MWR Owner and Editor Brian Kelley: It is with great pleasure that I am with two of the many great fans that support pro wrestling in the Midwest today, Debbie and her younger brother Tim. Thank you Debbie and Tim for taking the time to talk to us here at MWR.

Debbie: Thanks for thinking of us for a spotlight, Brian. I tend to think of Metro Pro as another family and it is nice to be treated that way.

Brian: Let me ask you first, where did the two of you grow up and what were your first memories of the sport that we all love, pro wrestling?

Debbie: We grew up in Leavenworth KS and I loved what seemed to be “very late at night” Saturday night with the local wrestling show, the name of which I have long since forgotten, but the color commentary was done by Bill Kersten, Bob Geigel was the promoter and a wrestler and they had this nefarious bad guy named Handsome Harley Race.

Tim having a blast at Metro Pro Wrestling. Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie

Tim: I remember the show was Big 2 Wrestling out of St Joseph MO on channel 2. But Debbie is incorrect about Bob Geigel, the promoter was Gust Karras. My favorites were Bulldog Bob Brown, Maddog Harley Race and Black Angus.

Brian: Before making your way to discovering Metro Pro Wrestling in Kansas, City for the first time, who were your favorite wrestlers and why?

Debbie: I really liked AJ Styles because he was a wrestler, not a sports entertainer. And Shawn Michaels for the same reason. Stone Cold and the Rock really amused me. And I still enjoy Chris Jericho.

Tim: I was always a fan of Stone Cold Steve Austin, but not so much Stunning Steve Austin. And, of course, Debra for two very good reasons.

This photo is for Tim :)

Brian: As I mentioned in the last question, I met the two of you at Metro Pro Wrestling . How did you find out about the event? Do you remember the date and what do you recall from that night?

Debbie: I went kicking and screaming because Tim wanted to go and I decided to humor him. I even took a book, expecting to be bored. I don’t think I ever did finish that book. But I did get to meet you and Dubray and the wildly talented Rob Schamberger and his equally awesome mom, Dee and her husband Roger.

Tim: I had been watching Metro Pro on Metro Sports and when I found out when it was taping I said I wanted to go. I discovered it late one night while watching Metro Sports and watched it every time it was on after that. Our first trip was November 2010, but don’t ask Debbie because she never gets this stuff right. By fall of 2011 we were regulars, we didn’t miss a show. At least, I didn’t. She decided to go to San Antonio to watch our nephew graduate basic training and I stayed home and got someone else to take me to Metro Pro. I keep my priorities straight.

Brian: The two of you have even taken some road trips to other MWR promotions to support local independent wrestling as well as your favorite wrestlers? This is a two part question, who is your favorite wrestler on the local scene and why?

Debbie: I am captivated by Leland Race. He is so intense and so talented. And I would be remiss not to mention my favorite duo at Metro Pro, Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling. But I have to admit to taking several trips to see Miss Natural because her athletic abilities are so well-honed.

Leland Race

Tim: I favor Leland Race because of his wrestling ability.

Brian: What has been your favorite match or moment at a wrestling show on the Independent level that you have been at?

Debbie: The last Jeremy Wyatt/Adam Pearce match. It was just before Metro Pro went on hiatus and it was brutal, technical, funny and smart all at the same time.

Tim: Bruiser Brody vs Kamala in Kansas City in 1984 but as for recently. it had to be Adam Pearce vs Colt Cabana in their fourth match in the Seven Levels of Hate Series.

Debbie with the NWA Hall of Fame Wrestler and former MWR Wrestler of the Year Adam Pearce. Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie

Brian: Another two part question Debbie and Tim, if I was to start a promotion and I came to you and asked you what I should do to improve on what you have seen, what would it be? Also, I am going to have you help me plan a match on my wrestling card, who are you going to have face each other and yes, it can be singles or tag team?

Debbie: Wow, you’d have to go a long way to improve on Metro Pro or WLW, but how about some more athletic, talented women like Stacey O’Brien and Miss Natural. They have had some women pass through, but none have the technical ability or the charisma to grab a crowd like those ladies. We need more ladies that are wrestlers, not divas. I think a mixed tag team of Trevor Murdoch & Miss Natural vs Leland Race & Stacey O’Brien.

Stacey O’Brien and Miss Natural call a truce long enough to take a picture with one of the biggest fans. – Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie.

Tim: I would mix the talent up more. Book matches where people aren’t always wrestling the same 3 or 4 people. I would like to see a three-way match with A J Styles, Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling with the King brothers banned from the building and my good friend Michael Crase as the special enforcer for the match.

Tim celebrates with Referee Michael Crase-Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie

Brian: Pro Wrestling is RED HOT in the MWR coverage area with Metro Pro Wrestling packing the Turner Rec Center as well as new promotions popping up in Missouri. I know you have plans to go on the road as well to check out other promotions, what are your upcoming events you hope to attend and if someone was to ask you why they should purchase a ticket to a local wrestling event, what would you say?

Debbie: We are going to see New Breed Wrestling a little farther south in Missouri and I would like to make it to St. Louis for one of the Anarchy shows this spring. From there, it’s not that far to Illinois or Iowa. It’s so little money for such a good time. This isn’t WWE. These people have worked hard to hone their technical skills, they actually come out to meet the fans and, seriously, where else can you get front row seat to three or four hours of entertainment where you can completely lose control and go crazy for only $20.00 And a chance to get your picture taken with Jeremy Wyatt! (It only took me a little over 2 years and was worth the wait.)

Debbie and the Metro Pro and 3XW Wrestling Champion Jeremy Wyatt – Photo courtesy of Tim and Debbie

Brian: Once again, thank you to the two of you for taking part in this edition of the MWR Fan spotlight. It is always a pleasure to see you two at an event as it is people like you that keeps the promotions to not only survive, but thrive in 2015.