted the Hooligans when he nearly allowed them to make a tag. But within minutes the Hooligans turned the tide and had Aarons, now the legal man, reeling from consecutive kicks to the head.
The Hooligan look for a tag as Sydal comes down on him. (Photo Credit Kari Williams)
In the closing moments, Glamour, Inc. recovered enough to put the Hooligans down for the count, bringing the tag belts back to the LWA.
Jeremy Wyatt leap frogs the talented McNeil.(Photo Credit Kari Williams)
This night also featured the return of Billy McNeil to the company. On his first night back, McNeil took on “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt. These two stellar athletes put on one of the most technically sound matches of the night. Wyatt antagonized fans to no end by continuously locking McNeil in a headlock.
McNeil put up a fight though, pulling out his impressive, high flying antics. No matter what Wyatt threw at McNeil, McNeil would not back down. They battled back and forth, with the Rebel coming out on top on this exchange, but McNeil’s talent and heart should not be discounted.
Ring of Honor Star Tyler Black came to LWA to challenge “Future” Donovan Ruddick. Ruddick’s proved his dominance and power the moment the bell rang, showing Black that he had a test laid out before him. The bout quickly spilled to the outside, where Black made a comeback. The two behemoths fought from one side of the building to the other, causing fans to scatter in every direction.
Donovan Ruddick and Tyler Black trade blows outside of the ring. (Photo Credit Kari Williams)
Black went so far as to climb on the bar and launch onto Ruddick before they made their way back in the ring. Black’s domination continued for a while, but Ruddick would not let an outsider steal victory. After both had regained the advantage on more than one occasion, Ruddick put Black to rest.
In the main event, “Spitfire” Davey Vega put his newly won Heavyweight Championship on the line against the Submission Squad’s Pierre Abernathy. Abernathy gained the upper hand early on, but a dive to the outside courtesy of Vega turned the tide. They waged war across the building, throwing each other into the brick wall and then some. Abernathy ended up controlling the match when the returned to the squared circle, and just when it looked like he would nail Vega with a chair, he went for a headlock.
Pierre Abernathy had the LWA Champ Davey Vega in deep trouble at times during ther match. (Photo Credit Kari Williams)
Vega was nearly done for, but a burst of strength emerged and Vega locked Abernathy in a sharpshooter, nearly making him tap. Though the submission did not take out Abernathy, Vega still walked away with belt in hand.
Moments after the match Gelistico and Gary ran in to attack Vega, but Raw was anticipating the Squad’s sneak attack and came to Vega’s aid. Just when Raw finished proclaiming that he wanted to rid the LWA of scum, he said the scum he was talking about was Vega. Raw then attacked Vega, and the night ended with Abernathy and Gary raising Raw’s hands, proving their alliance.
LWA returns to the Knights of Columbus Hall in O’ Fallon, IL on March 20 for the second installment of LWA: No Restrictions.
The story between Matt Cage and Cecil Cerveza is stuff of legend within the Central Illinois wrestling scene. Cecil, the hungry, young and talented buck looking to make a name for himself. Cage, the ruthless, vicious individual who burst on to the scene and took any opportunity he could at the expense of anyone and everyone. These two men have been heated rivals for quite some time; They are very familiar with each other.
“It’s been no secret that I’ve always had a deep hatred for Cecil, but I do respect him,” Cage stated. “When I moved to Illinois, Cecil was the first wrestler I saw in action who caught my eye. I went to the Peggy Cooper Invitational2008 and saw Cecil have one of the best matches of the year with Adam Evans that night”
That very match that Cage referred to sent Cecil’s career to new heights that night. The tournament, which many claim is the biggest tournament in Central Illinois, was won that night by Cecil Cerveza.
“Cecil came in that night, and tore things up. His match with Adam Evans was excellent. Ultimately, if I recall, he defeated Eric Ruffington in the finals to win the whole PCI tournament. And I knew that night that when I signed my GAW contract that he posed a threat to me,” Cage barked.
“He was young, hungry and talented. He had all the traits that I had at the time and I knew that I had some legitimate competition”.
At the time, Cecil was the reigning and defending GAW Central States Champion. A belt that he held with pride. As Central States Champion, many claimed that Cecil was the greatest champion since the title’s inception. Cage knew this.
“Of course! I knew he was good. He didn’t have the belt for a reason. Seeing him with that title, knowing and witnessing his talents, I knew that I had to defeat him for the belt,” Cage explained. “He had something I wanted. It was my goal to take it from him.”
Team Cage (Matt Cage, The Hooligans & Big Joel) vs. Team Cerveza (Cecil Cerveza, Josh Powers, Andy Roberts & Temple Rain)
United We Stand
July 19, 2008
At “GAW United We Stand” in July 2008, Cage was booked in a Survivor Series inspired Eight Man Tag Team Match; Team Cage, harboring Cage himself, Devin & Mason Cutter and Cage’s then “bouncer”, Joel against Team Cerveza – a team which was doomed from the start.
“Unfortunately, my quest for the Central States Title was to be postponed. You see, on that night, Cecil had issues with his teammates – Andy Roberts and Temple Rain. I remember pinning Josh Powers during that match, eliminating him, and looking up to see the uncomfort in Cecil and Temple’s eyes. Roberts had already turned on Cecil at the beginning of the match. I knew that I was going to have to make a statement,” Cage claimed.
“They came out there, already with the same idea in mind. Make a statement, make an impact and receive a title shot.”
And Cage was right.
Andy Roberts and Temple Rain were successful in their attempt to make an impact, as later on that night, they were placed in an impromptu title match, and Cecil was upset by Temple Rain.
“I was livid,” Cage said through gritted teeth. “That piece of crap came in there, stole MY title shot, my hard work. Hell, I was the one who won the freakin’ match. But the only thing that will be remembered is that they got the title shot and that Temple won.”
Cage’s goal of defeating Cecil for the Central States Title was gone, and Cage was upset. And rightfully so. He knew that he had to surpass Cecil, and his plans of doing so by pinning Cecil himself were thwarted.
“It was a trying time for me. I had to regroup. I knew that I was going to have to invest some of my money into my career. I paid for the backing of JC Michaels, the owner of GAW. He placed me into a WarGames Match with every title on the line. And even though everyone called me crazy for not attempting to win the Heavweight Title, I knew what I had to do to cement myself. I had to pin Temple for the Central States Title. And I did.”
Cage pinned Rain for the title in the Cage and finally got the belt that he had been chasing throughout 2008. Though he didn’t defeat Cecil for it, he righted a wrong. Temple had thwarted his plans, so Cage thwarted Temple’s. A month later, Cage found out that he’d be defending his title in January 2009 against former WWE and TNA superstar, Zach Gowen.
“Wrestling Gowen was a blast. But beyond that, it was something I needed. I have all the respect in the world for Gowen. He defeated cancer and made it to the WWE on one leg,” Cage expressed. “But far be it from me to allow him to come into my turf and expect to take my title from me. I was building a legacy. And he became a part of it.”
Cage went on to defeat Gowen, and then proceeded a trail of destruction the likes that Cecil had never seen as Central States Champion. Between Andy Roberts, Ryan Phoenix and Markus Crane, Cage had quite the title run. But finally, he got exactly what he wanted. The man he had been chasing.
Cecil Cerveza.
Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
Peggy Cooper Invitational
March 21, 2009
“There was a little controversy, you see. I got stripped of the Central States Title and wound up having to compete in the 2009 Peggy Cooper Invitational. To regain my title, I had to win the tournament. And low and behold, in the first round I find myself across the ring from the man who won it the previous year.”
The match was a back and forth affair that had the Maroa, IL crowd on their feet. Cecil came close to defeating Cage many times. But a little tug of the tights during a school boy wound up bring Cage to the next round and ultimately, Cage won the tournament and the Central States Title once again.
“I did exactly what I wanted and at that point, I felt that I had nothing left to prove. I KNOW Cecil. He tried to get me with Roll The Dice (Cecil’s finishing move), but I had him scouted. He went for it, I rolled him up. I know how to get out of anything he can do. He doesn’t understand,” Cage explained, “that I became OBSESSED with erasing him from this area. I needed it. To me, he was the only legitimate threat to me. But he was a persistent little bastard”.
Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
Against All Odds
April 18, 2009
One month later, Cage found himself across the ring from Cecil once again. This time, the Central States Title was on the line. It was one of the most anticipated matches in GAW history. Many felt that Cecil had Cage’s number. But Cage had acquired the services of Anderson Rhodes, and came in to the match with a new piece of the puzzle. This new revelation threw Cecil off, and Cage wound up defeating Cecil yet again, this time doing a tremendous amount of damage to Cecil’s shoulder and arm. The damage done to his arm caused Cecil to take a short sabbatical from GAW.
“Yeah, I was a bit ruthless during that match. But I knew that I needed to do whatever it took to remain Central States Champion and I had to bring it hard. I hired Rhodes because he was available. He wasn’t necessary, but he helped at the time and brought me more money and good competition as my agent. But the thing that mattered the most was the fire I had in my eyes that night. I had a vicious streak inside of me, but it truly had never been tapped into until I stepped into the ring with Cecil.”
He may have been right. From there, Cage defended his title against all comers before being upset by Kenny O’Brien in June.
But he didn’t need to fret.
“I never step into an venue unless I have a plan A, B and C.,” he explained. “I knew that if I ever lost that Central States Title that I would have to step it up. So I did. I competed for the Heavyweight Title, a title that Cecil never held – and never will, for that matter. My legacy was written at this point and Cecil never even crossed my mind.”
But then Cecil came back. He saw that Cage had won the GAW Heavyweight Title and cringed as he saw the celebration when Cage also won the Heritage Wrestling Coalition Title from his friend, Angelo Santelli. Further proving a point, Cage took out Santelli and broke his shoulder and elbow following their match. Cecil was in attendance that night, and saw that Cage was happy. He saw that Cage had two prestigious pieces of gold. He saw that Cage truly had surpassed him as a wrestler.
Having let go of any need to take on Cage again, Cecil and Cage hadn’t stepped in the ring together since that warm spring evening in April of 2009. But he began to boil. Cerveza began to sweat. He began to yell. He was the one who people were citing as “the future of Central Illinois wrestling”. He was the one.
Until Matt Cage.
He sat back and watched as Cage’s stock rose and rose. He remained silent as Cage began to make more and more money and certainly looked on as Cage’s talent took him to promotions he only dreamed of being a part of.
Cage laughed, “He had and has every right to be jealous”.
All these emotions simmered inside of Cecil for months. During this time, Cage successfully defended his Heavyweight Title against former champions like Jaxson Pride, Truk Thompson and Jonathan Napier. He defended his title against great wrestlers from promotions all around the country such as Matt “Krotch” Mayday, Bill The Butcher and the returning Temple Rain. He even successfully put the title on the line against legends like Ian Rotten and Dingo, who at the time was reigning as IWA-MS World Champion; one of the most prestigious titles of all time.
“I knew deep down,” Cage said, “that at this point, I had cemented my legacy and far surpassed Cecil. I wasn’t only the greatest GAW Heavyweight Champion of all time, I was the greatest wrestler that the Central Illinois fans, promoters and wrestlers had ever seen.”
It’s hard to argue Cage’s statement.
But questions began to arise in October. Cecil was rumored to be wrestling Cage for the Heritage Wrestling Coalition Title, a travelling championship, on Cecil’s home turf of New Breed Wrestling Alliance. But the fans were screwed out of the match, as Cage demanded to wrestle a less deserving competitor.
“Jimmy Karryt can go to hell. Yeah, he does a bunch of flips. What the hell else does he have? He’s got an attitude the likes of my ex-girlfriends, he’s pale, he’s got greasy long hair and the piece of **** got a FLUKE victory over me. It was a FLUKE! Don’t think it was anything else but the obvious,” yelled the angry Cage. “If I ever step in the ring with Jimmy Karryt, he’s getting his ass handed to him. I will teach him respect and will prove to him that he was lucky.”
Obviously a touchy subject.
Karryt was Cecil’s friend and Cage knew this. He lost the Heritage Title, but he still remained GAW Champion. He entered the month of November with the belt, but soon found out that an old familiar face was coming to visit. At “A Fight for Mya” in Decatur, IL, Cecil Cerveza found his way back into title contention and he and Cage had one of the greatest GAW Heavyweight Title matches of all time. It was a stiff, brutal, back and forth encounter that saw Cecil show a side of him he had never seen. There truly was a deep hatred between these two men as they tried to break each other’s jaws with their vicious forearm strikes.
But all this and more could not lead Cage to victory. He proved once again that he had Cecil scouted all to well. Cecil attempted a moonsault off of the top rope, but Cage rolled out of the way. Cecil landed on Cage’s title belt which had found it’s way into the ring, and Cage rolled him up for the victory.
Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
A Fight For Mya
November 15, 2009
“Screw all those people who said I needed to use the tights to beat Cecil that night. I think by that point I had already proven that I had him where I wanted him at all times.”
Just one week later, however, Cage was set to defend his coveted belt in an Escape Only, Steel Cage Match against “Tru Talent” Jonathan Scott. But an attack by one of Tru Talent’s old rivals left him prone on the ground, apparently concussed after he was given a Pedigree on the floor of the Lincoln College gym.
“I laughed, honestly. Did you SEE that Pedigree? My grandmother could deliver a better Pedigree than Dumpster Doug, or whatever the hell his name is,” Cage laughed. “But the bigger story wasn’t Dumpster Doug’s laughable finishing maneuver. The bigger story was Cecil coming out, sticking his big head in business it didn’t belong in.”
As Cage attempted to walk out of the Steel Cage, Cecil stepped up and realized he had an opportunity. One that possibly wouldn’t come again. He realized that this was probably his last shot at Matt Cage. So he challenged Cage to a match, right there on the spot. Neither man was prepared, but they knew each other too well. And when Cage accepted, the violence began. And it was a bloody affair. Without a doubt the best Cage Match in GAW history, these two men beat each other from pillar to post. Both men were busted open during the combat, proving that they would go through great lengths to win the match. Ultimately, Cage wound up delivering an incredible and impressive top rope Hole in One (Death Valley Driver) to Cecil. This took a lot of energy out of Cage, and almost broke Cecil’s neck. And as Cage crawled for the door to escape with his championship clutched in his arms, Cecil was overcome. He heard voices. He heard his wife, calling for him to prove he was the better man. He heard his children, begging their daddy to “do it for them”. He heard his fans, chanting his name. He heard Cage, yelling that he could never defeat him. He heard himself, claiming that he was better than Cage and could defeat him.
He rose from the canvas and began climbing the Steel Cage. His ascent was dramatic. He had no strength, no energy left. But he found his way up and over the top. The crowd waited with baited breath as both men escaped the cage. But when both men hit the floor, what should have been a glorious moment for Cecil turned into a tragic moment, full of controversy. Though many claim that Cecil hit the floor first, others stand ground stating that Cage hit first. The decision would no doubt be controversial, but Co-Owner JC Michaels ruled, along with the referees, that the match would go down as a no contest since it could not be determined who indeed hit the floor first. Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza
Lincoln Lockdown
November 22, 2009
Cecil felt that he was out of “last chances”. And he was. But something strange happened. Cage stepped up and demanded one last match. Cecil didn’t have to ask.
“I realized something. Cecil wants that belt more than I do. I have nothing left to prove. I have defeated everyone, literally, while reigning as champion. I contemplated vacating the title, if only to move on to something new. My pay isn’t going to rise and I have grown tired of defending my title against unworthy contenders, just because I’ve defeated all of the “TOP” contenders,” Cage stated.
“I’m giving Cecil one last shot to prove to me that he wants it. If he wants it as bad as I think, he’ll defeat me for the title. But if he can’t come out on top with all of the cards on the table and everything on the line, then he is nothing more than a choke artist like everyone else in GAW. When I came to Central Illinois, I wasn’t threatened by Jaxson Pride or Connor Riley. I wasn’t concerned with Gavin Alexander. I wasn’t worried about anyone. The only man who I knew was truly better than anyone else in this territory, was and is, Cecil Cerveza. But we won’t find out for sure if he’s as good as me or better than me until February 22nd,” Cage said through a devious smile.
“On that day, one man will wake up with the title next to him and a smile on his face. The other will wake up, a failure and disappointed at what his career has become. And trust me, it should only take one guess that the latter will be Cecil Cerveza.”
It’s just a few short weeks away. It’s the Series Finale – Matt Cage vs. Cecil Cerveza, The Last Chapter. If Cecil can defeat Cage, the current champion has opted to never challenge Cecil for the belt as long as he’s champion. But if Cage defeats Cecil (once again) Cecil can never again challenge for the belt. Either way, it will without a doubt be the greatest GAW Championship match of all time.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix returns to action on Saturday Night February 13th with – PWP 50 (Our 50th Event!)
Last month at Year of the Phoenix, several shocking things took place – most notably, the re-birth of the Murder Militia, under the guidance of Jayden Draigo. The Militia was able to reclaim the PWP Tag Team Titles, and were pretty much dominate throughout the evening – until PWP Champion “Babyface” Tony Cortez took a stand against the Murder Militia, uniting with Jaysin Strife. We now look to PWP’s 50th Event, On Febuary 13th:
*** The Murder Militia will defend the PWP Tag Team Titles against the team of PWP Champion “Babyface” Tony Cortez & Jaysin Strife!!! What combination Militia members will be defending the titles? And what impact will Jayden Draigo play this time? Be there on the 13th to find out!
*** Also in Action: “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon, Chris Havius, Donnie Peppercricket, Abu Colossus, Darin Corbin, Mike Sydal, David Clark, Matty Star, Jimmy Rockwell, Ryan Slade, “The Passion” Zac James, Stephen Saint and more!!!
DON’T FORGET – All PWP Tickets are now JUST $10!!!!!!
Saturday February 13, 2010
National Guard Armory
2415 E. Kanesville Blvd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
On January 16th in Nashville Illinois MWR was invited to check out some exciting wrestling action that included the main event The AAPW Champion Edmund Livewire McGuire defend his title against the Mississippi Madman. In the near future MWR will have a recap of that show with pictures and promos. During the intermission AAPW was kind enough to let us give one of our MWR T-shirts to a lucky fan in a free drawing. Mark Degenhardt from Nashville, IL went home with one of the hottest wrestling wears in the Midwest.
AAPW Fan draws the winner of the 50/50 and MWR T-shirt drawing during intermission. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)
AAPW Fan Mark Degenhardt from Nashville, IL was the winner of the MWR T-shirt shown here with MWR’S Dubray Tallman. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley
AAPW returns February 27th in West Frankfort, Illinois. Don’t miss it.
MWR Fans your next chance to win a free MWR T-shirt will be This Saturday in Dupo Illinois at Independent Hardcore Wrestling. Come early to sign up and enjoy some exciting wrestling action.
Des Moines-based 3XWrestling proudly congratulates always-exhilarating aerial specialist Mike Sydal on being selected the 2009 Pro Wrestling Illustrated “Rookie of the Year.”
Sydal, who is currently one-half of the 3XW Tag Team champions The High Flyers (with “Unbreakable” Zach Thompson), won with 24% of the total vote, beating out TNA Wrestling rookie sensation Jesse Neal.
Widely known around the Midwest wrestling scene for his breathtaking high-flying maneuvers and unbelievable speed in the ring, Sydal is the brother of current WWE superstar Evan “Matt Sydal” Bourne. He’s recently branched out to competing on the east coast in states such as Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s famous ECW Arena.
Sydal joins an illustrious group of previous award winners that includes luminaries such as Larry Zbyszko, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Bob Backlund, Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat, “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, Terry Taylor, Nord the Barbarian, “Total Package” Lex Luger, Owen Hart, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright, The Giant, Goldberg, Kurt Angle, Randy Orton and fellow former 3XW competitor Zach Gowen.
Sydal’s next wrestling appearance in on Feb. 5 in Des Moines, Iowa as part of 3XW‘s Reign of Terror event at the Des Moines Social Club. Sydal teams up with Thompson to defend the 3XW Tag Team titles against The Gentlemen’s Club – Mark Sterling and Gage Octane with Todd Countryman. This is a rematch of the spectacular August battle between these teams at the King of Des Moines Tournament event.
Also available right now at http://www.3xwrestling.com/sydalvshollister.htmis a great match from June 2009 featuring Sydal battling fellow Midwest standout Shane Hollister. Be sure to watch the other “Matches of the Month” at the site to catch a glimpse of 3XW at The Des Moines Social Club, the most exciting venue for pro wrestling in the United States today!
Des Moines-based 3XWrestling Presents Reign of Terror
Iowa’s Top Pro Wrestling Company Features Best in the Midwest
DES MOINES, Iowa – Hot on the heels of a record-setting crowd in January, Des Moines-based 3XWrestling (3XW) is set to impress fans once again as it presents Reign of Terror on February 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, Reign of Terror is scheduled to be headlined by three spectacular championship matches.
“The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt, who racked up an almost endless list of awards in 2009 – including 3XW Wrestler of the Year – defends the 3XW Heavyweight championship against fan-favorite Maddog McDowell. McDowell, 3XW’s largest athlete at 6’4″ and approximately 300 lbs., poses the biggest challenge – literally – Wyatt has faced since winning the championship in August 2009. It’s McDowell’s first shot at the title in over a year and his first at the Des Moines Social Club.
In a highly-anticipated 3XW Tag Team championship rematch, the mega-popular High Flyers (“Unbreakable” Zach Thompson and Mike Sydal), the 2009 3XW Tag Team of the Year, defend the titles against the underhanded tactics of the The Gentlemen’s Club (Gage Octane and Mark Sterling with 3XW Commissioner Todd Countryman). The High Flyers won the titles from the Gentleman’s Club at the King of Des Moines event in a fantastic match and February 5th will be the first time these two teams face one another since August. Both teams are currently considered among fans and wrestling press as the two best teams in the Midwest.
A fast-paced, high-flying team, Sydal and Thompson recently earned individual accolades; Sydal became the first 3XW star to be named Pro Wrestling Illustrated “Rookie of the Year”, while Thompson was voted the 2009 3XW Most Popular Wrestler of the Year.
One of 3XW’s most heated feuds will come to a culmination when the 3XW Cruiserweight championship will be decided at Reign of Terror in 3XW’s first-ever Submission Match, where the winner can only defeat their opponent by submission. “The Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell, who admittedly isn’t the strongest submission-based wrestler in 3XW, defends the championship against two-time former champion Casanova, the master of the Sleeperhold. This match was signed by Casanova’s manager Todd Countryman, the leader of the Gentlemen’s Club and the commissioner of 3XW, in retaliation to Rockwell defeating Casanova for the belt last month at New Year’s Revenge.
As seen on the latest episode of 3XW Outside the Ring at http://www.3XWrestling.com, however, Rockwell is heavily training in the art of submission wrestling and vows to leave Reign of Terror the greatest Cruiserweight champion in 3XW history.
Other scheduled bouts include:
Grudge Match!
“Torturous” Tony Sly vs. Rory Fox
– It appeared Fox, a national star who now calls 3XW home, was moments away from defeating Wyatt for the Heavyweight title in a classic 2-out-of-3 falls battle at New Year’s Revenge when Sly shockingly attacked Fox from behind, costing Fox the victory and inciting a locker-room clearing brawl. Sly made the impact he wanted in 3XW, but will he pay for it against a furious Fox in their first one-on-one encounter?
Also scheduled to perform: 3XW Pure Wrestling champion “Viking Warrior” Kraig Keesaman, former three-time 3XW Heavyweight champion “Delicious” Devin Carter, “Laotian Sensation” Ricky Kwong with Chad Mylan, “Canadian Sex Icon” Ryan Slade, “The Right Price” Aaron Masterson, Domino Rivera, Sparrow, Brady A. Dezire, “The American Fury” Jon West, the 3XW debut of Lance Storm Wrestling Academy graduate Bradley Charles and more!
Doors open for Reign of Terror 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.
Missouri Wrestling Revival was able to catch up with number one contender for the GAW title Cecil Cerveza to get his thoughts on his upcoming match with the GAW Champion Matt Cage. It will be a No Holds Bared match for the title on Sunday February 21 in Lincoln Illinois.
Want to know more about the young Cecil Cerveza then all you have to do is check out the MWR Cecil Cerveza Spotlight right here.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 