Though he never held a World title or wrestled in Japan, Kris Wyatt touched many people in his life. From a loving son and husband, he took time to support local wrestling for many years in Missouri as a group of Harley Race’s World League Wrestling fans called the Fulton Animals. They came to many wrestling events to cheer the good guys and to give the bad ones a hard time. When it was said and done Kris and his group of friends created memories for not only themselves but the wrestlers they supported.
Many years later Kris would team up with former World League Wrestling referee Scott Zei when he decided to start the Missouri base New Breed Wrestling. Kris would be helpful with the sound system, before taking over the booking.
Kris would have been proud of the huge turnout for the sport that he loved. The night started off with a ten bell salute in the honor of Kris and former Central States Wrestling ring announcer Bill Kersten. Former WLW and WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch made a surprise appearance for a special speech to the fans on what Kris meant to him and his career.
In attendance was his mother Daisy and wife Cindy as well as many extended family ringside. The night would feature many high flying, hard hitting battles and a steel chain match that had the crowd popping all night long worthy of our friend Kris Wyatt.
Prior to the New Breed Wrestling event the fans could sign a memorial book of Kris Wyatt as they checked out the joy that he brought many in his life.
Many of the New Breed Wrestling family gathered for a photo at the memorial table. These were just a few of the hard working men and women that were proud to be a part of the Kris Wyatt Memorial event.
MWR Owner and Editor Brian Kelley: It is with great pleasure that I am with two of the many great fans that support pro wrestling in the Midwest today, Debbie and her younger brother Tim. Thank you Debbie and Tim for taking the time to talk to us here at MWR.
Debbie: Thanks for thinking of us for a spotlight, Brian. I tend to think of Metro Pro as another family and it is nice to be treated that way.
Brian: Let me ask you first, where did the two of you grow up and what were your first memories of the sport that we all love, pro wrestling?
Debbie: We grew up in Leavenworth KS and I loved what seemed to be “very late at night” Saturday night with the local wrestling show, the name of which I have long since forgotten, but the color commentary was done by Bill Kersten, Bob Geigel was the promoter and a wrestler and they had this nefarious bad guy named Handsome Harley Race.
Tim having a blast at Metro Pro Wrestling. Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie
Tim: I remember the show was Big 2 Wrestling out of St Joseph MO on channel 2. But Debbie is incorrect about Bob Geigel, the promoter was Gust Karras. My favorites were Bulldog Bob Brown, Maddog Harley Race and Black Angus.
Brian: Before making your way to discovering Metro Pro Wrestling in Kansas, City for the first time, who were your favorite wrestlers and why?
Debbie: I really liked AJ Styles because he was a wrestler, not a sports entertainer. And Shawn Michaels for the same reason. Stone Cold and the Rock really amused me. And I still enjoy Chris Jericho.
Tim: I was always a fan of Stone Cold Steve Austin, but not so much Stunning Steve Austin. And, of course, Debra for two very good reasons.
This photo is for Tim :)
Brian: As I mentioned in the last question, I met the two of you at Metro Pro Wrestling . How did you find out about the event? Do you remember the date and what do you recall from that night?
Debbie: I went kicking and screaming because Tim wanted to go and I decided to humor him. I even took a book, expecting to be bored. I don’t think I ever did finish that book. But I did get to meet you and Dubray and the wildly talented Rob Schamberger and his equally awesome mom, Dee and her husband Roger.
Tim: I had been watching Metro Pro on Metro Sports and when I found out when it was taping I said I wanted to go. I discovered it late one night while watching Metro Sports and watched it every time it was on after that. Our first trip was November 2010, but don’t ask Debbie because she never gets this stuff right. By fall of 2011 we were regulars, we didn’t miss a show. At least, I didn’t. She decided to go to San Antonio to watch our nephew graduate basic training and I stayed home and got someone else to take me to Metro Pro. I keep my priorities straight.
Brian: The two of you have even taken some road trips to other MWR promotions to support local independent wrestling as well as your favorite wrestlers? This is a two part question, who is your favorite wrestler on the local scene and why?
Debbie: I am captivated by Leland Race. He is so intense and so talented. And I would be remiss not to mention my favorite duo at Metro Pro, Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling. But I have to admit to taking several trips to see Miss Natural because her athletic abilities are so well-honed.
Leland Race
Tim: I favor Leland Race because of his wrestling ability.
Brian: What has been your favorite match or moment at a wrestling show on the Independent level that you have been at?
Debbie: The last Jeremy Wyatt/Adam Pearce match. It was just before Metro Pro went on hiatus and it was brutal, technical, funny and smart all at the same time.
Tim:Bruiser Brody vs Kamala in Kansas City in 1984 but as for recently. it had to be Adam Pearce vs Colt Cabana in their fourth match in the Seven Levels of Hate Series.
Debbie with the NWA Hall of Fame Wrestler and former MWR Wrestler of the Year Adam Pearce. Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie
Brian: Another two part question Debbie and Tim, if I was to start a promotion and I came to you and asked you what I should do to improve on what you have seen, what would it be? Also, I am going to have you help me plan a match on my wrestling card, who are you going to have face each other and yes, it can be singles or tag team?
Debbie: Wow, you’d have to go a long way to improve on Metro Pro or WLW, but how about some more athletic, talented women like Stacey O’Brien and Miss Natural. They have had some women pass through, but none have the technical ability or the charisma to grab a crowd like those ladies. We need more ladies that are wrestlers, not divas. I think a mixed tag team of Trevor Murdoch & Miss Natural vs Leland Race & Stacey O’Brien.
Stacey O’Brien and Miss Natural call a truce long enough to take a picture with one of the biggest fans. – Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie.
Tim: I would mix the talent up more. Book matches where people aren’t always wrestling the same 3 or 4 people. I would like to see a three-way match with A J Styles, Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling with the King brothers banned from the building and my good friend Michael Crase as the special enforcer for the match.
Tim celebrates with Referee Michael Crase-Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie
Brian: Pro Wrestling is RED HOTin the MWR coverage area with Metro Pro Wrestling packing the Turner Rec Center as well as new promotions popping up in Missouri. I know you have plans to go on the road as well to check out other promotions, what are your upcoming events you hope to attend and if someone was to ask you why they should purchase a ticket to a local wrestling event, what would you say?
Debbie: We are going to see New Breed Wrestling a little farther south in Missouri and I would like to make it to St. Louis for one of the Anarchy shows this spring. From there, it’s not that far to Illinois or Iowa. It’s so little money for such a good time. This isn’t WWE. These people have worked hard to hone their technical skills, they actually come out to meet the fans and, seriously, where else can you get front row seat to three or four hours of entertainment where you can completely lose control and go crazy for only $20.00 And a chance to get your picture taken with Jeremy Wyatt! (It only took me a little over 2 years and was worth the wait.)
Debbie and the Metro Pro and 3XW Wrestling Champion Jeremy Wyatt – Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie
Brian: Once again, thank you to the two of you for taking part in this edition of the MWR Fan spotlight. It is always a pleasure to see you two at an event as it is people like you that keeps the promotions to not only survive, but thrive in 2015.
In the Midwest we have had some of the very best in the business in the Midwest in the past with ST Louis’s Larry Matysik for Wrestling at the Chase and Kansas Ciry’s Bill Kersten who was the voice behind All Star Wrestling.
As much as their work in the ring has done for Pro wrestling it is their link to the fans of that generation that will cement their place in wrestling history.
Dan Gier is known to the fans around the Midwest for the past ten plus years as the man that greets them to Harley Race’s World League Wrestling’s Shut up and Wrestle.
His friendly demeanor and hometown feel has made him a friend of many fans as they prepare for a great night of wrestling. From the moment the doors open till the final bell rings, Dan is there to make them feel invited.
One of the true great guys in Pro Wrestling now has his very own MWR Trading Card.
We are proud to have Dan Gier
The artwork of Dan Gier from the hottest comic in the Midwest, The Promotion. The promotion is drawn from none other than Rob Schamberger.
Please support Rob and his hard work by purchasing a copy of his comic for only .50 cents here.
For a complete list of Missouri Wrestling Revival trading cards as well as WWE , TNA and Japan sets check out the website Wrestling trading cards.com here.
To purchase MWR Trading cards:
1) Catch the star at a show to have them autograph the cards personally
2) Contact them via facebook or myspace
3) Send $1.50 in money order or check for each card at *
Brian Kelley
305 West 3rd Salisbury Missouri 65281
*Checks will take longer to clear than money orders so expect time for that to happen. Make sure you list exactly what card you are wanting to have.
Please note that when purchasing MWR Trading cards from the wrestlers, that they decide the prices for their cards. We highly recommend that you get them from the stars themselves and let them know that you enjoy MWR.
These cards are limited and are not mass produced making them highly collectable.
The great Bill Kersten was on hand with WLW in Richmond Mo earlier this year to give WLW announcer Dan Gier and the fans a treat to start the show with his famous saying. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
I try my best to keep up with all the wrestling news in the Midwest but even at times some great information passes by and we miss them. This is the case with this must see video from FOX4 from Kansas City spotlighting the great Bill Kersten.
As much as I grew up with the likes of Harley Race, Rufus R Jones, Bulldog Bob Brown there was always one man who was always the first voice I heard every Saturday night after Saturday Night Live and that was Bill Kerstin
I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr Kerstin several times at World League Wrestling though out the years and it has always been a pleasure and an honor.
This looks to have been recorded last July, 2009 prior to Kerstin being inducted into the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.
As the saying goes better late than never and if you have seen it then I am sure it will still be worth another look at one of the Midwest most loved announcers in sports history.
KANSAS CITY, MO – Derrick Thomas isn’t the only metro area sports legend entering his sport’s Hall of Fame this summer.
Longtime metro professional wrestling announcer Bill Kersten, who announced All-Star Wrestling on local television from 1966 through 1985, is being honored this weekend at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.
FOX 4’s Dave Froehlich has the story of the legendary broadcaster and former Liberty mayor and Clay County commissioner who gained part of his fame broadcasting wrestling matches from our own WDAF studios in the 1960’s.
Wrestling fans in Kansas City you will have a chance to check out wrestling once again as Metro Pro Wrestling returns on September 4th with a who’s who of superstars in the sport in the Midwest today.
For more information please check out their website here so you don’t miss this historic evening of wrestling.
If you are a wrestler that wants to learn from the best then do not miss this years WLW/NOAH CAMP. For all the info click here.
Helloooo wrestling fans as the great Bill Kersten would say. I am thrilled that today we are celebrating our 1,000 post here at Missouri Wrestling Revival. Throughout the past two and half years you have been able to come to MWR site to check out upcoming shows, interviews and stories of the top stars of not only the Midwest but around the world.
MWR started out simple enough from one of my best friends Josh Ray who had the dream to bring attention to wrestling in the Midwest. He worked hard to get the site going and along with myself and Kari Williams the site was off and running.
Thankfully we had a good friend Peter Hahn whos sister Rachel, is a wonderful graphic artist that came up with the logo that has became the face of MWR.
I have been so busy getting ready for school, preparing for my sons school year and other projects that I have yet to unveil some great new logo’s from our good friends at Awesome bomb radio so no time is better than the start of a new thousand. Adult MWR fans take a chance to check out the Awesome Bomb Radio for some wild and crazy interviews with some of the top wrestlers in the game today.
Everyone at MWR has worked hard to be respectful and polite to each promotion, wrestler and fans that we have gone across.
I have a strong belief that to be successful that no one can do it alone. In the history of MWR there have been some wonderful supporters of the site that is vital to MWR’S place in wrestling today. I am going to attempt to thank everyone that has made MWR possible. At every promotion we have worked with there has been not only promoter, wrestlers but also referees, ring announcer, security, video crew and fans that I have nothing but love and respect for. Several have become close friends, while others I have not seen in a long time, though time has past by and we may have not seen each other this post is still for you.
1) The Fans: I hope that you have found MWR a place that you come to enjoy. You are the most important piece to the puzzle to making a show a success. At times we are very busy at a show but I want you to know that I thank you for clicking on the site and we are always excited to get to meet you. Your support for the hard working men and women of the sport keeps the hope alive for pro wrestlers to live their dream. If you have not checked out a local show near you I urge you to check out a promotion soon.
We have made many Friends thanks to the MWR site. Drew and Gary are two great guys that I met at local shows, they knew us from the work we do thanks to MWR. During the Wrestling Legends on tour the three of us got to pose with some of the top wrestling stars ever in the sport. These are just two of the many fans that we are proud to call our friends.
2) The Promoters: These guys are judged, hated and sometimes forgotten. It takes a special person to risk there money and spend their time to run a show. The cold hard fact is that it is a LOT of work to be one and at times luck to be successful in this profession. Without them doing the ground work a show never gets off the ground. They have opened their doors to us and I hope they know we have been honored to try our best to get the word out about the dates of their show.
3) The Wrestlers, managers and referees: Call it a sport or call it entertainment, one can not deny that it takes true talent to make a show a success..
During the years I have been all around the Midwest checking out shows in the big cities and the small towns and I can say that I have no doubt that there is no athletes that cares more for their fans that the wrestlers.
We have been at a few shows that have had less than 30 people, that did not stop the wrestlers from going out there and giving it their all, then took the time to come meet the fans.
I watched time and time where they have took that extra moment to talk, pose for pictures and sign autographs to the kids of all ages and thanking them for their hard earn money to watch them do what they love.
There have been many shows where the wrestlers have donated their time and skills with no pay to support a fundraiser for a local family or school.
No matter what state we are in, or the three letters of the promotions every wrestles have the same goal and that is to entertain you with the best of their abilities.
This past weekend I was in Lincoln Illinois for the Arts and Balloon Festival where the a huge crowd witness some exciting wrestling action. One of the many talented wrestlers in the Midwest today, Knight Wagner asked if he could do a promo commemorating the moment that so many fans had a chance to see what wrestling was like in our area.
I was honored by the kind words that he said in the promo for our website in hopes that you the fans will check us out to find out where you can see the next wrestling show in your area. I want to share with you the words of Knight Wagner.
To be honest there have been many such compliments given to the MWR family from many many wrestlers that understand that this site is built for the fans, the promoters and wrestlers themselves.
.
It has been a pleasure to work each and every one of you. I have seen some of the craziest, weirdest and breathtaking matches ever in the past two plus years at MWR. The love that you have for wrestling is only equaled by the desire to give the fans their money’s worth. MWR could not be as successful or fun without your cooperation
4) Dubray Tallman: The old saying is behind every successful man is a good women. Thankfully I have Dubray to help support me while we drive the six hours roundtrip for many shows. There is no group of friends that live close enough that we can ride with to make the trip faster or cheaper. In less than a year and half we have made over eighty shows in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. At times the site takes away from what we can do elsewhere or together as it takes time to write and edit everything. Prior to the show Dubray works on one of the most popular articles that we have Dubi meets the fans. Often Dubi Meets the Fans is the among the top post for weeks on end . Dubray I love you.
5) Josh and Sara Ray: The founder of MWR is also one of my best friends. Josh has a great mind and love for the business. If only the two of us lived closer no telling how much more successful MWR would be. They don’t get much better than Josh and Sara
6) Kari Williams: MWR’S number one writer, you have read Kari’s articles from the inception of the site. Young and talented there is no doubt that you will find Kari’s work in a much bigger forum one day. Dubray and I always are thrilled to see Kari and her mother Joan.
7) Matt Murphy: Matt is one of the most underrated wrestling minds today. He has always been willing to give his advice and assistance for the site. In fact I didn’t take his advice early on and paid for it. Lesson learned, listen to Matt Murphy. Seriously Matt was kind enough to have his book showcased here at MWR in a weekly article that many MWR fans loved. If you missed it, there is a link at the top of the page that you can go to do catch up. MWR fans if you have read this article or book PLEASE take the time to review it on Amazon.com here.
8) Greg Anthony – Anthony brings to the site, a fan that is talented enough to excel in the sport today as a wrestler. I am never bored and often surprised to what he has to say in the MWR favorite the Golden Circle. As with Murphy if you have missed any of his articles I urge you take a look at the top of the page and enjoy.
9) Patrick Brandmeyer– As much as I love local professional wrestling, the truth is at times it can be nearly impossible to find out information on the past as well as the current history of the business. I often look to my good friend Patrick Brandmeyer for the what, how and why in the St Louis wrestling market and beyond. If a promotion wants a good source of advertisement then most defiantly contact Brandmeyer to make his way to your show.
10) ST Louis Wrestling Community and the Nose Bleed seats- Many people think that the man known as the Crimefighter and his website the ST Louis Wrestling Community are a competitor of the MWR website. The truth is that I have always enjoyed working with Crimfighter and his colleagues from the Nose Bleed SeatsChris Lee and MOAV5706. I often use the site and their advice for articles that you read here. They have had some great podcast and they are the number one source for all your wrestling in Central Illinois. Check them out here.
11) MWR T-shirts– Nothing brings a smile to my face than seeing a fan or wrestler wear a MWR Shirt. In the four states that we cover we have given away or sold 100’s of our shirts to wonderful people such as yourself. We started out with free drawings during intermission to a lucky fan.
Fans like this wonderful women has been thrilled to catch a MWR T-Shirt from a Midwest Superstar (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogsraat)
Then one day at PWP I was taken photos when Murder Militia’s #1 Brett Young came to the ring wearing an MWR shirt . That kicked a light bulb in my head, why don’t we have a wrestler wear to ring and unlike the greedy Young who kept his shirt, we have them throw it to a lucky fan. This promotion has been more than a success and I would like to thank all the wrestlers who have worn the shirt in the past in this promotion. The fans I feel have had a lot of fun in catching them . Most recently one fan told me that her daughter was so impressed with catching the t-shirt and having her picture taken with the wrestler(Jimmy Karryt) that she has that picture of her and him as the background picture on their computer. You can not purchase moments as special as that.
Words can not describe how important my friend Nick Ridenour has been this year in working with us to have quality and affordable t-shirts with the small budget we have.
12) MWR Top Draws – A very popular feature at MWR is the art work from MWR’S Dartallion Allen JR. Allen brings to life your favorite stars in a cartoon style. Mwr fans look in the very near future a chance to vote for who you think Allen Jr should draw in the MWR Classic Wrestler Top Draw. Till then take the time to click above to see one of Midwest brightest artist today.
13) MWR Trading Cards– This is my new passion and a set that I take great pride in. A worthy collectable for the fans of MWR, the set features the stars of the Midwest and around the world that we have all come to love or hate. We started off with the MWR award winners for 2008 and 2009, card number one was the 2008 MWR Tag team of the year the Northstar Express Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz with Pnut, the three who is awesome in promos looked just as good in a trading card.
“The Future” Donovan Ruddick takes the time to pose with young fans that had purchased his MWR Trading Card prior to him autographing the collectable that fans have been clamoring for the past few months.
Since then we have added a who’s who of stars in the Midwest including three people that I am forever grateful who brought worldwide recognition to the set, site and other wrestlers of the series and they are international stars MsChif, Davey Richards and Ring of Honor World Champion Tyler Black.
A big thank you goes out to Alyssa Major for her amazing talent on these cards.
As of press time we have announced Nineteen trading cards and each and every individual brings their own flair and worth to your collection. Look for many other superstars of the ring to grace their presence in the set. In fact I am so excited to name them that I need to stop writing about it.
For a look at these card check out our checklist at the number one site for wrestling trading cards Wrestlingtradingcards.comhere.
14) MWR Photographers– People that know me, know that I love photos of wrestling. Often I will go to a website and see results from a show but never know what that person looks like. At MWR you get a chance to put a name with a face in an exciting fashion
I am blessed to be able to have some of the great photographers in the Midwest at MWR that allow us to use their work and expensive equipment for the site. A very underrated aspect to the scene is a photographer, these hard working professionals are able to capture that moment when your favorite wrestler goes for that high risk move, or the final moment when a wrestler wins the championship. With pictures you capture history.
Mike Van Hoogstraat, Gary Giaffoglione, Bill Smith and Scott Fieldstein are regulars with MWR who donate the pictures for you the fans to enjoy. I love all of these guys for their contribution and friendship.
15) Absolute Wrestling Radio: Amazingly when I wrote this article for 1,000 post I had somehow forgotten to recognize the AWR family. It’s not that they were not worthy or I hadn’t thought of them its just that I thought I had them done. Make no mistake about it that AWR was very crucial to MWR inception to the wrestling world. Based out of St Louis AWR has been a place where fans can listen and call in to talk about the WWE, TNA , local wrestling and MMA.
Mark Bland Matt Kreuger and Andy Echle have been a lot of fun throughout the time that I have known them and have created some of the most memorable moments in MWR history. They have always done a wonderful job getting the word of MWR out to the masses. We look forward to all of your hard wok and friendship.
Promotions
In the past two and half years MWR has covered and worked with each of these promotions in one form or another. I don’t want to thank anyone in particular because of the fear of forgetting anyone. Once again there are many great people that are in each of these promotions who have made a positive impact for the MWR site.
3XWrestling
All American Pro Wrestling
All American Wrestling
Central States Wrestling
Great American Wrestling
High Voltage Wrestling
IWA-Mid-South
Independent Hardcore Wrestling
IWA Productions
Lethal Wrestling Alliance
New Midwest Wrestling
New Breed Wrestling Alliance
NWA Supreme Wrestling
NWA Dynamo Pro Wrestling
Metro East Championship Wrestling
Metro Pro Wrestling
MMWA-SICW
Pro Wrestling Epic
Pro Wrestling Next
Pro Wrestling Phoenix
Pro Wrestling Next
Rampage Championship Wrestling
World League Wrestling
I hope that you check out these promotions live in the very near future.
Thank you MWR Fans and we hope to celebrate 1,500 soon. Till then look for all the exciting developments and happenings in the world of Pro Wrestling in the near future at MWR.
Sincerely,
Brian Kelley
Owner/ Editor of Missouri Wrestling Revival
My good friend Josh Ray and I spoke recently about the celebration of the MWR 1,000 POST. He stated that he had an article he would like to share with you so we started MWR post 1 with Josh Ray so it is only fitting that we end 1,000 with my good friend Josh.
By Josh Ray
Even though I left Missouri Wrestling Revival in the talented hands of Brian Kelley and Kari Williams a year ago to pursue other pro wrestling opportunities, as founder of this website/community I am extremely attached to any of MWR‘s successes and failures. It doesn’t matter whether the ideas came from my own mind or the mind of a friend, because once it is implemented by the site, it becomes part of the family.
As family, career, and life in general have siphoned time from one of my passions, most of my Midwest pro wrestling knowledge comes in spurts from MWR. It is a great site that has helped in more ways than it will ever get credit for, and that is due to a combined effort from contributors to MWR, promoters, wrestlers, behind-the-scenes staff, and of course fans! When Brian and I chatted last week and he informed me that the 1000th post was fast approaching, I wanted to get involved.
A lot is said of a wrestler’s desire and love of the business. Sometimes paid in hot dogs and other time not paid at all, these men and women travel at great physical, emotional, and financial expense because they love to entertain and they strive to improve. Unfortunately, there are other pieces of this puzzle that often go overlooked. These overlooked pieces are evident in those train wrecks that inevitably occur. Great wrestlers can make a great match, but those that work in supporting roles (the overlooked pieces I am referring to) are what make an entire event a success. In fact, those working in these supporting roles can make or break everything from the attendance to the safety at the show.
Those in these supporting roles include the promoter himself/herself, the booker, the referee, ring announcer, managers/valets, sound man/woman, camera crew, photographer, security, bloggers/journalists, and other volunteers. These men and women are no less a part of the wrestling business than the wrestlers themselves, but they often do what they do with little or no fanfare. There is no World Wrestling Entertainment developmental program for most of these roles, and many serving in these capacities are expected to do the work for free to pay their dues and to be a part of the show.
Even WWE legend Shawn Michaels acknowledged many of the great supporting members of WWE during his retirement speech on the March 29, 2010 edition of Monday Night RAW:
This is really gonna sound strange to you guys, but there’s a whole lot of people in those big ‘ol trucks out back, there are these guys here holding the camera, Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and of course the greatest announcer of all time Jim Ross… but I want to thank all you guys. You guys always made me look better than I ever really was and I so appreciate that.
I want to follow in those great footsteps in this, the 1000th post on Missouri Wrestling Revival, by naming my own MWR “Supporting Roles” All-Star Team. This is by no means definitive and is solely based on my opinion with some input from trusted friends.
Supporting Roles All-Star 1st Team
Booker – Matt Murphy
I have talked with Matt numerous times and know his credentials. This would be the guy to go to in order to get the matches lined up… and the first guy I would talk to to straighten out any backstage issues.
Referees –
Brandon Schmidt
Eric Davis
Both men work hard and want to continue learning. You’d be hard pressed to find two more competent officials to ref a show.
Ring Announcer –
KL Snow
The man with the green socks has a great voice for ring announcing and is one of the nicest men you’ll meet in and out of the ring. He no longer operates in the area, but is worth the money to bring in.
Video –
Skylar Pierce
This guy shoots and edits wrestling video on a regular basis and continues to improve. Watch 3XW’s Outside the Ring on Youtube to see the progression of his video work.
Camera – Jenny Bessman 3XW’s video team under the guidance of Skylar Pierce is my logical choice, with Jenny getting the by name selection, but without excluding the video talents of Sean Wilkerson. These guys keep the 3XW machine moving in the right direction by continuing their line of DVDs and providing footage for the 3XW web show Outside the Ring.
Security –Brandon “Bubba” Wacholtz
When I put together the MWR show for November 2009, “Bubba” was my first choice for security. Very professional in a security capacity and anyone that says otherwise has probably deserved being removed from a show.
Backstage Photographer –
Michael R. Van Hoogstraat
Many of the great Midwest wrestler photos from backstage that you see on this site and across the Internet come from this man!
Ringside Photographer –
Gary Giaffoglione
You feel right there in the middle of the action when Gary is at the helm.
Mouthpiece –
Magic Man
I extended the offer to Magic Man a long time ago… whenever I have a video camera he is always welcome to jump in front of it.
Mouthpiece –
Chad Mylan
Quite honestly, I mark for very few things in this world… but I mark for Chad Mylan. I am a Mylanite.
Booster –
Chuck Maddox
A genuinely nice guy with a love for professional wrestling that many do not come close to matching. Chuck is the guy you’d want to work with on any marketing plan or budget.
Journalist/Blogger –
Kari Williams
The resident workhorse at MWR has a career beyond this site that is right around the corner. I am very proud to have met her and often go to her for writing advice.
That is all I have for this, the 1000th post on Missouri Wrestling Revival. Remember, if its worth supporting then support it. If not then run the other way and something better will eventually come along!
Trent Stone retreats to the outside of the ring. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Stone whips Murdoch with the strap.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Two power guys try to control the way of the match. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Trevor Murdoch stomps on Stone in the corner. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Stone chokes Murdoch. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Murdoch stalks the Champion. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Trent Stone looked strong during the match. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
OH MY(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Stone taunts Murdoch. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
NEW WLW Champion Trevor Murdoch(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Breaker sends a message to the New Champion. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Johnny Gold lets Breaker know that he will have to meet the new champ Trevor Murdoch in a 3 way the very next night in Concordia. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
I won’t rant long about this. The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has inducted exactly two professional wrestling legends in its 60-year history. Sam Muchnick was inducted in 1992 and Lou Thesz was inducted in 2002. This is a slap in the face to professional wrestling and to the many wrestling legends deserving of inclusion.
Wrestling fans, wrestlers, promoters, writers — let’s let the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame know exactly how we feel about it! Whether they like it or not, professional wrestling has been a major part of Missouri’s rich sports history. They owe it to the legends and to all of us as fans to recognize our sport.
Here’s their info:
Website: www.mosportshalloffame.com
Address: Missouri Sports Hall of Fame 3861 E. Stan Musial Drive
Springfield, Missouri 65809
Phone: (417) 889-3100 or (800) 498-5678
Fax: (417) 889-2761
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
I’ve included an email exchange between me and Todd Yearack, who at the time worked for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. For the record, no wrestlers, wrestling promoters, or wrestling announcers have been inducted since these letters.
From: Matt Murphy
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 10:21 PM
To: Todd Yearack
Subject: MO Hall of Fame
Dear sir:
I am writing to inquire why an organization whose catchphrase is “All the memories and all the thrills of sports” has neglected to recognize so many stars of professional wrestling.
Harley Race with the Missouri State Heavyweight Championship belt.
(A total of 17 wrestlers held the Missouri State heavyweight championship from 1972 through 1985. Eight would hold major versions of the World heavyweight championship.)
Lake Ozark resident Harley Race was one of the most respected athletes of his era. He was an eight-time NWA World Champion professional wrestler (he broke 2002 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee Lou Thesz’s record of six World Title reigns). He was also inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994 and the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. Race currently runs World League Wrestling, an Eldon, MO-based small independent wrestling organization which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities in the state since 1999.
I certainly feel Mr. Race’s inclusion from the Hall of Fame is necessary. He is, after all, considered by many to be the greatest wrestler ever to lace up a pair of boots. Mr. Race is now sixty-one years old, and I think he should be inducted in the very near future.
Warrensburg native Bruce “Butch” Reed was a star football player for CMSU and one of the ground-breaking African-American athletes in professional wrestling. A former World Tag Team Champion and one of the top wrestlers of the 1980s, Bruce was among the first black professional wrestlers to achieve national superstardom.
Cowboy Bob Orton
St. Louis-area resident “Cowboy” Bob Orton is the father of current WWE superstar Randy Orton and a former WWE superstar himself. He is being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
Bulldog Bob Brown
These are just a few notable pro wrestlers deserving of being recognized as the elite athletes in Missouri sports history. Others who deserve induction include wrestlers “Bulldog” Bob Brown, Rufus R. Jones, Mike George, and Bob Geigel, announcers Bill Kersten and Larry Matysik, and promoter Gus Karras.
While many don’t consider wrestling a sport, it is undoubtedly an important part of Missouri sports history. Just ask a bunch of Missourians about wrestling. “I remember watching Harley Race and Bulldog Bob Brown at Memorial Hall” and “I watched ‘Wrestling at the Chase’ every week with my family” will likely be responses you’ll hear often.
Please let me know what I can do or how many like-minded Missourians should contact you to accomplish my goal of seeing the elite of those who contributed to “All the memories and all the thrills of sports” in Missouri recognized properly.
Please let me extend my invitation for assistance. If you need anything, from doing research to writing bios to conducting interviews with any professional wrestler deserving of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inclusion, please don’t hesitate to email or call me.
Thanks for your time, and I look forward to a response.
Matt Murphy
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Todd Yearack wrote:
Matt:
Thank you for your note about Mr. Race and a few of the other wrestling icons from Missouri. You are certainly on the right track with your suggestion that Mr. Race be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
He was given very strong consideration for our most recent induction ceremony (February 13th) and will be up for consideration again for 2006. If you wish, feel free to mail us a letter of recommendation/nomination on Mr. Race and I’ll be glad to include it in his nomination file.
Again, thank you for your interest in the Hall of Fame. I hope to hear back from you soon.
Received your letter, and thank you! If you wish, you are welcome to look into additional letters in support of Mr. Race. While the number of letters doesn’t have any true direct affect on the individual’s induction, it is nice to hear from a broad range of folks who support a given inductee. Anything that is sent to us will be put in Mr. Race’s file, which will be reviewed by the selection committee later this year.
Thanks,
Todd
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From: Matt Murphy
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 1:28 PM
To: Todd Yearack
Subject: RE: MO Hall of Fame
Dear Mr. Yearack:
Thank you for the speedy reply. I have attached a letter to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. If I need to send it through postal mail, please let me know to what address it needs to be sent and I will have a letter in the mail next week.
Please tell me if my letter will suffice. Would several dozen letters from other fans help the cause or would it just make a lot of unnecessary work for you and others involved with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame? I’m willing to do as much work as it needed to witness Harley’s induction to the Missouri Sports Hall of Famein 2006.
Matt Murphy
__________
Todd Yearack wrote:
Received your letter, and thank you! If you wish, you are welcome to look into additional letters in support of Mr. Race. While the number of letters doesn’t have any true direct affect on the individual’s induction, it is nice to hear from a broad range of folks who support a given inductee. Anything that is sent to us will be put in Mr. Race’s file, which will be reviewed by the selection committee later this year.
Thanks,
Todd
MWR Editors note:
Just recently MWR fans we pulled together to support the future of Midwest wrestling by having our voice heard in regards of Mike Sydal, a wrestler that we felt very strongly deserved to be the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year.
Now it is time for us to pull together to remember the past wrestling stars that gave their body hearts and soul to entertain the Midwest before there was cable TV, internet and PPV, families came together too boo the bad guy and cheer their heroes. On a personal level my dad who is not a wrestling fan at all does not have a clue who Shemus or The Miz is, but he knows who Rufus R Jones and Harley Race are.
I was shocked to hear that “MR. Race” had to have a file to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, just as Cooperstown would not be right with out Babe Ruth inducted or Michael Jordan in the NBA shrine, I just could not imagine that Harley Race was not there. Hopefully, once we are able to get the ball rolling with Race in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame the many other great men and women who entertained the very rich history of athletes in the sport of wrestling will be inducted as they should be.
No sport has a more passionate fan base that pro wrestling, lets show the support for Missouri’s greatest mat stars from the past by taking our friend Matt Murphy’s advice and send Missouri Sports Hall of Fame a letter requesting that Pro wrestling not to be over looked.
MWR Fans remember when sending the request to be professional and respectful in your letter to each and everyone at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
{Missouri Wrestling Revival would like to thank World League Wrestling original Matt Murphy for taking the time to reminisce on the early days of WLW to honor their 10 years of greatness. MWR is proud to announce that Matt Murphy will have his own feature article on the site every Monday starting next week. }
With World League Wrestling’s 10th anniversary event just a couple weeks away, I’m sure I’m not the only old-timer whose mind keeps wandering back to the beginning a decade ago.
In July 1999, the Harley Race Wrestling Academy began holding tryouts and classes at Lewis Boxing Gym. It was a small space crammed in along a line of old brick buildings in a bad neighborhood in Springfield, Mo. There was no air conditioning and it reeked of weed, the severity dependent upon which Lewis brother was in the office. The boxing ring was manufactured in the depths of hell and sent to Springfield to punish me for my future transgressions.
There were six of us then: I was the first full-time student; Trevor Rhodes (Murdoch) came a week later along with his brother, independent veteran Johnny D; and the trainers were Derek Stone, Griz, and referee Skippy Johnson. We lived together in a small two-bedroom house and trained between six and eight hours every day.
Meanwhile, Harley and Dave Marquez built World League Wrestling from the ashes of World Legion Wrestling, a promotion I watched on syndicated television that had featured Sid Vicious, Big Sky (Tyler Mane, who played Sabertooth in X-Men, Michael Myers in the new Halloween, and the oil driller who beat up the lead character and then caught fire in Joe Dirt), “Atomic Dogg” Steve Sharp, Luminous Warrior, and the champ, “Sheik” Derek Stone.
After Marquez and the trainers traveled to Lake of the Ozarks to meet with Harley, Derek announced that the school was moving to Eldon. “Where?” I asked, still half-asleep on the couch.
Eldon, for those who’ve never been there, is not much different from every other small town in Missouri: a little backward at times, a little boring at times, but really not a bad place to live. Its population is between 4,000 and 5,000 and rent is cheap enough.
We were local celebrities when we first moved to Eldon, making personal appearances and doing radio and newspaper interviews regularly. And we were all with Harley Race, so if a half-dozen gorillas walking into a restaurant didn’t get their attention then Harley’s presence did.
I’ll never forget the first World League Wrestling event, held during a middle-school assembly Sept. 24, 1999 in Caledonia, Mo. Griz and I squared off in the main event and, due to ring announcer Steve Murphy’s claim that I was a “19-year-old rookie sensation making his professional wrestling debut” (I was 20 and I’d had three matches for East Coast promotions prior to training with Harley, so it was just a small fib), the crowd loved me. The three-match afternoon event was held during school hours with hopes that the kids would go home and beg their parents to bring them back for the full evening show. It was a flop: we had a crowd of about 60 that night.
We had some solid guys back then. Derek Stone was one of the best workers who never had a contract with a national promotion. Griz and “Tiger” Treach Phillips, Jr. were two solid veterans and great assets to their young opponents like me and Trevor. We really didn’t have a weak link on the card. We had other veterans like Johnny Jett, the Drill Instructor, Nasty Bill, Blade Boudreaux, Lance Jade (that’s not a typo, and Jade also had a contract with WWE for a year or two), Malia Hosaka, Brandy Alexander, T.S. Aggressor, Mr. Destiny, Johnny D, and Luminous Warrior.
I always wanted to do two things with my life: become a professional wrestler and make a positive impact on others. Within seven months of our first show, we were wrestling every weekend, usually doing two or three fundraising events. I was living my dream as a professional wrestler and I was part of a group that helped countless non-profit organizations raise funds to make the world a better place. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked for more, but I did.
Like every wrestler, I dreamed of becoming a WWE Superstar. I didn’t make it because I made stupid choices and didn’t earn it. I spent too much time dreaming and not enough time working. But when Trevor Murdoch, who I grew up in the business beside, called me to tell me he signed with WWE, I felt the same inexplainable feeling of pride that I imagined when I used to sit around dreaming about getting a contract with WWE myself. When his first vignette aired on Monday Night Raw, I was thrilled. I sat on the edge of my seat during his debut match. While my dream, as I envisioned it, never came to fruition, I got to go along for the ride while one of the best friends I’ve ever known lived out our dream. That was all the satisfaction I needed.
Times have certainly changed in the past 10 years. WLW talent, other promotions, and crowds have come and gone. Trevor and I were two boys in a locker room full of men, both living our dreams. Now, we’re two old-timers, sitting on the porch talking marriage and fatherhood and barbecue grills. Still, the olden days seem to find their way into most of our conversations.
In the earlier years, there seemed to be more children in the crowd. Many of the kids who were my biggest fans a decade ago have become adults. Some of them still remember me and others seem to have forgotten me. Some still smile when they see me and others seem to resent me. I’d guess it’s because I was somebody they saw as larger-than-life—as a star—when they were kids and now they feel duped when they see me grocery-shopping with my family.
The last time we performed at the Eldon High School gymnasium was one of our greatest events. It was in late-April 2000, with WCW stars Meng and Disco Inferno as the special guests. Disco Inferno pinned me that night in a singles match and then my team beat his in an eight-man tag match later that night. In the main event, Meng lost the WLW Heavyweight Championship to Trevor (with an assist from me). It was our first great event and still one of the best WLW events ever. It’s appropriate that WLW will celebrate its 10th anniversary by returning to the gym. I wish I had the desire, if not physical ability, to get back into the ring one last time for the anniversary event, but I’m proud the worker I became and I wouldn’t dream of getting into the ring at a level below that.
Since my in-ring career ended, I’ve worked with WLW off-and-on in various roles. While I’ve had my ups and downs with WLW, they will always be family.
Congratulations, World League Wrestling, on ten years of bringing exciting, family-friendly entertainment to Small Town, Missouri for good causes. Thank you for giving dreamers a place to learn and practice their chosen trade as they pursue stardom.
Matt Murphy
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You will not want to miss the opportunity to support 10 years anniversary on October 3rd. Along with the current Superstars of WLW, fans will be able to meet former greats Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Akio Saito, Bob Geigel, Betty Nicoli, Bill Kersten, Mike George, Roger Kirby and of course the greatest of them all Harley Race.
Show at
ELDON HIGH SCHOOL GYM
101 S PINE ST ELDON MO 65026
Ticket Outlets
WLW HEADQUARTERS
EAGER BEAVER
ELDON CITY HALL
SWEAT GYM
Missouri Wrestling Revival 
