This is a must attend event if you are a professional WRESTLING fan, 60th year anniversary of WRESTLING at the chase along with memories of two great individuals, Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik.
For information and to reserve seats call 618-286-4848.
Plus at noon that day a WRESTLING seminar.
Ronnie Garvin former NWA Champion Cowboy Bob Orton Killer Tim Brooks.
These 3 legends will evaluate your skills to see if you have what it takes to be a professional wrestler. In order to attend you must call NOW to sign up 618-286-4848
At 4pm a MEET AND GREET
The three WRESTLING legends plus the widows of Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik, Barbara Goodish and Pat Matysik will be signing autographs.
This will be the only time you will be able to meet all of them that day. One paid ticket allows you in the MEET AND GREET and the WRESTLING show that night.
The SICW schedule of 2019 begins January 19th in East Carondelet Illinois, and then January 26th in Cahokia Illinois at the Holy family Gymnasium for a HUGH fundraiser with WWE Legend “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
Then as we move towards May 25th, we will be celebrating the 60th year anniversary of “Wresting at the Chase”, along with the “Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik Memorial“. Already signed to join The widow of Bruiser Brody, Barbara Goodish, is “The Hands of Stone Ronnie Garvin. Former NWA champion Ronnie Garvin will be on hand to talk about his career and traveling with Brody. There will be more about the extravaganza event on the weeks to come. Make you plans now to join SICW throughout 2019 as they continue to show way they were voted the number 1 promotion by the Hart Beat Radio Listeners.
It’s with heavy heart this morning that I come to each of you and give you the news that my good friend Larry Matysik has lost the battle. As many know his health has been declining over the past several year. I ask that you keep his wife Pat and Daughter Kelly in your thoughts and prayers as the next few days will be hard for them. I will continue to update you on the arrangements when they are available.
It is so hard to find the words to express my gratitude and respect for the man known as Larry Matysik. I will not lie, I did not have the privilege to grow up listening to Matysik call the Wrestling at the Chase matches as the part in Missouri I grew up I never got any of the Chase programing, I remember the first time that I met him like it was yesterday, he was a special guest of TNT Keny G’s High Risk Wrestling in Granite City. He was only there to meet the fans and during that evening he smiled, shook hands, signed autographs and took pictures with every fan and wrestler that asked. I would be around him for over 100 times in the past 10 years and let me tell you, I never once seen him be disrespectful to anybody.
There is no doubt that Larry Matysik is highly underrated in the wrestling world as one of the All –Time Greats . He worked with NWA President and Wrestling at the Chase Promoter Sam Muchnick as well as WWE Promoter Vince McMahon. He is the author of four books every wrestling fan should own, Wrestling at the Chase: The inside Story of Sam Muchnick, 50 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-time, Drawing Heat the Hard Way and Brody The Triumph and Tragedy with his widow, Barbara Goodish. The past several years he has been very instrumental in Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling (SICW) , one of the most successful independent promotions in the country.
I could go on and on but I would like to hammer home the type of person he was. Thanks to my friendship with Promoter Herb Simmons I would become personal friends with the man I will now refer as Larry. My fiancée Dubray Tallman always looked forward to getting a hug, a kiss and photo with him when she attended an event. He was always supportive of Missouri Wrestling Revival, offering up his advice on writing and sharing his views and history on wrestling. When I asked him to please write in my yearbook, he did not hesitate to do so. Back in the day he would send me booking sheets for SICW to help us keep up with the shows and often gave reasons of why the matches were happening. The conversations were so educational each and every time. I remember receiving a call from Larry when my father died with him sending his condolences as well as him asking several times afterwards how I was doing.
We presented Larry with the 2010 Missouri Wrestling Revival Lifetime Award, an obvious choice.
We were so thankful to have Larry in our first series of the MWR Trading card set and with Herb’s blessing we had Larry Matysik day at SICW on July 16th in 2013. Personally, I only have a few regrets in my short time working in wrestling but I wished I would have done commentary with Larry on a match, an honor one of my best friends and the voice of SICW wrestling Drew Abbenhaus enjoyed many times. It was a relief to be around a legend that was not bitter towards the sport of wrestling or the fans. Was he a fan of today’s wrestling? I can’t say that, but I can say that he always appreciated every wrestling fan young and old. He took time to work with aspiring wrestlers looking to become better. He gave to all that he came in contact with.
Today the wrestling world lost one of the good guys. He was a legendary Announcer, a great writer and so much more.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Larry’s family and friends.
Thank you Larry for the memories, we loved you.
I will leave you on a positive note of a short video we did at SICW years ago with Larry, my fiancée Dubray and Herb Simmons wishing the fans a Merry Christmas.
Is it WRESTLING or RASSLIN, that is the question that has been asked for many years, and it depends on who you are talking with. Years back they pronounced it RASSLIN, in the good old days of “Good Versus evil” as time went on it became Wrestling. Today after forty one years of that debate, I call it fun. Yes and this past April of 2016 that is just what we did at SICW All-star WRESTLING. I had the honor of being invited back to Las Vegas to the CAC where all the greats of the WRESTLING business attended, among the talented upcoming workers to the legends that are still with us. Legends like Paul Orndorff, Sgt Slaughter, Ricky Steamboat, JR Ross, Mean Gene Okerlund, Howard Fnkle, The Killer Bee’s, Ken Patera and a host of others. My main reason for returning this year was spend time with my friend, one of the greatest of all times, Terry Funk. Terry and I was in Vegas last year along with Stan the Lariat Hansen and Barbara Goodish the widow of the late Bruiser Brody.
I wanted to make sure this year that I met up with Terry because the following weekend he was coming to SICW All-Star WRESTLING in East Carondelet to make an appearance. The main attraction that weekend was the “Terry Funk Title Tournament”. It was to be several matches to see who became the number one contender for the SICW Classic Championship that was currently held by Flash Flanagan. I wanted to make sure Terry remembered he was going to be a big part of the double weekend shot, you see not only was he and another Legend, Cowboy Bob Orton appearing in East Carondelet Illinois, the next day they were traveling for SICW to Cape Girardeau Missouri for not only a WRESTLING show, but during the day a Comic Con.
Well just as it was back in the days of RASSLIN, you always expect the worst and hope for the best. My lovely wife Mickey and I returned home on that Thursday and immediately began the final steps of preparing for the first ever SICW Friday Night Event. That’s right, in all the forty plus years I never remember doing a Friday night, yes it was scary. You may ask then why, well as I stated above, my friend Ken Murphy from the Cape had his annual Comic Con scheduled and he wanted Funk and Orton along with Ron Powers, Kahagas the Tokyo Monster, and Earl and Dave Hebner from the WWE referee era to participate.
So I arranged to move our monthly Saturday night event to a Friday to help accommodate the Cape show. And as you can figure we were all ready for the Friday night action, Terry Funk, Cowboy Bob Orton, Larry Matysik and all the SICW stars were ready, the capacity crowd was fired up, we were ready for some good old WRESTLING or RASSLIN.
Shortly before the sound of the first bell one of those wrenches got thrown in to the game plan, our Champion Flash Flanagan, who I knew was having shoulder issues informs us that it’s not only one should that needs repaired but both of them. Being the true professional that he is, he wanted to go out and compete to help give the fans the best show possible. After a long discussion with Larry Matysik, Terry Funk Bob Orton , it was determined that it wasn’t in the best interest for Flash to wrestle that night.
So, as during the history of this crazy business we call WRESTLING or RASSLIN, we went to a plan B, yes Plan B that in a matter of a few minutes it was determined that instead of naming the winner of the “Terry Funk Title Tournament” the number one contender, the winner would become the SICW All-Star Champion. Simple right, you got it, the event went on and the action was great as always. The new champion was named, Ron Powers recaptured the gold and the celebration with him, Terry Funk and Cowboy Bob Orton took place in the ring.
Look for a recap of the exciting night of wrestling soon at this very website
After being jet lagged from the trip from Vegas and making sure Terry got in town on time, the night was long and I must say my wife and I was a little tired. We ended taking Terry to the hotel. We dropped him off at midnight and told him we would pick him up at 7am, what another true professional, no complaints at all. We arrived home around 12:45 am. As always after a show I need to unwind, I laid down around 4am.
As the sun came up I knew it was going to be a long day. Even though I was looking forward to my two and half hour drive with Terry Funk, it was still stressful, new territory, hadn’t ran a show in Missouri for many years. We arrived shortly to find Terry Funk standing outside the hotel waiting on us. As the true veteran he is, he was bright eyed and bushy tailed. I must say there isn’t anything more rewarding than to spend a couple of hours in a car with such a legend as Terry Funk. We talked about everyone and everything pertaining to the WRESTLING or RASSSLIN business. The stories that man has could have kept me entertained for hours. I thought that with him flying in late, then being at the show all evening and getting in to the hotel late that he may fall asleep on the drive to Cape, boy did he fool me. The only smart one was my wife, she curled up in the back seat and took advantage of my driving.
Terry talked about how the business was back in the day, how guys he helped get into the business, like our late friend Bruiser Brody. He talked about how it was in Japan and how guys back then respected the business. I must admit, the guy has a memory, he talked about the show in the high school gym we did years ago when Greg Valentine, Orton, Spike Huber and Chris Adams who were are working with us. He talked about the first time Brody told him about our small independent promotion. He stated the name of Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons is known way beyond the St. Louis area, I must admit I wasn’t surprised about Larry, but me, big old Herb Simmons that had just been fortunate to be in the right place and the right time and have a friend like Larry to introduce me to Sam Munchnick, Brody, Murdoch, Valentine, Dory, Dibiase, Ox Baker, Jerry Blackwell, Dick The Bruiser, Bulldog Bob Brown, Harley Race and man the list could go on for a long time. It has been a real treat to be able to say I have done what only some other have dreamed of. I truly owe a lot to not only Larry, but to my wife who allowed me the time to live this dream.
The Walking Dead Actor was excited to come see Terry Funk after meeting his fans at the Comic Con earlier that day.
After spending the day in Cape Girardeau with Ken Murphy and standing for hours while Terry and Bob signed pictures, I must say the day seemed like it was never going to get over. There were hundred’s of fans that wanted to get a picture and talk with the WRESTLING or RASSLIN legends. They began signing a little after 9:30 and only for about an hour from 3-4pm when they did a Q&A, did they take a break from meeting and talking with the fans. Around 4:30 we went to lunch, Terry, Orton, Kahagas, Ron Powers, my wife and I. Again sitting with that crew was another experience, they had all worked together and they all had the stories. Around 5:30pm we headed to the AC Brase Arena, the building that was home to the ICW, operated by Angelo Poffo, Randy Savage and other legends from back in the day. It was a beautiful building and upon our arrival fans were already standing in line, see Terry and Orton and the boys were scheduled to do another Meet & Greet. So not only was I scheduling that, I had to get the card ready for the night. My right hand man, Dr. Drew, SICW ring announcer and Television Play by Play guy was a life saver. He jumped in and help get it lined up. Between him, Ron Powers and Gary Jackson the show went off great. The crowd was in to all the action and our friend Ken Murphy was pleased.
I lucked out that after we got the ring down my good friend Gary Jackson decided he would stay in town and take Terry Funk to the airport early in the morning. It was midnight when we left Cape, so it was good for me and the wife not to worry about getting back down there to get him to the airport. My wife repaid the favor for me driving down, she drove home. It was a great weekend both in East Carondelet where the best WRESTLING or RASSLIN fans are, and then to meet new fans in Cape was just as good. The talent worked hard both nights and without them and great fans there is no show.
So I hope this painted the picture of two shows in April, back to back with two Legends, Funk and Orton, and all the other great SICW Stars, oh, and did I mention, the next morning we started on working on the third show for April that was scheduled for the last Saturday in April in Millstadt Illinois, my point is in this business its run run run, and fun fun fun. Until next time we meet at the matches take care and be sure to support independent wrestling and also Check out MRW (Missouri Wrestling Revival) for all the greatest information on WRESTLING or RASSLIN.
Stan Hansen, Ron Powers, Herb Simmons and Barbara Goodish
Tim and Jennifer meet Cowboy Bob Orton.
The fans love the 2014 MWR Wrestler of the Year Ricky Cruz ( top middle) and the Prince of SICW, Keith Smith Jr. (top left)
Cowboy Bob Orton was one of the top wrestlers of his day. Here he is seen watching one of his classic matches at the Wrestling at the Chase in between meeting the fans.
Fans were thrilled to pick up some rare wrestling memorabilia from AWA Ring announcer Mick Karch.
Brothers on Whatever host Nathan shows his love of Brody along with Big Daddy and Ron Powers.
These young girls were all smiles at SICW.
A great opportunity to meet the legends and get there autographs for the past few years has been SICW.
Stan Hansen loved to meet his fans young and old.
A great photo of a father and son along with Mick Karch… This young man wearing the the Andre shirt is so awesome.
The 2013 MWR Wrestler of the Year Jake Dirden made sure to get there early to pick the brain of the legend Stan Hansen for over twenty minutes.
Larry Matysik is one of the greatest wrestling minds today, unfortunately he was unable to be there, but behind every great man is a great women, for Larry it is his lovely wife Pat.
Justin Berry rocks the Rob Schamberger Brody shirt while meeting his lovely wife Barbara Goodish.
A standing-room-only audience packed the East Carondelet Community Center for Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling’s biggest show of the year. Fans flooded the building to honor the memories of both the anniversary of “Wrestling At The Chase” and the late King Kong “Bruiser” Brody.
The special guests were out in force. Along with Director Of Affairs Cowboy Bob Orton, the visitors in the house included Brody’s widow Barbara Goodish, Brody’s former tag partner Stan “The Lariat” Hansen, Larry Matysik’s wife Pat, and former AWA announcer Mick Karch. Promoter Herb Simmons acknowledged his guests at the top of the show before ring announcer Drew Abbenhaus kicked off the action.
In the opener, “Dirdey” Jake Dirden joined forces with Bobby D and “Dead Sexy” Daniel Gunner to take on the trio of Brandon Espinosa, “Volatile” Curtis Wylde, and Bubba Troll.
“Volatile” Curtis Wylde was in the house.
As always, Wylde was accompanied by his “Number-One Ginja” Wyldefyre.
It was a chaotic bout, as one would expect with so much humanity in one ring…as everyone brawled, Wyldefyre accidentally tripped her own man and that led to Bobby D finishing off Wylde with a Pedigree.
Two tough guys did battle as Big Jim Hoffarth locked horns with Ax. The two had crossed paths a few times in recent months without a decisive conclusion and were looking to settle the score on this meaningful night.
Big Jim with the body slam on Ax.
The battle spilled to the floor in the early minutes and Hoffarth went for a clothesline, but struck the ringpost when Ax moved out of the way. Ax pounced on the injury and targeted the bad limb with no mercy…Big Jim attempted to fight back, but had trouble defending himself and the referee finally stopped the bout out of concern for Hoffarth’s physical well-being. Ax was the winner…but Hoffarth still wanted a piece of his rival.
Chaz Wesson made quick work of Waco.
“The Old School Warrior” Chaz Wesson was out to make a statement and he did so at the expense of the masked man Waco.
Wesson unleashed a flurry of offense from the opening bell, pinning Waco in about a minute with a cross-bodyblock off the top rope…proving himself worthy of being in the thick of the Classic Wrestling Championship picture.
The Great One Gary Jackso.
“Night Train” Gary Jackson(w/ Big Daddy) had a literally huge task ahead of him in the form of the 300-plus-pound Barackus.
Jackson was attempting to rebound from his April loss of the Classic Title to Flash Flanagan, but he had trouble dealing with the size disadvantage. Barackus crushed the veteran with a huge Samoan Drop, but experience was the deciding factor as Barackus took his time on the pin attempt.
That allowed Gary to crucifix his shoulders to the mat for the pinfall, using the big man’s own size against him.
Herb Simmons interviewed Stan Hansen and Barbara Goodish about the night’s main event: The Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal. As noted, the bout held special significance for them due to their respective connections to its namesake…many contenders would be in the ring to earn that trophy, but only one could walk away with it.
Midwest newcomer Paloma Starr went one-on-one with “The Queen Of Chaos” Lucy Mendez…the two had a wild fight in a mixed tag the previous month, but this time there would be no tag team partners to hold them back.
Paloma Starr has the 2014 MWR Female Wrestler of the Year Lucy Mendez in deep trouble.
Starr had the power advantage, but Lucy’s experience would play a pivotal role in this one. She managed to outmaneuver Paloma and deliver a hanging DDT for the victory, continuing her run of success in the St. Louis area.
Two men at career crossroads faced each other as Keith Smith Jr. collided with “Ironman” Ken Kasa (accompanied by Travis Cook). Kasa was hoping to get back on track toward the Classic Wrestling Championship while the upstart Smith had his sights set on his first one-on-one victory.
Kasa established his early dominance with his signature shotgun dropkick right after the opening bell…he could have ended the match at that point, but chose to dish out more punishment. Chaz Wesson came out to root for his protege and that drew the ire of Travis Cook…however, the manager accidentally distracted his own charge and Keith Jr. was able to fire back with a football-style leg dive.
With Kasa down on the mat, Smith hooked his father’s signature figure-four leglock and Kasa was forced to tap out!
After the match, things broke down between Kasa and Cook…Kasa was able to leave the ring without his manager, but caught him in the act of attempting a cheapshot with a chain around his fist. Kasa cornered Cook and prepared to lower the boom, but his stablemate Chris Hargas clipped his injured knee from behind. Hargas and Cook dished out a two-on-one beatdown on the wounded competitor, essentially downsizing Ken Kasa from the Travis Cook Organization.
The end of an era as Travis Cook turns on the former SICW Champion Ken Kasa.
Travis Cook had a full evening as Hargas teamed with the Mongolian madman Attila Khan against the unlikely duo of Ricky Cruz and Ron Powers. The longtime rivals had common enemies and worked surprisingly well against Cook’s team, but underhanded tactics made the difference in this match.
The match was chaotic and wild as SICW ring announcer Abbenhaus runs for his life as the action was everywhere.
As the referee’s attention was diverted, Khan stunned Cruz with a low blow before jabbing him in the throat with a foreign object passed into the ring by Travis Cook. After that, Khan scored the tainted pinfall on the former Classic Wrestling Champion.
The Classic Wrestling Championship was at stake as two-time titleholder Flash Flanagan defended against “The Man Of Tomorrow” Daniel Eads. Eads had received MWR’s “Future Star Award” and hoped to carry that momentum into a big victory, but Flash’s years of experience were too much to overcome.
Daniel Eads is one of the 2014 MWR Future Stars of the Year, but Flanagan is one of the baddest men in the country. Eads put up a fight but the wily veteran once again was a step ahead to keep the title.
A missed move caused Eads to land painfully on the second turnbuckle and Flanagan followed up with a double-stomp from the top rope as Eads was hung up on the ropes; that allowed the champion to retain his title.
This young fan was rooting for Ricky Cruz or Ron Powers to win the battle Royal.
The ring filled with powerhouses at the end of the night, all competing for the honor of being the first holder of the Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal trophy.
In the midst of all the battles, Travis Cook pulled down the top rope and caused Ron Powers to tumble out of the ring. He seemed to be eliminated at that point, but Cowboy Bob Orton would allow him to re-enter the fray. The match came down to Hargas, Khan, Cruz, and Powers…Cruz eliminated Khan only to be pulled to the floor himself. Hargas charged at Powers, but Ron pulled down the top rope and Hargas fell out of the ring…leaving the former Brody protege as the winner of the battle royal!
After Barbara Goodish presented Powers with the trophy, Herb Simmons congratulated him on his win…but he had a bit of news regarding the June show. Travis Cook had been badgering him to settle the Red River Jack controversy and Herb finally had a solution: On June 20th, Ron Powers would face two members of the Travis Cook Organization…and Powers’ tag team partner would be Red River Jack. The news seemed to catch Powers off guard, but he promised that he and R.R.J. would come out on top.
On a night set up to celebrate Wrestling At The Chase and Bruiser Brody, the action in the ring told its own story and set the stage for a tumultuous summer in Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling!
It is a pleasure today to be joined with “The Voice of Minnesota wrestling” Mick Karch for this edition of Missouri Wrestling Revival’s One on One. MWR fans will have a special oppurtunity to get to meet Karch in East Carondelet, Illinois on May 16th during the SICW “Bruiser Brody Memorial” event that will also include the afternoon “Meet and Greet” with several Wrestling Legends including Brody’s lovely widow Barbara Goodish, former American Wrestling Association (AWA)Champion Stan Hansen, Wrestling at the Chase announcer Larry Matysik, Wrestling superstar “Cowboy” Bob Orton, the first ever WWE (Then known as the WWF) female ring announcer Mike McGuirk starting at 3:30pm that will conclude with a memorable night of action featuring the stars of SICW.
Please note: All photos courtesy of Mick Karch.
With Terry Taylor and Missy Hyatt, my broadcast colleagues in the American Wrestling Federation Warriors of Wrestling.
Brian: Mick, thank you so much for taking the time to be with us at MWR today.
Mick: Brian, it’s my pleasure. You do a terrific job.
Brian: Today’s wrestling fans have many opportunities to discover wrestling through the WWE on the USA Network, TNA on Destination America, Ring of Honor on Sinclair as well as various outlets on the internet including Youtube and promotions own websites. Yet, as a man that started his career in the 70’s, I have to ask what was your first exposure to the sport as a fan and who was it that created that spark for the love of pro wrestling?
Mick: I did behind the scenes print publicity for the AWA from 1973-1986. In 1987, I was hired on as their ring announcer and occasional color guy for their ESPN tapings at the Showboat in Las Vegas. It is so ironic to have eventually worked for them, because my hero as a child was Verne Gagne. I was flipping through the TV channels at the age of nine, and I saw big Tiny Mills, a 6’3″, 275 pound lumberjack, pushing around the TV announcer, Marty O’Neill. Marty was all of about 5’6″. Tiny was ranting and raving about wanting a match with Verne Gagne.
I saw my first live event May 17, 1960, in Minneapolis, and Verne was in the main event, teaming with football and wrestling star Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb to face Mills and Stan “Krusher” Kowalski. I was hooked on wrestling for life.
Brian: You entered the business during a time that it was hard to break in due to the laws of Kayfabe being enforced. At what point did you realize that the matches were predetermined and how were the doors open for you to be included among the circle of people that were involved in the sport?
Mick: Like any kid from that era, I refused to listen to my parents and siblings, who told me that wrestling wasn’t on the “up-and-up.” Of course, I refused to believe it—for a while. As time went on, I began to pick out certain things that didn’t seem quite right. When I ventured down to the Dyckman Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, which housed the Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club (AWA) a few years later and saw Reggie Parks and Moose Cholak standing by the elevators, laughing and joking, the light bulb went off. Parks and Cholak were in the midst of a “feud” at the time. Now it all made sense.
You are so correct that this was the “kayfabe” era, and the wrestling business was protected to the hilt. No one was automatically allowed even remotely close to the inner circle. I literally hung around the TV tapings and the arena matches for years before I was semi-trusted. That is certainly a far cry from today’s scenario, when it seems just about anyone can finagle their way into a locker room or back stage.
Brian: Before we go any further with the AWA we have to mention the great Verne Gagne. Last month on April 27th , Gagne passed away at the age of 89, but his contribution to the sport of wrestling as a Champion, promoter and trainer defined an era of wrestling that continues to this day. What were your memories of Verne Gagne and out of those three different aspects of wrestling do you feel was his biggest accomplishment?
Former AWA World Champ Verne Gagne by the Artist of Champions Rob Schamberger
Mick: As it relates to Verne Gagne, I don’t think his impact and imprint on the business can be overstated. His influence was monumental, going back to the mid-1950’s when he was really the first national “babyface” wrestler on the old Dumont Network. Televised pro wrestling was an absolute mainstay back then, and Verne was its original big star. As the years went on, his star shone brighter and brighter. He was the epitome of a champion: good looks, tremendous conditioning, smart, articulate, and always the ultimate professional. As a promoter, he had a keen eye for talent and he ruled with an iron fist. Verne was first and foremost a WRESTLER, and you damn well better know how to wrestle if you worked for him. The AWA had its share of off the wall characters, too, but nothing like the circus “sports entertainment” that the WWF/WWE foisted on the world.
As a trainer, there were none better than Verne. Look at the roster of guys he turned out: Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Sgt. Slaughter, Greg Gagne, Jim Brunzell, Scott Irwin, Bob Backlund, Khosrow Vaziri, on and on. Amazing.
Brian: The AWA was filled with several larger than life characters throughout the years that thrilled fans with exciting action in the ring and memorable interviews that drew huge crowds night after night. Men such as a Nick Bockwinkel , Mad Dog Vachon, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Dick the Bruiser, Larry Hennig and Baron Von Raschke just to name a few. Who were your favorites to work with personally and can you share a story with the MWR fans of one of those stars?
With Nick Bockwnkel, 1982.
Mick: My favorite wrestlers over the years tend to be the “heels.” My all time favorite, bar none, is Nick Bockwinkel. I honestly believe that he was the standard bearer for the wrestling business in the 1970’s and early 80’s. I was also a huge fan of the late Dr. Bill Miller, Dick (Dr.X/Destroyer) Beyer,Stan “Krusher” Kowalski, and Bobby Heenan. The stories about these guys could fill a book, but I’ll share one kind of bizarre and scary one.
Dr. Bill Miller wrestled in the AWA under a mask as “The Mysterious Mr. M.” He won the AWA title from Verne in January 1962. In August of that same year, Verne won the title back in Minneapolis. The end of the match saw Verne twist the mask so Miller couldn’t see, then he dropkicked and pinned him. The stipulation was if Miller lost, he would unmask, which he did right after the match. On his way back to the locker room, a crazed fan leaned over the railing of the balcony and viciously hit Miller over the head with a 2 x 6 board with a 1/8″ steel spike on the end. A nearly unconscious Miller was assisted back to the locker room.
Some 12 years later, Miller returned for a short stint in the AWA and I spoke with him at the TV tapings. We discussed the incident, which Miller said he remembered like it was yesterday. He explained that when he went back to the locker room and was regaining his senses, he could actually put his pinky finger into the top of his head a feel his brain! Miller was a veterinarian and he knew how serious it was. He showed me the scars which were still clearly visible. The perpetrator, by the way, was never caught.
“The World’s Most Scientific Wrestler” Wilbur Snyder teams with “The Man With The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez, to go against the feared master of the heart punch Ox Baker and Dr. Big Bill Miller. This is the first of a two fall battle.
Editors note: SICW fans were fortunate enough to meet OX Baker in 2014 at the East Carondelet Community Center , before he passed away months later.
Brian: Here at Missouri Wrestling Revival, we work with many ring announcers throughout the MWR coverage area. What would be your advice to someone that is looking to become the best ring announcer that they can be?
With AWA/WWF announcer Ken Resnick, 2015
Mick: To aspiring ring announcers, here’s a few tips. Take a deep breath and relax. The audience will pick up on it right away if you are nervous. Do your homework. Make sure you are clear on all the weights, hometowns, and match stipulations. Most importantly, don’t be too overbearing. Deliver your intro forcefully and clearly, but don’t try to be flamboyant and outshine the wrestlers. Remember, it’s about them, not you.
Brian: On December 29th, 1985 Stan Hansen defeated Rick Martel to become the AWA World Champion? Hansen was also a Mega Star in Japan with his good friend and partner Bruiser Brody who is set to be honored next week at SICW with the Bruiser Brody memorial event in East Carondelet Illinois. As a fan that Grew up in the 80’s, Hansen’s version of the clothesline, the Lariat was a feared move that every wrestling fan “knew” had broken WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino’s neck in the 70’s. I don’t remember a match that involved Hansen that the commentator put over the fact that he could win the match with the lariat if he was able to land the move. Who and what were some of your favorite finishers to call during a match while you did color commentary?
Mick: My favorite finishing maneuvers to call play by play on? Wow, that’s a tough one. I would say Bruiser Brody’s boot to the face and flying knee drop, Greg Gagne’s sleeper hold, Jerry Blackwell’s big splash, and Mad Dog Vachon’s piledriver rank right up there. It’s sad how the business has changed and the finishers I’ve mentioned are just another move in the matches these days, and usually the opponents kick out at least once.
Brian: Fans of today can relive the AWA through the WWE DVD release WWE: The Spectacular Legacy of the American Wrestling Association. Was this a worthy look of the AWA, and what would you have liked to have seen showcased more or less on the DVD?
Mick: I thought the AWA DVD was pretty decent, especially when you consider it was a WWE release. Watching some of the old footage is particularly great to an old school fan like me. If there is anything I had a problem with it would be how much emphasis was placed on the erosion of the promotion. I guess that’s to be expected, but the AWA had 50 years of greatness before the wheels fell off the bus.
At Cauliflower Alley Club with Sir Oliver Humperdink.
Brian: Recently you and I had the pleasure of spending time in Las Vegas at the 50th Anniversary of the Cauliflower Alley Club. The event was filled with memories and moments that will last a lifetime including what I felt was one of the most entertaining acceptance speech’s of All-time when one of my heroes, Harley Race presented Hennig the “Iron” Mike Mazurki Award. The two, along with Hennigs’ wife Irene could easily take their show on the road as they delivered laughs and good times that exhibit what the CAC is all about. This is a multi-part question, how long have you been a member of the CAC, what have been your highlights of attending the reunion and why should a wrestling fan join a club that we feel so passionate about?
Mick: I have been attending the CAC reunions since 2000. There is no way to describe the feeling you get rubbing elbows with the legends of the business. I have met so many amazing people. Since I started going there, I have seen the likes of Steve Austin, Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Antonio Inoki, Pat Patterson, the Vachons, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Tex McKenzie, Kurt Angle, Sputnik Monroe, Larry Hennig, Harley Race, Lou Thesz, Bobby Heenan, The Crusher, Jim Cornette, JJ Dillon, Nick Bockwinkel, Terry Funk, The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Judy Grable, Stan Hansen, Tim Woods and Johnny Walker (“Mr. Wrestling” 1 & 2), Ox Baker, Superstar Graham, Jimmy Valiant, on and on and on. Hundreds of superstars. I would tell anyone who is truly passionate about the wrestling business, you NEED to attend at least once. You owe it to yourself. I would also say, don’t wait. Many of the people I just mentioned have passed away. You just never know.
Brian: As we prepare for an exciting weekend built around the memories of Bruiser Brody at the show of the year for SICW, what were your memories of Bruiser Brody?
With Bruiser Brody, 1987
Mick: My memories of Bruiser Brody. God, so many. I was a fan of his long before I ever saw him wrestle in person. Watching him on various syndicated wrestling programs and reading about him in the magazines, I always looked forward to seeing him. When he first arrived in the AWA area, it was incredible. His aura, his mystique, his sheer presence. I don’t know if I have ever seen a feud to match the one he had with Jerry Blackwell. In 1986, I had the tremendous honor of doing two television interviews with him at a show in Winnipeg, Canada. Bruiser main evented against the guy I know many fans in this area are very familiar with, “Bulldog” Bob Brown. Their match was a war and spilled out into the crowd. Even though I had been announcing for a couple years at that point, Brody was my first “big time” interview, and needless to say I was initially scared to death. But he spoke with me beforehand, laid down a few guidelines, and the promos went perfectly. When he thanked me for a job well done, I felt as if I had truly arrived as an announcer in the wrestling business. I will never forget that.
Brian: Since AWA has closed doors you have stayed active in the world of pro wrestling. Please tell the fans what you have been up?
Mick: During the time frame that the AWA was shutting down, I left there and became host of a four-hour wrestling block in the Twin Cities called “Saturday Night at Ringside.” Joe Pedicino and Paul Heyman were instrumental in getting me the job. Besides carrying NWA Worldwide, World Class, Pro Wrestling This Week, and Windy City Wrestling, I incorporated localized tie-ins for independent wrestling shows, brought in both local and national wrestlers, created angles and storylines, did trivia contests, answered viewer questions, and had fans appear as a “Ringsider of the Week.” In fact, the famous lady wrestler “ODB” was a “Ringsider” on my program at the age of 8 !!
On the set of “Saturday Night at Ringside,” with Stan Kowalski, Baron Von Raschke, Larry Hennig, Al DeRusha, Wally Karbo and Mad Dog Vachon (1990.)
I have worked for the American Wrestling Federation “Warriors of Wrestling” under the direction of Sgt. Slaughter and Tito Santana; I have done television for literally dozens of independent promotions in the United States, Canada, and Australia. For the past 17 years, I have been lead booker and TV host for Ed Hellier’s Steel Domain Wrestling, based out of Minnesota.
Hosting Steel Domain’s “Championship Wrestling from the Twin Cities” program with promoter Ed Hellier, 2015.
In the early days, SDW had future world champions C.M. Punk, Adam Pearce, Colt Cabana, Ken Anderson, Shawn Daivari, and Austin Aries on the roster AT THE SAME TIME!!!
Brian: Mick, thank you so much for taking the time with Missouri Wrestling Revival and we look forward to seeing you at SICW’s Bruiser Brody memorial event that starts with the 3:30 Q and A. Do you have anything that you would like to mention as we end this interview and prepare for such an exciting weekend?
Mick: I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to you for the opportunity to share part of my story, and to Herb Simmons and Larry Matysik for inviting this old AWA guy to such a wonderful event!!
SICW- Now taking pre- orders for this Limited Collector’s Edition Bruiser Brody Memorial book. Get yours now and be ready to have is autographed on Saturday May 16th by Barbara Goodish, Stan the Lariat Hansen, Mick Karch and Larry Matysik as we celebrate the 56th years of memories of Wrestling at the Chase and the Bruiser Brody Memorial. Call now to place your order all Major Credit cards now accepted 618-286-4848
Plus April 18th Cowboy Bob Orton
SICW– WWE legend and the New Director of Affairs for SICW “Cowboy” Bob Orton will be the Special Guest when SICW arrives in Millstadt Illinois at the St. James Parish Center on Saturday April 18th at 8pm. Orton joins all the other SICW stars such as “Red River Jack” and Big Daddy, also “The Canadian Hero Sean Vincent. Tickets are on at the Millstadt Village Hall.
April 25th. The 2014 MWR Female Wrestler of the Year, Lucy Mendez vs Paloma Starr plus the Midgets.
SICW- Saturday April 25th “The Midgets” return to the SICW ring in East Carondelet Illinois at the community center. Also the Ladies of Wrestling will be in action, see Lucy Mendez and Paloma Starr in action along with all the other SICW wrestlers. This one is filling up fast so order your tickets now. Credit cards now accepted call 618-286-4848
Missouri Wrestling Revival is excited to work with another great artist to honor the wrestlers of the past, today and future. For the very first time here on the MWR site we have artwork by Way Outta Line Caricatures from Jaime Baker. It is hard pressed to find a true wrestling fan that does not love Bruiser Brody and Bakers’ Brody promises to be a favorite for years to come.
It has been no secret that Brody is a personal favorite of ours, as well as many around the world. In the past we have had the privilege of having the blessings of his wife, Barbara Goodish to produce our very own MWR Trading card of Brody. That card had it all. It featured the bio of Brody, thanks to his good friend and HOF himself Larry Matysik. Matysik was the Co-author of Brodys’ book, Brody, along with Goodish, so it was perfect to have the bio come from a man who were truly friends with one of the wrestlings true rebels. We were thrilled to also have Brody artwork front and back on the card from our very good friend Rob Schamberger.
We continued to honor him in the 2013 MWR Yearbook, as Ron McCaffery III, done an awesome full page spread of Brody.
2015 continues to prove that though the years pass, wrestling fans will never forget the one and only Bruiser Brody. This April at the Cauliflower Alley Club 50TH Year Anniversary Brody’s wife Barbara will be accepting the CAC Posthumous award in Las Vegas.
For fans in the MWR Coverage area SICW Promoter Herb Simmons is working hard for a must attend event Saturday May 16th “The Bruiser Brody Memorial” which will be held in conjunction with the 56 Anniversary of the Wrestling at the Chase. Barbara will return to the St. Louis Area along with Brody’s former partner Stan Hansen.
With all that great news in 2015, I was excited to see a special caricature of Bruiser Brody thanks to the talented Jamie Baker.
Way Outta Line Caricatures by Jaime Baker
Please send any photo reference by email for a custom caricature.
11×14 Color Caricature $40 plus Shipping & Handling
11×14 Black & White Caricature $20 plus Shipping & Handling
For more information please contact me at:
Email: tygertailzz2@aol.com
Bruiser Brody is considered by many to be one of pro wrestling’s most charismatic men ever in the sport. Brody’s mystique continues to live to this day. Known as a very Independent and intelligent man who were blessed with skills and power that many only dreamed of.
Wrestling fans were able to catch an inside look at Brody through Larry Matysik’s ECW Press book named author of Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel. A great read for any wrestling fan on the career and battles that Brody had in and out of the ring with promoters and fellow wrestlers.
The book surprisingly was blessed with a true love story. In between the chapters Frank “BRODY” Goodish’s wife would tell the chain of events that would change her life forever. In the book a clear image of a man that fell in love with a girl while on tour overseas and though in the ring he was as vicious as could be. Yet, outside the ring he was a loving husband and a caring father.
We had the pleasure of working with Barbara as she gave us her blessings to have Brody be a part of the MWR Trading card set, which photo was drawn from the red hot artist Rob Schamberger. She was invited from SICW to celebrate the holidays in the Midwest with friends that Brody and her had made during his time in the ring at Wrestling at the Chase.
As we came to East Carondelet, Illinois for the night’s action we were welcomed from Promoter Herb Simmons’s wife Margaret who offered a seat next to her so we could pass out the Santa Hats for our MWR Holiday tour to the first seventy five fans that came through the door.
She had told us that she and Herb had a tiring but rewarding day as they were in East St Louis passing out toys to the children whose families were enduring tough times. I had found that to be very touching and inspirational because earlier this year the Simmons family had lost their house to a fire and instead of being bitter and non-caring to others they still found it in their hearts to continue giving.
In the back Barbara was being prepared to be interviewed by Larry Matysik and though I would have loved to have sat in and listened to their conversation we made our rounds to pass out Santa hats and to welcome the fans for a great night of wrestling.
Throughout the night Barbara was wonderful and kind to each fan and wrestler that came up for either an autograph or photo while many took the opportunity to get both. During one of the intermission ring announcer Ben Simon welcomed Barbara along with a few of the St Louis Wrestling Stars that had spent time with Brody to comment on what her husband had meant to them from a wrestling standpoint and personal level.
In the ring was several of the greats including a man that my friend Daryl Valle stated was an inspiration to him as a young fan, the manager Big Daddy, the former Classic Wrestling Champions Ron Powers and Danny Boy Hawkins who on this night had seemed to agree on a truce, Butcher Salviccio and the “Great One” Gary Jackson joined Barbara for a touching moment.
Herb took the time to introduce a fan who was such a big fan of Brody that he had a tattoo in honor of the man himself on his back.
Afterwards Barbara once again took time to meet with the fans and was genuinely excited about having her photo taken with Santa Clause, who had come in from the North Pole to meet the fans of SICW.
During a conversation with Barbara, she spoke about how much fun she had on her trip back to St. Louis. Awesome to hear because she deserved nothing less as the fans raved about her friendliness.
Though it seems like yesterday that we lost Brody to the world, the years have indeed passed by, but it is truly refreshing to see that the friends that she made in the wrestling world still care about her to this day. The Holidays is about loving and caring for each other and on this night the SICW fans, wrestlers, promoters and the Goodish family kept that dream alive as smiles were from the front of the room to the back. I can only imagine a massive man by the name of Frank “Brody” Goodish looking down proud that the sport is truly filled with genuine caring people.
In 2012 Missouri Wrestling Revival was honored to team up with our close friend and as seen on WWE.COM artist Rob Schamberger and Barbara Goodish to present the MWR trading card on wrestling legend Bruiser Brody.
Hot off SICW promoter Herb Simmons desk !!
On Saturday night December 15th the Holiday spectacular show in East Carondelet will feature a special appearance by the wife of one of the ALL-TIME greats that ever stepped in the squared circle Barbara Goodish. The wife of KING KONG Bruiser Brody will be in the house to celebrate the holiday season as SICW holds their final card of 2012!
Barbara Goodish and Larry Matysik delivered a touching story on the man, the wrestler , husband and father Bruiser Brody in the ECW Press book Brody.
Also scheduled to appear one of the all-time great managers “Big Daddy”
Big Daddy will make his appearance along with some of the former starts from the early days of SICW.
Also a 12 man Battle Royal, a pick your poison match, a tag elimination match, plus Classic Wrestling Champion Ricky Cruz and Sean Vincent battling former champion Ron Powers and Ironman Kasa.
Also Santa will be making a visit!
How will the return of Travis Cook fit into this action??
Will this be Santa after seeing the final results on the good and bad list of SICW wrestlers?
Will Santa be upset with Gary Jackson’s four rules , after all he is looking at who’s been naughty or nice
To reserve your seats call 1-618-286-4848
East Carondelet Illinois 823 State St East Carondelet. Il 62240 –$9 Doors at 7 PM; Bell Time at 8 PM.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 