Posted by flairwhoooooo on September 22, 2018
Jack Brisco was one of the top wrestlers ever in the sport. Yesterday would of been his birthday and out of respect to the legend I would like to share with you a special SICW Wrestling Explosion with Drew Abbenhaus that honored the former World Champion with a special interview with the one and only Larry Matysik and matches with Jack Brisco that I am sure that you will love.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Drew Abbenhaus, Jack Brisco, Larry Matysik, SICW, SICW Wrestling Explosion | Leave a Comment »
Posted by flairwhoooooo on January 25, 2012
By Brian Kelley
The Tokyo Monster Kahagas. Duane Long Photographer— NWA Ring Warriors
Wrestlers around the Midwest are on red alert as we speak due to the announcement that the world wide superstar Kahagas will once again return on April 6th in Glen Carbon, Illinois for NWA Dynamo Pro Wrestling then the very next night in Kansas City, Kansas with NWA Metro Pro Wrestling.
It has been since October 16th, 2010 that Kahagas has terrorized the area during a run as the High Voltage Wrestling Champion. A feud that saw him have classic battles with the best have to offer including Dingo, Flash Flanagan, Bloody Harker Dirge, and the KC Killers( Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling).
During IWA-MidSouth’s last attempt at the Ted Petty tournament, the company decided to have a try-out for aspiring wrestlers. MWR was on hand as “Tokyo Monster” walked in the building, you could see the fear in the eyes of the wrestlers as they scurried around to find out if they had drawn the unlucky number to take on the Superstar.
When the dust settled of over twenty one matches that night , Kahagas entered the main event and stole the show with a win and along with a standing ovation from the fans with chants of “Please come back”. The IWA-Midsouth promoter was so impressed he invited “Tokyo Monster” to take part in round one of the IWA-Midsouth Ted Petty tournament against the future Ring of Honor World Champion Roderick Strong.
Though the tournament or match would never happen, the legend of Kahagas continued to grow.
Time has gone by but nothing has changed as Kahagas have been on tours of Carlos Colons World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico, been to the Dominican Republic and traveled up and down the east and west coast. Videos and photos of Kahagas have been pouring into the MWR office that proved that he was pounding his opponents into submission while having fans run for cover.
Feuds and matches with the very best have only made the man more dangerous. WWE,TNA and ROH stars have not been safe as he has went to battle with Jay Lethal, Sabu, Scotty 2 Hotty, Low Ki, Michael Tarver, Kevin Thorn, Tatanka, and the veteran Cuban Assassin.
In Texas, he went to the finals of the first ever GWT tournament that had legends vote on the matches. Wrestling greats that were on hand for the voting process were Harley Race, Killer Karl Kox, Iceman King Parson, Stan “The Lariat” Hansen, and Jake Roberts to name just a few.
When it was announced that the NWA Junior World title was vacated and a tournament was to be done to crown, Kahagas was among the first one wanting a shot at the title, promising to bring respect, recognition and honor to the belt once more.
The NWA National Heavyweight Champion has shown up with a blood lust. Duane Long Photographer— NWA Ring Warriors
The NWA wisely saw the talents in the Tokyo Monster and instead of the NWA Junior title; he was offered a golden opportunity at the NWA National Champion Chance Prophet.
Chance Prophet has been the NWA National Champion since February 19, 2011. The prestigious NWA National title has a rich history starting with the very first champion Jack Brisco who defeated Terry Funk in the finals of a tournament on October 1980. Since then great men like Buzz Sawyer, Paul Orndorff, Wahoo McDaniel, Ted DiBiase and one of the original Four Horsemen Tully Blanchard have all held the title.
The Tokyo Monster wants Chance Prophet to try a little filet of sole! Duane Long Photographer—NWA Ring Warriors
The toughest challenge to date for the NWA National Champion Chance Prophet has been the Tokyo Monster who has been stalking him as of late meeting him twice at NWA Ring Warriors. The action has been so intense that in only their second meeting ever NWA Ring Warriors demanded that the match be contained with lumberjacks surrounding the ring. Still no one was safe as the match was called off due to a Double Disqualification, after referee Bruce Michaels was assaulted by a chair that left him bleeding.
The Kahagas-Prophet match ends in another double disqualification as a dazed and bloody referee Bruce Michaels is helped from ringside. Duane Long Photographer
The next NWA Ring Warriors card will be in Fort Lauderdale at the National Guard Armory on Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. Titled “Battle of the Belts,” the event will kick off South Florida’s WrestleMania weekend which includes shows and events from Ring of Honor, Dragon Gate and WrestleReunion.
Larry Brannon has set in motion to end the chaos once and for all as the NWA National Heavyweight Champ Chance Prophet will clash one more time with The Tokyo Monster Kahagas, except this time it will be in a Steel Cage and the only way to win is for one of the competitors to climb out of the cage.
Not only will there be two NWA officials at ringside, but former three-time NWA World Tag Team Champions, the New Heavenly Bodies (“Vivacious” Vito DeNucci and “Casanova” Chris Nelson) will serve as special enforcement referees for the match.
Then less than a week later one of the most traveled wrestlers in the world today, “The Tokyo Monster” Kahagas will return to the Midwest on April 6th and April 7th. If Kahagas should defeat Chance Prophet for the NWA National title, this will be among the first title defenses for the new champ.
Regardless, a man who has been in main events around the world returns from his year and half absence in the Midwest to once again.
Don’t miss the man who ran Godzilla out of Tokyo, Kahagas.
April 6th NWA Dynamo
April 7th Metro Pro Wrestling
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: "Bloody" Harker Dirge, “Casanova” Chris Nelson, Brian Kelley, Bruce Michaels, Buzz Sawyer, Carlos Colons World Wrestling, Chance Prophet, Cuban Assassin, Dingo, Flash Flanagan, Four Horsemen Tully Blanchard, Harley Race, High Voltage Wrestling, Iceman King Parson, IWA-MidSouth’s, Jack Brisco, Jake Roberts, Jay Lethal, jeremy wyatt, KC Killers, Kevin Thorn, Killer Karl Kox, Low Ki, mark sterling, Michael Tarver, New Heavenly Bodies, NWA Dynamo Pro, NWA Metro Pro Wrestling, NWA Ring Warriors, Paul Orndorff, Roderick Strong, ROH, Sabu, Scotty 2 Hotty, Stan "The Lariat" Hansen, Tatanka, Ted Dibiase, Ted Petty tournament, Terry Funk, the NWA Junior World, TNA, Vivacious” Vito DeNucci, Wahoo McDaniel, WrestleReunion, WWE | Leave a Comment »
Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 24, 2011
By Brian Kelley
With great info from Larry Matysik’s book From the Golden Era-The St. Louis Wrestling Record Book 1959 to 1983
Dory Funk Jr’s connection with the city of St. Louis is etched in stone. During Funk Jr’s historical four year NWA World Championship reign he would defend the title many times in the great city .
Dory Funk Jr- Photo Credit Amanada Blase
On February 11, 1969, in Tampa, Florida Funk captured the NWA World Championship with a victory over Gene Kiniski. Eleven days later on February 22, 1969 Funk would return to ST Louis to settle the score with rival Waldo Von Erich under “Texas Death Match Rules.”
Luck would have it for Waldo Von Erich that Sam Muchnick, Promoter in St. Louis and President of the National Wrestling Alliance changed the match from a Texas Death Match but to a World Title opportunity. The fans would be able to see Funk win a two out of three falls match when Funk won the first fall and Von Erich was not able to continue due to a shoulder injury.
Fans around the world know the name Bobby “The Brain” Heenan as the man who was instrumental in bring Pro Wrestling mainstream with his charismatic ability and quick wit while chasing mega star Hulk Hogan’s WWF (E) title during the Rock and Wrestling era.
Yet it was many years before that in St Louis that Hennan had protégé Black Jack Lanza in line to take the NWA World Championship. The two would sell out the Kiel Auditorium not once but twice, but even with the genius Hennan is Lanza’s corner Dory Funk Jr would not be dethroned.
For the next four years Dory Funk Jr. would defend the NWA World title around the world while bringing sell outs to St Louis with the very best challengers of that day. Fans would see classic matches between Funk Jr. and Dick the Bruiser, Jack and Jerry Brisco, Johnny Valentine, Rufus R. Jones, Baron Von Raschke and Harley Race before losing the title to Race in Kansas City on March 24th 1974.
In 1974 Dory Funk Jr would be the NWA Missouri Champion by defeating Harley Race on May 24th 1974 during a two out of three falls match at the Kiel.
Funk Jr. as the NWA Missouri Champion would get a victory of then NWA World Champion in St Louis on Nov ember 15 1974, Jack Brisco. St Louis announcer and historian Larry Matysik recalls in his book From the Golden Era-The St. Louis Wrestling Record Book 1959 to 1983 “*Dory Funk Jr. beat NWA Champion Jack Brisco, who did retain the title. Lou Thesz, special referee. 1-Brisco was DQ for throwing the bloody Funk over the top rope after 51:30. Neither man scored a fall in the remainder of the one-hour limit. As winner of the only fall, Funk was awarded the victory. But the challenger could not win the title by DQ, nor by winning only one fall of a best-of-three match, so Brisco kept the championship. This was the fifth consecutive battle between Brisco and Dory Jr. in almost four years that went the full one hour limit.
As the Missouri Champion Dory Funk Jr.defeated Killer Kowalski, in his last match in St Louis. Kowalski would go onto be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame and train current WWE Star Hunter Hearst Helmsey, TNA Knockout Chyna among many others before he passed away on August of 2008.
The great Harley Race would regain the NWA Missouri Championship beating Dory Funk Jr. in a two out of three falls match on February. 21, 1975.
Dory would return to action for years in St Louis with a notable match on Aug. 6, 1982 at the Kiel against NWA Champion Ric Flair losing a two out of three falls battle.
The fans loved to see Canadian Sean Vincent get his due from the former World Champion Dory Funk JR *Photo Credit Brian Kelley*
In all as a World Champion Dory Funk Jr defended the NWA Championship 24 times while drawing over 256,871 total attendances which is an astounding average of 10,703.
This past Saturday in East Carondelet Illinois Dory Funk JR returned to action at the young age of 71 in a three way tag match with partner Chaz Wesson and Gary Jackson against Sean Vincent, Kevin X and CWC Champion Ron Powers.
In a true testament to Dory Funk Jr.’s charisma and talent, I witness fans young and old on their feet at the end of a very entertaining match.
The fans in St Louis still love Dory Funk JR *Photo Credit Brian Kelley *
Dory Funk JR has been inducted in every Wrestling Hall of fame that is creditable including the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. His legacy will always have strong ties to the city of St Louis and thanks to the fine people at MMWA-SICW we had a special moment in wrestling history. Forty one years after his first NWA World title defense in St Louis, Funk Jr. returned to say thanks to the fans of the Midwest.
MWR fans will be thrilled to hear that Dory Funk Jr sat down with Larry Matysik in a special interview that can be purchased in the near future. Look for details on how in the future at MWR.
Dory Funk Jr. did not come alone to St Louis as he brought with him is lovely wife Marti and the students n the Funking Conservatory, their professional wrestling school which is also the Official American Training Center for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Please click on this link to watch Dory Funk Jr’s match along with the students of the night.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Black Jack Lanza, Bobby Henan, Dick Bruiser, Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, Larry Matysik, Missouri Wrestling Revival, NWA, NWA World Champion, Sam Muchnick, ST Louis, St Louis Hall of Fame, Waldo Von Erich | 1 Comment »
Posted by flairwhoooooo on January 1, 2011
History should
be studied
because it
is essential to
individuals and
to society, and
because it
harbors beauty.
Pro Wrestling fans are passionate about their love of the drama and action inside the squared circle. In a sport where the desire for us, the fans to know more about our heroes and villains more than ever, we are very fortunate to have websites, shoot interviews, movies and documentaries to fall back on.
Growing up I dreamed of a Hall of Fame for the stars that I saw in publications such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Wrestling needed a Hall of Fame just as baseball has Cooperstown New York and the NFL Canton Ohio. Sure, many magazines had a Hall of Fame on paper but I wanted more. I wanted to see the championship belts, photos and posters from past shows.
To be honest, coming from a boom time for pro wrestling in the 80’s with “Rock and Wrestling”, I still lived in a small town in the Midwest where there were still many that did not understand my love for wrestling. I thought that if a Hall of Fame was to exist I would have to make my way to New York or California to see such a wonderful museum.
Thankfully, we have one of the leading authorities on wrestling history in Mike Chapman living right here in the Midwest. Mike took his passion for amateur and pro wrestling and parlayed his talent to provide wrestling fans around the world a chance to gather to celebrate the accomplishments of our heroes.
Mike and Bev pose for a photo in the ring in the Pro Wing of the Museum. (Photo Courtesy of Mike Chapman’s website)
Now fans young and old can come together to look back and remember the stars of yesterday at the The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo Iowa. Mike Chapman founded the museum in 1998. With several years of hard work he retired from the museum on October 31, 2009 to devote full time to his new magazine, Iowa History Journal, and to write books.
Mike has represented the Midwest and the wrestling world with class and honor by promoting the sport as a public speaker, an author of 21 books (14 about wrestling) and his work has appeared in dozens of national and regional magazines.
In his books wrestling fans are able to take a trip back into time to look back at the incredible careers of Frank Gotch in “Frank Gotch: His Life and Legacy” and one of my personal favorite wrestlers and human beings Dan Hodge in “Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story”.
Fans of today are well aware of the talents that the collegiate wrestling world has as many in wrestling such as Bill Miller, Jack Brisco, Bob Geigel Brock Lesnar, Ken Shamrock, Steve Williams, Bobby Lashley, LeRoy McGuirk and of course Kurt Angle . Each of these men have all become important wrestlers in the pro ring at one time or another.
If some of these names are people that you may not know, I urge you to check out the museum or look them up, each a champion in their own right.
Let’s look at just a small part of his resume.
Mike is the founder of W.I.N. Magazine, considered by many the nation’s top amateur wrestling publication; the WIN Memorabilia Show, which draws 8,000 fans each year to the NCAA Championships. Mike has been important in the jumpstarting the “Dan Hodge Trophy,” which goes each year to the top college wrestler in the United States. It has been called “the Heisman Trophy of wrestling.”
Mike has earned the respect of many in the sport by being named in six Hall of Fames the AAU National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2002 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC), an organization of boxers, wrestlers and movie actors. In 2007 he received the Order of Merit for lifetime achievement from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and the President’s Award from the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.
As a reporter, he has attended 38 NCAA wrestling tournaments, two Olympics and two World Championships. He has won numerous awards for journalism and writing. He has been named National Wrestling Writer of the Year five times, by four different amateur wrestling organizations.
He has met and interviewed such people as Ronald Reagan, Muhammad Ali, Robert Redford, Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk from TV fame), Denny Miller (Tarzan actor and star of “Wagon Train”) and many other famous stars of movies and sports.
Mike has appeared on numerous TV shows –including the networks ESPN, A&E, Fox Sports, Iowa Public Television and Fox and Friends. He has been the guest on over 200 radio talk shows. He has produced three wrestling videos and has two screenplays in Hollywood, including “GOTCH: An American Hero.” The movie rights are owned by Empire Film Group and it is currently in pre-production.
As an athlete, he competed in wrestling, judo, sombo and bench press contests. He once bench pressed 440 pounds at a bodyweight of 205.
I first had the pleasure of meeting Mike Chapman in Newton Iowa, the original home of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum several years ago during an annual Hall of Fame. Several of my heroes from years past where in attendance in 2005 along with theInduction of Harley Race to the HOF.
Terry Funk, Verne Gagne and Larry Hennig were just a few that where there to sign autographs for the each and every one of the fans in attendance. Still one of the fondest memories that I had of that trip to Newton Iowa was how nice this guy that worked for the museum was towards Dubray and I. He spoke to us just like he had known us all of his life, telling stories of the displays and the posters on the wall.
We left that day in Newton with the perception that he just worked there and enjoyed what he done. I would later find out that that worker was none other than Mike Chapman, the founder of the museum, a man who had rubbed elbows former World Champions in Boxing and wrestling, Presidents of the United States, and some of the top Hollywood stars.
At Mike’s website this quote was stated
The mission of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum (DGIWIM) is to preserve, maintain and promote the long and illustrious heritage of mankind’s oldest sport in a manner which will benefit the sport, educate and entertain the public, and to inspire youth to dream big and work hard.
Mission accomplished Mike, this Lifetime Achievement Award is a thank you from the fans of the Midwest and around the world.
Editors Note: Please come back to MWR in the future for updates on the progress Mike latest project as he has been working with a committee in Humboldt, Iowa – the hometown of Frank Gtoch – to build an eight-foot statue of the world heavyweight champion (1908-1915) in the center of town.
If all goes as plan we hope to cover this historic occasion at Missouri Wrestling Revival
Please take the time to check out more information of Mike Chapman at his website here.
Fans of wrestling should check out the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum website here and make plans to see it live in 2011.
Brian Kelley
Missouri Wrestling Revival
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: A&E, AAU National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Bill Miller, Bob Geigel Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Cauliflower Alley Club, Dan Hodge, Denny Miller, ESPN, Fox Sports, Frank Gotch in “Frank Gotch: His Life and Legacy”, GOTCH: An American Hero, Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Ken Shamrock, Kurt Angle, Larry Hennig, LeRoy McGuirk, Lou Ferrigno, Mike Chapman, Muhammad Ali, Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story”., Robert Redford, Ronald Reagan, Steve Williams, Tarzan, Terry Funk, The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum, The Incredible Hulk, Verne Gagne, W.I.N. Magazine, WIN Memorabilia Show | 2 Comments »
Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 27, 2010
Mickey Garagiola and Larry Matysik
When you say the name Larry Matysik to a wrestling fan in St Louis, you get the same warm feeling that St Louis Cardinal fans get when you mention former ST Louis Cardinal announcer Jack Buck. Admiration and great memories quickly come to mind.
Both men were the fans best friend when it came to providing them with the much desired information about what was transpiring in the sport that they were into.
Buck was the man to hear the play by play of Cardinal greats such as Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee and Bruce Sutter. Fans watched as Matysik called play by play in matches that saw “King Kong” Brody, Dick “the Bruiser, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski, Pat O’Connor, Harley Race, Buddy Rogers and many more in action.
St Louis promoter Sam Muchnick was wise enough to know that for wrestling to succeed in St Louis, a sports town that he would have to bring the same respectability that the Cardinals brought to the city.
Wrestling at the Chase
A main piece to the puzzle would be the Voice of Wrestling at the Chase. The television program which broadcast from 1959 to 1983 from the majestic Chase Hotel would be the face of wrestling in St Louis.
Larry interviewing David Von Erich after beating Harley Race
Matysik has been much more than a man calling the play by play of great matches in St Louis. At the young age of 16 in 1963, Muchnick hire Matysik and would be very supportive and helpful in the career that saw Matysik also man the publicist and office manager, as well as book the matches.
In 1984 he would begin working with Vince McMahon and then WWF (now WWE) till 1993.
Matysik has since gone on to write some of the must read books in the industry including
1) Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling
Wrestling at the Chase is a fond, informative, amusing, and even poignant look at the who’s who of professional wrestling and legendary St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick.
St. Louis was the capital, and Muchnick the ruler of professional wrestling, before Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment took over. What happened in St. Louis paved the way for today’s multi-billion-dollar sports entertainment industry. The centerpiece of this magical operation was “Wrestling at the Chase,” a television program which broadcast from 1959 to 1983 from the majestic Chase Hotel.
Larry Matysik was Muchnick’s protégé and longtime announcer for the television show. With an insider’s eye for detail and accuracy, he recalls funny and amazingly touching tales about the characters who created professional wrestling as we know it. Ric Flair, “King Kong” Brody, Dick “the Bruiser,” the Von Erichs, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski, Pat O’Connor, Johnny Valentine, Dick Murdoch, Harley Race, Buddy Rogers, Jack Brisco, and Andre the Giant are all prominently featured. So is Muchnick himself, the Damon Runyan of wrestling, a man who helped mould the bizarre business of circus and sport. The savage twists of the politics of wrestling are on display as well, particularly the changes that rocked the mat world during the early ’80s.
2) Drawing Heat the Hard Way
Thrilling but flawed, entertaining despite the swerves and double-crosses, captivating even when repugnant… professional wrestling has enjoyed the attention and loyalty of untold millions for nearly a century. How and why is precisely what Larry Matysik examines in his third book, Drawing Heat the Hard Way: How Wrestling Really Works.
Wrestlers have their own private language, and in the unique world of wrestling “drawing heat” is a very good thing: the successful generation of crowd reaction and fan excitement. The Hard Way? That’s both exactly what it sounds like and something no one in the industry plans for: a legitimate and unintentional wound suffered because something’s gone awry. In Drawing Heat the Hard Way, Matysik explains what it takes to win the hearts and minds of wrestling fans, and how, at times, mistakes, controversy and unexpected turns of events have damaged the reputation or forever changed the business he loves.
If anyone understands wrestling, the problem-child offspring of whatever “real” sport is, it’s Matysik. Drawing Heat the Hard Way takes on the way wrestling is booked or planned; analyzes the roles of wrestlers and announcers, and explores steroids as an industry and fan issue. It also considers wrestling’s power-brokers, from those who influence the business by reporting on it, like Dave Meltzer, to those who make the final decisions on what gets broadcast every week, like the omnipresent Vince McMahon, and even to those who influence the sport with their pocketbooks — the fans themselves.
At times humorous, occasionally heartbreaking, always insightful, Drawing Heat the Hard Way is ultimately an objective take on what it means to be a wrestling fan, from someone who knows the business inside and out.
3) Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel
The most unpredictable and charismatic grappler of all time? The brute that made brawling an art before the term “hardcore” was coined? The confrontational businessman who fought for every penny he felt he deserved?
“Bruiser” Brody had no peers when it came to blood and guts, controversy and independence. Most wrestling promoters portrayed their top talent as exactly that kind of free-spirited, take-no-guff personality. They didn’t mean it, though — which explains why so few would admit to respecting Brody even as they featured him time and again.
So why did they give him work? Simple. “Bruiser” Brody delivered the goods in the ring and at the box office.
In the 1970s and early 80s, Brody was one of the few performers, along with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, to be recognized as a national star. With his fiery personality, Brody also conquered the international market.
Nearly two decades after his murder in Puerto Rico, Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel delivers a complete portrait of Brody’s remarkable life. Co-authors Barbara Goodish, Brody’s widow, and Larry Matysik, a close friend, offer a first-time opportunity to truly understand one of the sport’s most complex and controversial human beings. Goodish’s account of her husband’s horrific murder and its aftermath is both heartbreaking and compelling, while Matysik’s insider knowledge of the business puts Brody’s place in wrestling history into perspective. With a foreword by WWE announcer Jim Ross, Brody offers readers the unvarnished truth about one of the greatest wrestling legends of all time.
4) An electronic book- From the Golden Era
This unique digital publication offers a complete record of every twist and turn, of every performer, of all the battles from television’s legendary Wrestling at the Chase, and every card presented at both the historic Kiel Auditorium and The Arena (Checkerdome) during the glory era of the St. Louis promotion.
Wrestling at the Chase announcer and St. Louis insider Larry Matysik adds background about the personalities, business, secrets, and politics to make this electronic book a revealing, in-depth account of three decades of wrestling’s golden era. Featuring everything from attendance figures, to booking strategies, to insights and NWA championship bouts, From the Golden Era: The St. Louis Wrestling Record Book is the once-in-a-lifetime document that every serious wrestling observer must have.
Matysik has also been instrumental in keeping the history of one of the highest rated wrestling television programs Wrestling at the Chase alive with Classic St Louis Wrestling, hosted by Matysik himself. In 2007. Matysik headed a team to bring to St Louis the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame.
He was joined in this effort by promoter Herb Simmons, webmaster Mitch Martsey, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, and longtime fan Nick Ridenour. The Hall of Fame was created to honor the role St. Louis played in helping to establish professional wrestling in North America. Today the hall can be seen at the historic South Broadway Athletic club.
In 2011 fans in St Louis will once again be able to hear the Voice himself call wrestling matches when he returns to TV on Sunday February 6, 2011 at 11:30 am and then rebroadcast on Sunday evening at 10:30pm on Charter Cable channel 8. The matches will be taped in East Carondelet Community Center on Saturday January 22nd.
Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat
We were thrilled and excited when Matysik agreed to accept the 2009 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier this month at MMWA-SICW, MWR’S Dubray Tallman had the honor to present the plaque to a true gentleman and ambassador of pro wrestling, Larry Matysik
Once again, thank you so much for your positive contribution to pro wrestling Larry Matysik.
Please join us at MWR on January 1st when we will announce the recipient for the 2010 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Andre the Giant, “King Kong” Brody, Barbara Goodish, Bob Gibson, Bruce Sutter, Buddy Rogers, Dave Meltzer, Dick “the Bruiser, Dick Murdoch, Gene Kiniski, Harley Race, Herb Simmons, Hulk Hogan, Jack Brisco, Jack Buck, Jim Ross, Johnny Valentine, Keith Schildroth, Larry Matysik, Lou Brock, Lou Thesz, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MMWA-SICW, MWR, Nick Ridenour, Ozzie Smith, Pat O’Connor, Ric Flair, Sam Muchnick, South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame, Vince McMahon, Willie McGee, WWF | 1 Comment »
Posted by flairwhoooooo on April 12, 2010
Tim Miller, Brian Kelley,Tony Costa, Kari Williams and Dubray Tallman. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
On April 3r at a packed house at the South Broadway Athletic Club myself , Head write Kari Williams and fan relations Dubray Tallman was in the middle of the ring with Promoter Tony Costa and Tim Miller with the 2009 MWR Promotion of the Year.
The Promotion of the Year is always the most debated among the MWR Awards committee due to the fact there are so many good promotions running today.
In 2009 MMWA-SICW continued to be one of the top drawing shows in the Midwest. They ran over 30 shows while celebrating their 50 Years at Chase that received a full spread in the St Louis Dispatch did a complete and separate spread on 50 years at the Chase with the old stars such Harley Race, Johnny Valentine, Jack Brisco and new stars in Gary Jackson, the Lumberjacks, Dave Vaughn and more.
The MMWA-SICW was also active in work with the community. Announcer and Executive Director Tim Miller had been instrumental with giving back. MMWA-SICW lent a helping hand in the benefit the family of fallen police officer Julius Moore who was killed due to the result of injuries sustained during an on-duty vehicle accident on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. He was 23 years old. The event raised more than $2200 through food sales alone to benefit Police Officer Julius Moore’s family including his three young children, two sons and a daughter all under the age of 5. The event was covered by the press and over 2,000 people showed up to support the cause.
In 2009 MMWA-SICW have given the fans a chance to meet the stars of wrestling by having Harley race, Dave Hebner, Bob Hardcore Holly, Larry Matysik ,Mickey Garagioloa and most recently the wild popular Baron Von Raschke.
These were just a few of the reason why they were chosen as the MWR Promotion of the year.
Once again we would like to thank MMWA-SICW for their hospitality and I highly recommend that you check out them in 2010.
On a personal note I was very excited to be invited up the commentating booth by Herb Simmons during the title match between Champion Dave Vaughn and Phil E Blunt. I was nervous up till I left the booth so I can’t be honest on how well i did but it was truly a great time .
Look for MWR at a local show near you in 2010.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Baron Von Raschke, Dave Herbner, Dave Vaughn, Dubray Tallman, Gary Jackson, Herb Simmons, Jack Brisco, Kari Williams, Larry Matysik, Mickey Garagiola, MMWA-SICW, MWR, Phil E. Blunt, Tim Miller, Tony Costa | 1 Comment »
Posted by flairwhoooooo on March 29, 2010
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By Brian “Flair” Kelley
MWR Fans you will not want to miss the chance to listen in on the St Louis Nostalgia show this Saturday April 3rd at 11am at http://kzqz1430am.com/. Your host Herb Simmons and co-host Larry Matysik will interview wrestling great Dory Funk JR. Callers are welcomed to call in at the radio station at 1-888-394-1430.
Dory Funk JR is the son of Dory Funk SR and brother of Terry Funk. On February 11, 1969 in Tampa, Florida, Dory Funk JR would defeat Gene Kiniski and remained NWA World Champion for the next four and a half years, which is the second-longest uninterrupted reign of any NWA World Champion (Lou Thesz held the NWA world title from November 27, 1949, to March 15, 1956).
Dory’s ties to the Midwest are very tight as he would defend the NWA Championship against Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan, Dick the Bruiser and Baron Von Raschke in classic match ups. Dory Funk Jr would lose his NWA World Championship in the Midwest against Harley Race in Kansas on City May 24, 1973. The match would earn Funk JR and Race the 1973 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the year honors. Dory Funk JR would earn the 1974 PWI Match of the Year honors once again, this time against Jack Brisco In Tokyo Japan.
Dory is the innovator and master of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and thrilled fans as he sold out arenas the world with great matches. At WrestleMania 2 Dory teamed with his brother Terry as they defeated the Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana.
No wrestling Hall of Fame is complete without Dory Funk 50 plus years of wrestling greatness. Last year Dory was inducted in the WWE Hall of fame by Dusty Rhodes. Dory Funk JR is also a member of the Cauliflower Alley Club (Class of 1998), NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2006), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (Class of 2005), St Louis Hall of Fame (Class of 2008) and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996).
Former NWA World champions Terry Funk, Jack Brisco, Harley Race and Dory Funk Jr. strike a pose at the 2005 NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest in Charlotte.
Dory would continue to be an impact in the sport as he would go on to train WWE World Champions Edge, Lita and Mickie James and TNA World Champions Kurt Angle, Christian and Rhino.
Wrestling fans you will not want to miss the chance to speak to one of the most influential wrestlers to ever lace up the boots. Remember to listen this Saturday at 11 am on at http://kzqz1430am.com/to hear from the former World Champion Dory Funk JR speak with St Louis’s Herb Simmons and co-host Larry Matysik. To call in do not forget 1-888-394-1430.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Baron Von Raschke, Black Jack Lanza, Bobby Heenan, Christian, Dick the Bruiser, Dory Funk Jr., Dory Funk SR, Dusty Rhodes, Edge, Gene Kiniski, Harley Race, Herb Simmons, Jack Brisco, Junkyard Dog, Larry Matysik, Lita, Lou Thesz, Mickie James, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, NWA Hall of Fame, NWA World Champion, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Rhino, St Louis Hall of Fame, St Louis Nostalgia show, Terry Funk, Tito Santana, TNA World Champions Kurt Angle, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, WWE Hall of fame | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Admin on October 22, 2008
History of the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
By Josh Ray
Owner-Editor
Inadvertent.nerd@gmail.com
This is the first in a series of features on championships in the MWR coverage area, where MWR looks at the history, importance, and the future of the wrestling belts that help shape the Midwest independent wrestling scene.
The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) has been around since 1948, but the Missouri Heavyweight Championship has been around in some way, shape, or form since 1899. Records are spotty, but George Baptiste is in the books as the first Missouri Champion, winning in 1899. There are no details as to whom he defeated for the title or whom defeated him.
The next Missouri Champion doesn’t appear in the record books until 1921. Jake Reed defeated Lloyd Carter sometime that year, but again the records are so poor for that time period that no other information is known.
In 1933, some 12 years later, Fred Peterson entered the scene and began claiming that he was the Missouri Champion. He continued to make this claim until March of 1934, which happens to be around the same time that Billy Wolf is listed as champion. Records are unclear as to whom he defeated for the title, but Fred Peterson could be a good guess.
1937 brings more clarity to the title, as Lou Thesz defeated Warren Bockwinkel for the title on June 18th in Kansas City, MO. The clarity wouldn’t last long, however, as the title did a disappearing act until October 17, 1947 in St. Joseph, MO. Over ten years after Lou Thesz won the title, Ron Etchison defeated Sonny Myers for the title. There is no more information on how Thesz parted with the belt.
Less than a month later on November 7, 1947, Sonny Myers won a rematch with Etchison and became the Missouri State Champion. Before 1947 was over with, though, the title would be vacated and would remain that way until 1950.
As the National Wrestling Alliance began tying the smaller regional promotions together, the Missouri title was reestablished. Unfortunately, records are still in bad shape from 1950 to 1955. Tommy O’Toole defeated Sonny Myers in a tournament final on March 10, 1950, and from then until it was vacated in 1955 Bob Orton Sr. and Ron Etchison would win the title. Once again, there are no records as to whom either of them defeated.
The title stayed vacated from 1955 until 1972, when the title became a secondary singles championship for the NWA’s Central States Wrestling and St. Louis Wrestling Club. On September 16, 1972 in St. Louis, MO, the title gained legitimacy when Midwest wrestling legend Harley Race defeated Korean wrestling star Pak Song in a tournament final for the championship. In the years to come, Race would become the area’s most dominant champion and a true wrestling legend.
The title was held up after the ending of a Harley Race and Johnny Valentine match on December 16, 1972 in St. Louis, MO. A rematch was scheduled a month later, and on January 19, 1973, Valentine defeated Race for the title. The remainder of 1973 saw Terry Funk, Gene Kiniski, and Harley Race with the title.
St. Louis, MO continued to be the location for each and every Missouri Heavyweight Championship title change through February 1986 when Jim Crockett and Jim Crockett Promotions bought the St. Louis Wrestling Club. Later in the year Crockett also purchased Central States Wrestling as the NWA attempted to compete with Vince McMahon Jr. and his World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
Fittingly, the last Missouri Heavyweight Champion of that era was Harley Race. He won the title by defeating Jerry Blackwell on August 2, 1985. From Harley Race’s 1973 reign (his second) to his final reign in 1985, he would hold the title four other times. This left him with a total of seven reigns as Missouri Champ and made him the wrestler with the most reigns as champion. Others that held the title in this time period include Dory Funk Jr., Jack Brisco, Dick Slater, Ted DiBiase Sr., Dick Murdoch, Dick the Bruiser, Kevin Von Erich, Ken Patera, Kerry Von Erich, David Von Erich, and “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
The list of Missouri Heavyweight Champions reads like a who’s who of NWA wrestlers of the era, but a new era began in 2002. Gary Jackson entered the record books as the first Missouri Heavyweight Champ of the new era by defeating Steve Stone in St. Robert, MO on July 27, 2002. The title’s tumultuous nature returned, but unlike the early 20th Century, records were kept in good standing.
Jackson was stripped of the title on June 3, 2003 due to his inability to frequently defend it, and Shane Somers stepped into the forefront as perennial Missouri Heavyweight Champion. He would win the title a total of three times in less than a year, winning it twice in one night (June 17, 2003) after Missouri State Athletic Commissioner Karl Lauer stripped him of the belt for using an illegal chokehold. He won the belt again later that night by pinning John Epperson in a tag match.
The Missouri Heavyweight Championship has changed hands in a state other than Missouri twice in its entire history, once in 2003 and once in 2005. On October 10, 2003, Ricky Murdock defeated Shane Somers in Parkersburg, WV at the NWA 55th Anniversary Show. The title was vacated a year later and then on December 7, 2005 in Lawrence, KS, Abyss defeated Tyler Cook for it.
A year later, the title was vacated once again. After a less than respectable run, the Missouri Heavyweight Championship gained a savior who goes by the name “Dingo”. Dingo won the title on January 19, 2007 in St. Joseph, MO by defeating Kraig Keesaman, Mark Sterling, and Jeremy Wyatt in a four-way scramble. As of this writing Dingo is still the champion, having held the title for over a year and a half. He’s defeated some of the top wrestlers in the Midwest, including Jeremy Wyatt, Mark Sterling, and Michael Strider. Under the NWA CSW: Missouri banner, Dingo is doing his part to bring the title back to the Harley Race standard of the 70s and 80s.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship. If the current champion and the promotion sanctioning the matches are any indication, the title will have a bright future. The title is only as strong as the promotion, champion, and his challengers, though, so here’s to a competitive future for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship!
For a complete listing of NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champions, go to the Wikipedia Page at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NWA_Missouri_Heavyweight_Championship
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Billy Wolf, Bob Orton Sr, Central States Wrestling, David Von Erich, Dick Murdoch, Dick Slater, Dick the Bruiser, Dingo, Dory Funk Jr., Fred Peterson, Gary Jackson, Gene Kiniski, George Baptiste, Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Jake Reed, jeremy wyatt, Jim Crockett, John Epperson, Johnny Valentine, Karl Lauer, Ken Patera, Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, Kraig Keesaman, Lloyd Carter, Lou Thesz, Missouri Heavyweight Championship, national wrestling alliance, Pak Song, Ric Flair, Ricky Murdock, Ron Etchison, Shane Somers, Sonny Myers, Steve Stone, Ted DiBiase Sr., Terry Funk, Tommy O’Toole, Vince McMahon Jr, Warren Bockwinkel | Leave a Comment »
Missouri Wrestling Revival 