Posts Tagged ‘Chris Gough’

From the Rebel to the Monarch – Jeremy Wyatt Could Very Well be the Best

Posted by flairwhoooooo on November 30, 2017

By Brian Hoops

Photos Brian Kelley

“Not only is Jeremy Wyatt a great athlete, he also has one of the best minds for the
business. He is SO underrated on a national level that’s its criminal!” – NWL Tag Team
champion Michael Strider.

2017 will be known as one of the greatest years for in ring performances in professional
wrestling history. 4 star, 5 star and even 6 star matches are seen from every level of
wrestling this year and one wrestler who has consistently produced some of the best
matches in 2017 is Jeremy Wyatt.

Wyatt may not be a household name nationally, but Wyatt’s talent is on par with any
professional wrestler in any promotion.

Wyatt has carved out a career mostly on the Midwest independent scene but now
wrestles exclusively for the National Wrasslin League, based in Kansas City, Missouri.
Wyatt has been the champion of the 3XWrestling promotion in Iowa, the Central States
Champion and Metro Pro Wrestling champion.

Wyatt, born June 26, 1978 in Kansas City, Missouri has lived in Kansas City his entire
life. Wyatt went to Raytown High School (suburb of Kansas City), excelled in football as
a wide receiver, making 2nd team all conference and all district his senior year and drew
some interest in football powerhouse Northwest Missouri State University, Central
Missouri State and Mid American Nazarene. Wyatt claims baseball was his best sport,
but Wyatt was bored with the sport and never played for his high school team, instead
played for summer league teams.

Raised by his father who worked mostly nights, Wyatt played sports with his friends and
discovered professional wrestling when he was 5 or 6 years old. “My all time favorite
was Sting, followed by Macho Man Randy Savage. I was always drawn to those 2
because their gear was always so colorful and they had ridiculous amounts of charisma.
I met Sting once after a show at Memorial Hall and he talked to me for a good 5 minutes
or so. I was 11 at the time and he was already my favorite and that experience sealed
the deal” Wyatt reminisced.

When Wyatt was younger, he went to every show that came to town. “My friends and I
would sit in either the 1st or 2nd row, and we would always start chants. When you’re a
kid, and everyone joins in, you think you’re the coolest kids in the building.”
“There was a show at Municipal (Municipal Auditorium) and we were in the 2nd row. My
dad’s friend took us. He got a little liquored up and ended up dumping an entire beer on
Rick Rude during a match with Roddy Piper. Security came over, but no one would point
him out since he was with ‘the kids starting all the chants’, everyone said it was ‘some
guy that went running back that way’.”

Wyatt started training in St. Joseph, Missouri in 2001 with a guy named Steve Estes.
Estes taught Wyatt how to bump and other basics, but Estes had a poor reputation in
the wrestling industry which hurt Wyatt when he tried to get bookings. “I was grateful for
the opportunity to get my foot in the door, but I should’ve done more thorough research
and went somewhere more reputable.”

“Steve had such a bad rep that I was guilty by association, and had a stigma placed on
me in the area. Once I was able to get on some shows that didn’t involve him, which
took a few years, people saw I was decent enough to get some opportunities,” Wyatt
remembered.

“Wyatt is this area’s best kept secret. I wish he had traveled more early on. He has a
really good mind for wrestling. His work right now is top notch.” – NWL Tag Team
champion Ace Steel.

Once the doors to the independent scene were opened, Wyatt started working matches
in NWA Central States. “Michael Strider (fellow Foundation member) was one of the
guys to vouch for me and push for someone to give me an opportunity. He had some
pull at NWA Central States,” Wyatt remembered fondly.

“When I met Jeremy Wyatt back in 2010, he was already a well-known wrestler in the
Midwest. Since then, he has become the best wrestler I’ve seen who has not signed a
deal with WWE or any other national/international company. When I ran Metro Pro
Wrestling for six years, he was the best champion I had, and he was the backbone of
the company. The years he was on top were the best years we ever had.” – former
WWE writer and Metro Pro Wrestling owner Chris Gough.

“I had a stretch where I went down to Florida in 2010-2011 and had a chance to wrestle
Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) to a 30 minute draw when he was ROH champion. I’ve also
had a couple of matches with Christopher Daniels that I’m really proud of. Daniels is the
guy who drew me to independent wrestling. He is the guy that really stood out to me, so
he ended up becoming my ‘dream match’ back then,” Wyatt remembers.

Wyatt blends his athleticism along with the ability to work his opponents strengths into
telling a story in his matches. It’s a old school approach that works perfectly in the NWL.
“The best thing I’ve ever done was go to a day long seminar with Nick Dinsmore in
summer of 2008. I was floundering a bit, not improving at the clip I wanted. The way he
explained things just seemed to click. Literally felt like a lightbulb coming on. From that
day on, I think my work, and the way I did things changed, very much for the better,”
Wyatt explains.

“In NWL, he’s a very respected ring general who isn’t the most vocal leader, but
definitely leads by example. He’s one of the reasons I continue to enjoy working in
wrestling. It’s the details that make him the best. Every move and decision he makes in
the ring has a purpose. Every sequence is part of a story. Wyatt can make you believe
he can take down a man twice his size because he understands psychology as well as
anyone.” – Chris Gough, NWL Executive.

When working against a giant brawler like Jack Foster, Wyatt incorporated Foster’s
ability to fight and punch into the match, leading to a spot where Foster hit his hand
against the steel ring post and “injured” his hand the rest of the match. Wyatt worked
spots against the injured hand into the match, reminiscent of the nostalgic Andersons
tag team who would injure a body part and work their entire match around the injured
body part.

“He is undoubtedly the pound-for-pound best professional wrestler I have worked with.
That goes for any level – Midwest indie, national indie names, long-time WWE stars. I
still consider him one of the top talents in the country today.” – Midnight Guthrie,
announcer.

Wyatt showed his versatility in a feud with rookie Anthony “Sharkbait” Gutierrez.
Gutierrez is a former MMA fighter who is athletic but transitioning into professional
wrestling. Wyatt worked MMA spots into the match for Gutierrez to shine when he was
on offense and made the match believable and competitive.

“Jeremy is the hardest worker I’ve ever met. He’s continuously working on improving as
a wrestler and is obsessed with having different matches for different scenarios. There’s
no such thing as a “standard Wyatt match”. – Michael Strider

Everything Wyatt does is worth purpose. Two of Wyatt’s moniker’s is the “Monarch” and
the “King of Kansas City.” Engraved on his long trunks is the head of a lion; the
“Monarch” and “King of the Jungle.” What many fans may not realize is Wyatt is a huge
baseball fan and the Monarch name is also a tribute to the old Negro baseball league
team that was based in Kansas City, the Kansas City Monarchs.

“I do put a lot of thought into things, I’m going to work a match differently if it’s just a one
off against someone than I would if it’s the 1st match of a new feud. And the same goes
with the 1st match of a feud would be worked differently than the blow off. Just like with
matches, building and telling a story, I like doing the same (probably even more so) with
a long drawn out feud. I think I’ve developed a pretty good idea what works, what
doesn’t. I think I process things pretty well as far as how to feel out the crowd.
Sometimes you have an idea, if they’re not digging it, you have to be able to adjust. I
never go into a match thinking I have to do anything for sake of doing it. If it fits into the
story, cool. If not, I don’t need to force a square peg in a round hole,” Wyatt explained.

Despite being one of the best wrestlers in the Midwest, Wyatt has never really pursued
a chance to wrestle for a national promotion. “Wrestling, as much as I love it, has never
been the be all, end all for me. I am happy with my life, and I never felt the need to
make certain sacrifices that would be needed to ‘make it’ in wrestling.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Ace Steel, Brian Hoops, Central States Wrestling, Chris Gough, jeremy wyatt, Metro pro Wrestling, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, NWA, NWL, Rick Rude, Ring of Honor, Roddy Piper, Seth Rollins, Steve Estes, Tyler Back, WWE | Leave a Comment »

Ace Steel Comes Back to His Roots

Posted by flairwhoooooo on August 29, 2017

By Brian Hoops

Photos Brian Kelley

Many wrestlers retire from wrestling, but almost all return to the ring at
some point. Ric Flair had an incredible send off at Wrestlemania XXIV,
wrestling his final match on the biggest and grandest stage of them all,
but Flair returned to wrestling less than 2 years later. Nick Bockwinkel
retired in 1987 but wrestled in 1992 and 1993 for special return matches.
The great Verne Gagne retired and came out of retirement numerous
times.

Chris Guy, who wrestles as “Sexy” Ace Steel, never actually retired, but
the pull of wrestling for one of the top independent promotions in the
country, was too much for Ace Steel to ignore. Steel has once again
returned to active wrestling as part of the “Foundation” in the National
Wrasslin League. Steel was happy, living a comfortable life in
Springfield, Missouri with his wife working a regular job.

Steel plans to continue with his full time life outside the ring, but as the
NWL has increased the number of their monthly wrestling events, the
call to the veteran Steel was made and his interest piqued. “They wanted
me to come in as a trainer, but I didn’t want to leave my life and pick up
and move again. I am not going to wrestle on every event, but I
definitely will be more active in the ring than I have been.”

Steel worked for Chris Gough, former owner of Metro Pro and current
director of wrestling operations for NWL at Metro Pro Wrestling before
Gough closed Metro Pro Wrestling to work for Major Baisden and the
NWL.

Steel attended a NWL show in Kansas City on July 8 and was so
impressed with the talent, the shows and NWL owner, Major Baisden;
he wrestled on the NWL show in Joplin, Missouri on August 4,
defeating Stevie Richards.

“Ace steel has such a tremendous reputation, both as a worker and as a
trainer. The years we worked together at Metro Pro hatched some of the
best moments we ever had. I was asking him for months to come back to
NWL, and when he told me he was ready, I knew it was going to lead to
great things again. He has joined Jeremy Wyatt and Michael Strider in
The Foundation, and they will be a trio that will be hard to overcome”,
Gough explained.

Steel grew up in Chicago and fell in love with professional wrestling. “I
grew up watching the AWA and as soon as I graduated high school, I
started training with Windy City Wrestling.”

Steel debuted for Windy City Wrestling in 1991 and wrestled in
independent promotions for most of the hey day of the wrestling wars in
the 90’s. In 1998, Steel became a wrestler and trainer for St. Paul
Championship Wrestling, which later became Steel Domain Wrestling.
Steel became friends with two other Chicago natives who were making a
name for themselves on the independent circuit; Colt Cabana and CM
Punk. Steel trained both Cabana and Punk.

“Ace Steel has worked for Steel Domain Wrestling and has incredible
respect in our locker room”, says Steel Domain owner Ed Hellior. “The
last time he was here, I watched him do a coaching session with a couple
of Ken and Shawn’s students. (Ken Anderson and Shawn Diavari). What
I noticed is it’s once thing to be a world class wrestler, but he his an
outstanding coach and teacher. There are a number of great wrestlers,
but it does not mean they can teach. Even Steven Regal (William Regal)
got wind of the session and commented on Ace. “

In 2003, Steel made his first appearance in Japan wrestling for NOAH.
“I couldn’t wait to be in a place where at times wrestling, the pure mat
wrestling techniques and training, were common and the norm,” Steel
told Slam Wrestling. “The Japanese have such a level of dedication and
to workout and train everyday, and get on a bus to the next town was the
best. I’ve been in the ring many times with (Mitsuharu) Misawa,
(Yoshinari) Ogawa, (Akira) Taue, KENTA (Kenta Kobayashi),
(Naomichi) Marafuji, (Yoshinobu) Kanemaru –– you name it. And each
time learning so much and to gain their respect is awesome. NOAH is
the top Japanese company.”

Steel briefly worked for TNA after its inception, forming a tag team with
Punk and also wrestling in the X Division. After his TNA contract
expired, Steel signed with Ring of Honor, forming a tag team with
Cabana and Punk called the Second City Saints. Steel also has wrestled
for WWE in the past. During a September 27, 2004 edition of Raw,
Steel wrestled as Scott Colton (real name of Colt Cabana), losing a
match to Eugene. As a repayment of the inside rib, Cabana wrestled as
Chris Guy, (Steel’s real name) on an April 10, 2006 episode of Raw.
Maybe Steel’s most memorable performance on Raw occurred on
January 8, 2007, when Steel portrayed Donald Trump in an inter gender
match against “Rosie O’Donnell“.

Steel later was signed to a
developmental contract with WWE and wrestled in both of the WWE
developmental territories at the time, Deep South Wrestling and Ohio
Valley Wrestling.

On December 5, 2008, Steel returned to ROH at the “Wrestling at the
Gateway” event, teaming with Necro Butcher against Jimmy Jacobs and
Delirious. Steel also appeared in the 10-man cage match at the “Caged
Collision” event on January 31, 2009.

Ace Steel once held onto Harley Race’s WLW Championship.

Steel recently turned 44 years old, making him a veteran presence and a
natural locker room leader. “I am really impressed by the guys in the
locker room. They are all really excited to be wrestling for the NWL.”
Jeremy Wyatt cryptically told NWL fans “Foundation” members
Michael Styder and Wyatt had an “Ace” up their sleeve weeks ago.

Steel debuted in Kansas City as a surprise opponent for Gil Rogers on
August 5 and affirmed his affiliation with the Foundation during an
interview later that evening.

Despite being a former Steel Domain Champion and Metro Pro
Champion, some of Steel’s greatest accomplishments have come from
the words of other wrestlers. “Having Regal (William) choose me to
work with him (on Harley Race events) is such an honor. Regal said he
chose me because he trusted me to do what needed to be done” Steel
explained. “Having Ricky Steamboat tell me ‘you made that match worth
watching’ is really special to me.”

For now, Steel is content to wrestle part time for NWL and also loves
training younger wrestlers.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Ace Steel, AWA, Chris Gough, CM Punk, Deep South Wrestling, Ed Hellior, Gil Rogers, Harley Race, jeremy wyatt, Ken Anderson, Major Baisden, Metro pro Wrestling, michael strider, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, NOAH, NWL, Ohio Valley Wrestling, OVW, Ricky Steamboat, Ring of Honor, ROH, Shawn Diavari, SLAM Wrestling, Steel Domain Wrestling, Steven Regal, Stevie Richards, TNA, WLW, World League Wrestling, WWE | Leave a Comment »

The Magnum Minute #23 Featuring Chris Gough

Posted by flairwhoooooo on July 13, 2017

This week on The Magnum Minute, Dak sits down with the NWL KC Director of Operations, Chris Gough, to discuss why NWL KC is doing so well

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Chris Gough, Dak Drapper, The Magnum Minute | Leave a Comment »

Draper Becomes the First NWL Champion

Posted by flairwhoooooo on April 26, 2017

By Brian Hoops
Photos Brian Kelley

In the National Wrasslin League, one man stands taller than the rest. At 6’5”, Dakota “Dak”
Draper is not only the tallest wrestler on the roster, he is the first ever NWL Kansas City
Heavyweight Champion.

Draper was crowned champion by defeating Blaine Meeks in the finals of a tournament held
over three months on April 1 at the Scottish Rites Temple in Kansas City, Missouri. The National
Wrestling League was formed in 2016 by and started promoting in Kansas City
and St. Louis in January, 2017. Shows are run every other Saturday in Kansas City and every
other Sunday in St. Louis.

Draper, real name Sam Udell, was recruited to the NWL KC roster by NWL Director of
Operations Chris Gough. Gough was a former writer for WWE and had always wanted to book
Draper for his Metro Pro Wrestling promotion. “He was appealing to me because he had been to
the WWE like me. I knew he would appreciate this opportunity because of that.”

Draper, better known as “The Mile High Magnum” hails from Colorado. “I grew up a wrestling
fan and was huge fan of”, Draper told me in a phone interview. Draper ended up
wrestling collegiality at Chadron State University in Chadron, Nebraska, a Division 2 program. It
was at the NCAA finals that he caught the eye of WWE talent scout Jerry Brisco. “Late in the
summer of 2007 they brought me to FCW for a tryout. I was in FCW for a week. The only thing I
did well was my promo.”

Draper didn’t get signed but Brisco told him to work on his body and to move to Denver and find
a wrestling school. “I ended up meeting Pat Tanaka and trained with Pat for about nine months.
Gerry Brisco called me again and offered me another tryout. I did well in the ring and in the
promo again and after the promo, they pulled me aside and told me they were gonna sign me.”
Draper signed a two year developmental contract, the first year he spent in Tampa before the
current WWE Performance Center was built in Orlando. Draper worked in developmental as
Travis Tyler and worked mostly in an enhancement role. Draper was released from the
developmental contract in August of 2016 and moved back to Denver to work on the
independent scene.

“I gained a lot of confidence wrestling in the independents. That was the thing that held me back
in WWE, I was always trying to be a character instead of being myself. Now I can be Dak
Draper who thinks he is above everyone else.”

Draper refers to himself as the “Mile High Magnum” as a tribute to his home city and one of his
favorite wrestlers growing up, Magnum TA. Draper says being a heel is natural for him. “Dr.
Tom (Prichard) told us the first day of developmental that the best wrestling characters are
extensions of ourselves with the volume turned up. I didn’t really understand it at the time, but I
am starting to now.”

Draper is the complete athlete that can cause fits for his opponents on the ground and surprisingly in the air as well. Here he catches Blaine Meeks off guard in the finals for the NWL KC Championship.

Draper is one of the eight wrestlers who are employed by the National Wrasslin League. He is
signed through the end of 2018 and appreciates being involved in the promotion. “I really want
to make the NWL a successful company. Its really cool to be involved in the process of creating
wrestling instead of people telling you what to do.”

Draper is the first and only NWL Kansas City Champion. The NWL Kansas City Title will only be
defended in Kansas City and likewise the NWL St. Louis Title will only be defended in St. Louis.
Gough says by the end of the year a champion of the NWL will be crowned and the title will be
defended anywhere. At the end of the year in December, the NWL Kansas City Champion will
meet the NWL St. Louis Champion to determine the NWL Champion.

Gil Rogers put up a fight for the NWL KC title at the Scottish Rite Temple, but Dak Draper would show off his championship skills to retain the belt.

“The NWL championship match will take place in the city that has the best record in the series
between Kansas City and St. Louis at the time. We have a running total record of matches
between a guy from the Kansas City roster versus a guy from the St. Louis roster.” Gough
explained, “Tag Team Champions will be crowned down the road, but probably not this year.”
Gough, the primary recruiter of talent for the NWL is always looking for new talent and bringing in
fresh faces. Former Ring of Honor Champion Kyle O’Reilly has recently worked for the
promotion and “Hardcore” Bob Holly is signed for April 29 in Kansas City.

Fans of the promotion can watch NWL on its you tube channel. Fans in Kansas City can watch
NWL KC on broadcast television at 11 pm Saturday nights on channel 38, The Spot. Gough said
it is the first time professional wrestling has been on broadcast television in Kansas City since
the mid to late 1980’s when Central States was a TV staple.

I asked Draper if being on local television has brought him any recognition when he is out in
downtown Kansas City. “Actually, I was out in the Power & Light District and someone
recognized me. That didn’t happen, even in Orlando. I had some tickets to our next show with
me and gave the guy a couple of tickets to watch the Mile High Magnum

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Blaine Meeks, Bob Holly, Central States, Chadron, Chadron State University, channel 38, Chris Gough, Dakota Draper, FCW, Jerry Brisco, Kyle O’Reilly, Magnum TA, National Wrasslin’ League, Nebraska, NWL, NWL Kansas City Heavyweight Champion, Pat Tanaka, Razor Ramon, Ring of Honor Champion, Sam Udell, Scottish Rites Temple, Tom Prichard, Travis Tyler, WWE | Leave a Comment »

Brian Hoops Proclaims that the NWL is the Hottest Wrestling Promotion in Missouri

Posted by flairwhoooooo on March 13, 2017

By Brian Hoops

Photos Brian Kelley

As first seen at http://www.wrestlingobserver.com

There is a new independent wrestling promotion, and its changing the traditional way of running a wrestling promotion. The National Wrasslin League was founded in September by Major Baisden and ran its inaugural show in Kansas City on January 7. According to its press release, “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.”

NWL has financial backing behind it. Baisden, best known in the Kansas City area as the President and co-founder of Iris Data Services, Inc., sold Iris Data Services to Epic Systems Inc for $134 million in April, 2015. Baisden has a love for baseball, football and pro wrestling and decided to start his own wrestling promotion and promote it differently than traditional wrestling promotions.

Major Baisden does his best to keep Michael Strider from losing his temper under the bright lights at the Scottish Rite Temple.

In October of 2016, NWL reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Metro Pro Wrestling, a local promotion based in Kansas City, which became part of NWL KC. Metro Pro was the brainchild of Chris Gough, a former WWE creative team member who moved back to his native Kansas City to start a family. Gough is also the man behind the really awesome documentary, “KC: Beyond the Mat” that focused on the Kansas City based Central States and Heartland of America promotions. Gough was offered a full time position in the NWL offices and works behind the scenes running the new promotion. NWL also acquired St. Louis based Anarchy Pro Wrestling.

The promotion plans to run shows on alternating Saturday nights in Kansas City and alternating Thursday nights in St. Louis, at the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City and the Casa Loma Ballroom in St. Louis, Missouri. Soon, the St. Louis shows will run on Sunday afternoons. The Scottish Rite Temple is also home to Invicta MMA shows. Throughout the season, the final show of each month will pit wrestlers from KC and St. Louis against each other, with the city earning the most victories recognized as the league’s best town. The NWL’s top city will also earn negotiation rights for all new talent entering the NWL in 2018. It is a business model geared more towards minor league hockey or minor league baseball, as the promotion hopes to build a loyal fanbase in each city.

According to Gough, NWL has signed more than 50 wrestlers to contracts, including eight who work for the promotion full time. These wrestlers receive full benefits, including health insurance and work full time for the promotion, even though they only run four shows per month. NWL is building out a 10,000 square foot building, just north of Kansas City to be used as a training and performance center.

The first show in Kansas City drew what had to be considered an excellent crowd for its debut show, 510 fans thanks in part to flash sales and other promo code offers. Ringside seats are $40, but if you commit to a membership, the cost is $50 a month with additional membership perks.

St. Louis sold only 225 tickets until a strong walkup pushed total fans in attendance to near 500. The crowd for the second Kansas City show was nearly half of the first. This will be one of the struggles of the promotion, how to maintain crowds when running every other week with many of the same wrestlers.
The promotion plans to crown a Kansas City and St. Louis champion through a tournament this spring. The two champions will then square off in a mid-season showdown, with the winner earning home-arena advantage for the year’s big finale in December. On the night of the season finale, the NWL’s League champion will also be decided that evening with a tourney involving the St. Louis and KC titleholders as well as the No. 1 contenders for both belts. The December spectacular will also crown the NWL’s tag-team champions in a tournament featuring the four teams with the best records over the course of the 12month season.

The show I attended was certainly entertaining and different than the normal independent show. Baisden acquired a jumbotron style video board that sits on a stage where the wrestlers come out and to the ring, very similar to how WWE has its wrestlers come to the ring. Baisden is a fixture at the shows, watching and interacting with fans and even getting into the ring to brow beat a local manager. There is some good talent on the shows, including top area heel Dak Draper (Sam Udell, a recent cut from WWE Developmental),

Dak Draper

Ken Dharma (Mike Sydal) and

Niles Plonk. Plonk has the best gimmick since Madonna’s boyfriend gimmick that Louis Spiccoli used, as he’s a wine connoisseur. Plonk actually owns a vineyard in Missouri.

Independent name talent including Kyle O’Reilly and Arik Cannon, have become part of the NWL in recent weeks.

Update News from NWL KC

Our next NWL event is Saturday, March 18, at 7 p.m. inside the Scottish Rite Temple! Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Matches announced so far include:

– NWL KC Championship Tournament Semi-Finals Match – Dak Draper vs. Niles Plonk
– NWL KC Championship Tournament Semi-Finals Match – Red Cloud vs. Blaine Meeks
– HUGE Tag Team Match: Royal Blood vs. The Blood Brothers
– Triple Threat Match: Jeremy Wyatt vs. Thor Theriot vs. Scott Slade

More matches to be announced!

Buy our monthly/yearly FIGHTCLUB KC packages to save money!

FIGHTCLUB KC GOLD (Ringside) – https://shop.nwleague.com/product/fightclub-kc-ringside/

FIGHTCLUB KC SILVER (Orchestra) – https://shop.nwleague.com/product/fightclub-kc-orchestra/

FIGHTCLUB KC BRONZE (Balcony) – https://shop.nwleague.com/product/fightclub-kc-balcony/

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Arik Cannon, Brian Hoops, Brian Kelley, Central States, Chris Gough, Dak Draper, Epic Systems Inc, Heartland of America, Iris Data Services, KC: Beyond the Mat, Ken Dharma, Kyle O’Reilly, Major Baisden, Metro Pro, Mike Sydal, Niles Plonk, Sam Udell, St. Louis based Anarchy, The National Wrasslin' League, www.wrestlingobserver.com | Leave a Comment »

2016 Missouri Wrestling Revival Future Star – Kevin Lee Davidson / Todd Letterman

Posted by flairwhoooooo on January 19, 2017

The Missouri Wrestling Revival Future Star Award has always been one of my favorite awards to give a wrestler. In the past, we tried to honor wrestlers that were just starting out within their first few years that we believed had the talent as well as have shown the desire to go the extra mile on the roads, training with veterans and doing everything that they possibly could to succeed.

This award was one that was personally chosen by myself, and I have been very proud of all the great talents that we have chosen.

This year I decided to change the philosophy of the award to not only talents that are just starting out. The reason is that wrestling has evolved within the past few years where stars that have entertained us on the Independents for years have had the opportunity to become household names at the WWE such as Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens.

So I asked myself, Brian, with so many young wrestlers in the area often traveling in and out of the area, they often are in the mention of top wrestlers, but because of coming in and out of it how can I honor them for their efforts? So with that thought I imagine the MWR Future Star Award to be a representation of who I would send today to NXT if the WWE asked me and my reputation was on the line. Please note that former MWR Wrestlers of the Year winners will not be up for this award

This year we will have two announcements, one today and one tomorrow. Both as important as the other.

Kevin Lee Davidson is a wrestler that meets all the criteria that the past winners exhibited. I love his size, and his raw talents. He has shown that he is smart enough to reach out to the top trainers in the area to improve himself as he has been under the tutelage of former MWR Wrestler of the Year Brandon Espinosa, Former ROH World Champion Michael Elgin, and through camps with the likes of eight time NWA World Champion Harley Race. He has already wrestled in another country and been seen on Ring of Honor TV.

Today, he is a signed contracted wrestler with NWL that feature trainers such as former Harley Race’s right hand man, Derek Stone, and Michael Strider, as well as the wrestling minds of Chris Gough, Major Baisden, Matt Jackson and Travis Scott Bowden the foundation is as strong to succeed as it could be anywhere in the independents.

Brian Kelley – Owner and Editor Missouri Wrestling Revival

A mere two and a half years into his wrestling career, Kevin Lee Davidson(aka Todd Letterman) has made a huge impact on the Midwest wrestling scene. Debuting in the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in the summer of 2014, “K.L.D.” made an immediate impact with his sheer size and power. He held the Television, Survivor, and Heavyweight Titles in his time with the promotion, but his journey was just beginning as he appeared for most of the major promotions in the St. Louis area; his experience includes matches with Dynamo Pro Wrestling, World League Wrestling, St. Louis Anarchy, and Wrestling Invades America(where he held their Heavyweight Title).

K.L.D.’s big step in the wrestling world was seeking the mentorship of Ring Of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling star “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin; this led to several appearances for ROH as well as matches in Canada and Europe. Most recently, his talents caught the eye of National Wrasslin’ League President Major Baisden…K.L.D. was one of the first to be signed to an exclusive NWL contract!

Now known as “The All-American” Todd Letterman, the big man is one of the top names in the new NWL promotion…will he be the first NWL St. Louis Champion? Don’t bet against him!

Look for an exclusive MWR Future of the Year Kevin Lee Davidson/ Todd Leterman artwork honoring her for his achievement from acclaimed artist Dartallion Allen Jr. in the future.

If you would like to sponsor the MWR Future Star of the Year Plaques for KLD /Todd Leterman then please contact MWR at flairwhoooooo@yahoo.com. The cost is $50.00 and you will receive a past MWR Yearbook, a Tyler Black (Seth Rollins rookie card) and a mention on the MWR Website.

Bio courtesy of Patrick Brandmeyer

2015 MWR Award

Future Star: Redwing

2014 MWR Year Awards

Future Star: Daniel Eads
Future Star: Elvis Aliaga

2013 MWR Year Awards

Future Star: Raphael King
Future Star Alexander Rudolph

2012 MWR Year Award

Future Star: ACH

2011 MWR Year Award

Future Star: Brian Breaker

2010 MWR Year Awards

Future Star: Sir Bradley Charles

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: 2016 Missouri Wrestling Revival Future Star, ACH, Alexander Rudolph, Brandon Espinosa, Brian Breaker, Chris Gough, Daniel Bryan, Daniel Eads, Derek Stone, Dynamo Pro Wrestling, Elvis Aliaga, Harley Race, Kevin Lee Davidson, Kevin Owens, Major Baisden, Matt Jackson, Metro pro Wrestling, Michael Elgin, michael strider, Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MMWA-SICW, MWR, National Wrasslin’ League, NWA, NWL, nxt, Patrick Brandmeyer, Raphael King, Redwing, Ring of Honor, ROH, Sir Bradley Charles, St. Louis Anarchy, Todd Letterman, Travis Scott Bowden, World League Wrestling, Wrestling Invades America, WWE | Leave a Comment »

The Ringside Edition December 2016 – December 2016 – By Brian Thompson

Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 27, 2016

Sometimes no matter how long you have been doing something, you always find your way back to your initial beginnings. My personal pro wrestling journey started around 1998 or 1999, creating my own wrestling website (anyone remember Angelfire URLs?) and covering independent wrestling in the southeast Missouri part of the country. Think of it as a poor man’s version of Missouri Wrestling Revival, which has obviously taken things to a totally different level. Long story short, I reached out to Brian Kelley about returning to my pro wrestling columnist days and those humble beginnings nearly two decades later. Wow. Just typing two decades later makes me realize I am not getting any younger!

For the debut of this column, I want to broach a subject that is on the minds of most people involved in the wrestling community in the Midwest – the National Wrasslin League (NWL). Regardless of what anyone might think, they are creating a buzz and a buzz is what you want when trying to establish a new venture.

I think Michael Elgin penned a great viewpoint on Twitter recently about NWL. I encourage you to seek that out if you haven’t already seen it. Now onto my thoughts.

First, I think management of the organization needs to be commended. Promoting pro wrestling is a huge risk at any level you try it. Trust me. This is coming from experience from being involved in different ventures since I first began my career in 2000 as a ring announcer for Gateway Championship Wrestling in St. Louis. Almost 17 years later, I feel I have learned a lot – as much from failures as from successes. When a person takes his or her own money and puts in on the line, whether you believe in the concept or possibilities, the person at least deserves some respect.

Contracts are being offered to talent. They are getting the chance to develop new gimmicks or characters. I have no direct idea of what these contracts entail, but I know many of the athletes and competitors who will be a part of the NWL venture on both sides – St. Louis and Kansas City. I hope to see the organization succeed if for no other reason than to support the dreams and goals of these talents.

Will the regional concept work? I’ve often told people that if I had significant finances to make a “real run” that a regional concept is the way I would go. I’d hope to build up a company that could get a stronghold in whatever part of the country it existed in. Think regional concept with a national footprint. With all the streaming media and online options today, a company can truly put its product out beyond its touring borders in ways never possible before. And as far as actual TV, I’d try to work a deal with maybe a Fox Sports affiliate. I saw Pro Wrestling Ohio with a show on a regional sports network there called Sports Time Ohio several years back. With my Dish Network package, I even got their show. I always thought that was a very good marketing strategy.

I think in trying to make a big splash, the regional footprint is a smart way to go. Time will only tell if this idea, concept and venture works. I hope it does for several reasons. First and foremost is the previously mentioned talents that will be earning a more regular income from wrestling. That is a goal for most of us in the wrestling business in one way or another.

Second, the more successful this is there is the strong possibility of a trickledown effect. For the talents who will be able to work other shows, they would become more valuable for themselves in terms of talent fees as well as more marketable to the promoters who use them. A win-win for everyone.

Will this be easy? Not at all. But guess what? No business is “easy.” If they were we’d all own our own business. It takes time. It takes investment. It takes patience.

As far as management, I think the ones who I understand are involved with NWL bring a mixture of skillsets to the table. Chris Gough obviously has been a part of the biggest wrestling/sports entertainment company in the world and has seen how they operate. He’s also had success with his own independent promotion in the Kansas City Metro. I believe Pierre Abernathy is involved in the St. Louis arm of things. He’s had experience running shows in that metro which only helps the cause. And I’m actually excited to see what Scott Bowden brings to the table. I was a fan of his work during the Memphis days with the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). Being a part of the last surviving territory system can only have helped his knowledge of how to promote and support a wrestling venture. He was on live television for years and saw how that worked. And not live to tape, we can edit later, I mean LIVE as in WMC TV-5 in Memphis with no re-takes.

As we enter 2017, I saw good luck to NWL and good luck to all independent promotions around the area. I hope for a most prosperous year for everyone.

(Brian Thompson is a pro wrestling promoter, manager, announcer and talent agent. He has been involved in pro wrestling since 2000. He may be reached at brianpaulthompson@gmail.com)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Brian Thompson, Chris Gough, Fox Sports, Gateway Championship Wrestling, Michael Elgin, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, National Wrasslin’ League, NWL, Pierre Abernathy, Scott Bowden, Sports Time Ohio, The Ringside Edition, United States Wrestling Association, USWA, WMC TV-5 | Leave a Comment »

Metro Pro Curtain Call: End of an Era

Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 23, 2016

Title courtesy of Bryan McIntosh
Photo’s Brian Kelley

Bobby Blackshire, Jordan Kastle & Allie Gato def. Derek Stone, Kraig Keesaman & Angel Trinity

Metro Pro Wrestling Owner thanks the fans for their support and welcomes them to come to NWL on Jan 7th.

NWL Owner Major Baisden

After being told that he was not to interfere at the St. Louis Anarchy’s final show, Michael Strider was fired and had to be escorted out of the ring.

Major Baisden reinstates Jeremy Wyatt !!!!!

Sterling Riegel challenges Jeremy Wyatt

Mark Sterling def. Devin Thomas

Jake Dirden def. Mike Sydal

The Honky Tonk Man & Rory Fox def. The Killer City Kings – Jake & Ryan King

The Commission – Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy def. The Kobra Kai Dojo – Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett to win the tag team titles.

Kevin Lee Davidson won a battle royal

ACH def. Jon Webb

Jake Dirden def. Mark Sterling to win the vacant MPW Heavyweight title.

15349718_1189076451129228_8230285002568845889_n

Photo Credit Jeremy Wyatt’s Facebook Page #UnholyAlliance

Jeremy Wyatt def. Sterling Riegel

Redwing def. Ace Steel in a lumberjack match to win the MPW Central States title

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Ace Steel, ACH, Allie Gato, Angel Trinity, “Casanova” Chris Nelson, Bobby Blackshire, Chris Gough, Davey Vega, Derek Stone, Devin Thomas, Evan Gelistico, Jake & Ryan King, Jake Dirden, jeremy wyatt, Jon Webb, Jordan Kastle, Kevin Lee Davidson, Kraig Keesaman, Lucy Mendez, Major Baisden, mark sterling, Mat Fitchett, Metro pro Wrestling, Mike Sydal, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, Nate Redwing, NWL, NWL KC, NWL STL, Redwing, ROH, Rory Fox, Sterling Riegel, The Commission, The Honky Tonk Man, The Killer City Kings, The Kobra Kai Dojo, TNA, WWE | Leave a Comment »

Metro Pro Wrestling -NWL KC Quick Hits – An Unholy Alliance with Wyatt and Strider, Redwing and Dirden Plus So Much More

Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 6, 2016

Metro Pro Wrestling

Turner Rec Center

Fans entered the building to receive free NWL KC T-shirts, bumper stickers, and merchandise. They were also welcome to come to the NWL booth to sign up for NWL e-mail updates and purchase tickets for the Jan 7th debut of the NWL at the Scottish Rite Temple .

Chris Gough thanked everyone for their support throughout the years including the fans, wrestlers Turner Rec Staff and Metro Pro Wrestling crew.

He introduced the NWL owner Major Baisden. Baisden welcomed everyone to come out and support NWL in both KC and STL as they are looking to take wrestling in the Midwest to a new level. He then asked to have Metro Pro Wrestling Commissioner Michael Strider to come to the ring. Baisden addressed the near riot at St. Louis Anarchy in November that was led by Strider and fellow NWL KC. Baisden had told Strider NOT to go to STL on that night and for interrupting Davey Vega’s title belt celebration with the chaos, he was FIRED.

Major Baisden then told Strider that he had reinstated Jeremy Wyatt.

Bobby Blackshire, Jordan Kastle, and Allie Gato vs Derek Stone, Kraig Keesaman and Angel Trinity

Mark Sterling (with the Killer City Kings) defeated Devin Thomas to move to the finals of the Metro Pro Wrestling Championship

Jake Dirden defeated Mike Sydal via submission to move to the finals of the Metro Pro Wrestling Championship

The Honky Tonk Man and Rory Fox defeated The Killer City Kings ( Jake and Ryan)

The Commission (Pierre Abernathy and Evan Gelistico) defeated Kobra Kai Dojo (Davey Vega and Mat Fitchet) for the Metro Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship

Kevin Lee Davidson won the Metro Pro invitational battle royal last elimination Donnie Peppercricket

A.C.H. defeated Jon Webb

Jake Dirden defeated Mark Sterling (with the Killer City Kings) for the vacated Metro Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship

Jeremy Wyatt defeated Sterling Riegel – Santa Claus Came to the ringside then attacked Logan Riegel and helped Wyatt win the match. Afterwards Santa unmasked to reveal that he was Micahel Stider. A unholy alliance was made when Wyatt shook hands sending a warning to the NWL that the KC legends were back.

Plus, you can follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Facebook

twitter.com/kingwyatt_nwl
Instagram.com/kingwyatt_nwl

Redwing defeated Ace Steel in a lumberjack match with special referee Lucy Mendez for the Metro Pro Wrestling Central States Championship.

Jake Dirden came out to celebrate with Redwing only to ambush and lay him out with a big boot with team NWL STL right behind. NWL KC came out for the save and the end of era in Kansas City closed the door on Metro Pro Wrestling .

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: "Stage One.", Ace Steel, ACH, Allie Gato, Angel Trinity, Bobby Blackshire, Chris Gough, Davey Vega, Derek Stone, Devin Thomas, Donnie Peppercricket, Honky Tonk Man, Jake Dirden, Jon Webb and Elvis Algeria, Jordan Kastle, Kevin Lee Davidson, KLD, Kraig Keesaman, Logan Riegel, Lucy Mendez, Major Baisden, mark sterling, Mat Fitchett, Metro pro Wrestling, michael strider, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, NWL KC, NWL STL, Pierre Abernathy, Redwing, Riegel Twings, Ring of Honor, ROH, Rory Fox, SLA, Sterling Riegel, The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt | Leave a Comment »

Dreams Are Made at the KC Pro Wrestling Training Center in Kansas City

Posted by flairwhoooooo on March 6, 2016

I know that some may have thought that I was crazy, driving close to six hours to cover the first ever KC Pro Wrestling Training Center Tryouts on a Sunday morning. To be honest, I was excited to see an area that is so red hot with wrestling as one of the best companies in the country, Metro Pro Wrestling, had endorsed the school and I have had the honor of covering the four trainers of the school for the past eight years in hundreds of the best matches of this era. As I came into the school, Trainers Derek McQuinn, Trevor Murdoch, Steve Fender, and Mark Sterling were instructing the students who have taken a chance on themselves to show the pros that they had the dedication, heart, and talents to become the future of pro wrestling. Students from not only Kansas City, but Oklahoma, Kentucky, and beyond made their way to the school.

The Tryouts were setup in a professional and positive environment from the four men who had all learned under the tutelage of Harley Race. Trevor Murdoch, of course, had made his way to the WWE, including training and wrestling in Japan; Steve Fender has enjoyed several tours of Japan; Derek McQuinn is a Professional trainer and recently a WLW trainer; and Mark Sterling, a former MWR Wrestler of the Year, has been all around the country and trained in camps with WWE, TNA and ROH while being considered around the Midwest as one of the top talents today. The students were pushed to excel during drills and given instructions on the proper techniques and safety in the ring. Metro Pro Wrestling Promoter Chris Gough was on hand to videotape the event as the students who had wrestled were allowed to showcase their skills as well give promos as the school will boast a complete foundation of what Promoters around the country will want, as well as what the WWE wants.

I was so impressed with the effort that the students gave and the desire of the trainers to help them improve. As the day came to an end, I said my goodbyes right as the students were about to meet with the trainers one on one for feedback on what they can do at the KC Pro Wrestling Training Center to improve and start the journey to be a top name someday. Aspiring wrestlers that were unable to be there on that day and want to become a pro wrestler, do not fear–know that you will be in good hands with the KC Pro Wrestling Training Center, so please do not hesitate to call them today.