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Posts Tagged ‘Ric Flair’

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MWR Breaking News : WHOOOOOOOOO……Ric Flair comes to Eldon Missouri on March 12!!!!!!!!!

Posted by flairwhoooooo on February 24, 2011

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Big news for wrestling fans all around the Midwest as the two greatest wrestlers of ALL-TIME will be in the same place at the same time on March 12th in Eldon Missouri.

Former World Champion Ric Flair comes to Harley Race’s World League Wrestling in a night that you will not want to forget.

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The history of these two men in the Midwest includes the 1983 PWI Match of the Year in St Louis Missouri on June 10 when Harley Race defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World Title.

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These two men had one of the true classic feuds in pro wrestling history, , which led to the first-ever NWA Starrcade event. Determined not to lose the title again, Race offered a $25,000 bounty to anyone who could eliminate Flair from the NWA. Bob Orton, Jr. and Dick Slater attacked Flair, inflicting what appeared to be a career-ending neck injury, and collecting the bounty from Race after Flair announced his retirement. Flair’s retirement was a ruse, however, and he eventually returned to action, much to Race’s surprise. NWA officials set up a championship rematch, to be titled “NWA Starrcade: A Flare for the Gold”.
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The match was to be held in Flair’s backyard, Greensboro, North Carolina, which enraged Race. Race lost the title to Flair in the bloody and memorable Starrcade cage match (with Gene Kiniski as the special referee) in November, 1983. Race’s loss to Flair at Starrcade was largely seen as the torch-passing from Race to Flair. Flair would go on to an unparalleled 22 reigns as World Heavyweight Champion (10 of those reigns as NWA World champion) and largely credits Race for igniting his career.

Now MWR fans you can experience the biggest night of 2011 with the Midwest reunion of these two TRUE Hall of Famers join the best young stars of the Midwest to provide wrestling the way it was meant to be.

In action could be these WLW Stars

WLW Tag Team Champions Steve Fender and Mark Sterling
Jason Jones
Jack Gamble
Ryan Drago
Ethan Wright
The Cancun Kid
Jeff Strong
Lucy Mendez
Stacey O’Brien

This show will also benefit the Dogwood State school PTO

Eldon Missouri
The Community Center
Doors open 6:00 Show 7:00

Presale is only $15.00 $17.00 at the Door or General admission presale $10.00 or $12.00 at the door.

Due to the Community Center size the limit of fans will be just 500 people so we urge you to get tickets NOW rather than later.

Ticket outlets are at

Eldon Missouri
World League Wrestling
T Murdocks Bar and Grill
Eldon Fitness

Lake of the Ozarks
JJ Twiggs

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MWR presents Larry Matysik with the 2009 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award

Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 27, 2010

Mickey Garagiola and Larry Matysik

When you say the name Larry Matysik to a wrestling fan in St Louis, you get the same warm feeling that St Louis Cardinal fans get when you mention former ST Louis Cardinal announcer Jack Buck. Admiration and great memories quickly come to mind.

Both men were the fans best friend when it came to providing them with the much desired information about what was transpiring in the sport that they were into.

Buck was the man to hear the play by play of Cardinal greats such as Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee and Bruce Sutter. Fans watched as Matysik called play by play in matches that saw “King Kong” Brody, Dick “the Bruiser, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski, Pat O’Connor, Harley Race, Buddy Rogers and many more in action.

St Louis promoter Sam Muchnick was wise enough to know that for wrestling to succeed in St Louis, a sports town that he would have to bring the same respectability that the Cardinals brought to the city.

Wrestling at the Chase

A main piece to the puzzle would be the Voice of Wrestling at the Chase. The television program which broadcast from 1959 to 1983 from the majestic Chase Hotel would be the face of wrestling in St Louis.

Larry interviewing David Von Erich after beating Harley Race

Matysik has been much more than a man calling the play by play of great matches in St Louis. At the young age of 16 in 1963, Muchnick hire Matysik and would be very supportive and helpful in the career that saw Matysik also man the publicist and office manager, as well as book the matches.

In 1984 he would begin working with Vince McMahon and then WWF (now WWE) till 1993.

Matysik has since gone on to write some of the must read books in the industry including

1) Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling
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Wrestling at the Chase is a fond, informative, amusing, and even poignant look at the who’s who of professional wrestling and legendary St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick.
St. Louis was the capital, and Muchnick the ruler of professional wrestling, before Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment took over. What happened in St. Louis paved the way for today’s multi-billion-dollar sports entertainment industry. The centerpiece of this magical operation was “Wrestling at the Chase,” a television program which broadcast from 1959 to 1983 from the majestic Chase Hotel.

Larry Matysik was Muchnick’s protégé and longtime announcer for the television show. With an insider’s eye for detail and accuracy, he recalls funny and amazingly touching tales about the characters who created professional wrestling as we know it. Ric Flair, “King Kong” Brody, Dick “the Bruiser,” the Von Erichs, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski, Pat O’Connor, Johnny Valentine, Dick Murdoch, Harley Race, Buddy Rogers, Jack Brisco, and Andre the Giant are all prominently featured. So is Muchnick himself, the Damon Runyan of wrestling, a man who helped mould the bizarre business of circus and sport. The savage twists of the politics of wrestling are on display as well, particularly the changes that rocked the mat world during the early ’80s.

2) Drawing Heat the Hard Way
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Thrilling but flawed, entertaining despite the swerves and double-crosses, captivating even when repugnant… professional wrestling has enjoyed the attention and loyalty of untold millions for nearly a century. How and why is precisely what Larry Matysik examines in his third book, Drawing Heat the Hard Way: How Wrestling Really Works.

Wrestlers have their own private language, and in the unique world of wrestling “drawing heat” is a very good thing: the successful generation of crowd reaction and fan excitement. The Hard Way? That’s both exactly what it sounds like and something no one in the industry plans for: a legitimate and unintentional wound suffered because something’s gone awry. In Drawing Heat the Hard Way, Matysik explains what it takes to win the hearts and minds of wrestling fans, and how, at times, mistakes, controversy and unexpected turns of events have damaged the reputation or forever changed the business he loves.

If anyone understands wrestling, the problem-child offspring of whatever “real” sport is, it’s Matysik. Drawing Heat the Hard Way takes on the way wrestling is booked or planned; analyzes the roles of wrestlers and announcers, and explores steroids as an industry and fan issue. It also considers wrestling’s power-brokers, from those who influence the business by reporting on it, like Dave Meltzer, to those who make the final decisions on what gets broadcast every week, like the omnipresent Vince McMahon, and even to those who influence the sport with their pocketbooks — the fans themselves.

At times humorous, occasionally heartbreaking, always insightful, Drawing Heat the Hard Way is ultimately an objective take on what it means to be a wrestling fan, from someone who knows the business inside and out.

3) Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel

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The most unpredictable and charismatic grappler of all time? The brute that made brawling an art before the term “hardcore” was coined? The confrontational businessman who fought for every penny he felt he deserved?

“Bruiser” Brody had no peers when it came to blood and guts, controversy and independence. Most wrestling promoters portrayed their top talent as exactly that kind of free-spirited, take-no-guff personality. They didn’t mean it, though — which explains why so few would admit to respecting Brody even as they featured him time and again.
So why did they give him work? Simple. “Bruiser” Brody delivered the goods in the ring and at the box office.

In the 1970s and early 80s, Brody was one of the few performers, along with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, to be recognized as a national star. With his fiery personality, Brody also conquered the international market.

Nearly two decades after his murder in Puerto Rico, Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel delivers a complete portrait of Brody’s remarkable life. Co-authors Barbara Goodish, Brody’s widow, and Larry Matysik, a close friend, offer a first-time opportunity to truly understand one of the sport’s most complex and controversial human beings. Goodish’s account of her husband’s horrific murder and its aftermath is both heartbreaking and compelling, while Matysik’s insider knowledge of the business puts Brody’s place in wrestling history into perspective. With a foreword by WWE announcer Jim Ross, Brody offers readers the unvarnished truth about one of the greatest wrestling legends of all time.

4) An electronic book- From the Golden Era

This unique digital publication offers a complete record of every twist and turn, of every performer, of all the battles from television’s legendary Wrestling at the Chase, and every card presented at both the historic Kiel Auditorium and The Arena (Checkerdome) during the glory era of the St. Louis promotion.

Wrestling at the Chase announcer and St. Louis insider Larry Matysik adds background about the personalities, business, secrets, and politics to make this electronic book a revealing, in-depth account of three decades of wrestling’s golden era. Featuring everything from attendance figures, to booking strategies, to insights and NWA championship bouts, From the Golden Era: The St. Louis Wrestling Record Book is the once-in-a-lifetime document that every serious wrestling observer must have.

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Matysik has also been instrumental in keeping the history of one of the highest rated wrestling television programs Wrestling at the Chase alive with Classic St Louis Wrestling, hosted by Matysik himself. In 2007. Matysik headed a team to bring to St Louis the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He was joined in this effort by promoter Herb Simmons, webmaster Mitch Martsey, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, and longtime fan Nick Ridenour. The Hall of Fame was created to honor the role St. Louis played in helping to establish professional wrestling in North America. Today the hall can be seen at the historic South Broadway Athletic club.

In 2011 fans in St Louis will once again be able to hear the Voice himself call wrestling matches when he returns to TV on Sunday February 6, 2011 at 11:30 am and then rebroadcast on Sunday evening at 10:30pm on Charter Cable channel 8. The matches will be taped in East Carondelet Community Center on Saturday January 22nd.



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Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat

We were thrilled and excited when Matysik agreed to accept the 2009 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier this month at MMWA-SICW, MWR’S Dubray Tallman had the honor to present the plaque to a true gentleman and ambassador of pro wrestling, Larry Matysik

Once again, thank you so much for your positive contribution to pro wrestling Larry Matysik.

Please join us at MWR on January 1st when we will announce the recipient for the 2010 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Dubray Tallman and Ric Flair with the red hot MWR Shirt

Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 5, 2010

Many claim that he is the greatest wrestler of All-time!!

His name is Ric Flair! He has thrilled fans with matches between legends such as Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, Sting and Shawn Michaels. He has wrestled around the world and is a 16 time World Champion.

We are thrilled that he took the time to show off the Missouri Wrestling Revival t-shirt with MWR’S Dubray Tallman.

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Golden Circle: The #1 Reaction!

Posted by flairwhoooooo on November 29, 2010

By Greg Anthony

True workers, not wrestlers, workers know that our jobs are to generate a response. We want people to react to what we present to them. What reaction is the most important. Do we want to make them laugh, cry, cuss. Which reaction do we want, do we need for wrestling to prosper? The answer.. Suspension of disbelief!

Whether you make someone laugh out loud, cry from joy or a church lady cuss like a sailor they all have one thing in common, suspension of disbelief. It is getting harder and harder in today’s wrestling to create this. However it can be done; It can be done with great storytelling and less a few bad habits wrestling has picked up.

Creating suspension of disbelief in wrestling has obstacles that other forms don’t have. Wrestling is based in reality or at least it is suppose to be. So when a wrestler does a move that is obviously impossible and lets face it, ridiculous then you take a step away from reality. I’ve gotten more out of a well placed right hand then some flashy move that didn’t make any sense.

No one can deny the power of wrestling and television. As great as this combo is, it has its own problems. I would much rather watch wrestling on television than a television show about wrestling. Understand? When two people are having a private conversation backstage and act oblivious to the camera 9 inches away, for me, it takes away from my suspension of disbelief.

Great suspension of disbelief moments like HBK vs Undertaker, Double A retirement speech, Horsemen breaking Dusty’s arm,

Eddie Gilbert running over Jerry Lawler with a car were all based in reality.

The people want to believe but we have to want them to believe to. We can’t take the easy road just because we can. We have to roll up our sleeves and do the work. Come up with creative, realistic ways to tell the stories rather than relying on a feather light opponent or an invisible camera man, I promise.

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From Ric Flair to Trevor Murdoch to…. Who is the best talkers in the Midwest today?

Posted by flairwhoooooo on November 2, 2010

Two legends that have countless hours providing fans with great promos Jim Ross and Ric Flair. (Photo from JRSBARBQ.COM)

Jim Ross wrote of  Ric Flair “ Back in the day, and still today for that matter, no one could cut a more impassioned promo than the future Hall of Famer “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Flair dressed the part, lived the part 24/7, and, seemingly, became the “Nature Boy. Credit Jim Ross’s website here.

By Brian Kelley

On my long drive to school in St Louis I have a LOT of time to think about stuff and when I am not thinking about my homework, I have my mind working towards pro wrestling. This past week my thoughts took me to who in the Midwest is the best on the Mic? Who can your attention the most during a promo?

If you take a look at most of my favorite wrestlers they all can talk. From my very favorite Ric Flair to the Honky Tonk Man and back the Midwest’s own Harley Race they could all talk you to the show.

Lets take a look at 20 of the  most interesting wrestlers in today’s game here in the Midwest in my opinion, Feel free to disagree or add your thoughts but these are the top wrestlers who I Love to get hear from and the list is  in no certain order.

Before we go to the 20 plus  superstars lets give props to the three time WWE Tag Team Champion Trevor Murdoch who I felt was very underrated during his time at the big show.

First lets look at a promo from ALL-TIME greats Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race when he congratulated Trevor Murdoch for his signing with WWE.

Now lets take a flash back at a promo from Murdoch with his tag team partner the late Lance Cade as they were set to arrive in WWE. Some good stuff for sure.

1) Bloody Harker Dirge

The Vampire from the Midwest, Dirge has the look, can wrestle and is works his character to a T….or maybe he is a real vampire. Either way one of the best to get a promo from period.

2) Travis Cook-

The Manager of Champions or as my friend Herb Simmons calls him Travis “the Crook” Cook but no matter what you call him you will have no choice but to hear what he has to say. A link from wrestlings past, Cook knows how to get under the skin of wrestlers and fans alike.

3) Bailey Mannix-

In your face, no nonsense wrestler can talk the talk and walk the walk. Great in front of people and can bust out a promo in one take with out blinking an eye.

4) Michael Strider

– If you ask me this guy is the closest in the Midwest to have the same feel as my favorite Flair as anyone, and I am not the only one. Strider is believable in his words and can make you care for him in a heartbeat but just like Flair if he is in a foul mood can drive the fans in a frenzy.

5) The Northstar Express Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz –

The Northstar Express is so good that you always want more……

Ask me who my favorite to interview and to work with in a promo and I promise you that I will no doubt have these two right among the top of that list. Charismatic and you never know what they will come up with. They deserve to be on a national stage.

6) Gary Jackson

The total package who never got that one break, Jackson may very well be the most loved wrestler in St Louis. With classic lines and his golden rules the geourgous one is always one that you will want to  listen too.

7) Jayden Draigo

To be honest I didn’t know who Draigo was until this year. He quickly gathered my attention with the way he handled himself in the middle of the ring, drawing the ire of the fans without missing a beat.

8) #1 Brett Young –

Like the Northstar Express, Young has charisma to burn. A great talker he is able to do whatever is thrown his way be it serious or comedy it is always a honor to interview him…or at least that’s what he lets me know when we are done.

9) The Mississippi Madman –

Listen for this quote from the Madman at the interview “ You just saved a lot of lives, because there is going to be a lot of people running because the Madmans coming” Love it!

No wrestler in the Midwest can have the fans in the palm of their hands like the Mississippi Madman. His look, along with his mic skills is the reason why he would be one of the wrestlers that I would choose if I was a promoter.

10) BroMance Jordan McEntrye & Knight Wagner with Eryn –

Cocky brash and always entertaining this tag team is very underrated in the Midwest, they have a great look that catches the fans attention right away.  

11) Mr Late Nite

The Midwest wrestling agent has an ax to grind and never seems to be in a good mood. That is until he is making fun of the fans who come to see their heroes in action.

12) Curley-

You can’t miss him with all those 3 stooges’ tattoos but then he gets on the mic for a promo or before his match and laughter is surly to come. 13) Matt Cage –  

Cage is always willing to think outside the box. The scary thing about Cage is I believe he is only scratched the surface of how good he can be.

14) The Hooligans (Devin and Mason Cutter)

The 2009 MWR Tag team of the Year burst onto the scene making a name for themselves in and out of the ring with some great promos for their battles.

15) Attitude Inc (Guy Smith, Spencer Powers, and Michael Shard)

The trio of Smith, Powers and Shard bring to the table great wrestling action and a look that gets the fans and opponents attention quickly. They currently hold the NMW Tag titles while Shard is in the hunt for the NMW Title at November Reign. Look for great things to continue for these there.

16) Chad Mylan-

The man who many claim is the voice of 3XW has grew a chip on his shoulder. Leading his number one man Kwong into the ring to gain championships. He is a force at not only 3XW but MECW as well.

I am going to share with you a promo from 3XW’S monthly internet show Outside the ring from this past October. Look for Chad at the 5:16 mark into the show as he celebrates a big victory along with his protégé Ricky Kwong. Please take the time to watch the whole episode and add the 3XW website to your favorites to check out the new Outside the Ring.

17) Bobby Houston –

While many wonder what we do at MWR, “The Business Man” is not one of them. He knows that the site is out there to get the word out about wrestling, but more importantlyto Houston,  is MORE coverage for himself. In the ring on the mic or outside the ring for a promo Houston is all about the Business and that business is to let you know that he is the best in the Midwest.

18) The Magic Man-

If you have not seen this legend from Japan then shame on you. I have had a lot of fun working with the Magic Man every time we get the camera in front of him. The fans MAY love him or hate him but they always and I mean always remember him

19) Steven J Girthy-

The classic manager in every sense. Successful check, rich check, loud mouth check. The truth of the matter is the man is good at his job and that is leading wrestling’s top wrestlers into battle.

20) AJ Williams-

One has to see AJ do wrestling impersonations to get a true feel of this young wrestlers talent. Don’t believe me then just ask Bill Apter.

MWR Hall of Fame Video

Hype Gotti and Tony Cortez formed the charismatic tag team Simply the Best. The two would hold onto the PWP Tag titles but we were always prepared to see what these two would say when we got them behind the camera. Lets look back at this classic interview.

Last but not least I leave you with a promo that we did with the 2008 Missouri Wrestling Revival wrestler of the Year “ The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt. I took this to work to show some residents at the behavior unit that I worked with. The resident LOVE wrestling and my mother has been a nurse for over 30 years at the very same home.

My mothers reply to me after watching Wyatt blast , “Maybe you shouldn’t get involved in this wrestling, you’r going to get hurt.” …….SWEET

I now share with you that video that caused my mother such concern.

Honorable mentions

TNT Keny G

Shane Rich

Hunter Mathews

Sean Vincent

Gage Octane

Steve Fender

Dan The Man

Eric Ruffington

Steve Anthony

Phil E Blunt

Devin Carter

Mark Bland

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Golden Circle: Basketball Practice Macho Man Style

Posted by flairwhoooooo on September 17, 2010

Trademark Randy Savage Elbow drop (Photo WWE)

By Greg Anthony

Wrestling is my first love, I think we all know that. However for a period in time, basketball was just as much as a passion for me. Thinking back on it now I always liked basketball, I remember being 5-6 years old and going outside at my Grandma’s on my father’s side and playing for hours on end, not making a single shot. It really wasn’t until I was in 6th grade that I really started to fall in love with the game. Just like everything else in my life, wrestling always seem to creep in somehow.
 
“The Trendsetter” Jon Michael and I have known each other for years. We are talking since elementary school. I am a few years older than he but we were on the basketball team together in junior high and high school. Sometimes its hard to bullshit someone that knew you when you were a pimple faced little kid. You can’t over exaggerate stories from school because we have each other there to keep us honest.  The story I’m fixing to tell is 100% true and not at all exaggerated.
 
I approach things I love the same. So the same went for basketball, I was usually the first one there and the last one to leave. One late afternoon after school, Jon Michael and I were playing a game of one on one. I can’t remember who was winning, probably me. The bleachers were pushed back and the ball bounced and landed on top of them. So Jon went upstairs to climb over the rail to the top of the bleachers to retrieve it. As the future trendsetter was perched 15 feet at least above me, we made eye contact. We were both thinking the exact same thing and said “DO IT!”. Jon Michael soared through the air and delivered the best Macho Man double axe handle in the history of Dyer County High School. I took a full fledge bump on the hardwood as Jon crashed behind me. It was awesome until our assistant basketball coach, Coach Starks came up to us and said “What the fuck are you guys doing?” To which without hesitation Jon Michael replied “Macho Man Double Axe Handle“. I couldn’t keep a straight face and Coach just walked away in disgust.
 
In my opinion, if you don’t have a story like that, you should reconsider being a wrestler. Because you have to love it, live it and be fanatical about it. Kevin Nash in a promo on TNA just said after “X” amount of surgeries I’m in the this business because I love it. That’s a valid point, the guys who don’t love it, get what they can out of it and leave. Like The Ultimate Warrior. So remember great art comes from a true love and passion for what you are doing. There are plenty of people who can draw but only one Michelangelo. There are plenty of wrestlers but only one Ric Flair, I promise.

See the Golden Boy Greg Anthony wrestle this Saturday at All American Pro Wrestling.

All American Pro Wrestling comes to Carterville, IL. at the Carterville High School on Saturday, September 18th. Bell Time is 7pm.

Heath Hatton challenges “Serial Thriller” Shane Rich for the AAPW Heavyweight Title.

Ax Allwardt & “Homicidal” Steven Davis defend the AAPW tag team titles against “Trendsetter” Jon Michael & Stan Lee

Edmund “Livewire” McGuire V. “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony

“Bad Boy” Chris Thomas V. “Thee” Brandon Espinosa

The Money Makin’ Jam Boys will be in action plus many more!

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The MWR Families thoughts and prayers go out to Mickey Garagolia

Posted by flairwhoooooo on July 19, 2010

Back in the saddle one more time were ST Louis Hall of Fame members Larry Matysik and Mickey Garagolia last month at MMWA-SICW (Photo Credit Mike Van Hioogstraat)

Everyone here at Missouri Wrestling Revival would like to send out our thoughts and prayers to the pro wrestling ring announcer and commentator Mickey Garagolia and we all hope for a speedy recovery who at the time is in the hospital.

Mickey’s brother Joe was a beloved figure in the St Louis community for his time playing for the ST Louis Cardinals while becoming a World Series Champion in 1946 defeating the Boston Red Sox. When his career was through he became the first play by play announcer for Wrestling at the Chase along side Larry Matysik .

Mickey would join his brother to work with Sam Muchnick as a ring announcer and commentary while becoming an important piece in the puzzle of why St Louis was the standard of Pro Wrestling for so many years.

Throughout the years Wrestling at the Chase was the third most watched show in St louis trailing only local news and the ST Louis Cardinals Baseball games.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Garagolia name was  important to the success of wrestling at the time, due to the fact that so many people respected baseball that when Joe and Mickey were involved in wrestling it brought positive attention to sport from a town that will always be proud to be considered a baseball town .

In 2007 the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted Mickey in the Hall of Fame along with greats such as Penny Banner, Lou Thesz, Harley Race, Larry Matysik, Gene Kiniski, King Kong Brody, Dick the Bruiser, Ric Flair, Bill Longson, Sam Muchnick, Pat O’ Conner, Joe Schoenberger, Johnny Valentine, and Fritz Von Erich.

Most recently Mickey was on hand at MMWA-SICW in East Carondelet to help celebrate 51 Years of Wrestling at the Chase with friends Herb Simmons and Larry Matysik.

Once again we wish one of Pro wrestling’s great supporters the best and hope to see him at a show real soon.

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Golden Circle: Chemistry 101 By Greg Anthony

Posted by flairwhoooooo on June 25, 2010

Chemistry, to most people, is the science of matter. How molecules, atoms, etc react and interact with each other. In wrestling its pretty much the same thing except there is no science to it. In chemistry if you take part “A” and mix it with part “B” then it creates part “C”. In Wrestling if you take part “A” and mix it with part “B” sometimes you get part “C” but sometimes you get shit!

You never know, for sure, who is going to mesh well with who. Just because you have two great workers doesn’t mean you have a for sure 5 Star match(Rating system is a trademark of RRO News and Brian Tramel and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of RRO). Same goes for two not so great workers. I’ve seen two guys that really didn’t have much going for them but for some reason they gelled really well together. It’s a crap shoot; it’s the world letting us know that there are no guarantees in life.

Prime example, I saw Shawn Michaels vs. Mr.Perfect! How could that possibly be bad? They just didn’t get in a good groove and Shawn even mentions it in his book. Motley Cruz is a guy that I have a lot of respect for inside the ring. When I was TLCW champion we got a chance to work one another for the first time in a long time. We had high expectations but when we got to the match we both were waiting for the other to call the match or take the lead and it ended up being a very bland match.

Maybe wrestling isn’t as complex as advance chemistry but it isn’t kindergarten stuff either. There really isn’t a substitute for good chemistry in wrestling. Rock/Austin, Flair/Sting… the list goes on and on. Because it’s not the moves that we remember but the feeling we get from those who have immeasurable chemistry. So don’t watch for that forgettable high spot but rather that unforgettable feeling this business can produce on any given night.

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A look at the first half of 2010 in the MWR Coverage area. Nominate your favorite.

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 16, 2010

By Brian Kelley

We are very close to the half year of 2010 and what a year it has been!

In the past few months both WWE and TNA have hosted PPV’S with WWE’S Elimination Chamber and TNA’S lockdown that was also headline with a fan interaction that allowed fans to meet stars such as Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Rob Vam Dam, Jeff Hardy and most of the rest of the TNA roster.

Old school fans can be happy that they have had a chance to meet the stars that brought memories that will last a lifetime when at TNA’S legends main event brought in the biggest stars of the 80’s and beyond with Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Sting.

The fun would keep coming when you were able meet other stars such as former WWE World Champion Bob Backland, Roddy Piper, Road Warrior Animal, Jimmy Snuka along with several other greats during Wrestling Legends on Tour.

On the Indy front I have to believe that everyone involved with their promotions needs to feel thrilled with the support and attendance from the fans as attendance and action has picked up for the most part at most shows.

Former WLW Wrestler  Dennis T McHawes released an autobiography called “Blood Tables and Chairs that allows fans to get a glimpse of the Indy scene not to long ago.

Mike Sydal continues his rise to the National spotlight after winning the PWI Rookie of the Year he followed that up by wrestling during WRESTLEMANIA weekend with Ring of Honor in a six man tag team race and earned the pin fall for his team.

Will Metro Pro Wrestling jump over the competition in 2010 with their debut at Memorial Hall on June 4th?

Till then lets look at 2010 shortly and what to forward to.

Let’s start out alphabetical.

3XWrestling –The 2008 MWR Promotion of the year continues their standard of excellence with some great action. 3XW Heavyweight Champion Jeremy Wyatt and Ring of Honor a World Champion Tyler Black earned a standing ovation in April when the two went to a draw. Rory Fox who came close in 09 by taking out “The Belt Collector” won the May “Gauntlet for the Gold”. This could easily set up Wyatt vs. Fox feud part 2, one that would be great for the fans.

3XW Pure Wrestling Champion Kraig Kessaman has been rolling through the company using the deadly “Nordic Spike” maneuver and has not been pinned at 3XW in 23 months. While 3XW cruiserweight Champion Jimmy Rockwell came very close in defeating 3XW Champion Jeremy Wyatt at the Over the top show earlier this month

On a sad note the very popular tag team The High Flyers of Zach Thompson and Mike Sydal was forced by Todd Countryman to go against each other in a loser leaves town match that saw Thompson earned quite possibly the biggest win his short career by defeating the smoking red hot Sydal.

All American Pro Wrestling – Exciting feuds , shocking moments and near riots mixed in with former WWE and TNA Superstars brought AAPW among the top of the most talked about promotions in the area coverage.

The year started off with the very popular Edmund “Livewire” McGuire holding the AAPW Championship. During a title defense against the popular and powerful Mississippi Madman that would soon end. McGuire’s mountain to retain was huge but the backstabbing of McGuire’s best friend Shane Rich during the match would cost him the title and a feud is set to happen anytime. Rich was suspended for his actions. The fans and McGuire have been itching for a rematch BUT…

The Madman would find himself in the fire quickly as the 2008 MWR Wrestler of the Year Jeremy Wyatt came knocking for the belt. The Madman would retain but not before a near riot almost broke out. AAPW had no other option but to sign a rematch between the two at the very next show. Problems arose when Rich talked his way into the match making it a 3way and capitalizing by taking home the belt.

As of press time AAPW is set to bring to the Midwest WWE’S Jerry Lawler and Kevin Thorn and more AAPW matches at RENT ONE Park on May 22 in prior to a minor league baseball game. AAPW has also brought in TNA’S Andy Douglas and WWE/ECW’S Simon Dean…. We can all look forward to McGuire vs. Rich in the second half of the year.

High Voltage Wrestling – What High Voltage Wrestling lacked in amount of shows they made up for it in quality of matches and continuing their tradition of debuting some of the top stars in the St Louis area. During HVW’s first year they brought you “The Internaininal Superstar” Kahagas, TNA’S Santana G, The Hooligans, Matt Cage, Zero Gravity and Tony Kozina and in their second year they brought to you the very exciting Ryan Phoenix, Flash Flannigan, Dan the Manand Sir Bradley Charles.

Kahagas vs. Flash Flannigan was an instant hit and when the HVW Tag Champions the Hooligans went against the KC Killers the ropes would break but the action would not. Santana G would earn the respect of one of the greatest women wrestlers in the world MsChif and earn the respect of her and the two would team up once again.

Young Brandon Aarons would get a huge win for the fan favorites by defeating fellow young star Mike Sydal for the HVW Livewire Championship.

The HVW Champion has been defending the title around world and looks to face on all challenges in 2010.

Independent Hardcore Wrestling– IHW has been filled with packed shows with action throughout the building. Filled with stars who do not get as much hype like Billy McNeil, Steve Kennedy, Eric Allen, Mephisto and Brandon Aarons they have made themselves a legit promotion and giving the fans their money’s worth.

Former TNA Star Mickie Knuckles and the Great Cheyenne continue the improvement of the  women wrestling Midwest while Eric Allen’s exciting Illinois state Championship shocked the Midwest. IHW Champion Brandon Aarons match with Kennedy was an instant classic. MR Late Nite looks to make his mark in the Midwest to finish off 2010.

IHW heats up the summer in 2010 with a stacked card on June 12th in Dupo Illinois when Mickie Knuckles returns to take on Mia Martinez, SLAM The Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Tony Kozina will take on exciting Bailey Mannix; Champions will collide when IHW Champion Aarons will meet IHW Illinois Champion Allen in a street fight.

IWA Productions – One of the biggest announcements of the first half had to do with IWA P bringing at their free Wednesdays show last week when non other than ICP came into bring fans to their feet. So much excitement that IWA P had to turn fans away do to a fire code. ALL for free.

In January they brought in former WWE Superstar the Honky Tonk Man and their students stepped up to provide a much talked about match between Christian Rose and Danny Cannon ladder match.

A mixture of free shows and paid shows that has also showcased Matt Cage taking on former WWE Champion Eugene, Ladies star Ann Brookstone along with “Homicidal” Steven Davis provide the fans with some top notch excitement.

Metro East Championship Wrestling– Wrestling in Woodriver provides the fans with an exciting night to hang with friends and family. The promotion had a set back when the MECW had to announce that champion Mannix was unable to defend due to an injury. Mannix though respect for his talent was hated for his actions meant that possibly one of the fan favorites such as Devin Carter or the “Kid” Evan Money could get their chance as MECW Gold.

Imagine the disappointment when bad guy Eric Allen was able to win the 8 man tournament and gain his second title in months. Who will be able to take the title back from EA? Will it be Carter in his rematch on the 22nd, or will Gabriel Brimstone, Brian Scrilla, or the returning Shawn Santel come back to glory.

MECW Tag team champions The Bayou Outlaws are one of the most underappreciated teams in the Midwest and loved by the fans.

On a National level MECW can hang their head up high Barry Ryte in his opportunity to appear at the 14th annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament later this summer on Sat. July 10, 2010 in Newark DE.

MMWA-SICW– The 2009 MWR Promotion of the Year has seen some exciting new faces and old friends join the veterans of the South Broadway Athletic Club. Impressive Dave Vaughn has taken on all challenges in his way including the powerful Donnovan Ruddick.
Speaking of Ruddick the Manager of Champions Travis Cook looks to take him to the top as he has signed him to his stable “The Connections.” With the skills of Ruddick and the mind of Cook these two could be unstoppable.

Brandon Espinosa has returned with a vengeance and is currently the MMWA-SICW JR Heavyweight Champion as well as the MMWA-SICW Battle Royal Champion. Will he set his sights on becoming a Triple Crown championship?

Life is not all good in the world of Travis Cook; he has agitated the returning MMWA-SICW Superstar Ron Powers and Danny Boy. In Cooks favor is the fact that Gary Jackson has also wanted a piece of his old rival Powers.

On a National scene the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame that is located at the SBAC presented Ric Flair, Bobby Hennan, Dory Funk JR and Baron Von Raschke with their HOF Plaques at the TNA Fan interaction.

What Midwest Superstars will make their debut at MMWA-SICW in the rest of 2010? I can not wait to find out.

New Midwest Wrestling – The newest promotion at MWR, New Midwest have been around for a long time entertaining fans in Sprinfield Illinois.

The NMW Roster brings together an exciting roster with Cory Carter, Guy Smith, Ryan Phoenix, Dan the Man and Blake Steel as well the New Midwest Wrestling Champion Jonathan Magnus.

New Midwest Wrestling returns this week with Capital Punishment 2010 as Magnus have his title threatened when Rip Mystic comes after him.

NWA Dynamo Pro Wrestling– NWA Dynamo has slowly been building steam heading into the second half of 2010. Home of the NWA Missouri Champion Davey Vega and NWA Central States Championship Mark Sterling they brought us the battle of Champions when the two took on each other during their May 1 show where Vega tapped out to the 2009 MWR Wrestler of the Year.

NWA Missouri Champion Vega will look to get back on track when he takes on Dragon Gate star Kyle O’Reilly on May 22nd.

Like I said a quiet year so far for this top promotion but look for them to sprint to the top in 2010.

NWA Supreme – MWR was honored to be invited to check out this exciting promotion early this year and we were impressed. The giant Bear ST Pierre and the electrifying Da Cobra brings to the ring a fast paced wrestling show with a punch in the Face.

NWA Supreme Champion Da Cobra has been red hot and will look to add Danny Cannon on his list of men he sent home packing. Bear ST Pierre has survived the onslaught on Jeremy Wyatt and De Andre King and Guy Smith and on May 29 he will have the formidable foe of Christian Rose looking to take home the title.

. The Hooligans and the Hybrids tore each other apart in the cage and it looks to only getting hotter as the summer comes around.

Fan have to be excited as the NWA Supreme brings you the NWA Midwest Championship match between the Shiek with Joey Eastman and Silas Young as well on the 29th.

Pro Wrestling Epic – One of the youngest promotions in the MWR Coverage area has been working hard to get respect. Signing some of the top names in the sport they boast some of the top talents in the Midwest today.

One fallback to that statement is that the PWE Champion Keith Walker has been in Japan meaning that he is unable to defend the title as needed. Even with Walker out the states they have the new PWE US Champion Brandon Aarons and the PWE tag team Champions Zero Gravity on their roster.

At their only show of the year the night started of with Mark Sterling as the PWE US Champion. Sterling defeated Mike Sydal then announced to the crowd that he was not done. He would be more than happy to beat anyone else in the locker room. Aarons showed true heart by answering the call even though he was defeated by Wyatt earlier in the night. Amazingly Aarons would defeat Sterling and become the PWE US Champion.

PWE and Aarons returns with their biggest test to date when PWE US Champion Brandon Aarons takes on Ring of Honor World Champion Tyler Black go at it in a match that you will not want to miss.

Pro Wrestling Phoenix– The faction known as Murder Milita looked to have PWP on their knees and in total control at the start of the year. The Murder Militia (Jeremy Wyatt, #1 Brett Young, Mark Sterling, Joey Daniels & Jayden Draigo) would find that Team PWP (PWP Heavyweight Champion ”Babyface” Tony Cortez, Abu Colossus, Jaysin Strife, Chris Havius & Donnie Peppercricket) was not going to back down for nothing.

The bomb is about to go off in the name of WAR Games this coming Saturday. Will the Militia continue to leave the PWP Wrestlers and fans in fear heading into 2010?
Young David Clark, Jimmy Rockwell and Zac James is set to battle in a ladder match for the chance to get a chance at any PWP Championship that night as well.

The PWP Champion Babyface Tony Cortez has defeated Jeremy Wyatt, Joey Daniels Jimmy Rockwell and Jaysin Strife since becoming the Champion last December.

World League Wrestling– Harley Race’s WLW took their time to get back in the game in 2010 but it was well worth the wait.

Starting off the year they had a tournament to crown new WLW Tag Champions and lo and behold Steve Fender and Mark Sterling walked away with the coveted tag team titles. Sterling and Fender are two of the most rounded wrestlers in singles, together they are scary good.

On the Singles from the WLW Title has been filled with action as the powerful Trent Stone held the title till in front of over 300 people in Richmond former WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch pinned him in a leather strap match to regain the title.

It won’t be easy for Murdoch as Stone, Brian Breaker along with impressive young stars Jack Gamble, Ryan Drago, the Cancun Kid and Eathon Wright will all have their eyes to get to the top of the Mountain.

The WLW Ladies Champion Amy Hennig finds herself with competition all around as TNA’S Santana G earned a DQ victory from Hennig and the unknown Angelus Layne made her debut at WLW Keokuk IA. Some of the most exciting matches in women’s wrestler may well come from WLW.

That is a look at some of the promotions in the first half of the year. We are asking for the Promotions, Wrestlers and Fans to send in their thoughts on who was the best of the best in the first half year at MWR.

There will not be a winner announced for this but this will help the MWR Awards committee to not forget in the 2010 MWR Awards who is deserving. In each category there is some strong competition if the vote was to be voted on today I could not guess who would walk away the winners.

Wrestler of the Year first half
Tag team of the Year First Half
Promotion of the Year First Half
Women of the Year First Half
Match of the Year First Half

Please send in your nominations for the previous promotions to flairwhoooooo@yahoo.com

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Gary Jackson takes on Ron Powers at East Carondelet Illinois this Saturday.

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 13, 2010

The great one Gary Jackson (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

 

Ron Powers has been impressive since he has been back (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Two of the biggest stars in St Louis Wrestling will continue their feud once again this Saturday when MMWA-SICW makes their way back to East Carondelet.

“The Gorgeous one” Gary Jackson has been loved by fans for years and many state that he is the Ric Flair of ST Louis Wrestling.

Ron Powers has been feared from wrestlers and fans alike with his power that reminds many of the late great “Bruiser” Brody.

There is is no love between these two warriors who have been at each other for years in the past. Now Jackson and Powers meet once again!!

Don’t Miss it.

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