By Debbie Chmidling

January 30 Metro Pro Wrestling was a sold-out crowd. People were packed in to see an amazing show and promoter Chris Gough did not disappoint. The opening bout was Jayden Fenix vs. Jay Howard.

It was a fast-paced, action-packed match that left the crowd hungry for more. Howard took the victory with a submission move, much to the delight of the fans.

Next up was a segment with Commissioner Michael Strider. He came to the ring, his usual arrogant, cocky self, berating announcer Don Diablo for not holding the ring ropes even though Diablo was injured. Next up he discussed the Brass Ring Challenge featuring Jake Dirden, Kraig Keesaman and Devin Thomas, stating the winner would get a championship match at the time of their choosing. He was interrupted by Mark Sterling, reminding him that he was advertised for the match and wanting to know why he was taken out. Strider informed Sterling he was out because he “couldn’t get the job done” against Wyatt.

Sterling countered that he had two falls against Wyatt in one night, something no one else had ever done, he is the only one in Metro Pro who has competed in three iron man matches, and a list of stars brought in to eliminate Wyatt also failed. Strider conceded Sterling could be in the Brass Ring Challenge, however, he had to win the match or be fired.

Kiyoshi Shizuka with Geek Singh vs Redwing for the Central States Title.

At the outset, it was all Redwing on offense until Singh interfered, allowing Shizuka to attack Redwing from behind with a wicked chop block to the left knee. He continued to work on the knee for several minutes with clubbing blows and dropping on the knee several times.

At one point, Redwing made it to the ropes, Shizuka distracted the referee and Singh choked Redwing with the bottom rope. Redwing spent a great deal of time on defense for this match, but once he regained his feet, it was all over for Shizuka. Using a crushing power slam, Redwing pinned him to retain the title.

The Commission, Evan Gelistico and Pierre Abernathy, vs The King Brothers, Jake and Ryan, for the number one contender spot for the tag team title. The Commission may have had a great weight disadvantage, but they had so much pent-up aggression, they rapidly overtook The King Brothers.

The Commission attacked before the King Brothers could take the ring. They made use of whatever was available against the Kings, including an assortment of objects from Todd’s trusty grocery cart and a kendo stick from Santa Claus. After several minutes of pure bedlam, both teams returned to the ring and the bell was sounded.

Again, it was The Commission on offense immediately and This Kings were never quite able to mount any offense. With the ref attending to a downed Ryan King, Gelistico took the opportunity to bend the rules by knocking out Jake King with the Rule book for the three count, ensuring them a title shot. While The Commission was celebrating in the ring, Kobra Kai Dojo, consisting of Mat Fitchett and Davey Vega stole in behind and attacked them.

After leaving The Commission lying in the ring, the despicable Geek Singh made off with The Rules.

Next out was Metro Pro Champion Ace Steel. He had quite a few unkind words for the people of Kansas City who said there was no one to contest him, so he was issuing an open challenge. He was quickly answered by the KC Wolves, Graham Bell and Luke Langley.

Since it would be a one-on-one match, Lucy Mendez, The Assistant Commissioner, said his opponent would be decided by a coin toss. The coin toss went to Langley, the bell sounded and the match began with Bell and Mendez ringside. Langley and Steel were pretty evenly matched, quickly changing from offense to defense several times until they both spilled outside the ring and Langley tweaked his knee. Langley threw Steel back in the ring as soon as he regained his feet, but this was the opening Steel needed.

He began to work on the injured left knee. After several minutes Bell entered the match, causing the disqualification. Steel grabbed the microphone and said he could beat them both in a handicap match and Lucy made the match. Bell came in on very strong offense and it looked like the Wolves had it locked up until Langley was tagged in and while the ref’s back was turned Mendez pulled Langely’s bad leg from under him to allow Steel to get the pin.

Brass Ring Challenge with Kraig Keesaman vs Devin Thomas vs “Dirty” Jake Dirden vs Mark Sterling for a chance at the Metro Pro Wrestling Title. Initially, Sterling slid outside the ring while Thomas and Dirden double-teamed Keesaman. When Keesaman went down, Sterling rolled in and attacked Thomas.

Keesaman and Sterling formed an uneasy alliance against Dirden and Thomas, while the King Brothers stood guard outside the ring, mostly informing the fans to “Shut Up”. With Dirden and Keesaman both outside, Sterling rolled up Thomas and held his tights to win the Brass Ring Challenge.

Trevor Murdoch and Derek McQuinn hit the ring for a promotional announcement of the opening of the Kansas City Pro Wrestling Training Facility on February 8.

It will be a place to train up and coming wrestlers as well as a place for current wrestler to work out and improve. They invited all the fans to spread the word. McQuinn is a personal trainer/professional wrestler and Murdoch is a former WWE talent who is now a wrestler on the independent scene.

After a 20-minute intermission, Mike Sydal vs Jon Webb was up.

These two are both known for high-flying moves, acrobatics and quickness.

They gave the crowd plenty of all three in a very good back and forth, fast-paced match that saw Sydal take the win with a roll up and a handful of tights.

New to the Metro Pro scene are the Riegel (pronounced Regal) Twins, Logan and Sterling to face their opponents Kobra Kai Dojo, with Geek Singh for the Metro Pro Tag Team Title.

This was once again a fast-paced, high flying match. Eventually, to the great delight of the fans, The Riegels appeared to have Kobra Kai Dojo on the run.

Even when Geek Singh was distracting the attention of the referee, that didn’t slow the Riegels down. The man in the ring was hurt and the one on the apron rolled in for a little bit of that twin magic. At that point, Geek Singh pulled the ref out of the ring and distracted him while Fitchett hit one of the Riegels with the Rules and Vega low-kicked the other.

This allowed Fitchett to get the pin and Kobra Kai Dojo retained the titles. When The Commission showed up for a measure of vengeance, Kobra Kai hotfooted it to the back.

Tracy Smothers with his sons hit the ring for an opening monologue and they talked about all the things that were wrong with Kansas City and how they couldn’t wait to get back to Tennessee. They bagged on The Chiefs, The Royals, The Kings, K-State, KU, the people of Kansas City.

Finally, Don Diablo was able to introduce the Math Magician. Smothers was again riled up because the crowd was chanting 1-2-3. He told the crowd not to chant 1-2-3, then he told them not to chant Tracy sucks which really got the crowd fired up. At one point, Math took a seat in the front row to watch the ranting. The opening bell sounded and after just a few moves, Smothers suggested a dance off.

According to the crowd, neither opponent won the dance off and while Math Magician had his back to them, all three of the Smothers attacked him. Eventually, Math Magician was able to out-wrestle Smothers and when Smothers took him down for a pin, Math Magician reversed the roll up and got the win.

Smothers took the mic again to tell the crowd how much he disliked them and he was glad to be leaving.

Next up was a battle of the Superheroes with Lucy Mendez as Batman and Miss Natural as Superman. Miss Natural showed us her ability to fly and was quite impressive.

Then she caught Mendez making fun of her and the match was on. Just when it looked like Superman would win, Batman grabbed Kryptonite from the ringside, disabling Superman and getting the pin.

Next up, for the Metro Pro Wrestling title was contender Beer City Bruiser Vs Champion Jeremy Wyatt.

Of course, Strider had to come to the ring to “watch the match”. When Wyatt opened with several wrestling moves, Bruiser shouted “I want you to fight me, not wrestle.” No one could ever accuse Wyatt of not being accommodating. He unloaded with several shots to the head, threw Bruiser out of the ring, slammed his head onto the concession stand table and threw him into Todd’s cart of goodies. Then threw him back into the ring and asked if he had enough fighting. The match was filled with punches, chops and all out brawling. Another tussle sent them outside the ropes, which found Bruiser on the short end of the stick. While he was collecting his wits, Wyatt jerked him off the floor, pulled him to the bleachers and slammed his head onto the railing, raked his face across a zipper from the jacket of a fan and threw him back into the ring.

Once back in the ring, it looked like Wyatt had a good hold on everything until Strider interfered once more. While Wyatt was down on the ropes, Bruiser distracted the referee while Strider choked Wyatt. As the match teetered back and forth and Strider continued to interfere, Wyatt found himself with the upper hand and was able to gain the pinfall. As he was celebrating his win, Sterling came to the ring to attack him, but Wyatt caught him coming into the ring and he rapidly exited out the other side where he stood with Strider.

Wyatt invited him to use his championship opportunity right then and there, but Strider held Sterling back. Eventually, Wyatt offered to leave the belt laying and walk away, win or lose, if Strider would agree to a match with him. Instead, Strider announced his opponent on the April 9th show.

For the title it will be Champion Jeremy Wyatt defending against the man-beast, Rhyno. This is a show you won’t want to miss, so get your tickets early, they sell out fast!

Our next Metro Pro Wrestling event is Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. inside Turner Rec Center in Kansas City, KS! Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

– Metro Pro Championship Match: “The Man Beast” Rhyno challenges Jeremy Wyatt for the title. If Wyatt loses, he’s fired!

More matches to be announced soon!

Tickets on sale now!
– Front Row: $20
– General Admission: $15
– Kids 5-12: $10

Click here for tickets

Metro Pro Wrestling on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KCMetroPro

Check out Metro Pro Photos on Facebook: Metro Pro Wrestling Photos

Metro Pro Wrestling airs every Saturday night on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel at 11 p.m. The show replays several times during the week! Check local listings for details.

Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is a regional 24-hour sports network, and it is the ONLY place you can see Metro Pro Wrestling! Catch us on:

• Time Warner Cable SportsChannel – Channel 30 & 323
• Time Warner Cable SportsChannel 2 – Channel 324
• Time Warner Cable Nebraska
• Comcast Cable Channel 44 & 258
• WOW! Cable – Lawrence 37

Turner Rec Center is located at 831 S. 55th St, Kansas City, KS.
For more information, call Metro Pro at (816) 974-716