On a memorable night in St. Louis, SICW teamed up with the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame to induct Larry Matysik, Mickey Garagiola, and Sam Muchnick. SICW also teamed up with the NWA to present a NWA World title match in the main event.
Also on hand for the festivities were WWE Hall of Fame Wrestler Jerry Brisco, Cowboy Bob Orton and St. Louis Wrestling great Ron Powers.
The great sports historian Ed Wheatley meet with the fans to offer them a chance to purchase his new Wrestling at the Chase book that is a must have for any wrestling fan in their collection.
At the end of the night SICW Promoter Herb Simmons had these words to say to the wrestling world.
“Tonight was a night for the history books.
Thank you to NWA President William Corgan for being part of this great event.
Three men that meant so much to our business were inducted into the St.Louis Sports Hall of Fame, Sam Muchnick, Larry Matysik and Mickey Garagolia. It was a long time coming and, I want to thank the St.Louis Sports Hall of Fame for making it happen.
It was great that family members from these three great men were present to witness history being recorded. Having Legends like Jerry Brisco, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr and Ron Powers in attendance made it more special.
Thank you Mr. Ed Wheatley for your contribution with the new Wrestling at the Chase book. Your vision of knowing fans still care helped make this event successful.
To all those from other wrestling organizations, thanks for coming out and supporting the men and women tonight. All of you there were part of an event that will be talked about for many years.
To the men and women in the SICW Lockeroom, once again you stepped up, once again you showed why SICW is recognized across the midwest.
Thanks to our friends from NBW, Scott and his crew for all their help.
And finally, thanks to the great fans, the loyal SICW fans, and the new ones that came up tonight thanking us for a great show. I’ve always said, without the fans and a good locke room there is no Wrestling business.” – Herb Simmons
Please enjoy the photos of this historic night from MWR Editor and owner Brian Kelley.
Bobby D def. “Your Canadian Hero” Sean Vincent
The Big Texan fought “Rough Cut” Rick Ruby to a double countout.
The wonderful wife of Larry Matysik, Pat was on hand to be presented Larry’s Hall of Fame plaque.
Steve Fender and Travis Cook wanted to sing Happy Birthday to his girlfriend.
Fender’s girlfriend waits for a birthday kiss after hearing him sing to her from the ring.
Superstar shows his true colors by dissing his girlfriend and not giving her a kiss as the crowd gasped in shock
“Superstar” Steve Fender(w/ Travis Cook) def. “The Connoisseur” Niles Plonk
MIckey Garagolia’s family presented with with his plaque
The Badstreet Beauty” Miranda Gordy vs. “The Modern-Day Moolah” Malia Hosaka ended in a double DQ.
Sam Muchnick’s family spoke on the love his fathers promotion is respected from the stars of the sport as well as the fans.
SICW Central States Champion “The Night Train” Gary Jackson def. Waco
NWA World Champion Trevor Murdoch def. SICW Champion Attila Khan(w/ Travis Cook)
Wednesday Dec 1st, 2021 at the holiday inn at I270 & Watson rd.
Herb Simmons & SICW partner up with Billy Corgan & the NWA.
To bring you not only the induction of Sam Muchnick, Larry Matysik, & Mickey Garagiola to the St. Louis sports HOF. Put the ten pounds of gold on the line for the very first time.
A title defense of your worlds heavyweight champion: NWA Heavyweight champion: Trevor Murdoch vs SICW Classics champion: Attila Khan w/ Travis Cook. Tickets are going fast but still available!
This past weekend SICW hosted a seminar in conjunction with the Bruiser Brody/ Larry Matysik Memorial featuring the former NWA Champion of the World “The Man With the Hands of Stone” Ronnie Garvin, Killer Tim Brooks and Cowboy Bob Orton. The 3 hour seminar allowed students a chance to showcase their skills in front of the legends.
This Saturday May 25th at the East Carondelet Illinois community center former SICW CHAMPION and local WRESTLING legend will be back in the ring as a “Special Guest” referee for the “Main Event” when Champion Superstar Steve Fender defends the title against “The King of Chaos” Ricky Cruz. This is all part of the 60th year anniversary of the history of WRESTLING at the chase along with the Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik Memorial.
This is a must attend event if you are a professional WRESTLING fan, 60th year anniversary of WRESTLING at the chase along with memories of two great individuals, Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik.
For information and to reserve seats call 618-286-4848.
Plus at noon that day a WRESTLING seminar.
Ronnie Garvin former NWA Champion Cowboy Bob Orton Killer Tim Brooks.
These 3 legends will evaluate your skills to see if you have what it takes to be a professional wrestler. In order to attend you must call NOW to sign up 618-286-4848
At 4pm a MEET AND GREET
The three WRESTLING legends plus the widows of Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik, Barbara Goodish and Pat Matysik will be signing autographs.
This will be the only time you will be able to meet all of them that day. One paid ticket allows you in the MEET AND GREET and the WRESTLING show that night.
Tonight I was privileged and honored to be invited to the 54th Anniversary of the Cauliflower Alley Club where my great friend Herb Simmons has the distinguished honor to present Larry Matysik’s Pat wife with the Posthumous Award for his dedication to Professional Wrestling.
Herb delivered an excellent speech inducting Larry and sharing their life together in professional wrestling. I cannot think of a better person to bestow this deserving honor on Larry.
Bryan Whitaker
Photo courtesy Bryan Whitaker
Photo courtesy from Bryan Whitaker
Photo courtesy from Bryan Whitaker
Pat Matysik and Herb Simmons – Photo courtesy from Darla Staggs
The SICW schedule of 2019 begins January 19th in East Carondelet Illinois, and then January 26th in Cahokia Illinois at the Holy family Gymnasium for a HUGH fundraiser with WWE Legend “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
Then as we move towards May 25th, we will be celebrating the 60th year anniversary of “Wresting at the Chase”, along with the “Bruiser Brody and Larry Matysik Memorial“. Already signed to join The widow of Bruiser Brody, Barbara Goodish, is “The Hands of Stone Ronnie Garvin. Former NWA champion Ronnie Garvin will be on hand to talk about his career and traveling with Brody. There will be more about the extravaganza event on the weeks to come. Make you plans now to join SICW throughout 2019 as they continue to show way they were voted the number 1 promotion by the Hart Beat Radio Listeners.
Larry, who passed away on Nov. 25, 2018, got his start in pro wrestling when, as a 16-year-old writing for newsstand wrestling magazines, he interviewed St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick. Muchnick told Matysik he would pay him $25 a week to call the newspapers and report the results from the Friday night cards. Eight years later, Muchnick took him under his wing as his protégé in the St. Louis Wrestling Club office. In 1972, Larry became the host of “Wrestling at the Chase” on KPLR-TV.
When Muchnick retired in 1982, Matysik began running the office as general manager. He used methods he had been taught by Muchnick (which had made St. Louis, perhaps, the most sought-after territory in which wrestlers wanted to work), but when co-owner Bob Geigel consistently disagreed with the way Larry was doing things, they parted ways. Larry ran opposition as Greater St. Louis Wrestling Enterprises and did quite well for a time. Meanwhile, St. Louis Wrestling Club business went into the tank. When Larry folded his promotion, Vince brought him onboard to promote WWF shows in St. Louis. Larry worked for McMahon from 1984 until 1993, at which time he was let go.
Larry kept his hand in the wrestling business after that, primarily producing DVDs of St. Louis wrestling and writing for wrestling magazines. He also wrote several very good books on the subject, including “Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling,” “Drawing Heat the Hard Way: How Wrestling Really Works,” and with Barbara Goodish, Bruiser Brody’s wife, “Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel.” For the past several years, he booked shows for Herb Simmons’ Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling promotion. And even though he never wrestled or refereed, Larry made a huge, positive impact on the pro wrestling business during his lifetime.
In 2014, he was awarded the James Melby award at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo. Other non-wrestling accomplishments included working for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, founding a volleyball club, coaching a girls’ softball team, and was head of the Belleville Auxiliary Police for many years.
At the time of his death, he was working with me on his autobiography, which was to be incorporated into a short book called “Sam and Vince” to be published by Crowbar Press.
Larry suffered a number of ailments during the past few years, including spinal stenosis, rotary scoliosis, and Rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly.
‘Cause I’m TNT! I’m dynamite TNT! and I’ll win the fight TNT! I’m a power load TNT! watch me explode
I am taking this time to honor former wrestler, promoter and my good friend TNT Keny Garrett. I am still reeling from his loss at age 51 on December 10th. Though there is sadness in my heart that we will no longer be able to talk to each other, I would like to focus on our wild and crazy friendship.
I remember meeting TNT Keny G for the very first time in Granite City, Illinois at a High Voltage Wrestling event (his company). He had reached out on the St. Louis Wrestling message board, and asked Missouri Wrestling Revival to cover his show. He realized that if you were to have a show that it would only make sense to have as much attention on his product as possible. We walked in the building and noticed right away that it looked like the place to be.
His family and friends helped with the concession stand and were all decked out with branded tees, and the night’s action delivered shocking surprises with stars from around the Midwest and his home state of Florida. His special guest was former Wrestling at the Chase announcer Larry Matysik. Keny respected and loved wrestling so much that he knew that having Matysik in the house brought legitimacy to HVW. Keny himself was dressed to the nines, and thanked everyone for coming. I was impressed, to say the least.
One of my personal favorite photos of all time.
Wrestling started our friendship, but we eventually became like brothers. He invited my girlfriend Dubray and me over to talk wrestling, and so much more. His quick wit and sharp tongue made him a true character.
We didn’t always get along. There were times that I bothered the hell out of him and vice versa. Yet, I can swear on the Bible that Dubray and I loved Keny as much as anyone that we met at wrestling. There were so many good times with him. It saddens me more as I try to think of them all.
In fact, there is no way that I could remember them all but I would like to share a few of them on here:
Here’s 2 a better day even if only slightly better ill take it as progress here’s a snapshot from the story of my life old road dog of mine —- Keny posted these words for this photo on his Facebook
If you ever get a chance ask the former NWA World Champion Kahagas what he thought of this promo!
How Keny got the nickname “TNT,” I can’t honestly tell you, but if I was to have a gallon of gas for every time I heard it I would be driving for free to shows for life. Every time I hear it, I always think of him and I remember being on the road with Kahagas in Illinois and his ringtone on his phone played that AC/DC song. If someone told me on that three-day weekend that we heard it a thousand times, I would believe them. I can still hear Kahagas telling him to change his damn ringtone.
My friend Kari Williams (the best pro wrestling writer in this generation) stated in her post about Keny giving her advice of the who, what, where, and when over and over. Keny had these words of advice that he made his own, even though they had been around forever. He delivered them in a memorable way, just like his hero Dusty Rhodes.
He was creative and tried to give everyone a chance. He took a chance on my friend (and MWR founder) Josh Ray and me behind the scenes of HVW, making us “co-bookers.” I use that term loosely because I had no business being a booker of any wrestling company. Still, I have no regrets even though there were crazy arguments about what should be done but talk about some good times.
One argument was that I wanted to bring in the Mississippi Madman for an event. He knew I loved the Madman and thought that he was over like a million bucks and said that he didn’t want him on the show. I truly believed that he liked him as well from the get-go, but because I was such a huge fan of him, he razzed me about him not being worth a spot. I told him that if he would not book Madman, then I would pay his booking fee and show him that he would be one of the most over wrestlers on the card.
Keny quickly said that if I paid for Madman that he would let the Madman carry him to the ring like a baby. Why? I do not know why he thought that was funny. Maybe it was just to get me to pay Madman, but I held him to his promise when I did. The moment was priceless.
One of Keny’s closest friends was “Tokyo Monster” Kahagas. They ran up and down the roads long before I knew Keny. Kahagas was the premier talent of High Voltage Wrestling. There was no doubt that Kahagas was and is one of the best wrestlers in the country, but I believed that Jeremy Wyatt was the best. We would have these huge arguments about who was better night after night early on in our relationship. He would harp that I should “get my Jeremy Wyatt pajamas” on when I stayed at his house before we called it a night. It did not take TNT Keny G very long to come around to Wyatt and then I was kidding Keny G on his own pajamas.
Years later TNT Keny G became a proud owner of the Jeremy Wyatt pajamas.
Keny would be quick to tell me and anyone who would listen that it was he who made me a “wrestling journalist.” He told this story a million times about how we drove many miles to Illinois for a big wrestling show with plenty of legends. I wanted an interview with the Honky Tonk Man and Jake Roberts but I ran out of time. I was happy to get a promo from “Bloody” Harker Dirge (an underrated talker and wrestler in the Midwest).
Keny called me out that day (and years after) for giving up on Honky Tonk and Roberts, and and took me to the back.
He said, “You deserve to be back here. You work as hard as anyone to make these guys look good. You get this done.”
I conducted interviews with all the stars on this huge card.
Keny often said he was responsible for some of my success, and it’s true. He vouched for me, called me out when I did wrong, and gave advice when it was needed.
Every time Dubray and I came to St. Louis for a wrestling event, we stayed at his house. Dubray loves pugs, and Keny had a pug named Gracie. Gracie always slept with Dubray. One evening when we were to return back home for the two hour drive, Dubray told me that Keny had given her Gracie as a gift.
I thought that Dubi had begged to have the dog, and I said “No way.” That was Keny’s dog and we were not taking it from their home. Gracie had to stay there.
But then Keny explained that he was tired of the dog wanting food from the table and he was done with her. I just think he knew Dubi loved that dog and wanted to make her happy. Gracie ended up as a part of our family until she passed away on our anniversary: December 10th, 2015.
On the mic and in the spur of the moment, Keny was at his best. We did a wrestling feud with a big build with Donovan Ruddick and Mark Bland that, I swear if it had money behind it, would had packed huge houses. Bland had a popular UFC and pro wrestling radio show, Absolute Wrestling Radio, on the Fox Sports radio affiliate in St. Louis, Team 1380 AM. Josh Ray and I spoke to Keny about putting together an angle for a diabetes charity show. A little known secret is both Keny and Bland were both diagnosed with diabetes and the pair had always been active in fundraising.
The feud started when Bland, a former wrestler, bragged that he could take on any local wrestler week after week on the show. Who would answer the call? Wrestling promoter TNT Keny G and the 6’9″ Donovan Ruddick, a big star in Saint Louis.
Mark Bland has a conversation with Kenny G of HVW regarding his recent infiltration of Absolute Wrestling Radio. Contains EXPLICIT WORDS!
We went on a publicity tour to hype the match at Mark Bland’s radio station and the show even broadcasted live from Six Flags St. Louis. We taped a video at the Pro Wrestling Shirt Shop that featured an attack from Bland on Keny, forever one of my favorites. We did our best to bring attention to the wrestling scene in the area through Absolute Wrestling Radio, and had fun doing it.
It was common to dine with legends at the Garrett dinner table. I remember Larry Zbyszko and Mike Sydal sharing stories in Keny’s living room after a HVW event. I wish I would have gotten our photo with each other! Still, I experienced it, thanks to TNT Keny G.
After one visit at TNT Keny G’s Dubray made the mistake of leaving her sweatpants that had the words Flirt printed on the back of them. This would not be a big deal at most homes, but Keny saw this as a way to rib Dubray in a way only he could. One day I received a call from Dubray telling me that Keny was in Florida visiting his family and had tagged some photos to her. Awesome, he wanted to share with us what a good time he was having.
Nope, they were photos of Keny holding up her Flirt pants in different States. He was entertaining himself with joking with her, and it did not stop there. He somehow talked WWE Legend Larry Zbyszko to hold them up in a photo. He got his daughter Santana G and another female wrestler to pose with them for a photo. Keny was proud to say that he went on tour with those flirt pants.
This year I have lost a lot of love for pro wrestling. That does not mean that I will ever quit but I have slowed down making trips. This summer, I took a job as an assistant manager at a convenience store that had me working a ton of hours.
Keny told me that if I came to St. Louis and took him to the premiere of the movie “350 Days,” he would pay for it. I was not interested in the movie, but because Keny wanted to go, I said yes. I am glad, not because I enjoyed the movie, but because in the past few years it was hard to get him out of the house. On that night we did, just like old times.
Keny could be so funny. A natural storyteller that often would have you wonder if you were being told the truth. He could be overbearing and political incorrect even during the days of that not even being a thing. His friends referred that to “Keny just being Keny”.
Photo taken for the Stroke Aint No Joke Fundraiser with Fox 2 News TV.
TNT Keny G proudly teamed up with Dynamo Pro for a MS Fundraising effort.
Though in the crazy world of pro wrestling were everyone is a taker, Keny was a giver. Even after I covered his promotions High Voltage Wrestling, and sent him photos he was always there for us. We were so different in so many ways. I remember going to a St. Louis Cardinal game and he loved to leave shows early, the Cards game being no different. He knew that if I went somewhere then we were staying to the end. He razzed me about leaving but we did stay to the last pitch.
Dubray and I were never without a place to stay when we came to town or a bite to eat with Keny living in South County. He was a big part of our relationship and would have been one of my best mans if we would of gotten married in Vega during the CAC reunion this year. He often bragged about keeping us together (even though he stirred the pot sometimes lol) so in what seems like a rib (A practical joke played by or on a wrestler) Keny, like the pug (Gracie) that he gave us passed away on our anniversary. I would like to think that it was his way of making sure that we would never forget him. Like there was ever a chance that that could happen.
Thanks to Keny, I have made countless friendships and experiences over the past decade. I could write a book about them.
TNT Keny G loved his family.
Photo Thomas Rude
Most MWR fans know of his daughter, Santana G. She has become one of the top women wrestlers in the world. I was blessed to see her first match and watch her debut at Harley Race’s World League Wrestling. Her dad supported her at all times and was so proud to see her in Japan and on the WWE Network.
He was just as proud of his other children too, and I was able to see his boys Dusty, Sam, and lil’ Keny grow up. He loved them with all his heart, and as he grew sick they were there for him. Keny had a daughter Savannah and a granddaughter in Florida that he thought of often as well. He loved his wife Luanne who was just as quick-witted as he was.
TNT Keny G, we love you and we will always remember you.
It’s with heavy heart this morning that I come to each of you and give you the news that my good friend Larry Matysik has lost the battle. As many know his health has been declining over the past several year. I ask that you keep his wife Pat and Daughter Kelly in your thoughts and prayers as the next few days will be hard for them. I will continue to update you on the arrangements when they are available.
It is so hard to find the words to express my gratitude and respect for the man known as Larry Matysik. I will not lie, I did not have the privilege to grow up listening to Matysik call the Wrestling at the Chase matches as the part in Missouri I grew up I never got any of the Chase programing, I remember the first time that I met him like it was yesterday, he was a special guest of TNT Keny G’s High Risk Wrestling in Granite City. He was only there to meet the fans and during that evening he smiled, shook hands, signed autographs and took pictures with every fan and wrestler that asked. I would be around him for over 100 times in the past 10 years and let me tell you, I never once seen him be disrespectful to anybody.
There is no doubt that Larry Matysik is highly underrated in the wrestling world as one of the All –Time Greats . He worked with NWA President and Wrestling at the Chase Promoter Sam Muchnick as well as WWE Promoter Vince McMahon. He is the author of four books every wrestling fan should own, Wrestling at the Chase: The inside Story of Sam Muchnick, 50 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-time, Drawing Heat the Hard Way and Brody The Triumph and Tragedy with his widow, Barbara Goodish. The past several years he has been very instrumental in Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling (SICW) , one of the most successful independent promotions in the country.
I could go on and on but I would like to hammer home the type of person he was. Thanks to my friendship with Promoter Herb Simmons I would become personal friends with the man I will now refer as Larry. My fiancée Dubray Tallman always looked forward to getting a hug, a kiss and photo with him when she attended an event. He was always supportive of Missouri Wrestling Revival, offering up his advice on writing and sharing his views and history on wrestling. When I asked him to please write in my yearbook, he did not hesitate to do so. Back in the day he would send me booking sheets for SICW to help us keep up with the shows and often gave reasons of why the matches were happening. The conversations were so educational each and every time. I remember receiving a call from Larry when my father died with him sending his condolences as well as him asking several times afterwards how I was doing.
We presented Larry with the 2010 Missouri Wrestling Revival Lifetime Award, an obvious choice.
We were so thankful to have Larry in our first series of the MWR Trading card set and with Herb’s blessing we had Larry Matysik day at SICW on July 16th in 2013. Personally, I only have a few regrets in my short time working in wrestling but I wished I would have done commentary with Larry on a match, an honor one of my best friends and the voice of SICW wrestling Drew Abbenhaus enjoyed many times. It was a relief to be around a legend that was not bitter towards the sport of wrestling or the fans. Was he a fan of today’s wrestling? I can’t say that, but I can say that he always appreciated every wrestling fan young and old. He took time to work with aspiring wrestlers looking to become better. He gave to all that he came in contact with.
Today the wrestling world lost one of the good guys. He was a legendary Announcer, a great writer and so much more.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Larry’s family and friends.
Thank you Larry for the memories, we loved you.
I will leave you on a positive note of a short video we did at SICW years ago with Larry, my fiancée Dubray and Herb Simmons wishing the fans a Merry Christmas.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 