MWR fans thank you so much checking out the MWR website and supporting the promotions, wrestlers and this past week the Managers, Referees and Ring Announcers. As you know most of these talented and hard working men and women are my personal friends so I am so glad that you had the decision to choose this fine award.
First off let me apologize for not setting an exact time in my post for the poll to end. I have learned my lesson and it will not happen again.
Brian Kelley -Owner and Editor of Missouri Wrestling Revival
I would like to congratulate first off Sarah Rose. In less than a year she has become a crowd favorite among the wrestling fans. MWR fans cheered her as she ring announced the last St. Louis Anarchy event as the era came to a close with Davey Vega defeating Mat Fitchett, and you can still catch her at the exciting Pro Wrestling Championship Series (PWCS). The best is yet to come for this charismatic ring announcer.
We would like to congratulate Sarah Rose as the 2016 MWR Ring Announcer of the Year.
Sarah Rose 24.89% Don Diablo 24.66% Ben Simon 19.51%
Lucy Mendez is a former 2-time MWR Female Wrestler of the Year that is a double threat as a manager for the likes of Ace Steel and Elvis Aliaga. She is always one step ahead of the ref, while causing anger from the fans. Still, she has earned the respect of the fans enough to be voted as the 2016 MWR Manager of the Year.
We would like to congratulate Lucy Mendez as the 2016 MWR Manager of the Year.
“Gentleman” Jason Pemberton has worked all over the Midwest since 2011. With an estimated 1000+ matches refereed, Jason has worked for more than a dozen companies, such as AAW, DREAMWAVE, National Wrasslin’ League, PWCS, and many more in the IL and MO area. Jason has also worked in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, and is looking to branch out more in the near future.
We would like to congratulate Jason Pemberton as the 2016 Referee of the Year.
Jason Pemberton 35.93% Jay King 32.04% Curt Deierling 4.67%
The names of Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett are well-known to Midwest wrestling fans, but the national wrestling scene has only recently begun to discover the talents of these skilled competitors.
Both men started their careers with Dynamo Pro Wrestling before branching out to the Lethal Wrestling Alliance, which would later become St. Louis Anarchy. Vega was first known as a tag team competitor and teamed with Johnny Vinyl to feud with The Ego Express(Steven Kennedy & K.C. Karrington), leading to Kennedy & Karrington becoming the first LWA Tag Team Champions when they defeated Vega and substitute partner Dingo. After that, Vega focused on singles competition…after holding the NWA Missouri Title in Dynamo Pro, he went on to capture the LWA Heavyweight Title from Gary Jay in December of 2009. Vega held the title for most of 2010 before dropping it to Evan Gelistico; this occured shortly before the transition to St. Louis Anarchy and Vega spent most of that promotion’s existence chasing the title.
Davey Vega explodes with a clothesline on ROH Star Jonathan Gresham.
In that time, Vega competed against some of the best wrestlers in the world and scored victories over many of them. That list included such names as Davey Richards, Kyle O’Reilly, Johnny Gargano, Arik Cannon, A.C.H., Michael Elgin, Roderick Strong, Chris Hero, Jonathan Gresham, D.J. Z, T.J. Perkins, Chip Day, and Martin Stone. In his final opportunity at the gold at St. Louis Anarchy’s last show, Vega finally capitalized by winning a triple threat match with champion Fitchett and Gary Jay for the title! Vega will continue to carry the championship in Pro Wrestling Championship Series as the “Gateway Heritage Title“.
As for Fitchett, his career took a similar path and he squared off with many of the same competitors as his often-time tag partner Vega. In fact, Fitchett and Vega were Tag Team Champions in both the Chicago-based All-American Wrestling and the Kansas City-based Metro Pro Wrestling!
TJ Perkins found WWE gold in 2016, but before that he and Fitchett put on a wrestling clinic at St. Louis Anarchy.
The “Dirty Rook” took his lumps in his early LWA and SLA career, enduring hard-hitting battles with the likes of Arik Cannon, Akira Tozawa, Alex Shelley, and his trainer Dingo. Fitchett was frustrated after several near-misses in title matches against Darin Corbin and Gary Jay, leading to him taking a sabbatical from SLA competition; however, it turned out that he was hiding under the mask of “Dangerous Deveroux” as he competed for SLA and PWCS. Fitchett had an uphill battle against Gary Jay as the champion rode a wave of momentum, holding the title for over two years with title defenses against some of the toughest competition in the country. Winning a thirty-man Anarchy Rumble in late 2015 finally propelled him back into title contention…and in February of 2016, Fitchett finally ended Gary’s monumental title reign to reach the top of the mountain!
Fitchett didn’t shy away from challenges as he defended his title against Evan Gelistico, T.J. Perkins, Jake Dirden, and Paco Gonzalez…but on STL Anarchy’s final night, he lost the title to Vega.
It took several years for both men to gain attention in the national independent wrestling scene, but their exposure in AAW and Beyond Wrestling has turned the heads of many onlookers. Now forming the “Blood Brothers” tag team in the National Wrasslin’ League under the names Davey Gibson and Matthew Grundy, the two look to add more tag team gold to their already impressive resumes! These two men have been considered the Midwest’s best-kept secrets, but that secret is finally getting out!
Look for an exclusive MWR Future Star artwork honoring Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett for their achievement from acclaimed artist Dartallion Allen Jr. in the future.
If you would like to sponsor the MWR Future Star Plaques for Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett then please contact MWR at flairwhoooooo@yahoo.com. The cost is 50.00 each or $100.00 for both (two plaques) and you will receive a past MWR Yearbook, a Tyler Black (Seth Rollins rookie card) and a mention on the MWR Website.
2016 MWR Award
Future Star: Kevin Lee Davidson / Todd Letterman
2015 MWR Award
Future Star: Redwing
2014 MWR Year Awards
Future Star: Daniel Eads
Future Star: Elvis Aliaga
2013 MWR Year Awards
Future Star: Raphael King
Future Star Alexander Rudolph
Check out the new Pro Wrestling Illustrated today that features a NEW LOW PRICE OF $6.99. Great articles featuring the best wrestlers around the world including Independent Roundup by Mike Bessler as well as the Arena Reports of MWR Promotions sent in by MWR Editor Brian Kelley and Patrick Brandmeyer for SICW, Proving Ground Pro, Pro Wrestling Championship Series, and Dynamo Pro Wrestling.
Send your love to PWI on having promotions in our area supported in the number one magazine for Pro Wrestling.
MWR owner and Editor Brian Kelley : Greg, I would like to thank you for joining us today at Missouri Wrestling Revival. We have covered you causing havoc as a manager at St. Louis Anarchy and Dynamo Pro in the past. Recently, you opened up a new promotion based out of Granite City, Illinois PWCS that has a unique set up based on team competition with several of the top stars around the country. I know that you are very busy preparing for the huge event this weekend for PWCS, so once again thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Greg: Thank you for having me for this piece. Always appreciate the opportunity to get the word out and promote my brand.
1) You obviously are very passionate for pro wrestling, who was your inspiration to work towards being a part of pro wrestling in the Midwest?
Greg: I’ve wanted to be a manager and promoter since I was about 11 years old, the first time I saw Paul Heyman on ECW. Locally, I got hooked on GCW at about 13 and wanted so badly to be apart of that. Seeing guys like Dingo, Pete Madden, and the Ego Express (KC Karrington and Steven Kennedy) made me fall in love with wrestling all over again. Before that I had no idea Indy wrestling existed, let alone right in my backyard.
2) As I had mentioned, you are now a promoter in the St. Louis area, but prior to becoming a wrestling manager you respected the sport enough to seek training to be a pro wrestler. Who were your trainers or people instrumental in helping you , and what was that experience like?
Greg: I actually went in with the mindset that I was going to be a manager. I sent a promo reel to Dynamo and they liked it enough they invited me to the gym one week. I decided my first day I was going to get in there and try to do everything the wrestlers did, and I ended up doing very well and earning respect. Dingo taught me a lot, soon he stepped aside and Davey Vega took over. Sadie Blaze all the while taught me the managing side of things.
As far as how it was, it was the time of my life. I miss those times sometimes. I was in great shape, made great friends, and really showed myself something I never knew I had. I wonder now and again if I’d be a semi competent full time wrestler by now had I not been dropped on my head and injured my neck. I was really starting to click, but I think I was meant for where I am now.
Evan Gelisticois intense after a hard fought victory at St. Louis Anarchy as manager Greg Jovi celebrates.
3) Your other positions included being a referee and ring announcer. What are your pet peeves that referees and ring announcers do at this level, and what memories do you have of being of those positions?
Greg: I don’t really have ring announcing pet peeves, I’ll just say good ones are hard to find. Number one ref pet peeve is the best ones always want to wrestle it seems. More power to them, that’s not a knock, but a lot of great refs simply strive for more and great refs as well are hard to find.
4) After some time you would shock the fans by becoming a force in Dynamo Pro Wrestling and St. Louis Anarchy as a manager. At Dynamo Pro Wrestling you aligned yourself with the KC Karrington’s First Church of Karrington with Steven Kennedy, Dice and Adam Raw. Today, in the land of Anarchy you lead the N.WO style of faction BOSS that includes the St. Louis Anarchy Champion Gerald James, Dan Walsh, Jordan Lacey and more joining every second it seems as chaos reigns at SLA. Who was your first wrestler that you managed, and what mistakes as a manager did you make that you have fixed since then?
Greg: I think my first “client” if you will was actually Mat Fitchett, and I was a good guy believe it or not. Eventually, I turned on him at Yuletide Terror one year and we were off to the races. As far as mistakes, I remember never knowing where to stand. I was like, “if I stand here I’m blocking their view, but if I’m here nobody sees me at all”. I was super nervous about little dumb stuff like that all the time.
Greg leads the First Church of Karrington at Dynamo Pro Wrestling.
5) If you had the chance to manage to anyone wrestler in the world today who would it be?
Greg: First name that comes to mind is Kyle O’Reily. Great wrestler and great guy. I would also love to manage a female talent, that’s not a dynamic that’s really been done often. Would love to see what I could do managing somebody like Heidi Lovelace.
The St. Louis Anarchy champion Gary Jay has been unstoppable. Next month, in Alton, Illinois he will face JoJo Bravo on April 17th and if he is able to retain his title he will tested by Davey Richards the next night. This Saturday Gary and Greg represents the Ego Busters against the Resurgence Steven Kennedy in the double Main Event.
6) Gerald James has been the SLA Champion while defeating the likes of Takaaki Watanabe, Davey Vega, Angelus Layne and Mat Fitchett and is still one of the most underrated wrestlers in the country. His reign has been highly entertaining, what has been your highlight while leading him during this time.
Greg: There have been so many fantastic matches and moments in his lengthy reign, it’s hard to choose. I think busting up the Angelus Layne wedding has probably been my favorite. Being involved in a wedding gone wrong has got to be on every wrestlers bucket list right?
Saint Louis Anarchy presents: Gateway to Anarchy
Stage One: Friday night April 17th
Stage Two: Saturday night April 18th
Live from Spaulding Hall Club in Alton IL (405 East 4th Street)
Doors Open: 6:30pm Show Starts at 7:00pm
Tickets: Front Row Reserve $15 (per night)
Second Row Reserve $12 (per night)
Gen Admission $10 (per night)
ALL tickets $15 day of show
$1 BEER and FULL BAR
7) Last year, you came up with concept of Pro Wrestling Championship Series. Before we take a look at the upcoming 2015 season, please explain the concept to the fans for us on the team system.
Greg: Certainly. The concept is pretty heavily rooted in how college and high school wrestling works. We have four teams. Each event, the wrestlers from a team compete against the wrestlers from another. Their individual wins and losses go towards their team’s overall record. At the end of the season, the two teams with the best record face off in a four on four elimination match to crown that season’s champion. It’s pro wrestling as a team sport.
Greg Jovi distracts Davey Vega.
Danny Adams vs Paco Gonzalez + JIMMY JACOBS
8) I know from experience that becoming a wrestling promoter is an uphill battle as in today’s environment. There are so Many entertainment choices for the fans to choose. From your experience what has been the recipe for success for you and partner Jason Coellner at PWCS?
Greg: Providing a quality product that is different from the rest has worked great for us. We advertised that we would be new and innovative, and I don’t think anyone has left a PWCS event saying, “Well that’s the same show I saw at ____”. We truly do offer a fun, alternative brand with substance in the ring.
9) This coming weekend PWCS returns to action. I understand that you have DVDs of the first season. Are they all done and ready for the fans to purchase and if so how much?
The DVDs are $10 ($15 for the Championship show , as it will be a 2 disc set)
Greg: Stages 1-3 are all currently available online at pwcswrestling.storenvy.com and at live events. It will be down to the wire, but we should have all those as well as the Championship Spectacular featuring Colt Cabana and Jimmy Jacobs at this Saturday nights event. Jason does a fantastic job on these along with our play by play man Drew Xzono Jr.
10) What should fans expect different this season at PWCS?
Greg: For starters, you’re going to get the return of one of the best wrestlers in the area this Saturday night, and if rumors are true he’s going to put the entire league on notice and on edge.
You’re also going to see a fourth regular season event this year. It internally being called the Wildcard Stage and will provide some fun matches as all four teams will mix it up and have one last shot to secure a spot in the 2015 Championship Spectacular.
And you never know what else might happen or who might show up. Thanks Brian for having me, and thank you to anyone who has supported the league so far.
Brian: Once again Greg, thank you for your time and we look forward to another year of exciting PWCS action. Fans, be sure to add PWCS on Facebook and Twitter at PWCSWrestling to keep up with them as well as here at Missouri Wrestling Revival.com, your #1 source of wrestling news in the Midwest.
The dust has settled and the 2014 Pro Wrestling Championship Series has come to a close with The Blacklist (Makaze, Jo Jo Bravo, OutTkAst, and Nate Redwing) coming out victorious! However, their time to celebrate will be short lived, as the 2015 PWCS Season begins March 14th, 2015 in Granite City, IL!
Who will start off the 2015 Season right, and who will have a hole to climb out of? Find out, March 14th!
Tickets are available NOW at http://www.StageOne2015.brownpapertickets.com and can be reserved by sending us a message here on facebook. Get your tickets ASAP for this 2015 kickoff event!
Tickets Prices:
Front Row: $12 ($15 at the door)
Adult General Admission: $10 ($12 at the door)
Children 12 & Under General Admission: $8 ($10 at the door)
The Stage One 2015 Card Will Feature A Double Main Event
***Main Event: Resurgence Vs. Ego Busters***
Steven Kennedy (Resurgence) Vs Gary Jay w/ Greg Jovi (Ego Busters)
***Main Event: Blacklist Vs. Team Anarchy***
Jo Jo Bravo (Blacklist) Vs. The New Team Anarchy Owner (Team Anarchy)
Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega (Resurgence) Vs.
Brandon Espinosa & Dan Walsh (Ego Busters)
Makaze (Blacklist) Vs. Alex Castle (Team Anarchy)
“The Submission Squad” Pierre Abernathy & Evan Gelistico (Team Anarchy) Vs.
“The The Viking War Party” Alexander Rudolph and Jake Parnell (Blacklist)
“DirdEy” Jake Dirden (The Resurgence) Vs. “Blue Chip” Danny Adams (Ego Busters)
Superior” Adam Rich Vs. JD Riggs The loser has to follow the winner’s diet for 90 days.
Free Agent Showcase: Justin D’Air Vs. Ozzie Gallagher
Maddog McDowell & Barakus join forces again,looking to take down two stalwarts of the Midwest wrestling scene, the Hooligans!
From the Promoters at PWCS
ICYMI: We released this match yesterday from out Championship Spectacular for 2014 featuring Maddog McDowell & Barackus Vs. The Hooligans! When the Hooligans roll in it’s always going to be a wild and crazy match!
After you watch it, be sure to reserve or purchase your tickets the start of our 2015 Season! It is in under three weeks on March 14th in Granite City, Il at the Tri-City YMCA! Order your seats today on StageOne2015.bpt.me or send us a message here on facebook to reserve them for no money down.
Either way, don’t delay! Buying or reserving your seats saves you money on the door price!
Presents:
“Stage Two” Live August 9th, 2014! @ The Tri-City YMCA.
451 Niedringhaus Ave. in Granite City, IL
***Tickets***
Adults $10 Reserved Seats, $12 Day of Show
Children $8 Reserved Seats, $10 Day of Show
Purchase your tickets right here on BPT.com and you will secure the best seats to the action! Those that purchase their tickets here (or at our outlets at the Tri City YMCA or Gamebusters) will have their seats reserved, starting with front row! So if you want to guarantee a front row seat to the action, don’t delay and purchase your seats today!
****Featuring A Huge Double Main Event!***
“DirdEy” Jake Dirden (The Resurgence)
Vs
“The Ace of Anarchy” Davey Vega (Team Anarchy)
Gary Jay (Ego Busters)
Vs
Jojo Bravo (The Blacklist)
“The Submission Squad” Pierre Abernathy & Evan Gelistico (Team Anarchy)
Vs
Billy McNeil & Steven Kennedy (The Resurgence)
Jeremy Wyatt & Dan Walsh (Ego Busters)
Vs
Makaze & OuTtKast (The Blacklist)
Alex Castle (Team Anarchy)
Vs
Rocket Mapache (The Resurgence)
The Blacklist Gives The Ego’s A Taste of Their Own Medicine:
Brandon Espy Espinosa (Ego Busters)
Vs
??? (The Blacklist)
Free Agent Showcase:
Codename: Dangerous Deveroux Vs Brady A. Dezire
Also: MadDog McDowell has reportedly laid down an open challenge to anyone “big enough” to take him on in a free agent showcase match!
***Brought To You By****
River’s Edge Sports bar and grill
Bring you pre-purchased ticket or ticket stub to River Edge Bar and Grill before or after the event and receive 15% off your order the day of the show! Weather you want a good family meal before the show or a few drinks with the boys afterwards, River’s Edge Sports Bar is the only place to go before or after Stage Two!!!
Gamebusters Videogames
New? Used? Whether you’re after the hottest new title or that rare find, Gamebusters Videogames on Madison Ave in Granite City is where you need to go. Gamebusters is locally owned and operated so they can give you better prices and trade ins than the big corporate stores can. If you like video games and do not go to Gamebusters you are paying too much and not having enough fun! Visit today!
Tri-CIty YMCA
The local Tri-City YMCA has undergone renovation and is constantly updating with new programs, looks and ideas. The PWCS Live shows are a welcomed addition to their lineup of community events and programs so stop in and check it out today! With a $5 day pass, they have the cheapest pool price in town too!
***Tickets***
Adults $10 Reserved Seats, $12 Day of Show
Children $8 Reserved Seats, $10 Day of Show
Reserve Your Tickets Today via Facebook Message or email us at PWCSWrestling@gmail.com
Purchase Tickets at GameBusters! VideoGames or the Tri-City YMCA (Online purchase available soon)
****Featuring A Huge Double Main Event!***
“DirdEy” Jake Dirden (The Resurgence)
Vs
“The Ace of Anarchy” Davey Vega (Team Anarchy)
Gary Jay (Ego Busters)
Vs
Jojo Bravo (The Blacklist)
“The Submission Squad” Pierre Abernathy & Evan Gelistico (Team Anarchy)
Vs
Billy McNeil & Steven Kennedy (The Resurgence)
Jeremy Wyatt & Dan Walsh (Ego Busters)
Vs
Makaze & OuTtKast (The Blacklist)
Alex Castle (Team Anarchy)
Vs
Rocket Mapache (The Resurgence)
The Blacklist Gives The Ego’s A Taste of Their Own Medicine:
Brandon Espy Espinosa (Ego Busters)
Vs
??? (The Blacklist)
Free Agent Showcase:
Codename: Dangerous Deveroux Vs Brady A. Dezire
Also: MadDog McDowell has reportedly laid down an open challenge to anyone “big enough” to take him on in a free agent showcase match!
Pro Wrestling Championship Series Presents:
“Stage Two” Live August 9th, 2014! @ The Tri-City YMCA.
451 Niedringhaus Ave. in Granite City, IL
***Tickets***
Adults $10 Reserved Seats, $12 Day of Show
Children $8 Reserved Seats, $10 Day of Show
Reserve Your Tickets Today via Facebook Message or email us at PWCSWrestling@gmail.com
Purchase Tickets at GameBusters! VideoGames or the Tri-City YMCA (Online purchase available soon)
***Brought To You By****
River’s Edge Sports bar and grill
Bring you pre-purchased ticket or ticket stub to River Edge Bar and Grill before or after the event and receive 15% off your order the day of the show! Weather you want a good family meal before the show or a few drinks with the boys afterwards, River’s Edge Sports Bar is the only place to go before or after Stage Two!!!
Gamebusters Videogames
New? Used? Whether you’re after the hottest new title or that rare find, Gamebusters Videogames on Madison Ave in Granite City is where you need to go. Gamebusters is locally owned and operated so they can give you better prices and trade ins than the big corporate stores can. If you like video games and do not go to Gamebusters you are paying too much and not having enough fun! Visit today!
Tri-CIty YMCA
The local Tri-City YMCA has undergone renovation and is constantly updating with new programs, looks and ideas. The PWCS Live shows are a welcomed addition to their lineup of community events and programs so stop in and check it out today! With a $5 day pass, they have the cheapest pool price in town too!
Missouri Wrestling Revival 