SICW Promoter Herb Simmons has provided the MWR with the pleasure of being the first to break a major announcement.
In May of this year he and the Argosy Casino in Alton Illinois SICW will be promoting a two day wrestling event. Per Simmons “the deal came about when he was contacted by the Director of Marketing from the Argosy Casino. I met with representatives and immediately knew they both had knowledge of the history of wrestling in the St. Louis Region. They not only had the knowledge, but had researched the “Wrestling at the Chase days”. Because of all the articles they had viewed regarding our history of preserving the history with Larry Matysik and the other greats that we have brought in over the past years, they felt there was a time and place to continue on our mission and passion of keeping those memories alive.”
So on May 10 and 11th at the Argosy Casino in Alton Illinois those memories once again will come to life.
Already signed to be a part of this MEMORIES OF ST. LOUIS WRESTLING “THE GOLDEN DAYS OF WRESTLING AT THE CHASE
BARON VON RASCHKE
COWBOY BOB ORTON
AND LARRY MATYSIK to name just a few.
Also that night the Master of Ceremony will be St. Louis sports caster from KSDK channel 5, Frank Cusumano, He will lead the answer and question portion from the audience to the legends.
Then on Saturday evening the action in the ring will begin. you will need to come and be a part of this historic night of wrestling because all of this and much more is scheduled for a night that you will forever remember .
As more names are added to the list of legends MRW will be the first to know so check back and mark those dates, Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11th at the Argosy Casino in Alton Illinois, FOR MEMORIES OF ST. LOUIS WRESTLING “THE GOLDEN DAYS OF WRESTLING AT THE CHASE” !!!
With a lifetime of experience in the wrestling business, Larry Matysik bridges old school and new better than almost anyone. Who’d make a better judge of the greats than a man who learned from Muchnick, worked with McMahon, and promoted the St. Louis territory on his own. Matysik lives in Belleville, Illinois, and is the author of Brody and Drawing Heat the Hard Way.
A no-holds-barred, definitive look at the greatest pro wrestlers ever.
Who were the best pro wrestlers of all time? What makes these 50 remarkable performers so special, and what were their contributions to the massively popular spectacle of wrestling? The 50 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time has the answers. Bestselling author Larry Matysik shoots from the hip about who qualifies as the very best in history.
The complexity of choosing and ranking the 50 finest from a strong group of talented candidates also reveals a secondary tale about the evolution of pro wrestling and how this unique sport operates. This sure-to-becontroversial list and Matysik’s keen insights form a detailed, entertaining, and enlightening description of sports entertainment through the history of its legends
Published: February 2013
ISBN-10: 1-77041-104-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-77041-104-3
General / trade- 320 pages
Dimensions: 6 x 9 in
Format: Paperback (BC)
Since his return to the ring, Matt Murphy has found himself in the thick of many top stories around the Midwest. He has been featured in main event matches in Kansas City ,upsetting WWE HOF Ted Dibiase in Iowa and last fall he returned for a historic match at the WLW/ WWE/ NOAH annual camp show in Eldon, Missouri. – Photo Credit Brian Kelley
Editor’s note: While we were thrilled to find out that Matt Murphy was promoted to work with SICW, a couple a months ago, that happiness has tuned into a very volatile situation. Murphy would go on to lose in stunning fashion to the young beast Alexander Rudolph in his debut.
Since that time, Matt Murphy has had animosity towards SICW promoter Herb Simmons, announcer Larry Matysik, the wrestlers in the back and the fans out front.
In a war of words coming in from both sides, MWR stance with all of them is that they each are free to let the world hear their side of this story, in hopes that cooler heads will prevail in the end.
For the fans that are just joining us today for the first time, glad to have you at MWR and feel free to catch up with the first shot in this argument from Matt Murphy.
Matt Murphy calls out Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons after SICW Debut.
Promoter Herb Simmons has worked with some of the very best and most dangerous meant in the sport including Bruiser Brody and Ron Powers. Yet Murphy is a man that does not have the power of Brody and Powers but is able to be just as dangerous in his attacks, as he is normally one step ahead of his opponents.
In today’s digital age, it doesn’t take much to call yourself a writer. You don’t need talent, ability to engage an audience, or even mastery of the Queen’s English. You just peck away at your keyboard, hit Send, and you’re published. Case in point: Herb Simmons’ half-coherent rant that was posted on Missouri Wrestling Revival concerning my debut with SICW. You’d think that a guy who calls an author, Larry Matysik, his friend would have the sense to reach out for some proofreading help before sending off his letter to Brian Kelley for web publication. But the poor grammar and style Herb used, while certainly as irritating to all of you as it was to me and quite possibly a felony in the U.K., isn’t what prompted my rebuttal.
His response to me should have contained just two words. “Thank you.”
Quick backstory, for those of you joining this program already in-progress: International wrestling star and bestselling author Matt Murphy, kindly (and foolishly) thinking it would be good for the wrestling business, tried to breathe some life back into the corpse known as St. Louis wrestling when he agreed to make some appearances for SICW. While most promotions would have rolled out the red carpet for Murphy, SICW instead stabbed him in the back. Yet, despite a lackluster and controversial debut, our hero still captured the interest of sponsors, who signed on to help fund SICW for the next two years. In one night, despite it being one of the worst nights in his wrestling career, Matt Murphy did more for SICW than anyone who ever held a spot on the roster before him. But did promoter Herb Simmons give due credit? No. He looked the gift horse in the mouth and then spit on it.
Everyone up to speed now? Good. Let’s move on.
Murphy has challenged for the NWA World title against Adam Pearce and the Central States Championship held by highly touted ACH. – Photo Credit Brian Kelley
Herb showered Larry Matysik with praise in his letter. He said that Larry is honest and doesn’t need to prove himself to anyone. Was he honest when he weaseled his way into a book deal for an idea that I pitched and a manuscript that I had already delivered to the publisher? Was he honest when he tried ending my storied career by sicking the unstable super-heavyweight behemoth Alexander Rudolph on me after leading me to believe I would be competing against someone in my weight class? Herb called Larry Matysik a household name. To paraphrase the great Jim Cornette, “Larry Matysik might be a household name, but so is garbage, and it stinks when it gets old, too.”
Larry Matysik has made a living in wrestling as a pencil-pusher and a jabber-mouth. Is that not enough? Wrestlers should treat him as an equal, or as if he’s better than us? The first time I was lifted six feet in the air and slammed onto the plywood and metal beams, I earned more respect in this business than anyone who’s never survived that experience. Sure, he’s a legend, as far as announcers go, but is it really saying anything to call yourself the finest slice of bologna in a steakhouse? This is the wrestling business. Wrestlers are the stars. Announcers, ring crew, referees…they’re all supporting cast, and it would be best for everyone involved in the business if the supporting cast remembered their place at the end of the catering line.
I don’t like old people. Call it one of my few character flaws, but I don’t like them. I don’t like the way they drive, smell, reminisce, beg pardon, and gossip. But I especially don’t like old people who talk tough to me. I don’t discriminate: I’m an equal-opportunity ass-kicker, and I will hit an old man, not just because I dislike old people, but because I do what I can to be politically correct. Larry and Herb are treading on thin ice with me, and every misspelled word Herb wrote cracked the ice just a little more.
“Murphy vows to destroy SICW”? Is the title of this article but make no bones about it wrestling fans, Murphy is a real threat to our friend Herb Simmons and Larry Matysik. While he can wrestle with the best of them, he has showed recently that he prefers to take short cuts and play mind games. -– Photo Credit Brian Kelley
I return to SICW on August 18th. When I look across that ring and into my opponent’s half-awestruck and half-terrified eyes, I’m going to see Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons staring back at me. Every strike and every hold will reflect my anger towards the men who pull the strings at SICW. I hope my opponent has a bright future in professional wrestling, because bright wrestling futures are a beautiful thing, and right now I feel like destroying something beautiful.
-International Professional Wrestling Star and Bestselling Author Matt Murphy
Alexander Rudolph chokes Murphy with his hair….Did SICW ambush Matt Murphy?? – Photo Credit Brian Kelley
Sent to MWR from “All That” Matt Murphy.
Since the day I came in to the wrestling business in 1999, I’ve been a success. I’ve made a name for myself all over the world, and I’ve fought for and earned every ounce of respect I’ve been shown. But I have never felt as disrespected and humiliated as I felt June 16th night in SICW.
I didn’t ask to come to SICW. Larry Matysik reached out to me. He called me and said, “I’d love to have you come in and wrestle for us. I think you’d really connect with these fans. We’ll put you in there with a young up-and-comer, really make you look like a star.”
I had heard great things about the fans and the talent at SICW, so I said, “Sure, Larry. I’d be glad to do it.”
I felt good about returning to wrestle in the St. Louis area. As everyone knows, St. Louis has a long and storied history in professional wrestling. It was once known as the class of the business. Where other territories promoted shows under spotlights in carnival tents, St. Louis shows were held under chandeliers. Where toothless half-wits filled the seats in every other territory in the world, the fans of St. Louis wore suits and gowns and sitting among them were the city’s most prominent businessmen and public figures.
I’ve accomplished some great things in St. Louis: winning titles, headlining major events, competing for WWE in front of a sold-out crowd at the Savvis Center and, of course, putting the legendary St. Louis Blues enforcer Tony Twist on his back with a right hand to the jaw.
I came to SICW to wrestle, but what I walked into was an ambush. Everyone was in on it: the entire SICW roster, the fans, even the referee. And Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons orchestrated the whole thing.
Larry promised me a young up-and-comer. And what he booked me against was Alexander Rudolph. I’d heard of him and knew how dangerous he could be. But I’ve battled and beaten giants (Meng, The Barbarian, The Harris Brothers, Takeshi Morishima, just to name a few), and I was confident that I would add Alexander Rudolph to that impressive list. I would have, too, had it been a one-on-one match. But I was up against everyone in the building that night, from my opponent to the locker room to the lady selling nachos to the toothless geriatrics sitting in most of the seats. Even I couldn’t overcome those odds.
Although we compete with each other on the Amazon bestseller list, I’ve always respected Larry Matysik, even liked him. I thought he was one of the good guys in the business. But what happened Saturday night was a painful reminder that there are no good guys in wrestling.
Speaking of good guys, where were they when Alexander Rudolph attacked me after the match? Where were the heroes of SICW?
Where was Ricky Cruz? Slicking his hair back? Polishing his new Classic Wrestling Championship belt?
Where was Gary Jackson? Too busy telling everyone in the locker room that he was a big-time star when most of them were still in diapers?
Where was Sean Vincent?
Where were the heroes?
Where were you, Larry?
I’ll give credit where it’s due. I didn’t see it coming. SICW made one of its most promising stars, Alexander Rudolph, look like a superstar when he mopped the canvas with “All That” Matt Murphy, a bona fide Midwest legend. But Larry and Herb didn’t think their devious plan through. When Herb signed me to wrestle for SICW, he signed me for 6 shows. They played their hand too early. And now they’re stuck with me for 5 more shows. That’s 5 more opportunities for me to destroy SICW.
Enjoy this victory. Savor every moment between now and the night I come back. Because when I return, everyone who was involved in the ambush and everyone who pledges allegiance to SICW will suffer. I’m going to tear apart SICW one piece at a time. After I’ve dismantled SICW limb from limb, I’m going to rip out its heart, Larry Matysik, and finally close the book on the history of St. Louis wrestling.
Please note that this book is not out yet, this is a special treat for you Missouri Wrestling Revival fans from Larry Matysik. The cover is ready and fans this is the publisher’s promo material and the finish product will be out later this year.
As soon as this book hits the stands you know you have my word that you will hear about it at MWR.
Wrestling fans in Illinois should be thrilled about this coming Saturday’s All American Pro Wrestling’s “Main Event”. Let’s take a look at just 10 reasons why you should take the trip to Marion, Illinois whether you are from Marion or you are a fan that lives in St Louis. In no specific order and to be honest I could have done more than 10 reasons why you should join us.
1) First Show of the year! With the weather looking to be great, why not take the kids out to the park during the day then come in when it gets dark and cold as all of your favorite All American Pro WrestlingStars action is sure to be hard hitting and heated. AAPW has an Awesome card filled with some of the best stars in Illinois and around the World. Don’t be the only fan at work on Monday who did not make the biggest show in AAPW history.
Let’s watch "3G" Eric Wayne take young Jay Spade on a trip on pain.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Let’s watch "3G" Eric Wayne take young Jay Spade on a trip on pain.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
2) “3G” Eric Wayne to meet former WWE, ROH and a NWA World Champion – The third generation AAPW star Eric Wayne was set to meet ROH World Champion Davey Richards this past fall. Due to contract issues that match never happen. Wayne has been in the sport since 2006 and has had a taste of TNA and WWE in past. A win against the respected and VERY entertaining “BOOM BOOM” Colt Cabana could send a message to AAPW management that he is ready for a rematch against AAPW Champion Edmund “Livewire” McGuire that is if you don’t see him on your TV on Monday or Thursday nights.
3) “The Generic Luchador” El Generico vs. “The Man Gravity Forgot” PAC– Both of these wrestlers have traveled around the world. They have met in the past in thrilling battles that fans have raved about. Let’s take a look at
4) FREE STUFF: One lucky fan in attendance will walk away with two tickets to the WWE Royal Rumble in St. Louis The fan who travels the farthest to attend Main Event will receive an AAPW prize pack.
Christopher Hagstrom and the AAPW staff has been proactive in building a close relationship with their fans in 2011, in 2012 they will be running on all cylinders with great matches to start the year along with awesome promotions for their fans at the shows, on their website, and on facebook. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
MWR Fans be sure to be a fan of AAPW on FACEBOOK as they have been doing prize packs when they reach 800, 900 and 1,000 fans. Be a part of the growth of one of the Midwest hottest promotions in 2012.
Pokerface. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
5) Pokerface Open Challenge– One of the hottest stars in AAPW is the undefeated Pokerface. How good is he? In October, he was able to get a victory from the 2011 MWR Wrestler of the Year Brandon Espinosa in an exciting match-up.
The All American feels the explosive knees from Pokerface. Can anyone step to and defeat Pokerface? Join us this Saturday to find out. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
While MWR has not been liked his arrogance and attitude towards fans we cannot deny the talent this young star possess. Who will step to meet the challenge of Pokerface? Be there to cheer on the man who will look to end the undefeated streak!
Heath Hatton and Curly tenure as a AAPW tag team Champs has come to an end. Can Heath Hatton fly alone to success?? (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
6) Bad blood and grudges boil over as Heath Hatton looks to get revenge on “Golden Boy” Greg Anthony. Heath Hatton is one star that MWR has on the radar in 2012, in 2011 he along with fan favorite Curly won the AAPW Tag titles and feuded with Anthony and his tag partner “Serial Thriller” Shane Rich. Each man would find themselves alone as an injury would take out Shane Rich, while AAPW would fire Curly but this would not cool off the tension between these two.
Hatton has been on the search to work with the very best in the past couple of months as he has made appearances with both Harley Race’s WLW and Ohio Valley Wrestling. This could be his biggest match to date (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Last month Heath Hatton was forced to defend them alone against Team Overkill, and showed true heart in his efforts against Matt Cage and Christian Rose but it would be Greg Anthony who would cost him his tag team titles.
Now Hatton is ready to teach the veteran Anthony a lesson in respect. MWR has always enjoy Anthony here with his own article aptly named “The Golden Circle” in the past we do not condone his actions to this rising star and will be hoping that Hatton can do his wish.
In the past the Golden Boy Greg Anthony has used illegal help from his good friend Shane Rich, here rookie Aiden Young gets blasted from Anthony after Rich harassed him throughout the match. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
That may be easier said than done, Anthony who will be the first to tell you that he “Is the best of the best” and has the credentials to prove it. Down south he has been honored by the former website Rasslin Riot as the 2011 Wrestler of the Year, one half of a former Tag Team of the Year and been involved in the 2011Match of the year.
Shane Rich has been injured and has joined the AAPW announcing crew, but Anthony knows all the tricks in the book and looks to make life hell for the young rising star Heath Hatton. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Anthony has formed a successful tag team with NWA/WCW star Bobby Eatonwith manager Brian Thompson are called Midnight Gold.
In singles and tag competition he has captured wins against a who’s who in the sport including Jerry Lawler, Jerry Lynn, Buff Bagwell, Jay Lethal, Bill Dundee, Rock N Roll Express, Reggie B Fine, New Age Outlaws, Billy Gunn, Tracy Smothers, Flash Flanagan, and JC ICE.
..
Mike Masters!! (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
7) Kevin Hunsperger needs your support!! MWR fans know Kevin as the play-by-play commentator for “Collision” and anchor of “News 3 This Morning” on WSIL TV. A great guy who has a true love for the sport. On the other side of the ring will be “The Masterpiece” Mike Masters.
Masters was on a roll early ion in his match with “Dynamite” Seth Knight but came out on the losing end, will look to take his frustrations out and bully our friend and AAPW announcer Kevin Hunsperger. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Masters is a perennial threat to the AAPW Championship in the past and pound for pound one of the best wrestlers in the Midwest. So how did Kevin get involved in a match with the AAPW Superstar Mike Master’s? Let’s take a look.
The 2011 MWR Female Wrestler Stacey O’Brien was so excited and appreciative when she was offered to be a part of AAPW’S “Main Event” when we saw her around Christmas time. Yet one thing is AAPW did not make it easy in the least when they brought in her former rival Rebecca Raze. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
8) See the 2011 MWR Female Wrestler of the Year Stacey O’Brien in action and receive her plaque from MWR’S Diva Dubray Tallman: It has been over four years since AAPW has hosted a women’s match inside the square circle. The fans asked for their return and AAPW has delivered with one of the Midwest finest Stacey O’Brien. O’Brien was the first ever MWR Female of the Year and has returned from injury to regain her spot as the top women in the Midwest with great matches against Lucy Mendez, Santana G, Miss Natural and MsChif.
While this award may be a great honor for the hard working woman who now trains with Harley Race at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy in Eldon Missouri, she now has a target on her back. Just as rap legend 2Pac sang during his peak “All eye’s on me” O’Brien is now the hunted.
Rebecca Raze
The first young women to try to make a name for herself will be a former foe, Rebecca Raze. It has been over 4 years since the two have met but one thing is for sure that they do not like each other in the least. The name Rebecca Raze could be one that you are not aware of but don’t discount her skills and her desire to knock O’Brien off the top of the women’s division.
During the night we are honored that AAPW has invited us to present the “Boston Brawler” with her 2011 MWR Female Wrestler of the Year Plaque and support women’s wrestling at AAPW.
9) See tag team wrestling the way it was meant to be: While newly crowned AAPW Tag Team Champions Matt Cage and Christian Rose of Team Overkill used some legal loopholes to get out of a title defense at Main Event AAPW has offered the fans a great tag match that could have ramifications for the rest of 2011.
The Money Makin Jam Boyz. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
The former 3-time AAPW Tag Team Champions the Money Makin Jam Boyz the Mississippi Madman and KC Jackson take on Roscoe Dwayne Harris and Jimmy Wayne Fargo otherwise known as the Convoy. Will the weight and power of Harris and Fargo be an advantage against the MMJB’s Jackson or will the Jackson be able to wear out the fearsome twosome and set them up for the Madman’s finisher the Fifth floor?
The winner of this match at AAPW’S Main event will earn a tag team title shot in the future.
10) Two years ago, Missouri Wrestling Revival announced the very first MWR Trading Cards. The set was produced to bring recognition to the wrestlers in the Midwest and the MWR site. From the very first featuring the tag team the Northstar Express, we have done our best to deliver you the fans with a great card that catches your favorites wrestlers in action.
At the end of the year we were at #60 in the set that includes the current Ring of Honor World Champion Davey Richards, former champ Eddie Edwards, Jimmy Jacobs and MsChif to former WWE Stars and Champions Trevor Murdock, U-Gene) EUGENE), former D-X member Road Dogg along with Hall of famers such as Larry Zbyszko, Dave Hebner and Larry Matysik.
With #60 we were excited to have the one and only “Generic Luchador” El Generico to be a part of this wonderful collection. To the best of my knowledge this will be the first time that MWR fans will have a chance to get their card autographed from the masked man himself in the MWR coverage area. El Generico is one of the most traveled wrestlers in the sport as he is a star with Ring of Honor and has taken tours around the world so fans do not miss this rare chance to see him in action and have you #60 MWR El Generico card signed.
Though we are always excited to add ROH and former WWE, WCW, and NWA stars to the set, our favorites are the stars of the Midwest that thrill us each and every weekend in the Midwest.
Many of these men and women are the future of the sport as during our two years we have featured two Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookies of the years in three cards. First we have the 2009 PWI Rookie of the Year as well as the 2010 MWR Wrestler of the Year Mike Sydal. Sydal the brother of WWE Star Evan Bourne was featured in two cards, first the sold out card of #5 and then we provided an update of Sydal with the #37.
The most recent wrestler to be name the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookieof the Year is Ace Hawkins. We were excited to have this high flying star as the man who graced the # 55 card.
Both of these men have been in action at AAPW in the past but will not be there next week but you will be able to get your hands on the following cards and hopefully have them signed from them during the evening.
#38 Stacey O’Brien and # 43 The Mississippi Madman are two of our favorites. The Madman has been both the AAPW Champion as well as an AAPW Tag Champion.
One of the most charismatic wrestlers in the Midwest, he is always a fan favorite. This will be a great opportunity to meet all three of these stars to have your cards signed.
We love him here at MWR as does the AAPW faithful , he is the AAPW Champion with a familiar foe breathing down his throat, “The Old school Warrior” Ax Allwardt.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
“The Old school Warrior” Ax Allwardt has his chance to become the AAPW Champion for the first time at AAPW’S Main Event. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
That is 10 reasons and we never did get to the main event between AAPW Champ Edmund McGuire and “Old School Warrior”Ax Allwardt. This match that could be featured on any main event in the country today and it will be right here in the Midwest next weekend.
Jay Spade has no fear as he goes to the rafters to get an edge. Spade is just one of the young stars that you will be seeing for years to come in the sport. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Always one to love himself, it is the Playboy Paul Rose. Rose never fails to entertain us and will be in action this weekend!! (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Plus stars such as Jay Spade, Bull Bronson, and “Playboy” Paul Rose will be in action during the night as well . So join MWR for a fun filled night full of action as well as many surprises during the night.
Earlier this week Michael Holmes, the editor for ECW Press that on Saturday September 17th in East Carondelet, IL the fans will have a special interview with MWR’S Brian Kelley on the most talked about wrestling book for the upcoming year, Larry Matysik’s “ 50 Wrestlers of All Time”.
Word quickly got back to the CWC Champion Ron Powers, Though the names on the list have not been announced yet, Powers was ecstatic that Matysik was honoring the great men in the sport of wrestling with such a great book. In response, MWR received this letter from the champion.
Ron Powers is one of the best in the Midwest and feels he deserves to be named in Larry Matysik's 50 Greatest wrestlers of all-time (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)
To all my die hard fans,
It was an honor to be the subject in Larry Matysik’s first two books, “Wrestling at the Chase”, and “Brody”. I feel, as do all of you, these books would not have reached the level they did, had my name not been mentioned. Larry knows, and accepts this for a fact. And now, “The 50 Greatest Wrestlers of all-time “,will hit the shelves.
Soon to become a best seller, this book will name the top 50 wrestlers to have ever entered the squared circle. It will be a milestone in my career, to see my name in the top 50. Lord knows I deserve it! If this book has been written with any accuracy, I should be in the top 25. Let’s hope Mr. Matysik remembers what sells……………..ME.
Sincerely Yours, Ron Powers
Please join us in less than two weeks when Missouri Wrestling Revival will return to East Carondelet for a special TV Tapping. During the night MWR’S Brian Kelley, will be having a special interview along with Jeff Vernetti of Sports Talk Radio 1380 speaking about the much anticipated Larry Matysik’s new book about the “50 greatest wrestlers of all time”, which Larry is finishing now and will be out late next spring.
The main event Sept. 17 is a Classic Championship match between titleholder Ron Powers and challenger Chris Hargas.
To hear CWC Champion Ron Powers talk he has swept the competition away in 2011.
The most feared man in St Louis Ron Powers has been on a rampage in 2011 causing fear and anger among fans and wrestlers alike. During the past year he has challenged promoter Herb Simmons and the wrestlers of MMWA-SICW.
For the fans that do not know there has been rumors that MMWA-SICW have been split in two different promotions. Though several of my close friends within the company claim this to be a fact, until promoters Tony Casta or Herb Simmons tell us themselves we are still viewing them as a single brand.
We start of with a reply from our friend Ben Simon, the former ring announcer from the SICW brand who is also the producer of ST LOUIS Wrestling on youtube. Ben replies on the story that MWR printed recently titled “Ron Powers to meet Chris Hargas and continues to warn MMWA-SICW ” and you can check it out here. For the record the misspelling was indeed my fault (Editor and Owner Brian Kelley) as I was writing down his quotes over the phone fromm Powers and when I set them to print I made the mistake.
Ben Simon was one of the men that signed up for the MMWA-SICW open tryout. During it one of the men he interviewed was one of the top young talents in Central Illinois Blake Steel.
With that said let us start with Ben Simons reply to the CWC Champion on that post at MWR.
I take issue with Ron Powers commenting on the MMWA at South Broadway, only since it was SICW that wanted to break away. Ron is the SICW Classic Wrestling Champion (who apparently can’t spell the name of his title correctly). Ron is not the MMWA-SICW kingpin!
He rules Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling. However, the doors to the South Broadway Athletic Club are wide open. Ron, put your money and your anger issue where your mouth is and fight the MO/IL Heavyweight Champion, Gary Jackson. I have watched these two great athletes in action and I have no doubt that “Gorgeous” Gary would knock the daylights out of Powers. Mr. Simmons, Mr. Matysik, TEAR DOWN THIS WRESTLING WALL!
-Ben Simon
It would not be long for word to get out to Ron Powers who was quick to respond. Ron Powers does not leave any words left unsaid. He has been a bully in 2011 while taking out his good friend Danny Boy for the title then targeting each and every legend that Herb Simmons can find.
First of all, Ben, you’re a dipshit. I don’t lay the format out for the articles. Did you ever think there are more people involved with the MWR website than just me? I know what my title is, and we know what yours is, a Jabrony. I want you to take issue with everything I say, and everything I do, because you are stupid enough to buy it. As far as Gary goes, He is a great athlete, and has very entertaining promos. But as long as I’m around, he will always be second best.
As far as the “open doors” at South Broadway, I don’t think so. The reason SBAC’s doors are open, is because nobody wants to wrestle there. Don’t you get it? You seem to be the only person from SBAC who even cares. And we all know how much you care. You’re the first one in the dressing room, and the last one to leave.
You also mentioned Benny, about tearing down “this wrestling wall”. Again, dumbass, get the story straight. The only people who built this wall, was all you idiots at South Broadway. Don’t EVEN compare yourselves to us! Hey, great Rhino match by the way. It sounds like the fans really got their money’s worth on that one. This is what I’m saying. You guys couldn’t coordinate a two car funeral. Broadway had great potential at one time. However, the loony’s took over the asylum. It’s an abyss of self-absorbed egos. If anyone has an issue with this, come see me at a real show this Sat. night at East Carondolet.
And last but not least, Herb and Larry. I hear you guys are passing around Pat O’Conner tapes. Could these tapes consist of a certain sleeper hold? Could you two be up to something again? Let me tell you this, it will not work on me. I have never been put to sleep by anyone in this business, and I won’t be. I don’t know what “victim” has learned this move, but it will not work on my 19″ neck, I guarantee you.
Chris Hargas calls out the fans for support this weekend in East Carondelet.
This Saturday night, at East Carondolet, Chas Wesson and Chris Harges, you two will know what it’s like to step between the ropes and fight for your lives, when you take on me and (Sean) Vincent. Herb, you said you would find someone to take me out one day. This Saturday will not be the day!
-Ron Powers
This weekend Chris Hargas has a chance to meet Ron Powers in East Carondelet to see if he can withstand the champions onslaught. Chris Hargas be prepared as the Midwest Bully, the Kingpin of MMWA-SICW Ron Powers is in no mood to play around as he has even called out the great beloved ST Louis wrestling announcer Larry Matysik.
Will Ron Powers continues his reign of terror this Saturday????….Be there.
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.
In the Midwest we have had some of the very best in the business in the Midwest in the past with ST Louis’s Larry Matysik for Wrestling at the Chase and Kansas Ciry’s Bill Kersten who was the voice behind All Star Wrestling.
As much as their work in the ring has done for Pro wrestling it is their link to the fans of that generation that will cement their place in wrestling history.
Dan Gier is known to the fans around the Midwest for the past ten plus years as the man that greets them to Harley Race’s World League Wrestling’s Shut up and Wrestle.
His friendly demeanor and hometown feel has made him a friend of many fans as they prepare for a great night of wrestling. From the moment the doors open till the final bell rings, Dan is there to make them feel invited.
One of the true great guys in Pro Wrestling now has his very own MWR Trading Card.
We are proud to have Dan Gier
The artwork of Dan Gier from the hottest comic in the Midwest, The Promotion. The promotion is drawn from none other than Rob Schamberger.
Please support Rob and his hard work by purchasing a copy of his comic for only .50 cents here.
For a complete list of Missouri Wrestling Revival trading cards as well as WWE , TNA and Japan sets check out the website Wrestling trading cards.com here.
To purchase MWR Trading cards:
1) Catch the star at a show to have them autograph the cards personally
2) Contact them via facebook or myspace
3) Send $1.50 in money order or check for each card at *
Brian Kelley
305 West 3rd Salisbury Missouri 65281
*Checks will take longer to clear than money orders so expect time for that to happen. Make sure you list exactly what card you are wanting to have.
Please note that when purchasing MWR Trading cards from the wrestlers, that they decide the prices for their cards. We highly recommend that you get them from the stars themselves and let them know that you enjoy MWR.
These cards are limited and are not mass produced making them highly collectable.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 