Startup pro wrestling company NWL, LLC recently launched “Wrasslin’ With Character,” a multi-platform marketing campaign introducing some of the larger-than-life personalities who will be appearing at the League’s inaugural NWL KC and NWL STL events in January.
Seven NWL stars, including “The Mile High Magnum” Dak Draper, 6-foot-6-inch survivalist Jack Foster, former NFL lockdown corner Ray Briggs, and wine connoisseur Niles Plonk, are featured in a series of indoor ads at bars and restaurants throughout both cities as well as at the Scottrade Center for all St. Louis Blues home games this season.
The Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts of NWL Corp, NWL KC and NWL STL are adding videos and photos daily that provide more in-depth looks at each grappler featured in the campaign.
The colorful character posters are complemented by humorous radio spots appearing in steady rotation on Kansas City stations 610 Sports, 810 WHB, Talk 980, 96.5 the Buzz, 98.9 the Rock and 101 the Fox, all designed to drive ticket sales to the NWL KC’s first show ever on Jan. 7 at the Scottish Rite Temple at 1330 Linwood Blvd.
NWL STL’s version of the “Wrasslin’ with Character” spots are now airing in St. Louis on 105.7 the Point, KSHE 95, and 92.3 WIL.NWL STL has also reached a deal with FM NewsTalk 97.1’s popular hosts Dave Glover and Tony Colombo to promote and recap the group’s wrestling events held every other Thursday night at the Casa Loma Ballroom, beginning with its Jan. 12 debut.
Featuring the “voices” of some of wrestling’s greatest legends, the spots are geared primarily at men 32–52 who used to enjoy pro wrestling in the ’80s and ’90s before the product became stale; however, the NWL’s modern, edgier presentation is also suitable for families.
“The campaign harkens back to the glory years of KC and St. Louis wrestling, when outrageous performers like Dick the Bruiser, King Kong Brody, Dick Murdoch and Bulldog Bob Brown thrilled fans throughout the territory with their unique brand of mayhem and storytelling,” says Major Baisden, League president. “This creative campaign is our way of letting fans know that the wrasslin’ they used to love is back, with exciting new characters that will deliver edgy, storyline-driven entertainment every other week in their town.”
In October, NWL KC announced a partnership with the Scottish Rite Temple, located at Linwood and Paseo in midtown Kansas City to present a full slate of live events every other Saturday night in 2017. Rival promotion NWL STL then revealed plans to run shows at the Casa Loma every other Thursday night in the heart of the Cherokee Street/Antique Row Business District in South St. Louis. Tickets for NWL KCand NWL STL events are now on sale through the TicketFly mobile app at fightkc.ticketfly.com and fightstl.ticketfly.com.
“KC and St. Louis remain the best cities for professional wrestling in the country, and the NWL is proud to make our debut in these two fantastic venues that will provide an intimate, rowdy experience our fans will enjoy,” Baisden says. “Featuring a mix of the best homegrown Midwest talent and some of the hottest free agents in the country who have signed and moved to the area, the League expects NWL KCand NWL STL to thrive and fuel the flame of an already intense rivalry between the two cities.”
Baisden, a KC-based entrepreneur who sold his last startup, Iris Data Services, Inc. for $134 million in spring 2015, also announced that both promotions have finalized deals to complete their entire initial rosters, who will occasionally square off against each other and eventually compete for the League championship—and city bragging rights—at the company’s end-of-season spectacular in December.
Recent notable NWL KCsignings include “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt, Thor Theriot,the Swoll Patrol, and Lakota Red Cloud. In addition to the high-profile NWL STL signings announced last week for Dez Wellston and Maverick, the promotion has also inked deals with local sensations Gary Jay, who will compete as Jay Lutz, and Davey Gibson and Matthew Grundy , formerly known as Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett, who will appear in tag-team competition as “The Blood Brothers.” Other recent NWL STL signees include “SuperSoul” Coco Rumble, Cornell Douglas and Emmett DuBois, “The Billion-Dollar Brother.“
To all local firefighters who risk their lives to serve our great community, NWL STL would love to show our gratitude for a job well done. We’re offering 2 free tickets for firefighters to our inaugural show Jan. 12 at the Casa Loma. Simply shoot us a message, and we’ll hook you up. Happy holidays!
The National Wrasslin’ League (NWL) is reviving the historical roots of the business. Fueled by intercity rivalries, the NWL prides itself on family-friendly, storyline-driven programming that delivers thrilling athletic action and entertaining characters.
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!!
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.
Chris Hargas and Flash Flanagan struggle for the upper hand early on in the match in East Carondelet, Illinois. Next weekend July 20th Midgets and much more in action!
7/20/2013 SICW East Carondelet Illinois 823 State St East Carondelet. Il 62240 –$9 Doors at 7 PM; Bell Time at 8 PM with MIDGETS in action.
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.
We would like to congratulate MWR readers Pete Sakaris from Nebraska and Brandon Brown from Missouri for answering the “Who’s the Superstar in the picture contest”.
The First question was who in the picture is the son of a former WWE Hall of Famer?
That none other was the son of WWE Hall of Famer Ted Dibiase, Mike Dibiase. Mike’s Brother Ted is currently a WWE Superstar.
Brandon will receive an autograph 8×10 of Mike’s dad Ted Dibiase.
Ted Dibiase
Before Ted became a household name he put himself up against some of the best in the world right here in the Midwest. Dibiase would capture the NWA Missouri Championship twice in ST Louis, Mo.
Dibiase defeated Dick Slater on August 12, 1977 and would earn his second reign on November 21, 1981 against Ken Patera.
Dibiase would go onto to be one of the most hated/loved wrestlers in this generation as the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase. Pro Wrestling Illustrated would name Ted Dibiase #32 in 2003 in the PWI Years.
The current NWA Missouri Champion is Davey Vega who defeated Dingo in Glen Carbon Illinois last year on October 16th.
The second question was who was the former NWA Central States Champion in this photo?
Pete answered correctly when he named Derek Stone who was on the top nailing Mike Dibiase with the ten punch. Derek Stone became the NWA Central States Champion by defeating Michael Barry, Griz and Gary Jackson in Coffeyville, KS on November 16. 2002
Fun fact: both Mike Dibiase SR and his son Ted would also rein as two time NWA Central States Champion. Mike Sr defeated the Spoiler and The Viking while the future Million Dollar Man pinned Bob Slaughter and “Bulldog “Bob Brown.
The current NWA Central States Champion is the 2009 Missouri Wrestling Revival Wrestler of the Year Mark Sterling. Sterling defeated Michael Strider to become the NWA Central States Champion in 2009.
Pete will be receiving the must have collectable the Mark Sterling MWR Trading Card , which is number two in the set that celebrates the hard working men and women in the Midwest wrestling today.
This picture was taken at CSW in Lawrence Kansas in a three way match between Derek Stone, Mike Dibiase and Mason Hunter. Special thanks goes out to my friend Retro Rick for having information up about this show so I could find some information about it.
I would like to thank everyone for partaking in this contest. Look for exciting information coming from Missouri Wrestling Revival. In the future we have several superstars that will be announced into the MWR Trading Card set, we have some exciting fun promotions in works with our friends at High Voltage Wrestling, Independent Hardcore Wrestling and one with MECW in December that I am thrilled about. Keep checking MWR for all these great announcements
We will also be having more contest, plus we hope to be at these shows to allow you to catch a shirt from a Midwest Superstar at these showsNew Midwest Wrestling on July 9th in Springfield Illinois, World League Wrestling on the17th in Park Hills Missouri, NWA Dynamo on July 24th in Glen Carbon Illinois, MECW in Woodriver Illinois on July 31st and High Voltage Wrestling on August 7TH IN Granite City Illinois.
If you are a promotion or wrestler that would like to include yourself in one of our contest by donating DVD’S, T-shirts, Autographs and other fan collectables please contact me at flairwhoooooo@yahoo.com to discuss how we can work together to give back to the fans while having a little fun.
Coming up in the next couple of days join us for a MWR Awards presentation from 3xwrestling with info for their exciting show coming up this Friday in Des Moines Iowa with the return of the Northstar Express and Arik Cannon and a main event rematch between 3XW Champion Jeremy Wyatt and Rory Fox in a ladder match, a Dubi meets the fans from Pro Wrestling Epic and the announcement of the MWR Trading card #12.
Last but not least do not forget to join us in Springfield Illinois to catch a shirt from a NMW Superstar and join Dubray in the first ever Dubi meets the NMW Fans. Last night MWR received information on some new exciting matches added to this Saturdays show.
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
__________
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
__________
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.
By Brian “Flair” Kelley
Another Monday night is upon us and pro wrestling’s biggest show will be on, WWE’s Monday Night Raw. Will I be home to watch it? Well, there is a chance that I will come in late and watch it tomorrow. Maybe it could be a week later.
How, you may ask? Well, because of one of the greatest inventions since the TV, TIVO. TIVO allows you to set your TV to record a show prior to it coming on. With the push of a button you can have a season pass to all of your favorite shows such as Survivor and American Gladiators… and to boot you can even skip the commercials! Earlier today I asked myself how this technology shaped the way I have been able to watch wrestling.
It seems like only yesterday that I had a mere 3 channels living in the country. I would wait all week to watch pro wrestling on Saturday nights with All-Star Wrestling after Saturday Night Live. To see such stars as Harley Race, Bulldog Bob Brown, and Rufus R. Jones in action in towns that seemed like they were millions of miles away (though it was less than an hour’s drive at times) was a great treat. I came from a family that did not like wrestling, so there was no chance of going to see it live. If I was lucky, sometimes there would be a special WWF Saturday Night show with Hulk Hogan before my favorite All-Star Wrestling. I would be treated with back to back shows of my first love, pro wrestling. For some reason there were many times when All-Star Wrestling was a rerun, though. It was a lot better than the times when it wasn’t on at all and the western program “Branded” starring Chuck Connors took it’s place (to my chagrin).
I loved wrestling so much that I would wake up early on Sundays and skip church so that I could see if the weather was nice enough for a channel that broadcasted pro wrestling out of Texas. World Class Championship Wrestling would broadcast without a picture, but I could hear the play-by-play of wrestlers like One Man Gang and the Fabulous Freebirds. It brought excitement to my ears.
Then there was that day (I don’t remember the exact day) that All-Star Wrestling featured a wrestler that was brought in to defend his belt against the Central States’ best. I watched a wrestling show on TBS that Saturday evening at my Uncle’s that introduced me to the wrestler I would look up to, and embodied my pro wrestling love, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
The man was everything I wanted to be. He had all the ladies and he could really talk. His promos sold me, mainly because he told me he was the best and also had the belt to prove it. Yes, he made me believe… and boy, did he work me over! Anytime I could get in town on Saturday nights (which wasn’t very often) I turned on the TV to see what Flair had done. With the money I had earned by mowing yards and doing other odd jobs, I never missed an issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) at the newsstand. I swear, I would read them over and over again… always checking out the rankings in each organization and stories of dream matches like Flair versus Hogan.
I was fortunate enough to live in the coming age of the VCR, and if I got to rent an event such as Wrestlemania or Starcade then the show was months (if not years) old. That didn’t deter me from watching every match or promo on that tape over and over again, loving every minute of it.
One Christmas right before I turned 16, Santa brought me a VHS titled “Road Warriors: Tag Team Champs”. It was only 30 minutes long, but I got to relive the history of the tag team that introduced me to “Iron Man” and prompted a search through my father’s albums at the age of ten to find the album “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath. That jump started my love for Heavy Metal. If there ever was a perfect VHS then this was it, as you had the Road Warriors at their best. They nearly caused a riot as they destroyed a very young and future great Curt Hennig and his father Larry “The Ax” Hennig. All this and more can now be found easily on DVD in the WWE’S “Road Warriors: The Life and Death of the Most Dominant Tag Team in Wrestling History”.
Fast forward to the present, and pro wrestling has changed considerably. It seems like there is a show on every day and a PPV every Sunday. I feel that there is possibly too much wrestling, but you can contribute some of my lack of interest to the fact that some of the magic has been taken out of the sport since Vince McMahon broke down and said that pro wrestling is in fact sports entertainment. I can’t really say that, though, because it has allowed me to know the wrestlers better as they are more accessible for autographs and pictures (which of course I enjoy).
The Internet Age has allowed me to keep up with all that is happening in the world of wrestling, keep in contact with fellow fans and build friendships with them along the way. I now know of shows that are headed my way farther in advance, and know more about the sport than ever. Many have complained about the impact of the Internet, but I must say it beats paying nearly $10.00 an issue for my beloved magazine PWI only to be given watered down information.
That brings us full circle to the beginning of my article and TIVO, the device that allows me to watch wrestling when I want. Once, I would hurry to make it on time to watch wrestling with my friends because I didn’t want to hear about it second hand. Now, my son always says “Dad, your not even watching it, your listening to the show while checking out the web”. He definitely has a point. If I hear something that appeals to me then I just push the rewind button, and truthfully I don’t see a whole match anymore due to that.
What once made shows like Saturday Night Live, David Letterman and any pro wrestling show special and “must see” has lost that pizazz with technology such as TIVO.
Times have changed, as they should, but at one time I took a break from wrestling for almost 10 years because of these changes. WCW closed the doors and my wrestling love was lost. Thankfully, my love for pro wrestling was reborn when I took a trip to Lawrence, Kansas to see an independent show put on by Central States Wrestling. It rekindled my love for the sport, and unlike TIVO or DVD, at a live independent show you need to keep all eyes focused. You never know what you may miss, because you can’t push a button to see it again. For that 3 hours you have the sport the way it should be.
I hope you enjoyed your first “Your Trip On Space Mountain” and I want to see you at a show soon.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 