Fans around the country have fallen in love with “Rock and Roll” Mike Sydal. The brother to WWE Superstar Evan Bourne said it best during his presentation of the MWR Wrestler of the year plaque, “In 1998 MWR ranked him the number 98 in the MWR 100 wrestlers in the Midwest and two years later I was named the MWR Wrestler of the year.
Sydal would not just sit back and live off the name of his brother. From the start of his career Sydal went on the road to earn the reputation of one of the top young stars in pro wrestling today. Sydal would spent the next two years traveling around the country looking for the top competition in almost every respectful promotion in the country including Ring of Honor on Direct TV HDNET and Chikara .
Always looking to get better while training with the likes of Ring of Honor school, trainer Mark Sterling, took the opportunity to train at Harley Race’s World League Wrestling Academy and their annual WLW/Pro Wrestling Noah camp.
The hard work would earn him the prestigious title of being named the 2009 Pro Wrestling Illustrated rookie of the year. Several of the names in the past to be honored with his award are Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Bob Backlund, Kurt Angle and Randy Orton.
His work ethic and professionalism made Sydal a must see draw all around the Midwest when he would return to the area. Great matches at 3XW, Metro Pro Wrestling ,MMWA-SICW and all around the Midwest was just one of the many reasons why the MWR awards committee’s chose Mike Sydal to be named the 2010 MWR Wrestler of the year.
The NWA was once the King of wrestling. In my heart the three letters combined will always have a place in my heart as well as many fans around the world.
Many believe that the NWA is long and gone, but I have faith that the King will rise from the ashes to become a true player in the very near future. If it is to happen it will have to start in 2011.
When two champions the NWA World Champion the Sheik was stripped of his belt and the NWA Junior World Champion Craig Classic walked away from the title, it put the world on notice. How would the mighty NWA respond to the actions of Sheik and Classic?
With the rumblings of a tournament for the NWA Junior title I have looked closely at the players that can bring honor and prestige back the NWA as they prepare for their NWA Junior Tournament on Oct 7th.
Four men stand out among the rest.
Photo Credit Brian Kelley
First off we have Tony Kozina , a former two time NWA Junior Champion, Kozina has been very vocal in his desire to regain the NWA Junior Championship. While Kozina has trained none other than ROH World Champion Davey Richards as well as rising superstar Kyle O’Reilly he still is a main event player.
Recently, Kozina has been seen wrestling for Ring Of Honor and top notch promotions around the country . A master of controlling a match from start to finish, no wrestler is more focused to become the NWA Junior Champion.
One of the most traveled stars in the sport today Kozina has felt that Classic was his for the taking and had a match set up in October with Classic prior to the Champ surrendering the title.
Kahagas vs Joe Bravo, Dominican Wrestling Entertainment
Also in the running would be none other than the Tokyo Monster Kahagas. The feared veteran of the sport has traveled worldwide while taking on a who’s who in wrestling today. He quickly became a draw in the Midwest in a very short time while many await his return.
This year on June 18, 2011, in Sherman, TX, Kahagas participated in the first ever GWT Indy World Championship and earned runner up for the title. Legendary Judges that were present throughout the Bracket on Sunday and the Championship match were Harley Race, Mando Guerrero, Tugboat Taylor, Stan Hansen Iceman King Parsons, Col. Buck Robley, WCW’s Awesome Kong, Chris Youngblood, Head Ref. James Beard and Japan’s NOAH, GM Ryu Nakada. According to the Judges, it could have gone either way; both wrestlers have tremendous Talent and work hard. Going into Sunday’s 32-Man Bracket, the Tokyo Monster Kahagas swept the first three days of the round robin tournament had a Bye in the 1st Round with the highest overall score. In the final match of the tournament Kahagas would lose by one point to 16 year Heavyweight veteran Tim Storm.
Kahagas has been in the ring with former NWA World Champions Dusty Rhodes, Blue Demon JR, Tony Kozina and many other top stars in the world. Several of today and yesterday stars have contacted MWR to let us know that they feel as if Kahagas can restore honor back to the NWA.
Jason Jones has left many men Frustrated with his wrestling skills in matches in 2011. *Photo Credit Bill Smith*
Then one of the hottest rising stars in the Midwest, Jason Jones. Jason Jones in 2011 won the first ever two day tournament for the Harley Race Invitational earlier this summer cementing him as one of the top men in the sport. With victories over Jeff Strong, Mark Sterling and Ryan Drago. Jones would receive his trophy from two legends that night in Race himself and WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Pipper. Jones is currently one of the top contenders for Harley Race’s World League Wrestling title and with training from both Harley, Pro Wrestling Noah and WWE scouts at the WLW/Pro Wrestling Noah Camp in October in Eldon Missouri there is no doubt that he is about to get that much more dangerous.
Jeremy Wyatt can match holds with any men in the sport today. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Last, but not least we have the NWA Central States Champion Jeremy Wyatt . The NWA in its heyday had the NWA Central States title known as a stepping stone for the NWA World Title. Jeremy Wyatt this year alone captured the NWA Central States and Missouri title in 2011 along with the 3XW and HVW championship.Wyatt joined an elite class of the only people to hold the NWA Central states and Missouri Championship at the same time along with Harley Race and Cowboy Bob Orton Jr.
3-time MWR matche of the year winner, Wyatt has won so many titles that he is named the “Belt Collector” and a classic 60 min Iron Man match this year with Mark Sterling is why many fans in the Midwest feel as if he is the number one wrestler not signed by WWE/TNA or ROH today.
What a crime it has been to have a man that has headlined the most main events around the Midwest for the past four years not even mentioned in either the NWA Junior and World title.
It is time for the NWA to bring the best to showcase their skills in the NWA Tournament in 2011.
3XWrestling is gearing up for their annual King of Des Moines tournament later this month. At the last show two dominate wrestlers went to war for the 3XWrestling Championship as Brian Ash defended his title against Jeremy Wyatt. When the dust settled, there was a first, Brian Ash would submit to” The Belt Collector”. This would be the first time ever Ash has ever submitted in a 3XW ring.
While we wait for the moment for this year’s 3XW King of Des Moines tournament, let’s take a look at one of last year’s tournament matches as Wyatt would meet Zach Thompson in a semifinal match up of the 2nd-annual 3XW “King of Des Moines” Tournament. This match took place Aug. 6, 2010 at the Des Moines Social Club. Commentary by Midnight Guthrie and Skylar Pierce and production by SEP Video. Moe info and full DVD available at http://www.3xwrestling.com/Home.htm
1. Jimmy Rockwell & Sir Bradley Charles defeated 3XW Pure Wrestling champion Ricky Kwong & The Mauler w/Chad Mylan by DQ.
Afterwards Rockwell challenged Kwong to one more shot at the 3XW Pure Wrestling championship next month and Kwong accepted.
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
2. Genesis – Gage Octane, Benjamin Sailer, Nate Bash, “Torturous” Tony Sly & AJ Smooth defeated “The American Fury” Jon West, Aaron Masterson, “Big City” 3XW Security Guard, The River Monster & Ryan Slade in a 10 man tag team match.
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
3. Brian Ash w/Todd Countryman retained the 3XW Heavyweight championship by pinning Zach Thompson after a press slam into a diamond cutter.
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
4. The Horn Dogs – Maddog McDowell & Krotch won the 3XW Tag Team championship by defeating “Delicious” Devin Carter & Casanova w/Steve Biley.
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
5. Mark Sterling defeated “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt in sudden death overtime in a No DQ Iron Man match that ended up going 70 minutes.
Fans of Missouri Wrestling Revival have often asked for us to have a Rookie of the Year award. After some serious thoughts, we thought it may be easier to honor that one guy or women who we feel has the talent, skills and work ethic to make it to the next level in our sport.
Easy was by far the wrong word, after taking some time to look all around the Midwest I quickly realized that there are most defintly some hard working wrestlers with skills and talent galore.
That’s why I have to believe that this award is very deserving. The MWR Fans are full aware of the talents of Mark Sterling and Jeremy Wyatt, both former MWR Wrestlers of the Year but this is for that guy who could very well be a future MWR Wrestler of the Year and more importantly have a chance to sign with the WWE.
So without further ado, we are proud to announce the first ever MWR Future Star- Sir Bradley Charles
Sir Bradley Charles made his way to Canada to train with Lance Storm at his Wrestling Academy. Charles has worked overseas before heading back home to The King’s Court of Kansas City.
In the Midwest SBC has made his way to work a who’s who of promotions in the MWR Coverage area including HVW, PWP,3XW,NWA Dynamo and has been OVER in his hometown of Kansas City with the upstart promotion Metro Pro Wrestling.
SBC chants are often heard during his matches with some of the very best in the Midwest including Domino Rivera, Shane Hollister, Mike Sydal, Flash Flannigan and Jayden Draigo.
Recently he has been at odds with Mark Sterling in a battle over the crossfit training. Sir Bradley Charles would come up short in the challenge but there is no doubt that he is a first round pick in any promotion in the Midwest.
While SBC has youth on his side, it’s the desire to become better with each and every match that allows promoters and the fans to see that “it” factor just waiting to explode.
It is with great pleasure that we name Sir Bradley Charles as the first MWR Future Star award. J
Jimmy Rockwell and Sir Bradley Charles explodes on Ricky Kwong (Photo Credit Wayne McCarty )
It was only fitting that the biggest match of the year, Mark Sterling vs Jeremy Wyatt 60 minute Iron Man match would bring out the top guys in our industry. One of the top photographers in the world, Wayne McCarty was on hand to photograph the historic evening in Des Moines Iowa at 3XW.
With the month of December getting colder, the action in the ring only became hotter and hotter at the MWR Coverage area.
Big matches to end the year put the Champions titles in jeopardy during the final weeks of 2010.
Lets look at the title changes in December.
3XW Wrestling Champion Brian Ash defeated Rory Fox
Gary Jackson (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)
MMWA-SICW Champion Gary Jackson defeated “The Future” Donovan Ruddick
Brandon Espinosa has found success under Travis Cook in 2010. With Cook being taken out of action for what looks to be a long time, how will Espinosa respond to being alone? (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)
Brandon Espinosa d. Johnny Courageous to win the Jr. Heavyweight Title
KC Karrington defeated Jeremy Wyatt & Kory Twist to become the NWA Dynamo/HVW TV Champion
Des Moines Social Club
1408 Locust St
Des Moines, IA
Doors open 6:45 pm for Advanced ticket holders
Doors open 7 pm for everyone else
Bell time 7:30 pm
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Featuring:
3XWHeavyweight championship Brian Ash vs. Rory Fox (c)
3XWPure Wrestling championship
“The Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell vs. “The Laotian Sensation” Ricky Kwong (c) w/Chad Mylan
*By orders of the 3XW Board of Directors, during this match Chad Mylan will be handcuffed to former 3XW President Skylar Pierce!*
Six Man Tag Team Match “The Unbreakable” Zach Thompson & The Horn Dogs – Maddog McDowell & Krotch
vs. Ryan Slade & American Ground & Air – Benjamin Sailer & Nate Bash
Rookie’s Biggest Challenge “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt vs. “The American Fury” Jon West
Also in action: 3XW Tag Team champions – “Delicious” Devin Carter & Casanova w/Todd Countryman, Gage Octane, Darin Corbin, Shane Hollister & more!
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Tickets are available at:
Jay’s CD & Hobby – Tickets will be available at both Jay’s stores 3315 SE 14th Street – Des Moines, IA & Merle Hay Mall – Des Moines, IA
Advanced General Admission $12.00
General Admission day of event $15.00
Kids 10 & Under $6.00
Kids 3 & Under FREE admission
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3XWrestling will also be collecting new, packaged toys & gifts at the door for Toys for Tots.
This is something we have done every year and are proud to be able to help brighten many children’s Christmas each year.
We will have a collection box at the door as you come in, please bring a new, packaged toy, sporting good, dvd, cd or other gift and help make the holidays a little brighter for Iowa’s children & teenagers.
For more information on Toys for Tots, check out these links:
With a plethora of great shows these past few months, it has been hard to keep up with all the exciting news flash, photos and happenings around the Midwest.
MWR has been active with some of the top stars in the country while meeting many of you the great fans, some for the first time while others we know quite well.
We have spent almost every weekend on the road covering the top promotions in the Midwest.
Let’s take a look at some of the sights of the past few months with MWR, the Fans and Superstars around the Midwest.
August 7- Granite City Illinois- High Voltage Wrestling
HVW returned from their summer break to with top stars Kahagas taking on Trent Stone , the Midwest Sweet heart Santana G going up against her arch rival Amy Hennig and the Great Cheyenne with MsChif watching.
Dan Walsh (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Would it be just by chance that the MWR Wrestler of the Week was MTV’S Dan Walsh who would give away a MWR T-Shirt in August only to see him get the HVW Livewire title soon after? Hey Dan we are just playing, you earned it….with a handful of Trent Stones tights.
August 21 – Council Bluffs Iowa – Pro Wrestling Phoenix
The trips to Iowa seem to take so long to get their, which has been a reason for us to scale back from going to PWP and 3XW. One problem they are so GOOD!! MWR fans don’t worry we have no plans what so ever to stop covering these two exciting promotions.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix delivered on this evening with some exciting wrestling action. We were on hand when Axel Greece assists Ryan Slade and Zac James cheat Chris Havius and Donnie Peppercricket out of the PWP Tag Titles. The show also saw the war rage on between Abu Colossus and Preston Maxwell.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix Champion Tony Cortez (Photo Credit Gary Giaffoglione)
The MWR Wrestler of the Night was the PWP Champion Tony Cortez. Cortez was able to survive the onslaught on Jayden Draigo to retain the championship in a feud that has become quite personal.
In the near future look for a phot recap from their last show in October from PWP/MWR Photographer Gary Giaffoglione
August 28- Lincoln Illinois – Pro Wrestling Epic
The Balloon festival in Lincoln Illionis is a BIG deal and with PWE providing a FREE show if you attend you can not miss it.
PWE delivered with the biggest match in years in the Midwest literally when the PWE title was on the line between the Mississippi Madman taking on “The Future” Donovan Ruddick led by MR Late Nite.
Ohhhs and AHHHS were heard as the two behemoths battle for supermecy and who is truly the top big man. Nothing was settled decisively, but the crowd went home to tell their friends about the Madman and Future. The match that shook the Midwest .
Evan Money explodes on Eric Allen (Photo credit Brian Kelley)
“The Kid” Evan Money was the MWR Wrestler of the Week as he went on to defeat Eric Allen with a frog splash.
September 4th – Kansas City Kansas- Metro Pro Wrestling
We were thrilled to support Metro Pro Wrestling for several reasons; first off the wrestling scene in the KC market has been dry for some time now. With Metro Pro Sports having TV, showcasing several of the top stars in the country today and oh yeah our former partner in crime Josh Ray is the current ring announcer for this upstart promotion. Metro Pro proved to be a great time with a great upside going into 2010.
“Rock and Roll” Mike Sydal with Amber (Photo Credit Bill Smith )
Amber," The host of Dubi meets the Fans" Dubray and Brecca take in a picture after the show (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
All the girls love Tyler Cook (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
From the looks of Brecca’s face WLW Star Ethan Wright did not learn the Masterlock from former WLW Champ Chris Masters. (Photo Credit Bill Smith )
September 11 – Waterloo Illinois – Independent Hardcore Wrestling
IHW has been on a roll in 2010 with some great matches in front of a packed crowd. On this night we were thrilled to debut the Tony Kozina MWR Trading Card. Kozina is one of the most well diverse and exciting wrestlers today. During the night Kozina wrestled one of the Midwest most impressive young men in the game Chris L.O.G.A.N
Tony Kozina (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Let’s take a look at a Video recap of this great show from IHW
September 22- Olney Illinois – IWA Unlimited
Our first trip to Olney lived up to the hype that has been told to me. A weekly FREE Wednesday show how can you go wrong. A great small venue filled with some of the top young talent in the area.
IWA Unlimited fan favorite The Intimidator gives away a free MWR T-shirt to start the night off. (Photo Credit Tim Dunahee )
Everyone that I talked to loved the stars of IWA U and looked forward to the hump day of the week. If you have the day off and live in STL I urge you to take the drive to see what you are missing.
September 25 – Hillsdale Missouri- MMWA-SICW
A great day for the community of Hillsdale as MMWA-SICW teamed up with the Hillsdale Police force to provide a free wrestling show. MMWA-SICW are always fan friendly and if a free outdoor show was not enough, the team work also offered free BBQ and back packs filled with treats from the police force given to them by the stars of MMWA-SICW.
Ace Hawkins is the MMWA-SICW Santa Clause in September while sporting the MWR T-shirt
The MWR Wrestler of the day was none other than Ace Hawkins. Ace fresh off of his appearance at Ring of Honor not only gave away a free MWR shirt but bicycles from the kids and some awesome ST Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame shirts before having a great match against Brandon Espinosa.
September 25- Wood River Illinois – MECW Double shot evening
One of the best kept secrets in the Midwest, is the fact that some of the best talent in Iowa makes the long trip to the STL to go to prove that they are among the best in the Midwest. Jimmy Rockwell, Devin Carter, Zach Thompson, Ryan Slade and even self proclaimed wrestling genius Chad Mylan has put an end to Gabriel Brimstones stranglehold in the Independent title when his man Kwong won the belt in recent months.
Iowa is not the only area that is well represented as the upstate Illinois wrestlers BroMance (Knight Wagner and Jordan McEntrye) with Erin currently holds onto the MECW Tag Championship and Matt Mayday, Mike Anthony and Chris Logan have all brought their own flavor in the company.
MECW Champion Bailey Mannix (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
On this night the MWR Wrestler of the Night was the champ himself, Bailey Mannix. Mannix is still one of the most underrated wrestlers in the game today.
October 2- Kansas City Kansas – Metro Pro Wrestling
Metro Pro Wrestling heated up with the brand new Metro Pro Wrestling TV Champion Trevor Murdoch taking charge. With an appearance from wrestling great Harley Race the fans where able to see some of the great from the past mixed in with some of the best today.
What has the best Wrestler on Gods Green earth Harley Race along with Ethan Wright and Jeff Strong so mad, could it be because of something that former MWR Josh Ray is doing? See it on METRO SPORTS in Kansas City (Photo Credit Bill Smith )
If fans in Kansas City want the best bang for their buck they need to give Metro Pro Wrestling a chance. You won’t regret it.
October 9- Eldon Missouri – World League Wrestling
One of the biggest nights of the year brought several of the most influential men in the game today. Co-Owner of Pro Wrestling Noah was in attendance along with Harley Race and Cauliflower Alley Club’s Karl Lauer. The MWR Wrestler of the Night was Midwest knockout Lucy Mendez who gave away the very first MWR pink t-shirt.
Midwest Knockout Lucy Mendez has the attention of Cauliflower Alley Club’s Karl Lauer. (Photo Credit Bill Smith )
Wrestlers from around the world took the week long camp in hopes of making it to the show.
MWR Photographer Bill Smith with the representatives of Pro Wrestling NOAH (Photo Credit Bill Smith )
WLW Super fan Vincent Heather gets an autograph Steve Fender trading card from the man himself
Look for a Full photo recap of this show in the near future from MWR Photographer Bill Smith
October 10- Marceline Missouri – Modern Championship Wrestling
Just down the road from my house was a new promotion was a rare Sunday show that featured local favorite The Iceman. Brian Blade won the belt at the very first show and has been a thorn in promoter Dustin Watson’s side ever since.
Larry Stilfield with Modern Championship Wrestling Champion Brian Blade (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
October 16- Glen Carbon Illinois – NWA Dynamo/High Voltage Wrestling
We were on hand to present the High Voltage Wrestling tag champs the Hooligans the 2009 MWR Tag team of the Year plaques. To be honest we offered the exciting tag team Full Contact Dojo (Jonathan Gresham and Ric King) the chance to be the MWR Wrestlers of the Week to throw out a t-shirt as a way of being nice.
In a shocking development they defeated The Hooligans to become the NEW HVW Tag Championship . No HVW Champion was safe as “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt defeated Kahagas and Dan Walsh won the HVW Livewire belt.
The HVW Tag Team Champs Jonathan Gresham and Ric King with the lucky fan who caught the MWR shirt Rebecca Haynes (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Look for a photo recap as well and interviews with all of the new HVW Champions here at MWR in the future.
October 23 – Springfield Illinois – New Midwest Wrestling
NMW invited us and invited us and I am glad that they did, we had debut once before and was very impressed and happy to have added them in our NMW Coverage area. The last show I photographed the most dangerous ( and fun matches) to be a photographer at in my carrer during the4 team NMW Tag Team scramble match and returned for the biggest Battle Royal, rumble style of the year for NMW. All for the enjoyment of you the fans.
The MWR Wrestler of the Week was up and comer Christian Rose. Look for more information about this exciting night of wrestling at MWR soon.
Christian Rose (Photo Courtesy of Jon 'Skippy' Edgecomb)
There you have MWR fans, the itinerary of where Dubray and I have been in just the past tthree months. We may not be able to keep up with the miles that the 2009 MWR Wrestler of the Year Mark Sterling does but who can, that man is a machine.
I would like to thank you the fans, the wrestlers, and the promoters for making
Missouri Wrestling Revival – The Wrestling Press of the Midwest.
MWR fans please support your local professional wrestling and we hope to see you at a show.
Brian Kelley Owner/Editor of Missouri Wrestling Revival
Missouri Wrestling Revival 