In 2008, my friend Josh Ray started MissouriWrestlingRevival.com to cover Midwest pro wrestling. Prior to MWR, the most a fan could find about local pro wrestling may have been a promotion’s neglected web site or a Myspace page. How could I forget the drama found on a wrestling message board where you could often find wrestlers and promoters knocking other promoters, wrestlers, and the sport itself?
That first year, the MWR site reached out to various promoters and wrestlers to find ways to showcase the independent scene. MWR found success through the talents of Ray, Kari Williams, and those working relations.
I took over MWR in 2009. I’ve worked with many of the top men in our sport as well as artists, graphic designers, and sponsors to shine the spotlight on Midwest pro wrestling.
A reunion between two warriors of the sport as Michael Strider and Jeremy Wyatt receive their 2008 MWR Match of the Year plaques. Pictured left to right Michael Strider, MWR Columnist Kari Williams, MWR Owner Brian Kelley, Jeremy “The Belt Collector” Wyatt.
Since the beginning, MWR has been in attendance to close to 500 wrestling events. Fans have a new post almost every day to share across social media. We have shared thousands of photos on our site and our promotional shots have been used for posters and magazines around the world. And… it’s all free for the fans.
Fans around the Midwest have supported us by wearing the highly popular MWR wear.
Even during the hot hot summer there are good times to be had when you combine your local wrestling with MWR. You just never know who you can meet at your local Indy show. Here we hang with our friends Bobby Eaton and ring announcer Brian Thompson.
Your local event can lead to memories that can last a lifetime. Get your tickets and make friends today then enjoy a night of wrestling.
We have teamed up with others that support pro wrestling. Here Dubray Tallman is hanging with Shooter Spotlights Mike Wilson and his girlfriend Sarah.
Yes, we have MWR hats that will make you the envy of all your friends.
Without Missouri Wrestling Revival, small wrestling events fade from memory. I am proud that the ones we cover have not been lost to history. The MWR Yearbook and the site are excellent time capsules of the local scenes. The MWR Trading cards are a great collectors item that feature the best talents in the world from today and yesterday.
Hanging with with WLW Ring Announcer Dan Gier always brings out the smiles.
We have been honored to capture that special moment with the wrestlers and their fans as we do in this photo with Kevin Lee Davidson.
I won’t even try to name all the wonderful people that have helped out the web site in fear of forgetting someone. It has truly been an honor to have worked with so many great people.
Our relationship with all the promoters of the MWR Coverage area have been the key to success. Here longtime friends John and Helen enjoy a cold one with SICW Promoter Herb Simmons.
My favorite video we ever did at MWR
MWR has been around for about eight years or 2,920 days. With 5,000 posts, that means an average of 1.7 posts a day of previews, results, interviews, news, and more.
Fan favorites like Dynamo Pro Wrestling star Shorty Biggs have helped make pro wrestling fun for fans and MWR alike.
One of the early features on the site was Dubi Meets the fans where she asked the fans what wrestler that would like to meet. Here the MECW fans asked to meet Mauler McDarby and Maddog McDowell.
The fans have a convenient way to learn about their local promotions. The wrestlers and promotions get valuable exposure.
No matter where we go, we have met friends that always keeps us smiling. Here our friend Tim and I share a smile as we enjoy Metro Pro Wrestling
Our friend Jerry shows off his copy of the 2015 MWR Yearbook.
You, our readers, have made MWR the top wrestling news site in the Midwest. Thank you so much.
Brian Kelley-Owner Missouri Wrestling Revival
Missouri Wrestling Revival 