We would like for the fans of MWR to take the time to support Pro Wrestler and Artist Adam Raw‘s (Sam Richardson) wonderful graphic novels Hafu 1 and Hafu 2. Both stories contain awesome artwork from the former LWA/ SLA, Metro Pro and SICW star Adam Raw. While the story explodes off the pages in art form from Raw, the storytelling delivers an epic tale from Writer and Military Veteran Jordan Taylor.
Hafu is the story of a girl who must deal with the stresses of growing up with no mother, an almost-absentee father, and the struggle of growing up in Japan being bullied because of her mixed ethnicity.
When Akiko finds out the dark secret her father is hiding, her life is changed forever. The world of Ninja meets the world of Mobsters in our graphic novel, Hafu.
Show Me Comics Shop
Orders typically ship within 3 business days. Included are signatures from the creators!
After reading your copy please visit our Facebook page and leave a review.
For the past ten plus years we have supported the wrestling community and those who have supported us. I am offering to you, the wrestling fan a chance to support Sam Richardson and Jordan Taylor and own a autograph from my personal collection of my hero and the best wrestler on God’s Green Earth, Harley Race.
That is right, a FREE MWR Trading card of Harley Race to the FIRST fan to purchase a combo pack of Hafu 1 and 2 from their website, When purchasing it on their site, send your address in the e-mail and mention Free MWR Harley Race Autograph Trading card and if you are the first fan you will get that card delivered to your house.
Come out and support Sam Richardson’s (Former Wrestler Adam Raw) new book HAFU II , get some sketches from Lorenzo Lizana and buy some prints from Dartallion Allen Jr (Former wrestler Eric Allen) .
F
IT’S HERE! We will have a LIMITED number of HAFU II issues available only at the St Louis Winter1Day comic-con, this Sunday January 22nd 10am – 3pm.
In preparation for our big show this weekend, Jordan Taylor and I are excited to debut our new Akiko model, Savanna! She will be with us at the Stl Winter1Day Comiccon this Sunday!
Free NWL #FightSTL shirts, stickers, and more for the first fans through the door at St. Louis Anarchy’s awesome show.
-The show started with promoter Pierre Abernathy addressing the fans and acknowledging the fact that it was the final show for St. Louis Anarchy. He brought out National Wrestling League promoter Major Baisden; he got a mixed reaction, but he spoke to the fans about his vision for the NWL and seemed to have them on board.
–The Hooligans(Devin & Mason Cutter)(w/ Uncle Leo) d. The Viking War Party(“American Viking” Alexandre Rudolph & “Littlest Viking” Jake Parnell); the match broke down into a bar fight with the four sitting in chairs and punching each other. It finally came down to Devin simply pummeling Parnell to the mat and pinning him (15:53).
–“Dad Bod” Sean Orleans won a four-corner match with Cody Krash, Ken Lee, & Chris Crunk when he pinned Crunk after hitting a double Stone Cold Stunner on Crunk & Lee (6:03).
-Donovan Danhausen d. Slade Sludge with a sitout powerbomb (6:24).
–“Absolute” Ricky Starks d. Kiyoshi Shizuka(w/ Greg Jovi) after the Angel’s Wings(sitout Pedigree) (8:43). Before the match, Starks declared that Vince McMahon did not own him and he tore up the contract in his hand, saying that he would be a member of St. Louis Anarchy for life. (Err…)
–Kevin Lee Davidson d. Mike Outlaw after a Regal Roll off the second rope followed by the spinebuster (10:01).
-Cause members Evan Gelistico & Danny Adams brought out Everett Connors, who seemed to have amicably split from the group…however, tempers flared and Connors chased them from the ring.
-“The Savior Of Pro Wrestling” Jimmy Rave d. Everett Connors after the Ghanarhea(snap cradle Olympic Slam) (15:46).
–Angelus Layne & Austin Blackburn d. Evan Gelistico & Danny Adams when Blackburn pinned Gelistico with a Code Red (13:10). The building had a power outage during the match and the fans lit the ring with their cellphones so the match could continue!
–Aaron Solow won a triple threat match with Paco Gonzalez and Jason Roberts when he pinned Roberts after a cradle DDT (9:53); the power remained out for the duration of this match, but was finally restored before the next bout.
-Roscoe East Lisa(“Zesty” Zakk Sawyers & “The Big Mustache On Campus” Mikey McFinnegan) d. Team I.O.U.(“The Down-South Dandy” Nick Iggy & “The Music City Mutt” Kerry Awful) to retain the Tag Team Titles; Sawyers pinned Awful after he and McFinnegan delivered a spiked Air Raid Crash (16:38).
-“Gorgeous” Jordan Laceyd. “The Incredible Primal Prodigy” Matt Kenway (Look At Him) after the Jenna Jameson(swinging uranagi) (2:02). Gelistico & Adams attacked Lacey after the match, but the returning Adam Caster and Frankie Big Balls made the save! Caster addressed the fact that he had bought into Gelistico’s “bull$#!+”, but he had to retire from wrestling due to concussions and had cleared his head.
He introduced Frankie Big Balls as well as several personalities from SLA’s predecessor, the Lethal Wrestling Alliance: Jordan Taylor(former LWA President), Tim Pickerill(who did a lot of behind-the-scenes work for the LWA), and Mad Dog Daffronian(LWA ring announcer).
-“The Ace Of Anarchy” Davey Vega won a triple threat match with Gary Jay(w/ Dorian Victor & Mrs. Victor) and Mat Fitchett(C) to win the Heavyweight Title. Vega delivered his brainbuster onto the knee on Gary Jay, then hit the move on Fitchett as well and pinned the champion for the win (17:02)! Vega barely had time to celebrate his win as several competitors from the Kansas City side of the NWL attacked all three competitors; I saw Logan & Sterling Riegel), Jake & Ryan King, Kiyoshi Shizuka, and even Michael Strider!
The locker room emptied to run them off, ending with K.L.D. Awesome-Bombing one of the Riegels over the top rope onto the other K.C. interlopers! Major Baisden and Lucy Mendez stood with the St. Louis crew in the ring as Baisden admonished the Kansas City crew for interfering with the show.
The three competitors and Pierre Abernathy said their final words before the show officially wrapped up, closing the book on an era in St. Louis wrestling.
It is a pleasure to have with us today pro wrestler and owner of St. Louis Anarchy Matt Jackson, better known to wrestling fans as Pierre Abernathy. Since his debut in 2003, Pierre has made an impact in the wrestling scene in many aspects of the wrestling business. Pierre, thank you for taking the time to speaking with us at Missouri Wrestling Revival
Pierre: No problem, thanks for having me.
MWR: What was your first memories of pro wrestling and who did you look up to growing up?
Pierre: The first pro wrestling event I can remember watching live was WrestleMania VI with Hogan vs. Warrior.
I was a huge Hogan fan so when he lost that sucked for me. I can remember going to the STL arena watching all the WWF live shows and I was at the only show WWF did at the old Busch Stadium, so that was cool.
MWR: The first opportunity that I got to see you in action was in Lawrence, Kansas for NWA Central States Wrestling as you and Gary Jay lost a three way to Nick Tyson on September 30, 2006. At that point you had been wrestling a little over than three years. How did you get your start in pro wrestling and who were the most helpful in your success?
Pierre: I first got my start when I met Jordan Lacey, he bought a ring and we were going to train in it. The issue was that he didn’t have the training to train us and to his credit he knew that. Most guys would NEVER admit that they had no business training people but he did. We later met Adam Raw and Nick Tyson and they did our training.
Adam Raw- Photo Michael Van Hoogstratt
From there they started the LWA and we worked there and branched into Gateway Championship Wrestling. Unlike most guys, our trainers did not travel, so we didn’t have a lot of help getting out of town shots. It was Matt Sydal and Delirious who taught us in a 12-hour seminar that we needed to get in a car and get out of STL and make résumés and start sending them out and do seminars all over and that is what we did.
MWR: What early match that you had gave you the confidence to succeed as a pro wrestler?
Pierre: Honestly I can’t think of one match. I always had confidence in my promo work more than my wrestling at the start. I think if I had to pick a break out match, I had a three-way match with Gary and Dorian Victor kind of early on that I liked. Plus, working Gary every weekend in a new state we could feel ourselves growing as wrestlers every week.
MWR: You would be part of the group that would spearhead The Lethal Wrestling Alliance. Who else were involved and what is the legacy of that promotion?
Pierre: Honestly I didn’t have anything to do with the start of LWA. LWA was started by Adam Raw and Jordan Taylor. When Jordan went into the Navy it went into the committee of five guys: Adam Raw, Nick Tyson, Frank Cashion, Mike D and Tim P ( I don’t want to butcher the spelling of their last names).
Jordan Lacey has been a part of the most brutal matches in the modern era of STL wrestling. Here he wars it out against the former MWR Future Star winner Alex Rudolph.
So Tyson was supposed to write the shows and book the talent but he wasn’t doing it, so I would in the background write the shows and send them with him to meetings and no one would know about it and he would get the credit. Fast forward a few years, he was going to quit, so Raw was kind of freaking out thinking he would have to write the shows all himself. I had to tell him I was really doing it all this time, which shocked him and so then I started writing and booking talent from there. Years later when the others quit, it became myself, Raw and Jordan Lacey. In the end of LWA, it was just me and Jordan Lacey.
Many of the top rising stars int the sport has made their way to SLA.
MWR: Fans at LWA were blessed to enjoy some great matches featuring local talent against many of the top stars in the world. Not too long ago, Austin Aries was the TNA World Champion, Davey Richards was a Ring of Honor World Champion and most recently one half of the TNA Tag Team Champions with Eddie Edwards, and Samoa Joe is quite possibly the most talked about free agent in the world today, but they all entered the squared circle at LWA.
These matches along with other stars including Delirious, Mike Quackenbush and The Motor Machine Guns against LWA homegrown talents are featured on the DVD US vs. Them (click here to purchase). What memories stand out about this historic matches at LWA?
Pierre: There are tons of thoughts I have about that. The two big ones being the first “name talent” we ever used was Alex Shelley and our fans hated him with a passion because he was facing their guy in Nick Tyson and when Tyson tapped him out the legit emotion that came after is what this business is about to me: real emotion. The Second was Samoa Joe: A lot of people were saying behind my back (but I hear everything) that I was making a big mistake putting Dorian in that match and not Adam Raw, and to be honest at that time Raw was a better wrestler than Dorian—hell, Dorian was only a few years in, I think. However, Dorian grew from that match and it taught him how to step up… That’s my job: I have to force you to go outside of your comfort zone and step up to the plate, because if you can’t I need to know that before you fall on your face in maybe a way bigger situation. That night Dorian stepped up and grew from it.
MWR: You are a member of the famed Submission Squad with. Time has shown that you guys are among the most entertaining tag teams in the country, but early on in your career you teamed up with Evan Gelistico against Davey Vega and Gary the Barn Owl to showcase LWA for Chikara’s King of Trios 2009. In a weekend filled with top Indy wrestling stars like Bryan Danielson (Future WWE Champion Daniel Bryan), Austin Aries, and El Generico (WWE’SSami Zayn) , the match would receive chants of “DON’T COME BACK!” Many men after that night may have given up, but it only shows how much heart that the four of you had, during that time. Many people snickered and counted you out, but you guys have had the last laugh by becoming among the most traveled talents in the country. Looking back what went wrong, what could you have done different and what advice would you have for a young wrestler that would experience such a situation?
Pierre: I would say that you cannot let what people say bother you. When that happened to be honest it didn’t bother me, it did more the other guys for different reasons. Vega because he lacked confidence anyway so that almost killed him, Gary because the ECW arena was his dream and we just got booed out of it and Evan because he loved the idea of working Chikara. I am telling the God’s honest truth that it didn’t bother me because I was expecting it the whole time. Here you have the biggest weekend of the Chikara calendar with legit stars from all over the world and then you have four dudes from a company in Missouri that none of them knew.. How were they supposed to treat us? Plus, we did ourselves zero favors because of the way we worked the match. We are known for our personalities and we showed zero of it and that is what sucked. However we made a lot of money after that match because people wanted to see if either A) we really sucked or B) they knew we didn’t and wanted to bring us out. So I would do it all again, plus we went back there in 2014 and killed it, so it came full circle for us.
MWR: As I mentioned you have traveled around the country, including Canada. What has been your personal favorite places to wrestle and why?
Pierre: I love most every trip but I’ll pick one place and say ACW in Texas. Texas was like my second home for many years and I love the fans and friends I made there. Some of my favorite memories came from hangouts I had in Texas.
MWR: For seven years the LWA was known for an alternative style of wrestling that combined strong style, hardcore, comedy and good times for the fans, but a new day came that saw you announce the merging with the Texas based promotion known as Anarchy Championship Wrestling (ACW). That decision has allowed the fans to see many of the top stars of the Texas area make their way to the Midwest, while giving the young stars in this area to grow by challenging themselves against other top talents that may not have a chance to work with. In your eyes, who have taken advantage of working in the land of Anarchy and who are some of the top young stars that fans should have their eyes on for the future?
Pierre: Since we started Anarchy, we have seen ACH become a top star in the USA and I won’t do what a lot of others do and try and take credit for that man’s success. His success has helped us grow, so thank you to him.
Gary Jay and Davey Vega are in my opinion the two top guys in the area and they prove that every time they work in a ring. The fact neither of them are under a contract is a shame. The Hooligans are guys you have seen grow in Anarchy. Christian Rose has been tearing it up other places for a while but our fans are finally seeing how good he is. Two guys who I think could be the next 2 big stars are Jo Jo Bravo and Mat Fitchett. Jo Jo has gotten really good really fast and it’s up to Fitchett how far he wants to go. He has been ready for a long time now. One guy to watch I think is Everett Connor; I call him my new project because he is a good kid with potential.
The only guy who I think may be worse now than he was when we started SLA is Evan Gelistico… [sarcasm]
MWR: The Submission Squad was ranked number 12 in 2011 in the MWR’S top 30 tag teams during the MWR years. Four years later, the SS is still running strong, even capturing the Metro Pro Wrestling Tag Team titles recently as the Commission.
Because LWA and later SLA did not have tag belts along with the outside travel, it may have hurt your rankings in the poll. That year a team that you guys know very well the Hooligans were ranked number one, and are currently the St. Louis Anarchy tag team Champions. What has made the Hooligans and the Submission Squad such a great rivalry?
Pierre: We just have good chemistry and we strive to do the same thing and that’s have a great match. We clicked since the first match we had at an IHW show in Dupo IL.
At one time we worked with the Hooligans at least once a weekend for like five months in a row, I think… Plus those guys love tag team wrestling as much as we do so it’s easy, The Hooligans are amazing talents.
MWR: SLA has recently been the home of double shot weekends in Alton, Illinois. You have promoted events for years, what are the advantages and disadvantages of having back to back events?
Pierre: Well it doubles the stress. I mean we have only done two, so I really do not know yet. I’ll say the advantage is for the fans as they will get 2 events a weekend instead of 1. As we keep going with this I am sure more advantages and disadvantages will come clear.
MWR: St. Louis Anarchy events have always been a can’t-miss show as talents around the world have been in action during each of your events. Men like Kyle O’Reilly, Michael Elgin, Chris Hero, the Young Bucks, Davey Richards, Akira Tozawa, and TJ Perkins have all appeared in the past. Who would you like to see that has not appeared yet?
Pierre: We used him in LWA but I really want to bring our fans Alex Shelley as he was supposed to work a show but got hurt. I am hoping to bring some more guys from overseas in. To be honest we will always use that name talent that people have come to think about when thinking of SLA but I am wanting to use more guys who are great but not maybe as well known…. Like there are Gary Jays and Davey Vegas all over the USA who are great but just can’t get breaks and I want to give them their breaks because you never know who could be the next ACH that you just are overlooking.
MWR: On August the 21st and 22nd, Circus Maximus 2015, an event what many fans say is THE event of the year for SLA? Circus Maximus has always delivered with a great mix of national talent as well as the top rising stars around the country. I am going to do a rundown of this years’ SLA talent pool for the double shot weekend and I would like for you to give your thoughts on them. We will start off with the current SLA Champion Gary Jay.
Pierre: Hardest working man in Anarchy, he tears down the house every time and then is the first person to lead people in tearing down the ring. He gives his all to the company and should be getting more chances outside it.
MWR: Tommaso Ciampa
Pierre: I’m looking forward to seeing him in SLA. He’s a tough dude so guys will have their hands full with him.
MWR: Davey Vega
Pierre: The “Ace of Anarchy” isn’t just a nickname, it is who Vega has become. He went from a guy who would legit vomit before a match to a guy who I know will always have one of the best matches on the show. He’s the man.
MWR: Mat Fitchett
Pierre: The Dirty Rook could be a star if he is able to really hit the road and do it. Sometimes though real life things are more important but he’s an awesome talent.
MWR: Jonathan Gresham
Pierre: He won’t be at Circus Maximus, but he’s an amazing hold for hold wrestler who stole the weekend at Gateway to Anarchy.
MWR: Jo Jo Bravo
Pierre: One of the top up and comers in Anarchy. He has held his own with some of the best in the world.
MWR: Christian Rose
Pierre: Great talker and wrestler and our fans are getting to finally see that. Plus, behind the curtain I love talking good and–even better–shitty wrestling with Rose more than maybe anybody.
MWR: Matt Cage
Pierre: He’s a lot like Rose in that he has been tearing it up other places and our fans will finally get to see more of that in Anarchy.
MWR: Angelus Lane
Pierre: The 1st lady of Anarchy. I am very proud of Layne. She has grown by leaps and bounds as a wrestler and she improves every event we have.
MWR: Viking War Party
Pierre: Going to have to buy me chairs if they keep breaking them. Both guys are awesome. Alex I have known since before he started, I am happy every time I see them work and get better and better.
MWR: Ricky Starks
Pierre: Big deal in Texas and I think he can do the same here so keep your eyes on him as I think he is going to do well.
MWR: The Cause: Mr. Gelistico, Mr. Raw, Mr. Adams, Mr. Everett
Pierre: We will have to see.
MWR: Zakk Sawyers
Pierre: The 2014 Anarchy Rookie of the year. He’s not a rookie but was in Anarchy and he stepped up huge. A hard worker in and out of the ring and really appreciates his spot on the roster and he earns it.
MWR: Mikey McFinnigan
Pierre: Kinda just starting to see what he can do. He will do well in Anarchy, he’s very entertaining.
MWR: Jeremy Wyatt
Pierre: The best LWA champion of all time. Jeremy is one of my favorite wrestlers and is a pure class act to deal with outside the ring. Jeremy makes no bones about his wrestling days coming to an end and I’ll be sad to see him go, but he’s a guy who will leave better than he came in and how many guys can honestly say that. He’s always done anything I asked him to do and I don’t think Jeremy knows how much I respect him and appreciate his run with the LWA title.
MWR: Steve O Reno
Pierre: Honestly, I worked him in ACW and I knew he was good. Other than that I have only seen his two matches in SLA and that is it. I think he is very entertaining and he can wrestle, too, so I think big things are on the horizon for him.
MWR: Bolt Brady
Pierre: I think his change in attitude will be good for him in SLA. I like making people do stuff they may not be used to doing. Bolt is a pro and will do great. He’s getting a lot of miles under him too which is awesome. I like Bolt a lot.
MWR: PACO
Pierre: In SLA, he became a star in one weekend. Taking Trik Davis to the limit and taking a hellish beating from Gary Jay. I think Paco is a hungry kid who will do big things.
MWR: Pierre, Thank you so much for joining us today, it is always a treat to get to speak with you. How can fans follow you and the world of St. Louis Anarchy?
Pierre: I am on Facebook under Pierre Abernathy and Twitter is @PierreAbernathy. You can like SLA on Facebook at Saint Louis Anarchy and on Twitter @stlanarchy. Thanks for the time!
Saint Louis Anarchy presents Circus Maximus 2015
Stage One: Friday August 21st Stage Two: Saturday August 22nd
Live from Spaulding Hall Club in Alton IL (402 E 4th Street)
Doors Open at 6:30pm, Shows Start at 7:00pm
Tickets (PER NIGHT):
Front row: $15, Second Row. $12. General Admission. $10 in advance all tickets are $15 at the door
$1 BEER, FULL BAR AND FOOD. Please do not record show or stand on chairs
Also special guest musicians Mental Fixation (Stage 2 only)
STAGE ONE MATCHES SIGNED:
Main Event Trios Action: Team Anarchy: Davey Vega, Mat Fitchett, Angleus Layne vs. Team BOSS w/Dorian Victor and Greg Jovi: Gary Jay, Christian Rose, Jeremy Wyatt
Tag Team Titles on the Line: The Hooligans (c) vs. The Cause (Mr. Adams, Mr. Everett)
Zakk Sawyers vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Grudge Match: Alex Castle vs. Matt Cage
Jo Jo Bravo vs. PACO
Steve O Reno vs. Mikey Mcfinnigan
BOSS vs. Anarchy: Bolt Brady w/Greg Jovi vs. Ricky Starks
STAGE TWO MATCHES SIGNED:
Saint Louis Anarchy Championship Match (NO TIME LIMIT) Gary Jay (c)w/Dorian Victor vs. “Ace of Anarchy” Davey Vega
Mat Fitchett vs. Former ECW/WWE Star LITTLE GUDIO
Christian Rose vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Matt Cage vs. Zakk Sawyers
Sugar Dunkerton vs. Steve O Reno
TALENT SIGNED FOR CM WEEKEND:
Saint Louis Anarchy Champion: Gary Jay
Saint Louis Anarchy Tag Champions: The Hooligans
Davey Vega
Mat Fitchett
Tommaso Ciampa
Jo Jo Bravo
Christian Rose
Matt Cage
Angelus Layne
Viking War Party
Sugar Dunkerton
Ricky Starks
The Cause: Mr. Gelistico, Mr. Raw, Mr. Adams, Mr. Everett
Zakk Sawyers
Mikey Mcfinnigan
Jeremy Wyatt
Steve O Reno
Bolt Brady (stage one)
PACO (stage one)
Donovan Danhausen
MWR owner and Editor Brian Kelley : Greg, I would like to thank you for joining us today at Missouri Wrestling Revival. We have covered you causing havoc as a manager at St. Louis Anarchy and Dynamo Pro in the past. Recently, you opened up a new promotion based out of Granite City, Illinois PWCS that has a unique set up based on team competition with several of the top stars around the country. I know that you are very busy preparing for the huge event this weekend for PWCS, so once again thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Greg: Thank you for having me for this piece. Always appreciate the opportunity to get the word out and promote my brand.
1) You obviously are very passionate for pro wrestling, who was your inspiration to work towards being a part of pro wrestling in the Midwest?
Greg: I’ve wanted to be a manager and promoter since I was about 11 years old, the first time I saw Paul Heyman on ECW. Locally, I got hooked on GCW at about 13 and wanted so badly to be apart of that. Seeing guys like Dingo, Pete Madden, and the Ego Express (KC Karrington and Steven Kennedy) made me fall in love with wrestling all over again. Before that I had no idea Indy wrestling existed, let alone right in my backyard.
2) As I had mentioned, you are now a promoter in the St. Louis area, but prior to becoming a wrestling manager you respected the sport enough to seek training to be a pro wrestler. Who were your trainers or people instrumental in helping you , and what was that experience like?
Greg: I actually went in with the mindset that I was going to be a manager. I sent a promo reel to Dynamo and they liked it enough they invited me to the gym one week. I decided my first day I was going to get in there and try to do everything the wrestlers did, and I ended up doing very well and earning respect. Dingo taught me a lot, soon he stepped aside and Davey Vega took over. Sadie Blaze all the while taught me the managing side of things.
As far as how it was, it was the time of my life. I miss those times sometimes. I was in great shape, made great friends, and really showed myself something I never knew I had. I wonder now and again if I’d be a semi competent full time wrestler by now had I not been dropped on my head and injured my neck. I was really starting to click, but I think I was meant for where I am now.
Evan Gelisticois intense after a hard fought victory at St. Louis Anarchy as manager Greg Jovi celebrates.
3) Your other positions included being a referee and ring announcer. What are your pet peeves that referees and ring announcers do at this level, and what memories do you have of being of those positions?
Greg: I don’t really have ring announcing pet peeves, I’ll just say good ones are hard to find. Number one ref pet peeve is the best ones always want to wrestle it seems. More power to them, that’s not a knock, but a lot of great refs simply strive for more and great refs as well are hard to find.
4) After some time you would shock the fans by becoming a force in Dynamo Pro Wrestling and St. Louis Anarchy as a manager. At Dynamo Pro Wrestling you aligned yourself with the KC Karrington’s First Church of Karrington with Steven Kennedy, Dice and Adam Raw. Today, in the land of Anarchy you lead the N.WO style of faction BOSS that includes the St. Louis Anarchy Champion Gerald James, Dan Walsh, Jordan Lacey and more joining every second it seems as chaos reigns at SLA. Who was your first wrestler that you managed, and what mistakes as a manager did you make that you have fixed since then?
Greg: I think my first “client” if you will was actually Mat Fitchett, and I was a good guy believe it or not. Eventually, I turned on him at Yuletide Terror one year and we were off to the races. As far as mistakes, I remember never knowing where to stand. I was like, “if I stand here I’m blocking their view, but if I’m here nobody sees me at all”. I was super nervous about little dumb stuff like that all the time.
Greg leads the First Church of Karrington at Dynamo Pro Wrestling.
5) If you had the chance to manage to anyone wrestler in the world today who would it be?
Greg: First name that comes to mind is Kyle O’Reily. Great wrestler and great guy. I would also love to manage a female talent, that’s not a dynamic that’s really been done often. Would love to see what I could do managing somebody like Heidi Lovelace.
The St. Louis Anarchy champion Gary Jay has been unstoppable. Next month, in Alton, Illinois he will face JoJo Bravo on April 17th and if he is able to retain his title he will tested by Davey Richards the next night. This Saturday Gary and Greg represents the Ego Busters against the Resurgence Steven Kennedy in the double Main Event.
6) Gerald James has been the SLA Champion while defeating the likes of Takaaki Watanabe, Davey Vega, Angelus Layne and Mat Fitchett and is still one of the most underrated wrestlers in the country. His reign has been highly entertaining, what has been your highlight while leading him during this time.
Greg: There have been so many fantastic matches and moments in his lengthy reign, it’s hard to choose. I think busting up the Angelus Layne wedding has probably been my favorite. Being involved in a wedding gone wrong has got to be on every wrestlers bucket list right?
Saint Louis Anarchy presents: Gateway to Anarchy
Stage One: Friday night April 17th
Stage Two: Saturday night April 18th
Live from Spaulding Hall Club in Alton IL (405 East 4th Street)
Doors Open: 6:30pm Show Starts at 7:00pm
Tickets: Front Row Reserve $15 (per night)
Second Row Reserve $12 (per night)
Gen Admission $10 (per night)
ALL tickets $15 day of show
$1 BEER and FULL BAR
7) Last year, you came up with concept of Pro Wrestling Championship Series. Before we take a look at the upcoming 2015 season, please explain the concept to the fans for us on the team system.
Greg: Certainly. The concept is pretty heavily rooted in how college and high school wrestling works. We have four teams. Each event, the wrestlers from a team compete against the wrestlers from another. Their individual wins and losses go towards their team’s overall record. At the end of the season, the two teams with the best record face off in a four on four elimination match to crown that season’s champion. It’s pro wrestling as a team sport.
Greg Jovi distracts Davey Vega.
Danny Adams vs Paco Gonzalez + JIMMY JACOBS
8) I know from experience that becoming a wrestling promoter is an uphill battle as in today’s environment. There are so Many entertainment choices for the fans to choose. From your experience what has been the recipe for success for you and partner Jason Coellner at PWCS?
Greg: Providing a quality product that is different from the rest has worked great for us. We advertised that we would be new and innovative, and I don’t think anyone has left a PWCS event saying, “Well that’s the same show I saw at ____”. We truly do offer a fun, alternative brand with substance in the ring.
9) This coming weekend PWCS returns to action. I understand that you have DVDs of the first season. Are they all done and ready for the fans to purchase and if so how much?
The DVDs are $10 ($15 for the Championship show , as it will be a 2 disc set)
Greg: Stages 1-3 are all currently available online at pwcswrestling.storenvy.com and at live events. It will be down to the wire, but we should have all those as well as the Championship Spectacular featuring Colt Cabana and Jimmy Jacobs at this Saturday nights event. Jason does a fantastic job on these along with our play by play man Drew Xzono Jr.
10) What should fans expect different this season at PWCS?
Greg: For starters, you’re going to get the return of one of the best wrestlers in the area this Saturday night, and if rumors are true he’s going to put the entire league on notice and on edge.
You’re also going to see a fourth regular season event this year. It internally being called the Wildcard Stage and will provide some fun matches as all four teams will mix it up and have one last shot to secure a spot in the 2015 Championship Spectacular.
And you never know what else might happen or who might show up. Thanks Brian for having me, and thank you to anyone who has supported the league so far.
Brian: Once again Greg, thank you for your time and we look forward to another year of exciting PWCS action. Fans, be sure to add PWCS on Facebook and Twitter at PWCSWrestling to keep up with them as well as here at Missouri Wrestling Revival.com, your #1 source of wrestling news in the Midwest.
The dust has settled and the 2014 Pro Wrestling Championship Series has come to a close with The Blacklist (Makaze, Jo Jo Bravo, OutTkAst, and Nate Redwing) coming out victorious! However, their time to celebrate will be short lived, as the 2015 PWCS Season begins March 14th, 2015 in Granite City, IL!
Who will start off the 2015 Season right, and who will have a hole to climb out of? Find out, March 14th!
Tickets are available NOW at http://www.StageOne2015.brownpapertickets.com and can be reserved by sending us a message here on facebook. Get your tickets ASAP for this 2015 kickoff event!
Tickets Prices:
Front Row: $12 ($15 at the door)
Adult General Admission: $10 ($12 at the door)
Children 12 & Under General Admission: $8 ($10 at the door)
The Stage One 2015 Card Will Feature A Double Main Event
***Main Event: Resurgence Vs. Ego Busters***
Steven Kennedy (Resurgence) Vs Gary Jay w/ Greg Jovi (Ego Busters)
***Main Event: Blacklist Vs. Team Anarchy***
Jo Jo Bravo (Blacklist) Vs. The New Team Anarchy Owner (Team Anarchy)
Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega (Resurgence) Vs.
Brandon Espinosa & Dan Walsh (Ego Busters)
Makaze (Blacklist) Vs. Alex Castle (Team Anarchy)
“The Submission Squad” Pierre Abernathy & Evan Gelistico (Team Anarchy) Vs.
“The The Viking War Party” Alexander Rudolph and Jake Parnell (Blacklist)
“DirdEy” Jake Dirden (The Resurgence) Vs. “Blue Chip” Danny Adams (Ego Busters)
Superior” Adam Rich Vs. JD Riggs The loser has to follow the winner’s diet for 90 days.
Free Agent Showcase: Justin D’Air Vs. Ozzie Gallagher
Editors note : MWR fans be sure to purchase a copy of the HAFU Graphic Novel today. A total of 64 pages, featuring full color book done in comic book format. Written by Jordan Taylor and Illustrated by Sam Richardson. Buy by clicking here online NOW at ShowMeComics.com and click on HAFU.
Akiko Kuno’s father is Japanese and her mother is . . . dead. She never knew her. The only legacy left by the dead woman is her American blood. Living in small-town Japan, Akiko’s heritage is a burden. Society rejects her. She is stared down, mocked, and outright bullied. On top of it all, her father barely acknowledges her existence.
But Akiko’s father, Tokoyumi Kuno, stays distant for a reason. He is a killer, the top assassin for a secret clan of Shinobi. Pushing Akiko away keeps her safe. Yet, the isolation takes a different toll. The crippling grief and hostile culture are destroying her spirit.
So, Tokoyumi gives his daughter a choice. She can stay in her normal, melancholy life, or learn her father’s secret and abandon everything she knows.
She chooses the world of shadows.
Can Akiko, an insecure half-breed, survive in Japan’s ancient criminal underworld? Will she become a killer herself? Will Tokoyumi reveal even darker secrets?
Hafu: Book I is a coming of age story set against a backdrop of crime, secrecy, and betrayal. The story is told collaboratively through the words of Jordan Taylor and the art of Sam Richardson.
10. Adam Raw vs. Frankie Big Balls– The last match in the history of the WCWF Circus Maximus event.
9.Nick Tyson vs. Adam Raw- Two men who started the LWA in the last one on battle they ever had.
8.Davey Vega vs. Johnny Gargano– Two wrestlers at the time who were both on the verge on being the top wrestlers in there respected home companies. Both have grown into those roles in a great way.
7. TJ Perkins vs. Davey Richards – Two men in the world of pro wrestling that are capable of having great matches in just about any style. A wrestling classic on paper and it lived up to the expectations.
6.ACH vs. Dingo 2 outta 3 falls: The present of Saint Louis wrestling vs. the man who helped put STL wrestling on the map.
5.Evan Gelistico vs. Davey Vega: The last ever LWA title match at Circus Maximus and a night that started a 17 month title run by Evan Gelistico.
4.Gerald James vs. ACH– This was part of in my opinion the best feud in the history of Anarchy TX and STL. The two went all over the USA and both men grew as wrestlers and performers during this feud.
3.Jeremy Wyatt vs. KC Karrington– The longest title match in the history of LWA and SLA. This match ended the most underrated champion in our lineages history’s title run.
2. Dan Walsh vs. Gerald James: The bloodiest match in the history of the event.
1. The Submission Squad vs. The Bearded Men from Space Station 11 Street Fight: This match capped off the biggest feud in the history of the LWA and was the wildest match in the company’s history that would need to be seen to believe. The cops were called; a hand was set on fire and used as a weapon. At this year’s Circus Maximus two of those men that were in that match Davey Vega and KC Karrington will finally settle issues steaming from that very personal feud all those years ago.
Everyone knows that I truly love pro wrestling but family is so much more important that even the passion that I have for the sport.
Myself with my father Steve Kelley,my son Josh,my mother Diane and my sister Dee Dee along with her two kids Faith and Marc.
This past week was laying heaving on my mind as Father’s day was upon us. It has been two years since my father Steve Kelley has passed away and though life does move on, there isn’t an hour pass that I don’t think of him. When he was alive, both of us love the movies and were comic book fans. My dad and I went to the movies to every comic book movie that was made for several years prior to his passing. I am a Marvel Comics fans but it did not matter if it was a Marvel, DC or Independent comic book movie we always watched the movie on the big screen. Since he has passed, I have only been able to bring myself to go watch a movie on the big screen once and that was for the movie Avengers at the dollar theater in St Louis. I know it is silly but it just wasn’t the same and I had not been there since.
With the new Superman getting a ton of hype and Father’s day here, a part of me just wanted to stay home instead of even going to wrestling. The days passed, and the weekend was here, the excitement of seeing so many of my friends, wrestlers and fans, enticed me to move forward to live and make my way to St Louis. Add on the fact that so many of my friends were excited about the movie, Dubray and I talked about checking out the movie Saturday afternoon , but decided on spending time with our friends instead.
I was blessed to have my father in my life for 38 years, he wasnt perfect, or rich and we went to war at times but I could not of asked for a better dad in my life.
That leads me to SICW in East Carondelet, Illinois last night. A packed crowd was filling into the Community Center for the huge card that was main evented by the Classic Wrestling Championship match between Champion Ricky Cruz and former champ Ron Powers. Since the feud has heated up so much SICW promoter Herb Simmons had to enlist the services of a referee that was capable of maintaining order, and that responsibility would be on the shoulders of the first ever CWC title holder Danny Boy Hawkins.
With time passing by so fast, I needed to get my camera ready for action. Looking for a place to sit to put my flash on, I asked a fan if he would mind if I sat next to him for a second to do so. He was kind enough to say yes, and we shared some small talk. I asked him what match brought him out tonight and he proudly answered with a smile that he was the father of one of the wrestlers.Ernie Richardson went on to tell me that he son was Midwest Powerhouse Adam Raw, and that he unfortunately is unable to watch his son in action most of the time because he is on the road for his job, but was very happy to be there that night.
We shared some more pleasantries, and I told him it was nice meeting him and went to work. Midway in through the matches I was listening to the crowd pop for their heroes loudly and boo the villains when I noticed that there was a ton of different families in the building. It dawned on me, how great it would be to honor the fathers in the building with a special post for MWR by having them taking a photo with their kids.
Ernie Richardson with his son pro wrestler Adam Raw
So that conversation with Raw’s dad is the inspiration for this post. I am going to share with you two extra pictures that I have, that were not of that night but of the weekend. One is of Daryl and Kyle Valle; I consider both of the guys’ great friends before I even knew that were father and son. I believe years had passed before I found out on Facebook (Oh the wonders of Facebook) They have been much more than supporters of MWR; we have shared some great moments and conversations together through the years. They remind me so much of my dad and I, so I love photographing them every time I see them. That is how I do have a photo from the Dynamo Show of a dad and his son.
The second bonus photo is of wrestling promoter TNT Keny G. There is never a dull moment with TNT Keny G, and he has been a dear friend for many years now. He has a big heart and has open up his house to us when we come to STL, which allows us to afford double shots when we can. This was one of those weekends that it really helped us cover shows to the best of our ability for the site. TNT Keny G has worked with legends, champions and superstars but there is nothing that he is more proud of than his children. A father of three sons, Samuel, Dustin and Keny as well as three daughters Santana and Savannah.
For the wrestlers and fans that took part of this feature in a moments notice thank you so much, as it makes me feel good to meet you at the shows around the Midwest. If I miss you I apologize,as it was truly a spur of the moment project.Next year for Mothers and Father’s day I may ask for you the fans and wrestlers to send in photos of your Dad/Mom.
Thanks for checking out MWR today, and be sure to tell your loved ones how truly you care about them just not on that special day but every day.
Enjoy and I will see you at the shows.
Your friend
Brian Kelley
TNT Keny G with his sons.
Daryl and Kyle Valle
SICW Commisioner Keith Smith with his daughter Amanda
Ballistic Brent Myers with his father Promoter Bob Brooks
Referee Jimmy “Big Time” Harris poses with his son and grandson
The 2013 MWR Lifetime Achievement recipient and SICW promoter Herb Simmons poses with his son.
We are told that this is the Big Texans dad and his own son, but we are unable to confirm this or if the Big Texan made them pose for the photo so he could be a part of this feature. Yet, we are not going to argue with the SICW monster.
Wrestling star Bobby D and maybe the first photos of the generation of D’s
Dan Walsh is one of the very best in the game today. Taking beatings from powerhouses like Kevin X at Dynamo Pro forced the young star to step up his game. (Photo Credit Amanda Blasé)
Kevin X(aka Kevin Sharp) has been a staple of the St. Louis wrestling scene for over a decade, dating back to the days of Midwest Renegade Wrestling(MRW).
He entered Gateway Championship Wrestling(GCW) in 2000 with his eye on the Heavyweight Title held by Pete Madden, but he was double-crossed by Big Bad Ben after Ben won the championship. The two fought for months until Sharp finally captured the title in a no-DQ match in the spring of 2001.
Kevin held the title for most of the calendar year, defending against tough challengers at every show…in the end, it took two tough opponents to end his title reign. On a night when he was scheduled to defend against Jack Adonis, Nikki Strychnine inserted himself into the situation and the match became a triple threat encounter. The numbers caught up to him and Strychnine ended his title reign…leaving Sharp incredibly bitter about the circumstances of the title loss.
Kevin underwent an attitude change in the ensuing years, transitioning from the self-absorbed “Pretty Boy” into a gangster mentality. Changing his name to Kevin X, he formed “Thug Inc.” with Shawn Almighty and D’Mon G to run roughshod over the GCW roster. He would be a mainstay in the championship picture of just about every promotion in the Midwest!
MWR honored Harley Race’s student Brian Breaker with the 2011 MWR Future Star Award but Kevin X could care less what we think of the future of this rising star. Here he delivers a crushing blow to Breaker. (Photo Stephen Jones )
Kevin X fought Adam Raw for the LWA Title at one point and also held the MMWA-SICW Heavyweight Championship, continuing a long-standing feud with veteran Gary Jackson.
Gary Jackson and Kevin X has been to war many times over the years. Here at East Carondelet for SICW, the action spills outside the ring. (Photo Credit Amanda Blasé)
In recent years, Kevin has competed for Dynamo Pro Wrestling as well as Gateway Championship Wrestlingin the Kansas City area.
Metro Pro Fans and Pete Madden knows full well how dominating Kevin X can be (Photo Bill Smith)
Wrestling fans in the St. Louis area wish Kevin X the best of luck in the future…one could say that his career was “just too pretty!”
Missouri Wrestling Revival 