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Posts Tagged ‘Ric Flair’

Come see Living Legend Mil Mascaras in a rare appearance in the Midwest at NWA Dynamo on Wednesday April 29th.

Posted by flairwhoooooo on April 11, 2009

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By Brian “Flair” Kelley

What do John Cena, The Rock, Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin all have in common? They each followed the footsteps of Wrestling Legend Mil Máscaras who went from being a Superstar in the sport of wrestling to being a star on the big screen.

Thanks to Ring of Honor, the Midwest wrestling fans got to meet living legend Ric Flair in St Louis this past March. Later this month on April 29th in Ottawa Kansas NWA Dynamo invites you for what could be a once in a lifetime chance to meet the Lucha Libra’s version of America’s Hulk Hogan, Mil Máscaras.

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Mil Máscaras who is nicknamed “The Man of a 1,000 Masks” is not only a hero in Mexico but his contributions to the sport of wrestling changed wrestling around the world. He is credited with becoming one of the first masked luchadores outside of Mexico to be cheered outside his home country. Máscaras was blessed with great size and conditioning that permitted him to Main event around the world. He thrilled the fans with his great knowledge of the wrestling moves and was able to awe them as he was one of the first wrestlers to introduce the high-flying moves of lucha libre, such as the plancha and tope suicida.

His impact on the wrestling world has had ringing endorsements from his peers, The original Tiger Mask, has described Máscaras’ impact on Japanese professional wrestling, “If it weren’t for Mil Mascaras, there would be no Jushin Liger, Último Dragón or the Great Sasuke today,”. Younger fans should know that Mascaras’ success in the US also paved the way for other luchadores such as Rey Mysterio, Jr., who just recently won the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. Just imagine if you combined John Cena and Rey Mysterio then what you would have is Mil Máscaras. A man who had the power and flew with ease, one could say the perfect wrestler.

Just like Elvis Presley, Mil Máscaras’s physique, colorful attire and flamboyant personality had the fans begging to see more of the star outside his profession. Mascaras gave the fans what they wanted and went to star in movies. His self titled film “Mil Máscaras” in 1966 jumped started a career in the movies that have spanned five decade long.

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One of the very first Wrestling pop culture icons Mil Mascaras, is immortalized with his own action figure.

On April 29th you can join Mascaras as he will be filming a special match for sequel to his last movie “Mil Mascaras: Resurrection” originally title Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy.Join NWA Dynamo Pro Wrestling for one of the biggest wrestling events in the Midwest of 2009 when Hollywood and wrestling meet once again.
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    Straight from the NWA Dynamo Wrestling office

Pro wrestling returns to Ottawa, Ks. when NWA Dynamo Pro presents a night of exciting action culminating in a huge main event where former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Tony Kozina takes on the “Man of 1,000 Masks” Mil Mascaras. Mr. Mascaras will be filming scenes for his latest film project titled Mil Mascars: Aztec Revenge through out the evening. Come be a part of this historic night of action an possibly end up seeing your face on the silver screen.

N.W.A. Dynamo presents a most unique match-up as former 2-time N.W.A. World Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Tony Kozina squares off against the Legendary “Man of a thousand masks” Mil Mascaras on Wednesday night, April 29th 2009 in Ottawa, Kansas, just outside of Kansas City.

Kozina went off in a post-match interview after Chikara’s King of Trios in Philadelphia on March 29th. “For 12 long years I’ve sat by quietly, and respectfully while I’ve been passed over, and underrated. Well today it stops, because I will sit quietly no longer. I issue a challenge to any and all promotions across the globe, and to every world class professional wrestler around the world! Tony Kozina will sit quietly no longer. I’m gonna be here year after year until I face the very best and earn my place among the very best in wrestling. You can’t break my spirit.
You can’t break my will, nor can you break my determination, because I am unbreakable!!”

With that, this unusual challenge was met by one of the greatest and most famous Luchadores in wrestling history. In a rare U.S. appearance, Mil Mascaras, coming in from Mexico City, Mexico, will take the stage to face the brash and determined Tony Kozina in a match that will no doubt give the Pacific Northwest native exactly what he wants. A chance to face the very best in professional wrestling from around the world.

Location
National Guard Armory
208 West 17th Street
Ottawa, Kansas

$5.00 Kids
$10.00 Adults

Get your tickets now for this once in a lifetime event at NWA Dynamo Pro Wrestling.

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“Rowdy” Roddy Piper teams up with Harley Race in Missouri this weekend!!!

Posted by flairwhoooooo on March 17, 2009

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The one and only “Rowdy” Roddy Piper will be a special guest at World League Wrestling on Friday in Sedalia and in Eldon on Saturday. Come and meet one of the true legends of the sport. He has had a career like not other, with accomplishments the likes of which most of us can only dream. On April 2, 2005, at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood, Roddy Piper was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fane. Roddy’s longtime nemesis, 16 times world champion, Ric Flair, when doing the introduction, said, “Roddy Piper is the most talented man in the history of professional wrestling. Bar none!”

Come to the show and meet both Harley Race and Roddy Piper. If you haven’t got your tickets yet call 573-392-4100. Sedalia there will be an autograph session at Brian Gyms with Piper and Harley (next to Bing Grocery Store) at 3:30 . And Saturday at 3:30 at the Eager Beaver in Eldon. WLW has said they have many fans coming in from other states, WLW Headquarters will also be open, you are welcome to stop in and look around our school and all Harley’s memorabilia. Don’t miss this golden opportunity.

March 20th

Liberty Park convention Hall, Sedalia mo.
Fundraiser Faternal Order of Police

Ticket Outlets:
BRIAN’S GYM
BINGS GROCERY STORE
PLAZA 16

March 21st

Eldon Community Center
Fundraiser Eldon Fire Dept.

Ticket outlets:
WLW Headquarters
Eldon Family Fitness
Eager Beaver
Eldon Fire Dept

For more information on WLW please go to WorldLeagueWrestling.com

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THE FAN SHOP- Where the customer is the #1 Fan.

Posted by flairwhoooooo on January 22, 2009

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By Brian “Flair ” Kelley

The Fan Shop (formerly known as The Pro Shirt Shop) has changed location and name this past fall, but hopes to carry on the tradition of providing the wrestling fans with a place in St Louis that they can come and buy wrestling merchandise, souvenirs and autographs.

 

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I went to their new location this past week and was delighted to not only see a wide range of merchandise but a mini museum of wrestling history. They had on display an autograph Cape from Hulk Hogan’s character Thunderlips from the movie Rocky 3 that really impressed me and for the younger generation there is a Rey Mysterio worn mask from his days in WCW. This is just a few of the fun stuff to check out at the “The Fan Shop”.

 

The store is now owned by wrestling manager Mr. Bigg and managed by fellow manager The Mat Maniac/ Mr. GQ Matthew Wayne Schuyler 3rd. With years in experience in the sport they are knowledgeable with a passion and love for the sport as you and I do.

 

If you know anything about me then you know I enjoy wrestling autobiographies and Wrestling shoot interviews. While I was in the store I picked up the Larry Matysik book Wrestling at the Chase- The Inside story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling. A book so good I have had a hard time putting down long enough so that I can work on the Missouri Wrestling Revival site. The Fan Shop also has a wide range of classic St Louis Wrestling at the Chase videos you can catch up with the backbone of Professional wrestling’s History with matches that include Harley Race, Ric Flair,Dust Rhodes, Bruiser Brody, the Von Erich’s and much more.

 

Ladies, it is close to that time of the year where you will be searching for a Valentines gift for the special man in your life, why not try The Fan Shop? Show him that he is your World Champion with classic and current Replica Belts. Look for the T-shirt, action figure or DVD of his favorite wrestler, The Fan Shop also has many authentic autographs that will be sure to bring a smile to his day.

 

They also are branching out to All Sports- Collectibles and Autographs. Are you looking for a Custom Jersey or an Autograph come in the store to find out if they happen to have what you are looking for. If you are a fan of MMA, the Fan Shop should be a place for you too check out; while I was in the store my girlfriend even found her a sexy girl UFC shirt that impressed her proving that there is something in the store for anyone.    

My girlfriend Dubray finds something she wants at The Fan Shop.

My girlfriend Dubray finds something she wants at The Fan Shop.

 

 

The Fan Shop is world renown for bringing in some of the top stars in the area for you to meet. In the past three years they have been a part of autograph signings that is a who’s who in the sport. Current WWE Superstars Batista has been in the store as well as Hall of Famers Harley Race, Terry Funk, Bret Hart just to name a few of the legends to grace their way to the store.

Store manager The Mat Maniac/ Mr. GQ Matthew Wayne Schuyler 3rd  and WWE Superstar Evan Bourne.

Store manager The Mat Maniac/ Mr. GQ Matthew Wayne Schuyler 3rd and WWE Superstar Evan Bourne.

 

 

Two of the greatest to ever wrestler Harley Race and Terry Funk has been at The Fan Shop

Two of the greatest to ever wrestle Harley Race and Terry Funk has been at The Fan Shop

 

 

 

In fact this week they team up with Dynamo Pro Wrestling to host none other than former WWE, TNA and ECW superstar Al Snow to the store. Come and meet one of the hardest working Superstar in the business, January 30th at 3 P.M. You will have an opportunity to get an autograph or picture taken with him close up at The Fan Store.

 

 

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Whether your love is WWE, TNA, Old school wrestling or MMA make your stop at  The Fan Store -Where the customer is the #1 Fan. Tell them that Missouri Wrestling Revival sent you.

 

The Fan Shop

1393 Covington Manor

St Louis, Mo

1-314-487-6500

 

Store is open 7 days a week

Monday-Saturday 11-8

If you are a young and inspiring wrestler in the St Louis or Kansas City area that would like to have a chance to train with Al Snow. Take the time to contact Dynamo Pro Gym for a limited chance to learn from one of the most traveled wrestlers in the business.

Sunday 12-7

 

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To train with Al Snow in Kansas or St Louis contact Dynamo Pro Gym.

 

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Your Trip to Space Mountain – NWA presents Dynamo Pro Wrestling 11-29-2008

Posted by flairwhoooooo on December 20, 2008

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By Brian “Flair” Kelley

 

I won’t lie to you, I was excited about going to Pomona Kansas for professional wrestling. How could you not be? The night would include a NWA Kansas Championship match between #1 Brett Young taking on Tyler Cook, Dingo was scheduled to have a rematch with Jeremy Wyatt. A tag team dream match between the LONRS and the Ego Express plus ROH Superstar Davey Richards would be in action as well. Yes, I was excited about all of those stellar matches, but what really excited me was hooking back up with my friends in Kansas before the holidays.

 

Dubray and I got into the Pomona, Kansas, a small town of less than a 1000 that I had never heard of, much less been too. The NWA has advertised a meet and greet with the fans at a restaurant called Buzzards Pizza. I had ran into a wrestling fan in St Louis the week before, Jonathan Jones, who I had told about this night of wrestling. To be honest, I really didn’t believe that he would make it. Lo and behold, Jonathan called me to let me know he was in town, so he caught up with us at Buzzards. While the wrestlers met with the fans, we enjoyed some of the best pizza I had ever tasted. Wrestling fans if you ever hear that a wrestling show is coming to Pomona, you now have two reasons to go.

 

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(From Left to right) NWA Kansas Champion #1 Brett Young,Desiree Powell 10 , Shorty Biggs,Jared Griffin 9, Ashley Griffin 10, Sadie Blazz,Ashley Griffin 10 and Dice

 

 

 

 

 

 The NWA had invited us to come and give away a MWR T-shirt to one of the fans at the show. While my better looking half, Dubray met them at the door Jonathan and I watched as fans kept coming through the door. I was thinking to myself, “is the whole town here?”

 

Before the match started, a 3 bell salute with a moment of silence, was asked by Larry Barber from the crowd, due to a tragedy within the community. A young man age 14, Treavor Wormell, had lost his life while another boy Preston Bunyard was in critical condition after a head on collision with a combine. Everyone at MWR, extends their thoughts and prayers to both families.

 

With the building packed, the announcer introduced the first match, a six way between Domino Rivera, Brandon Espinosa (In a pretty pink and blue outfit), Kraig Kessman, Mike Sydal (Skipping into the ring), Davey Vega and Adam Rich. I turned to Jonathan and said “There’s a lot of talent in the ring right now.” Rivera, who is a stone cold assassin normally, couldn’t resist teasing Sydal and Espinosa that they should be a couple before the match started, which prompted laughter throughout the building.

 

Throughout the match Sydal was able to use his athletic ability to impress the crowd. Espinosa hit a beautiful dropkick on Vega, but Vega would later return the favor when Espy was outside the ring, Vega went to the top rope and his a flying body press onto both Espy and Sydal and at the same time that happened Kessman went to the top rope on the other side and hit a flying ax handle on Rivera. Exciting action from all 6 men ensued during the match. Rivera seemed to have the match won when he hit a killer clothesline but when he went for another move, Kessman hit a snap mare DDT for the win.

 

Aaron Scott and Brandon Marino were up next, the two mirrored each other in looks, power and moves. What one could do the other would match. Aaron was nasty from the get go and threatened to rip off Marino’s arm at one point of the match. Powerful kicks and big moves were abundant in this encounter. Marino made the mistake of going to the top for a high risk move but Aarons was one step ahead and moved out of the way which led to Marino hurting his leg. Aarons smelled a weakness and capitalized on it with a sharpshooter for the victory. I know I saw more wrestling in this seventeen minute match than I have seen on my TV screen the past 2 weeks. Trust me when I say you will hear of these two guys before it is said and done.

 

#1 Brett Young came to the ring to let the fans know that he is the NWA Kansas State Champion, a fact that makes him better than each and everyone of the fans in attendance. Tyler Cooks name echoed all through the building as he entered the ring. The Champion showed little respect for the #1 contender by slapping him in the middle of the ring. Cook returned the favor with a slap of his own. Young went for a cheap shot, but Cook was ready with the block and a punch. Young wisely bailed out of the ring, and my guess was he finally realized for the first time that this match was not going to be a walk in the park.

 

 The ever popular Shorty Biggs was to take on every fans enemy, Pierre Abernathy, who on this night was accompanied by manager Sadie Blaze. Biggs had Abernathy rattled early on with his tomfoolery. Abernathy bailed out of the ring, Biggs went with him and chased him around the ring. Blaze then made his presence known by hiding under the ring with sneak attack. The crowd was not happy that the European scumbag had taken the cheap way and the building rang with USA chants. Shorty would get the advantage only to have Blaze interfere and negate it. Blaze attempted to help one more time, but Shorty took advantage of a miss hit for the 1 2 3 win going into the intermission.

 

At Intermission the wrestlers came out and met with the fans to take pictures and thank them for coming. While they did that, Jonathan went and bought the Jeremy Wyatt and Tyler Cook t-shirts, and I caught up with my friends Logan and Alex. I was able to speak to some of the wonderful members of the Masons. The night of wrestling was also a fundraiser for the Masons. They explained to me in more detail of what their organization is about.  It is amazing what the Masons do to help others in need. 

 

After intermission we were treated to what I’d like to think was a triple main event. The  first match was two of the best tag teams in the Midwest, The LONRS (Mark Sterling and Darrien Sanders) taking on the Ego Express ( Steven Kennedy and KC Karrington) and  led by the always talking Tiffany Lefane.

 

The LONRS were home in Kansas, but the two let the fans know they wanted nothing to do with them. The match went back and forth with Lefane’s presence felt at major moments of the match. This would prove to be true when the LONRS went for a top rope piledriver on Kennedy. Lefane took advantage and distracted Sterling, Karrington meanwhile took out Sanders and pushed him out of the ring to allow Kennedy to roll up. The LONRS were furious and vowed to get revenge on the Express when the NWA returns January 31, in Ottawa Kansas.  The Ego Express and the LONRS had lived up to the expectations of Jonathan who stated that this was his vote for the match of the night.

 

Dingo was scheduled to take on his rival Jeremy Wyatt but due to an injury was unable to make it. He was replaced by Ring of Honor Superstar Davey Richards. As soon as the announcer stated who Wyatt’s opponent was, I knew there was going to be a war. Wyatt normally is able to overwhelm his opponents with his intensity but Richards is one of the few men who can match him and then some. Wyatt and Richards beat each other from one side of the ring to the other. At one point Wyatt threw Richards out of the ring onto a group of fans in the front row with ring rail in tow. Wyatt hit a belly to back suplex for the victory against the ROH Superstar. This was a pure wrestling classic with no gimmicks required.

 

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Davey Richards did not care if Wyatt is the number one ranked wrestler in the Midwest. He delivered brutal strikes throughout the match.

 

 

 

 

 

That last match could have been the main event anywhere else in the country but on this night we had the NWA Kansas Championship Match. Brett Young walked to the ring and seemed to regain his composure from the earlier meeting with the young Tyler Cook.  The place was shouting “Let’s go Tyler” but Young is a master in the squared circled and slowed the pace down so that the fans and Cook were unable to get the quick start. When Cook would get the upper hand, Young wisely took a step back and never let him get in a routine. Young decided that he would just take the easy win by going to the locker room and calling it a night but Cook took it upon himself to bring him back to the ring. The fans were ecstatic when Cook turned it up a notch and proceeded to punish Young outside the ring. At one moment, Cook held Young while a Kansas masked fan delivered a Ric Flair chop.

 

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Playing around with the fans may have been a mistake because when Cook threw back inside the ring. Young struck quickly before Cook could get back in the ring to get the advantage. Every time Cook would strike, Young had an answer.

 

With the referees back turned Young took the pad of the turnbuckle. The time that it took allowed Cook to recover, which led me to believe that we would have a new champion. I was sure that Young’s evil deeds would backfire on him. With Cook going for the pin, Young powered out and threw Cook head first into the uncovered turnbuckle. With the challenger knocked out Young was able to get the victory and retain the NWA Kansas Championship in an exciting match.

 

NWA-Presents Dynamo Pro Wrestling had the best show from top to bottom of 2008. If you missed this show you are still invited on January 31st when NWA-Dynamo Pro Wrestling returns to Ottawa, Kansas. Go to NWA-Dynamo Pro Wrestling for more information and click back here for more exciting recaps, interviews and show information of the best the Midwest Wrestling has to offer.  

 

 

 

For information on Dynamo Pro Wrestling go to NWA-Presents Dynamo Pro Wrestling

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MWR’s History of the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship

Posted by Admin on October 22, 2008

History of the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship

By Josh Ray
Owner-Editor
Inadvertent.nerd@gmail.com

This is the first in a series of features on championships in the MWR coverage area, where MWR looks at the history, importance, and the future of the wrestling belts that help shape the Midwest independent wrestling scene.

The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) has been around since 1948, but the Missouri Heavyweight Championship has been around in some way, shape, or form since 1899. Records are spotty, but George Baptiste is in the books as the first Missouri Champion, winning in 1899. There are no details as to whom he defeated for the title or whom defeated him.

The next Missouri Champion doesn’t appear in the record books until 1921. Jake Reed defeated Lloyd Carter sometime that year, but again the records are so poor for that time period that no other information is known.

In 1933, some 12 years later, Fred Peterson entered the scene and began claiming that he was the Missouri Champion. He continued to make this claim until March of 1934, which happens to be around the same time that Billy Wolf is listed as champion. Records are unclear as to whom he defeated for the title, but Fred Peterson could be a good guess.

1937 brings more clarity to the title, as Lou Thesz defeated Warren Bockwinkel for the title on June 18th in Kansas City, MO. The clarity wouldn’t last long, however, as the title did a disappearing act until October 17, 1947 in St. Joseph, MO. Over ten years after Lou Thesz won the title, Ron Etchison defeated Sonny Myers for the title. There is no more information on how Thesz parted with the belt.

Less than a month later on November 7, 1947, Sonny Myers won a rematch with Etchison and became the Missouri State Champion. Before 1947 was over with, though, the title would be vacated and would remain that way until 1950.

As the National Wrestling Alliance began tying the smaller regional promotions together, the Missouri title was reestablished. Unfortunately, records are still in bad shape from 1950 to 1955. Tommy O’Toole defeated Sonny Myers in a tournament final on March 10, 1950, and from then until it was vacated in 1955 Bob Orton Sr. and Ron Etchison would win the title. Once again, there are no records as to whom either of them defeated.

The title stayed vacated from 1955 until 1972, when the title became a secondary singles championship for the NWA’s Central States Wrestling and St. Louis Wrestling Club. On September 16, 1972 in St. Louis, MO, the title gained legitimacy when Midwest wrestling legend Harley Race defeated Korean wrestling star Pak Song in a tournament final for the championship. In the years to come, Race would become the area’s most dominant champion and a true wrestling legend.

The title was held up after the ending of a Harley Race and Johnny Valentine match on December 16, 1972 in St. Louis, MO. A rematch was scheduled a month later, and on January 19, 1973, Valentine defeated Race for the title. The remainder of 1973 saw Terry Funk, Gene Kiniski, and Harley Race with the title.

St. Louis, MO continued to be the location for each and every Missouri Heavyweight Championship title change through February 1986 when Jim Crockett and Jim Crockett Promotions bought the St. Louis Wrestling Club. Later in the year Crockett also purchased Central States Wrestling as the NWA attempted to compete with Vince McMahon Jr. and his World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Fittingly, the last Missouri Heavyweight Champion of that era was Harley Race. He won the title by defeating Jerry Blackwell on August 2, 1985. From Harley Race’s 1973 reign (his second) to his final reign in 1985, he would hold the title four other times. This left him with a total of seven reigns as Missouri Champ and made him the wrestler with the most reigns as champion. Others that held the title in this time period include Dory Funk Jr., Jack Brisco, Dick Slater, Ted DiBiase Sr., Dick Murdoch, Dick the Bruiser, Kevin Von Erich, Ken Patera, Kerry Von Erich, David Von Erich, and “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

The list of Missouri Heavyweight Champions reads like a who’s who of NWA wrestlers of the era, but a new era began in 2002. Gary Jackson entered the record books as the first Missouri Heavyweight Champ of the new era by defeating Steve Stone in St. Robert, MO on July 27, 2002. The title’s tumultuous nature returned, but unlike the early 20th Century, records were kept in good standing.

Jackson was stripped of the title on June 3, 2003 due to his inability to frequently defend it, and Shane Somers stepped into the forefront as perennial Missouri Heavyweight Champion. He would win the title a total of three times in less than a year, winning it twice in one night (June 17, 2003) after Missouri State Athletic Commissioner Karl Lauer stripped him of the belt for using an illegal chokehold. He won the belt again later that night by pinning John Epperson in a tag match.

The Missouri Heavyweight Championship has changed hands in a state other than Missouri twice in its entire history, once in 2003 and once in 2005. On October 10, 2003, Ricky Murdock defeated Shane Somers in Parkersburg, WV at the NWA 55th Anniversary Show. The title was vacated a year later and then on December 7, 2005 in Lawrence, KS, Abyss defeated Tyler Cook for it.

A year later, the title was vacated once again. After a less than respectable run, the Missouri Heavyweight Championship gained a savior who goes by the name “Dingo”. Dingo won the title on January 19, 2007 in St. Joseph, MO by defeating Kraig Keesaman, Mark Sterling, and Jeremy Wyatt in a four-way scramble. As of this writing Dingo is still the champion, having held the title for over a year and a half. He’s defeated some of the top wrestlers in the Midwest, including Jeremy Wyatt, Mark Sterling, and Michael Strider. Under the NWA CSW: Missouri banner, Dingo is doing his part to bring the title back to the Harley Race standard of the 70s and 80s.

Only time will tell what the future holds for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship. If the current champion and the promotion sanctioning the matches are any indication, the title will have a bright future. The title is only as strong as the promotion, champion, and his challengers, though, so here’s to a competitive future for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship!

For a complete listing of NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champions, go to the Wikipedia Page at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NWA_Missouri_Heavyweight_Championship

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Wrestling Hooks Fans In An Elusive Chokehold

Posted by Admin on June 9, 2008

Wrestling Hooks Fans in an Elusive Chokehold

By Kari Williams
It floats in the air, mixing with the smoke that just lifted from the cigarette being held by the elderly man sitting two rows in front of me. As I look around, watching wrestlers walk back and forth, talking to fans and acquaintances, it hovers above them, below them and around them. It even consumes them—both the fans and the wrestlers.

But what is, it?

It is a feeling, an emotion, that one moment in time when you feel that you are a part of something special. That is what wrestling is all about anyway, isn’t it?

When Shawn Michaels retired Ric Flair, you knew there was something special about that moment, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on it could you? But you had to be there. You had to be a part of it?

But what is, it?

It is the drive to succeed, to overcome the evil hell hounds that have been nipping at your heels. That single moment in time in which your whole life flashes before your eyes. You see yourself growing up, chasing it and doing your best to capture it. That is what wrestling is all about anyway, isn’t it?

When Eddie Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2003 to win his first Heavyweight Title you cheered for him, didn’t you? You knew that his whole life culminated at the exact moment he raised that belt above his head for the very first time. He felt it.

But what is, it?

Honestly, I do not think there is an answer to that question. Asking what that intangible entity is that keeps fans coming back to wrestling time and again is like asking how to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You do not know if there is a pot of gold, you just live your life searching for it — even if is turns out to be an illusive trick.

Something compels you to watch wrestlers sacrifice their bodies and souls. May 17 in East Carondelet, Jeff Hawkins, Phil E. Blunt, Steve Montana and Jeremy Lightfoot went at each other in a Hardcore Match. A Mick Foley-like 2 X 4 wrapped in barbed-wire, a staple gun and a steel chair, among other inanimate objects that were used as weapons to smother and utterly destroy the competitors.

But why did they do it? Why did they go to that length, put themselves through that brutal of a match, only to leave that night with bumps and bruises and multiple staple holes in their body?

For the same reason that Shawn Michaels retired Ric Flair, the same reason that Eddie Guerrero won the Heavyweight Title — they knew what it was, even if it did not enter their conscience at the time.

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MWR Spotlight: Luke Roberts (Part 3 of 3)

Posted by Admin on May 17, 2008

Luke Roberts (Part 3 of 3)

by Brian “Flair” Kelley


As far as wrestlers and the St Louis scene are concerned, we will start with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton. Have you had any past interactions with “The Legend Killer“?

I have had some indirect contact with Randy through his father. However, as far as direct contact, I have not had the privilege of working with him. He came to South Broadway about a year after I left to wrestle on the St. Louis wrestling scene.

How do you feel of his work as a wrestler?

As a wrestler, Randy Orton is coming into his own as one of the best “bad guys” in the sport. He has developed an attitude that incites professional wrestling fans to hate him. Given the right opportunities, I feel that Randy will be at the top tier of the WWE for years to come.

Let’s stay with the Orton family and talk about his father “Cowboy” Bob Orton, who I met at an OSWA show a while back.

I have had several run-ins with “Cowboy” Bob Orton. Every time I work with him, I always have a great time. Even though he may not be in his prime, he still can provoke a crowd to hate him. From working with him, it is easy to see that many of the skills that Randy Orton has are genetic.

St Louis has been represented well here recently with Delirious, MsChif, and Daizee Haze wrestling in LWA for the Michael Johnson Benefit show on May 3rd. Matt Sydal and Dingo have also made a splash. Which one has surprised you the most with their success?

If I had to choose one, I would have to say MsChif. The successes of the men notwithstanding, to excel as a women’s wrestler is a much more difficult task. Right now, she holds two of the most recognized championships in the world. That, combined with her athletic skills and her attitude, is the reason why I would choose MsChif as the St. Louis wrestler who has surprised me the most.

Who would you say in the past 18 years was the most underrated wrestler in the St Louis area?

In my career, the most underrated wrestler was John Blackheart. This man was technically sound and knew what it took to get a reaction out of the fans. He could go out and fly with the light heavyweights, brawl with the brawlers, manipulate the rules in the world of tag team wrestling, and do things behind a referee’s back that were pure gold. John Blackheart could go out to the ring with anyone and have a good match. He was just that good.

Who do you feel is the best tag team ever in professional wrestling?

The best tag team in professional wrestling, in my opinion, would be Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. They thought and wrestled in almost perfect harmony with little to no communication necessary.

Who do you feel is the best tag team in St. Louis in the past 20 years?

That’s easy! Billy Bob and the Techno Kid! Just joking! Seriously, the answer to this question will stun a lot of people. From all of the tag teams that have wrestled in St. Louis on a regular basis, I would say that the Ego Express is the best tag team that I have seen in the past 20 years. They know what the other one is thinking at all times. They genuinely seem to like and trust each other. Their knowledge of the rules and how to break them is outstanding. Also, they have a manager/valet that fits their plans perfectly. The Ego Express, whether you like them or not, has all the tools to hang with any tag team in professional wrestling.

Is there anyone that comes to mind that never got the chance, but really deserved it?

I feel that “The Punisher” from the MVWA never really got his time in the spotlight. In his heyday, he could drive a crowd to almost riot status before he even entered the ring. If he would have had a company like an MMWA, GCW, or LWA to sign him and he could have stayed healthy, he could have been huge.

At the moment, you have the chance to become LWA President. You are running against Jacob Dangle, Steven Miller, Bavarian Boy. For those who have not been a part of LWA, tell us what that is about.

Since Yuletide Terror 2007, the LWA has been without a president. Management has decided that someone needs to take control of the LWA before chaos destroys the company. Seeing that I have refereed and ring announced for the LWA, a friend of mine tried to convince me to run for the LWA presidency and I brushed it off. Yet, as time went on, I heard that Steven Miller had found a loophole and weaseled his way into the election process. Once I heard that he was running, I knew that I had to give serious thought about running for LWA president.

Steven Miller thinks that, if Bavarian Boy or Jacob Dangle is elected president of the LWA, he can use his influence with Donovan Ruddick to intimidate them into doing what he wants. However, Mr. Miller knows that I am not, nor will never be, scared of anyone. I know that since I am running for LWA President against Steven Miller, if I lose, I will probably be out of a job.

The fans of the LWA need to make their opinions known. I recommend that everyone goes to www. lwawrestling. com and vote for who you think should be the new LWA president.

Let’s go to Word Association

South Broadway – lacking originality

MECW – professional

LWA – talented roster

UWA – rebuilding

CSW – tradition

AAPW – dedicated to its fans

WLW – Harley Race

SLAMZONE – hardworking

SHIMMER – true women’s wrestling

FTW – The Independent Icons

RCW – misunderstood

NWA – territorial professional wrestling

WWE – cheese

TNA – innovative

ECW – WWE light

ROH – True Professional Wrestling

St Louis Hall of Fame – tribute to St. Louis wrestling history

Best pro wrestling book – “Hooker” by Lou Thesz

Hulk Hogan – all about “the Benjamins”

Ric Flair – legend

Ultimate Warrior – joke

WrestleMania 24 – lackluster

HHH – heart of the WWE

Samoa Joe – class act

Kurt Angle – machine

Motor City Machine Guns – great people

Davey Richards – tough as nails

“The Future” Donavan Ruddick – monster

Michael Strider – crazy

Shorty Biggs – the “fifth”

Gary the Barn Owl – Bearded Men from Space Station 11

Brian James – “It’s All Good”

Scott Murphy – true friend

Stacey O’Brien – future of St. Louis women’s wrestling

Sean Vincent – Canadian superstar

Cameron Cage – funny, funny, funny

Cabal – Chewbacca

Edmund “Livewire” McGuire – outstanding

Adam Raw – intense

Pierre Abernathy – Submission Squad

Playboy HH – hides behind his stable

Austin Aries – quiet

Pete Madden – Trainer

“Atomic Dog” Ali Stevens – Powerhouse

Steven Miller – power hungry

Phoenix Twins – Tag Team Specialists

Brandon Aarons – Hollister

Mephisto – psychotic

Douglas O’Shea – hated everywhere he goes

Evan Gelistico – Zero Gravity

Jeremy Wyatt – The Rebel

Shaft – the heart of MMWA

Tyler Cook – underrated

Awesome Kong – brutality personified

Mark Sterling – intimidating

Trent Stone – impact player

Billy McNeil – death-defying

Lightfoot – Lightfoot Driver

Brandon Espinosa – No Fear

Johnny Greenpeace – Tree

Dingo – dedicated to professional wrestling

Ego Express – “old school” tag team wrestling

Johnny Vinyl and Davey Vega – arrogant

Eric Davis – versatile

Justin Wade – throwback

The Lumberjacks – tough

Dorian Victor – Must Be the Money

The Connection – Bullies

Editors Note: This has been the third and final installment of MWR’s Spotlight on Luke Roberts. Luke is a key piece of the pro wrestling puzzle in the St. Louis area, and I am proud that he chose to sit down and give us a little of his time. Hopefully we can chat again with him sometime soon.

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MWR Tribute: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair

Posted by Admin on April 5, 2008

Missouri Wrestling Revival Tribute:
“Nature Boy” Ric Flair

by Joshua Ray
MWR Owner-Editor

(Ric Flair as Missouri State Champion in 1983 [Credit: http://www.rfgolds.com/].)
A Tribute

(Ric Flair and the infamous Four Horsemen! [Internet photo database])

36 years of pro wrestling excellence has come to an end, as “Nature Boy” Ric Flair wrestled his last match at Wrestlemania 24 just a few short days ago on March 30, 2008. I am a huge “Naitch” fan, so I wanted to put together a fitting MWR Tribute to the man known as “The Man” to most of the professional wrestling world. I will be bringing Ric Flair to Missouri in this tribute, connecting him to the Show Me State in a way which I sincerely hope will be befitting of a true champion.
This might not be the definitive history of Ric Flair in Missouri. I admit that my research might not have uncovered every single detail about his connection with our great state. It will be a great tribute, though. In my mind, Ric Flair is the greatest World Heavyweight Champion of all time, and this is the least I can do for him. I have been researching every bit of known information about Flair for nearly two weeks.
I’ll leave out less significant events such as individual house show appearances. While I’ll include them in the match totals, the focus is to point out the noteworthy history of the “Nature Boy” as it pertains to Missouri. Feel free to comment on anything included in this tribute, as well as anything I might have left out or any personal reflections.


Ric Flair and Missouri at a Glance

Ric Flair is on record as wrestling 80 times in Missouri in his 36 year career. While the average breaks down to just over two matches per year in the Show Me State, 55 of his Missouri bouts occurred between his Missouri debut on August 6, 1977 and October 16, 1987. This period includes the time in which he set an amazing standard by which most other champions could not meet, as he wrestled 6 or 7 times each week. This averages to just over 5 wrestling matches each year in Missouri alone.

In the winning of his first and only NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship, Flair wrestled four times in the same night in a tournament. He became the title’s 33rd holder. That wasn’t the only belt he won in Missouri, though. Flair also won two NWA World Heavyweight Titles by defeating Dusty Rhodes on both occasions. On the flip side, he lost 2 NWA World Heavyweight Titles to Harley Race, and his only Missouri Heavyweight Title was lost when he was defeated at the hands of David Von Erich.

Flair only wrestled two tag team matches in the state of Missouri. He teamed with Arn Anderson for one to defeat El Gigante and Sting on April 27, 1991 in St. Louis. For the other one, he teamed with Barry Windham in a losing effort to El Gigante and The yellow Dog (A Masked “Flyin” Brian Pillman). As another piece of trivia, Flair only guest refereed one match in the state of Missouri. The match was between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Undertaker on April 21, 2002!

“The Man” has wrestled in seven cities within the Missouri state border. Those cities are (matches in parentheses) St. Louis (51), Kansas City (20), Joplin (2), St. Joseph (2), Cape Girardeau (1), Springfield (3), and West Plains (1).

With all of these connections to the state of Missouri, Flair was inducted into the inaugural class of 2007 of the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame on February 24, 2007.

(Bret Hart giving Flair a taste of his own medicine [Credit: www.wwesuperstars.org])

Personal Reflection

As a young kid (the entire 1980s), I was always partial to the National Wrestling Alliance. Yes, I enjoyed the World Wrestling Federation and all of the glitz and glamor that organization had to offer, but there was just something that resonated in my soul with how the NWA presented itself. It seemed more real, with the heroes more believable in my eyes. Hulk Hogan might have been my favorite wrestler at the time due to his looks and his cartoonish stand for all that was American and good, but Dusty Rhodes, The Rock N Roll Express, Magnum TA, Ricky Steamboat, Kerry Von Erich, Brad Armstrong and later Sting would round out my list.

Why did those simpler and less “larger than life” wrestlers capture my imagination and have me rooting for them just as hard as my favorite wrestler in the entire world at the time, Hulk Hogan?

“Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

He was as bad as a person could be. He had money. He had women. He loved to cheat. Worst of all, he always found a way to win! I hated him with a passion in my younger days. I can still remember getting so excited when somebody would defeat him for the NWA World Title, only for him two win it back so shortly later. I loved to hate him.

Later, i would learn to respect him. His Royal Rumble performance in 1992 was probably the point in my life (I was 11) where I started realizing he was more than just a bad guy. Sure, I still hated him… but he had just lasted an hour in one of the hardest matches to win! He had found a way, yet again, to win the gold. This time it was for the WWF!

Over the years, Flair might not have been center stage or in the main event, but it was obvious that I wasn’t the only fan to respect him and treat him like royalty. Most of the time he was getting the shaft and was nearly buried by terrible booking after his NWA glory years:

– Black Scorpion
– Feud with Robocop and Sting
– Nearly being forced to shave his head, wear an earring, and call himself “Spartacus”
– Late WCW (everybody was bad then, but let’s move on)
– His recent jobber status in WWE before his “retire” storyline

(Ric Flair versus Hulk Hogan in WCW [Internet photo database].)

The great thing about Flair was that he transcended all of that. He was great, and people knew that anything lame about Flair couldn’t possibly be his doing. The man has been a living legend for many years. He’s just finally getting that recognition on a more formal level.

So here’s to Ric Flair.

The greatest of all time! (An issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated with Ric Flair on the cover. [Credit: www.prowrestlingillustrated.com])

Thoughts from Brian “Flair” Kelley:
If you know me then you know that Ric Flair is my favorite wrestler. Ric Flair is the last real wrestling champion, and I am grateful that I got to live with him wrestling since my youth. Before Vince told the world that it was predetermined, there was still a kind of magic that the fans believed in. The magic that every match meant something, whether it be when he broke Dusty Rhodes’ leg or when he was having the greatest scientific matches of all time with Ricky Steamboat. You knew you just had to see it.

Flair was the guy the boys wanted to be, the women loved and the men hated. Flair made you stay home on Saturday nights for just a little longer, just so you could see who he was going to wrestle and what would he say before and after.

Don’t lie, men. You know you have tried one of his pickup lines at least once on a girl.

When I think of Flair today, I still mark out for him. Truth be told, I always will. There has never been a wrestler who can keep my attention the way he did. I feel as if Flair never reached his potential as far as marketing goes, though I wished he would have been given that chance. This is by no means to slight anyone else, because thank goodness for Hogan, The Rock and Austin… three men who really boomed as far as merchandise sales go, but I wish Flair had been given that ball to run with. Maybe it was for the best, though. Flair now has longevity and respect, and when something of Flair’s comes out the people want it, as they showed with the Flair DVDs and book sales.

There is no doubt that I would have always liked wrestling, but “Nature Boy” Ric Flair made me love it.

References:
– Derkweiler.com [http://newsgroups.derkweiler.com/archive/rec/rec.sport.pro-wrestling/2006-05/msg11691.html]
– Slam Wrestling [http://slam.canoe.ca]
– WWE.com
– Wikipedia
 
 

 

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Your Trip to Space Mountain

Posted by Admin on January 23, 2008

Your Trip On Space Mountain

By Brian “Flair” Kelley
Another Monday night is upon us and pro wrestling’s biggest show will be on, WWE’s Monday Night Raw. Will I be home to watch it? Well, there is a chance that I will come in late and watch it tomorrow. Maybe it could be a week later.

How, you may ask? Well, because of one of the greatest inventions since the TV, TIVO. TIVO allows you to set your TV to record a show prior to it coming on. With the push of a button you can have a season pass to all of your favorite shows such as Survivor and American Gladiators… and to boot you can even skip the commercials! Earlier today I asked myself how this technology shaped the way I have been able to watch wrestling.

It seems like only yesterday that I had a mere 3 channels living in the country. I would wait all week to watch pro wrestling on Saturday nights with All-Star Wrestling after Saturday Night Live. To see such stars as Harley Race, Bulldog Bob Brown, and Rufus R. Jones in action in towns that seemed like they were millions of miles away (though it was less than an hour’s drive at times) was a great treat. I came from a family that did not like wrestling, so there was no chance of going to see it live. If I was lucky, sometimes there would be a special WWF Saturday Night show with Hulk Hogan before my favorite All-Star Wrestling. I would be treated with back to back shows of my first love, pro wrestling. For some reason there were many times when All-Star Wrestling was a rerun, though. It was a lot better than the times when it wasn’t on at all and the western program “Branded” starring Chuck Connors took it’s place (to my chagrin).

I loved wrestling so much that I would wake up early on Sundays and skip church so that I could see if the weather was nice enough for a channel that broadcasted pro wrestling out of Texas. World Class Championship Wrestling would broadcast without a picture, but I could hear the play-by-play of wrestlers like One Man Gang and the Fabulous Freebirds. It brought excitement to my ears.

Then there was that day (I don’t remember the exact day) that All-Star Wrestling featured a wrestler that was brought in to defend his belt against the Central States’ best. I watched a wrestling show on TBS that Saturday evening at my Uncle’s that introduced me to the wrestler I would look up to, and embodied my pro wrestling love, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

The man was everything I wanted to be. He had all the ladies and he could really talk. His promos sold me, mainly because he told me he was the best and also had the belt to prove it. Yes, he made me believe… and boy, did he work me over! Anytime I could get in town on Saturday nights (which wasn’t very often) I turned on the TV to see what Flair had done. With the money I had earned by mowing yards and doing other odd jobs, I never missed an issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) at the newsstand. I swear, I would read them over and over again… always checking out the rankings in each organization and stories of dream matches like Flair versus Hogan.

I was fortunate enough to live in the coming age of the VCR, and if I got to rent an event such as Wrestlemania or Starcade then the show was months (if not years) old. That didn’t deter me from watching every match or promo on that tape over and over again, loving every minute of it.

One Christmas right before I turned 16, Santa brought me a VHS titled “Road Warriors: Tag Team Champs”. It was only 30 minutes long, but I got to relive the history of the tag team that introduced me to “Iron Man” and prompted a search through my father’s albums at the age of ten to find the album “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath. That jump started my love for Heavy Metal. If there ever was a perfect VHS then this was it, as you had the Road Warriors at their best. They nearly caused a riot as they destroyed a very young and future great Curt Hennig and his father Larry “The Ax” Hennig. All this and more can now be found easily on DVD in the WWE’S “Road Warriors: The Life and Death of the Most Dominant Tag Team in Wrestling History”.

Fast forward to the present, and pro wrestling has changed considerably. It seems like there is a show on every day and a PPV every Sunday. I feel that there is possibly too much wrestling, but you can contribute some of my lack of interest to the fact that some of the magic has been taken out of the sport since Vince McMahon broke down and said that pro wrestling is in fact sports entertainment. I can’t really say that, though, because it has allowed me to know the wrestlers better as they are more accessible for autographs and pictures (which of course I enjoy).

The Internet Age has allowed me to keep up with all that is happening in the world of wrestling, keep in contact with fellow fans and build friendships with them along the way. I now know of shows that are headed my way farther in advance, and know more about the sport than ever. Many have complained about the impact of the Internet, but I must say it beats paying nearly $10.00 an issue for my beloved magazine PWI only to be given watered down information.

That brings us full circle to the beginning of my article and TIVO, the device that allows me to watch wrestling when I want. Once, I would hurry to make it on time to watch wrestling with my friends because I didn’t want to hear about it second hand. Now, my son always says “Dad, your not even watching it, your listening to the show while checking out the web”. He definitely has a point. If I hear something that appeals to me then I just push the rewind button, and truthfully I don’t see a whole match anymore due to that.

What once made shows like Saturday Night Live, David Letterman and any pro wrestling show special and “must see” has lost that pizazz with technology such as TIVO.

Times have changed, as they should, but at one time I took a break from wrestling for almost 10 years because of these changes. WCW closed the doors and my wrestling love was lost. Thankfully, my love for pro wrestling was reborn when I took a trip to Lawrence, Kansas to see an independent show put on by Central States Wrestling. It rekindled my love for the sport, and unlike TIVO or DVD, at a live independent show you need to keep all eyes focused. You never know what you may miss, because you can’t push a button to see it again. For that 3 hours you have the sport the way it should be.

I hope you enjoyed your first “Your Trip On Space Mountain” and I want to see you at a show soon.

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