On a memorable night in St. Louis, SICW teamed up with the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame to induct Larry Matysik, Mickey Garagiola, and Sam Muchnick. SICW also teamed up with the NWA to present a NWA World title match in the main event.
Also on hand for the festivities were WWE Hall of Fame Wrestler Jerry Brisco, Cowboy Bob Orton and St. Louis Wrestling great Ron Powers.
The great sports historian Ed Wheatley meet with the fans to offer them a chance to purchase his new Wrestling at the Chase book that is a must have for any wrestling fan in their collection.
At the end of the night SICW Promoter Herb Simmons had these words to say to the wrestling world.
“Tonight was a night for the history books.
Thank you to NWA President William Corgan for being part of this great event.
Three men that meant so much to our business were inducted into the St.Louis Sports Hall of Fame, Sam Muchnick, Larry Matysik and Mickey Garagolia. It was a long time coming and, I want to thank the St.Louis Sports Hall of Fame for making it happen.
It was great that family members from these three great men were present to witness history being recorded. Having Legends like Jerry Brisco, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr and Ron Powers in attendance made it more special.
Thank you Mr. Ed Wheatley for your contribution with the new Wrestling at the Chase book. Your vision of knowing fans still care helped make this event successful.
To all those from other wrestling organizations, thanks for coming out and supporting the men and women tonight. All of you there were part of an event that will be talked about for many years.
To the men and women in the SICW Lockeroom, once again you stepped up, once again you showed why SICW is recognized across the midwest.
Thanks to our friends from NBW, Scott and his crew for all their help.
And finally, thanks to the great fans, the loyal SICW fans, and the new ones that came up tonight thanking us for a great show. I’ve always said, without the fans and a good locke room there is no Wrestling business.” – Herb Simmons
Please enjoy the photos of this historic night from MWR Editor and owner Brian Kelley.
Bobby D def. “Your Canadian Hero” Sean Vincent
The Big Texan fought “Rough Cut” Rick Ruby to a double countout.
The wonderful wife of Larry Matysik, Pat was on hand to be presented Larry’s Hall of Fame plaque.
Steve Fender and Travis Cook wanted to sing Happy Birthday to his girlfriend.
Fender’s girlfriend waits for a birthday kiss after hearing him sing to her from the ring.
Superstar shows his true colors by dissing his girlfriend and not giving her a kiss as the crowd gasped in shock
“Superstar” Steve Fender(w/ Travis Cook) def. “The Connoisseur” Niles Plonk
MIckey Garagolia’s family presented with with his plaque
The Badstreet Beauty” Miranda Gordy vs. “The Modern-Day Moolah” Malia Hosaka ended in a double DQ.
Sam Muchnick’s family spoke on the love his fathers promotion is respected from the stars of the sport as well as the fans.
SICW Central States Champion “The Night Train” Gary Jackson def. Waco
NWA World Champion Trevor Murdoch def. SICW Champion Attila Khan(w/ Travis Cook)
Wednesday Dec 1st, 2021 at the holiday inn at I270 & Watson rd.
Herb Simmons & SICW partner up with Billy Corgan & the NWA.
To bring you not only the induction of Sam Muchnick, Larry Matysik, & Mickey Garagiola to the St. Louis sports HOF. Put the ten pounds of gold on the line for the very first time.
A title defense of your worlds heavyweight champion: NWA Heavyweight champion: Trevor Murdoch vs SICW Classics champion: Attila Khan w/ Travis Cook. Tickets are going fast but still available!
It’s with heavy heart this morning that I come to each of you and give you the news that my good friend Larry Matysik has lost the battle. As many know his health has been declining over the past several year. I ask that you keep his wife Pat and Daughter Kelly in your thoughts and prayers as the next few days will be hard for them. I will continue to update you on the arrangements when they are available.
It is so hard to find the words to express my gratitude and respect for the man known as Larry Matysik. I will not lie, I did not have the privilege to grow up listening to Matysik call the Wrestling at the Chase matches as the part in Missouri I grew up I never got any of the Chase programing, I remember the first time that I met him like it was yesterday, he was a special guest of TNT Keny G’s High Risk Wrestling in Granite City. He was only there to meet the fans and during that evening he smiled, shook hands, signed autographs and took pictures with every fan and wrestler that asked. I would be around him for over 100 times in the past 10 years and let me tell you, I never once seen him be disrespectful to anybody.
There is no doubt that Larry Matysik is highly underrated in the wrestling world as one of the All –Time Greats . He worked with NWA President and Wrestling at the Chase Promoter Sam Muchnick as well as WWE Promoter Vince McMahon. He is the author of four books every wrestling fan should own, Wrestling at the Chase: The inside Story of Sam Muchnick, 50 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-time, Drawing Heat the Hard Way and Brody The Triumph and Tragedy with his widow, Barbara Goodish. The past several years he has been very instrumental in Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling (SICW) , one of the most successful independent promotions in the country.
I could go on and on but I would like to hammer home the type of person he was. Thanks to my friendship with Promoter Herb Simmons I would become personal friends with the man I will now refer as Larry. My fiancée Dubray Tallman always looked forward to getting a hug, a kiss and photo with him when she attended an event. He was always supportive of Missouri Wrestling Revival, offering up his advice on writing and sharing his views and history on wrestling. When I asked him to please write in my yearbook, he did not hesitate to do so. Back in the day he would send me booking sheets for SICW to help us keep up with the shows and often gave reasons of why the matches were happening. The conversations were so educational each and every time. I remember receiving a call from Larry when my father died with him sending his condolences as well as him asking several times afterwards how I was doing.
We presented Larry with the 2010 Missouri Wrestling Revival Lifetime Award, an obvious choice.
We were so thankful to have Larry in our first series of the MWR Trading card set and with Herb’s blessing we had Larry Matysik day at SICW on July 16th in 2013. Personally, I only have a few regrets in my short time working in wrestling but I wished I would have done commentary with Larry on a match, an honor one of my best friends and the voice of SICW wrestling Drew Abbenhaus enjoyed many times. It was a relief to be around a legend that was not bitter towards the sport of wrestling or the fans. Was he a fan of today’s wrestling? I can’t say that, but I can say that he always appreciated every wrestling fan young and old. He took time to work with aspiring wrestlers looking to become better. He gave to all that he came in contact with.
Today the wrestling world lost one of the good guys. He was a legendary Announcer, a great writer and so much more.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Larry’s family and friends.
Thank you Larry for the memories, we loved you.
I will leave you on a positive note of a short video we did at SICW years ago with Larry, my fiancée Dubray and Herb Simmons wishing the fans a Merry Christmas.
When I heard that my friend and the Voice of the Wrestling at the ChaseLarry Matsyik was going to be featured as a special guest at Hey Guys Comedy Club I knew I had to be there. The Midwest is very fortunate to have Matysik accessible to fans to still hear stories firsthand of legendary matches and the top stars to ever enter the ring from the days of the territories.
The event was hosted by wrestling historian and comedian Patrick Brandmeyer, whom just so happens to be a longtime supporter of pro wrestling in the Midwest. An added bonus for fans was the fact that WWE Hall of Famer, Cowboy Bob Orton was to be on hand to see his son Nathan Orton open up with hilarious stand-up comedy. I was pleas able to meet the son of Sam Muchnick, Dr. Richard Muchnick, who came to enjoy the show with wrestling referee Jay King. I was surprised to learn that he was a Doctor and had spent time stitching up the cuts of the stars of the Chase and the Kiel Auditorium.
Matysik has teamed up with his friend Herb Simmons to promote and announce for Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling in East Carondelet, Illinois while also providing his knowledge and advice to aspiring wrestling for the past four decades. So it was only fitting that Simmons was on stage with Matysik to interview him as the two friends went down memory lane on topics such as Sam Muchnick, Vince McMahon , Mickey Garagiola, Bruno Sammartino, Andre the Giant, Bruiser Brody, Harley Race, Pat O’Connor, the difference between pro wrestling from the past and today.
Larry was also surprised on the night thanks to special guest St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern who proclaimed the day as Larry Matysik Day along with a plaque.
At the end of the night Larry was more than happy to take photos, sign autographs and thank his fans and friends for coming on out. I hope that in the future that there will be another night for the fans and myself to enjoy a night with Larry Matysik.
Hey Guys Comedy Club
Nothing Compares to the Energy of a Live Comedy Performance!
Forget what you think you know about comedy clubs, because Hey Guys Comedy Club, the only dedicated live comedy venue in MetroEast St. Louis, is like no other you’ve ever seen! A first class venue with no obstructed views of the stage, hilarious comedians week in and week out, full bar service with a great selection of beers and specialty cocktails, a variety of delicious food options prepared by our food service partners, FlamentCo’s The Place, and friendly attentive service, all at reasonable prices make Hey Guys Comedy the perfect spot for date night or an evening with friends! And, if you’ve never been to a live comedy show, you will find there is nothing on cable TV or the internet to compare with the energy of a live performance!
Located in Fairview Heights, IL, just 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis and minutes from Belleville, O’Fallon, Columbia, Collinsville, and Scott AFB, Hey Guys Comedy features nationally touring comics headlining our Friday and Saturday shows, plus a variety of local comedy showcases, open mic nights and other events during the week. Go to our calendar page for a complete schedule of show dates, times and comics! Hey Guys Comedy’s Open Mic nights on selected Thursdays offer local comedians an opportunity to hone their craft, and comedy fans the chance to enjoy perhaps the next future comic star! Hey Guys Comedy also makes the club available for charity, group and corporate events, and offers sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.
Hey Guys Comedy is easily accessible off Illinois Route 159, just one mile south of St. Clair Square shopping center, with plenty of parking right out front. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-serve basis from the front of the club to the back, which enhances everyone’s enjoyment of the show. Every seat in the house is a great one!
In partnership with FlamentCo’s The Place, Hey Guys Comedy offers a great menu of hot and cold food items including chicken wings, sliders, nachos, salads and more! And best of all…there is NO DRINK MINIMUM at Hey Guys Comedy! In accordance with Illinois law, Hey Guys Comedy is a non-smoking venue.
Tickets are available online (or by calling 1800-514-etix) up to one hour before each show time, or at the door up until show time, based on availability. The box office opens 1 hour before show time. Doors and bar open one hour before the first show of the night, and generally 15-30 minutes before the second show.
For more info, check out our FAQs!
Hey Guys Comedy at 5225 N. Illinois St. (Rte. 159) in Fairview Heights, IL…Metro East’s home for laughs and great times!
MWR was honored to be a special guest at the induction ceremony of Bob Backlund and Édouard Carpentier into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame this past Saturday.
The Hall of Fame is located inside the historic South Broadway Athletic Club in St. Louis, Missouri. Bob Backlund made his way for the historic moment and took time afterwards for a special Q and A with his fans as well as a meet and greet with his fans.
Bob Backlund spoke highly of his time in St. Louis including the contributions of promoter Sam Muchnick, Harley Race and Terry Funk impact to his success in the squared circle.
Ben Simon, Herb Simmons, Bob Backlund, Tony Casta and Nick Ridenour
Bob Backlund sat front and center for the matches at the Historic South Broadway Athletic Club including MWR Missouri Champions second title match of the night. The first one was at the house of Harley Race at WLW.
Later in the evening Bob Backlund sat front and center throughout the night to visit the fans and watch all the matches as well as giving his advice to the wrestlers that asked him.
Young CJ Shine is getting better with each match. Getting advice from a legend like Bob Backlund is a wise move for any wrestler, young or old.
MMWA Wrestling returns on October 10th at the historic South Broadway Athletic Club.
Bob Backlund’s nephew Tim inducted him into the Hall of Fame.
Tune in this Wednesday at 6:00pm and hear some classic stories about St. Louis wrestling, all of the legendary wrestlers, Sam Muchnick and Wrestling at the Chase! Hosted by legendary WATC announcer Larry Matysik and SICW All Star wrestling Promoter Herb Simmons.
Larry and Herb will also be answering questions as well as talking about St Louis wrestling!
So tune in and relive the golden era of Pro Wrestling and ask these two icons of the sport a question!
Go to Herb Simmons FB page and join on the live broadcast!
Pictured in the photo are SICW Promoter Herb Simmons, MMWA Promoter Tony Casta, ring announcer Ben Simon, Hall of Fame committee member Nick Ridenour, 2015 Hall of Famer Ken Patera and MMWA’s Tim Miller.
By Brian Kelley
The St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame showcases talents that flourished during the days of (and prior to) the St. Louis Wrestling Club. The Hall features 33 legends including: Lou Thesz, Ric Flair, Harley Race, Bill Longson, Bruiser Brody, Penny Banner, and Sam Muchnick.
The 2015 inductees are: Ken Patera, Joe Tangaro, Eddie Smith, and Bill Apter. The first two, Patera and Tangaro, were honored at the historic South Broadway Athletic Club on July 11th.
Former NWA Missouri Champion and Olympic strongman Ken Patera was in attendance for his induction. On April 25th, 1980, Patera defeated Kevin Von Erich for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship and lost the title to Ted DiBiase on November 21. He dethroned Jack Brisco to regain the belt on October 23, 1981. Patera would go on to wrestle for the AWA and the WWF in the 80’s.
Joe Tangaro was also honored July 11th at South Broadway. Tangaro was a wrestler, referee, and restaurant manager who won the hearts of fans in Saint Louis. He passed away in 1997 at age 70 after suffering from ALS. He was the president of the local chapter of ALS research and helped to raise thousands of dollars to battle the disease locally and nationally.
The Hall of Fame was founded in 2007 by legendary Saint Louis announcer Larry Matysik, promoter Herb Simmons, promoter Tony Casta, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, and longtime fan Nick Ridenour. All except Schildroth remain on the Board.
The inductions are split for two dates. Eddie Smith and Bill Apter are to be formally inducted at an SICW event in October.
Today we are joined with Jeremy Wyatt. He is considered by many to be the best wrestler in the Midwest that has not been signed by ROH, TNA or WWE. Throughout his career he has earned the nickname “The Belt Collector”, as he has torn across the Midwest capturing singles and tag team titles while having exciting matches with an array of different opponents.
In 2015, he has shown no signs of slowing down as he is currently the enjoying his fifth reign as the 3XWrestling Championship and is also one half of the Pro Wrestling Phoenix Tag Team Champions with his teammate/rival, “The World’s Fittest Wrestler” Mark Sterling. Wyatt is the first ever MWR Wrestler of the Year and the only man to be included in every MWR Match of the Year before it was retired. So it is with great pleasure that we have in this edition of 10 Questions with Jeremy Wyatt.
MWR: Jeremy thanks you so much for taking the time to join us at Missouri Wrestling Revival.
Jeremy: No problem, thanks for having me.
MWR: Before we get into the serious world of pro wrestling, it is no secret to your fans that you are a hardcore fan of your hometown Kansas City Royals. Last year the boys in blue had an exciting year that saw them make it within one game of winning the Major League World Series. Were you able to make it to any of those postseason games, and if so what was that experience like? As the 2015 season is about to start, have the Royals improved themselves enough to make it back and why do you feel that way?
Jeremy: Yeah, I made it to Game 6 of the World Series. One of the funnest nights of my life. The whole season was a crazy ride. I’ve been going to 15-20 games a year since I graduated high school. I’ve watched a lot of bad baseball, as have a lot of Royals fans. To finally be repaid was so awesome. The whole city came together to support the team and the vibe of the city was amazing. I shed a tear or two when they clinched, won the wild card, then the ALDS, and ALCS. Definitely something I’d like to get used to.
As far as how they’ll do in 2015, it’s hard to say they’ll be better. The only way they’re better is if they win the World Series. I think they’re setup to compete for the Division and make some noise. Have a chance to get to postseason and see what happens. If they can get the lead through five or six innings, they’re gonna be tough to beat again.
MWR: Today, you are among the most respect wrestlers in the Midwest. Were you a wrestling fan growing up and how did you get your start?
Jeremy: Yeah, I’ve been a fan for as far back as I can remember. My dad occasionally will tell stories about how when I was three- or four-years-old, I’d try to wrestle everyone. Go bearhug their leg and try to pick them up, stuff like that. I started with a place called MEW, it wasn’t the best place but it got my foot in the door. Almost fourteen years later, here we are. That’s the much condensed version of the story.
MWR: Before you became known as “The Belt Collector”, you had the appropriate nickname “The Rebel” in Central States Wrestling. That promotion was known for their excellent matches that included appearances of wrestling stars AJ Styles , Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels and the Monster Abyss mixed in with several of the top rising stars of the Midwest including Michael Strider, Derek Stone, Dingo, Brett Young, Tyler Cook, Steve Fender, Steven J Girthy, as well as yourself and Sterling. How did you come about “The Rebel” nickname and what were your most vivid memories of CSW.
Jeremy: The Rebel nickname came about because it’s my actual real middle name, and I wasn’t feeling very creative the day I was coming up with a “wrestling name”. Not much more to the story than that, haha. CSW was a really fun place. It was a place that all the guys in the area wanted to work at, much like Metro is now. CSW was the place that kind of started getting me noticed a little bit. I had a hard time getting bookings for quite a while my first couple of years due to some stigma of being associated with the place I started at. It sucked, I just wanted to wrestle and get better but most people wouldn’t give me the time of day because I was an “Estes” guy.
Central States Wrestling
Anyways, after trying for a while, CSW, Joe McDonald and Michael Strider threw me a bone, I took advantage. Other places started booking me after that and I started gaining confidence and my work started improving dramatically.
The first ever MWR Match of the Year was brutal, bloody and exciting as Michael Strider and Jeremy Wyatt went at in a Barb Wire Match… Next month, Strider hopes to end Wyatts Metro Pro Wrestling career.
MWR: CSW suddenly fades away even though the wrestling was top notch and Kansas City is pretty much a ghost town for pro wrestling. Unlike St. Louis, where there are several promotions within 30 minutes or so from each other, you had to drive hours to showcase your skills. You capture titles throughout the Midwest, including the Pro Wrestling Phoenix title in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the 3XW Championship in Des Moines, Iowa and the Lethal Wrestling Alliance in Missouri/Iowa (the current St. Louis Anarchy title) along the way. What stands out about either capturing the title or defending it during your triple reign that made you the only unanimous voted MWR Wrestler of the Year?
Jeremy: CSW going away definitely left a void, at the time. Guys in St Louis don’t realize how lucky they have it. There’s so many places to work in the area, plus you can drive four hours or so to Memphis or Chicago. The main thing about capturing those titles is simply this, multiple promotions believed in me and knew I’d deliver main event matches and angles. I believe the man makes the title, the title doesn’t make the man. Anybody can wear or carry a title around. It doesn’t really increase your value. But, with your work, you can definitely raise the value and prestige of a title. I don’t think any title I’ve won has been worse off or diminished while I had it. Over the years, it’s been a much bigger deal when I’ve lost titles than when I’ve won them–and a lot of my best matches have come in losses.
Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling would put on a wrestling clinic in not one, but two IRON MAN matches !!
MWR: One man that has been a constant for the past several years in your career is Mark Sterling. The two of you have been the centerpiece of a group known as the Kansas City Killers with the likes of Mike Sydal and Showtime Bradley Charles.
This is a multipart question as your relationship is a huge part of many moments in wrestling for this generation. Your relationship as friends and enemies continues to this day, including a match that is set for April 3rd Super Spring Showdown against Sterling in Special Stipulation to be announced that evening for your 3XW Championship. First, how did you meet, and where did the Kansas City Killer name come from? One of my personal memories of the two of you teaming were a matchup against the Hooligans at High Voltage Wrestling where the ring fell apart. The four of you did not miss a beat and continued on to have an exciting matchup. What were you thinking at that moment and what advice do you have for a young wrestler if that should happen?
Jeremy: Sterling and I met when I started working at CSW. We knew of each other previously, but that’s the first time we were really ever around each other. I guess around 2007 or 2008, we started traveling together, and have been ever since. We are very similar, but very different. I’m more laidback and quiet, he’s much more hyper and high-strung. We’re a good Yin to the others’ Yang, but when it comes to wrestling we think very similarly. I take to the air a little more, and he’s more power-based but we have pretty similar styles. We believe in the same principles, share the same beliefs as far as psychology goes, etcetera. I’m definitely a better worker because of him, we push each other to be better. I could talk about Mark all day, honestly.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix Tag Team Champions!!!
As far as the name, Kansas City Killers was given to us by Keny G. He’s another person who has become a really good personal friend. He and Mark were both in my wedding. When the middle rope broke in the match against the Hooligans, I didn’t really think much beyond “that sucks, but we’ll figure it out”. Stuff like that happens from time to time. Can’t panic. They know what they’re doing, we know what we’re doing, we knew we all would figure it out, and we did. You don’t want things like to happen, but it’s a nice challenge when they do to see if you can get through it.
Josh Ray and I worked hard with several of the top promotions to produce the MWR Best of the Midwest DVD. I must say that the talent on the dvd was awesome and we were thrilled to have Dynamo Pro Wrestling take part with the Wyatt and Davey Richards match. The cover has artwork done by none other than Dartallion Allen Jr.
MWR: You have fought against a lot of the top names in pro wrestling, including being featured in the MWR Best of the Midwest DVD at Dynamo Pro Wrestling against Davey Richards.
Wyatt looking to submit the former ROH World Champion, Michael Elgin!!
Recently you also defeated former ROH World Champion Michael Elgin this past year in Illinois at Dynamo Pro.
I had a friend/fan that asked me how the match was against you and Christopher Daniels at MPW, and I told them that it went an exciting 40 minutes plus as 500 fans were into the match from start to finish, where my friends replay was “I take it they didn’t mail it in?” My reply was “has he ever?” This was the second match with you and Daniels, with the first being several years prior. I know that you are your hardest critic, so I ask you what was your thoughts of the match compared to the first? Also, who were your favorite matches against name opponents and why.
40 minutes of wrestling excellence as Jeremy Wyatt met Christopher Daniels during the last Metro Pro Wrestling show at the Turner Rec Center.
Jeremy: This last match was almost 9 years after the first. I’ve obviously improved leaps and bounds since then. The first match was good but it was obvious that he carried me. I was blown up and just trying to keep up and get to the finish. This time around, while he’s much more accomplished, I felt like I was his equal. I felt like I belonged in the ring with one of the best workers in the world. My confidence is a thousand times more than what it was back then. This may make me sound cocky or arrogant but it is how I honestly feel. While I don’t have the list of accomplishments, or the “name value” of a lot of guys, there’s not a single one of them that I don’t think I can’t get in the ring with and have a good to great match with. My path in wrestling hasn’t taken me the way of being world renowned but I have full confidence I can go with anyone. Other matches against “names” that stand out are a 30-minute time limit draw vs Seth Rollins (Tyler Black) back in April 2010 for 3XW.
We’ve all seen what he’s went on to become, he may be the best all-around performer going today, and will likely be a multi-time future world champ.
Nose to nose Adam Pearce and Jeremy Wyatt would not back down from each other in a series of matches that had fans from Iowa to Kansas on their feet wanting more.
Just when it looked as if Wyatt had become the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion after defeating Pearce, the match was decided to restart only to have Mark Sterling interfere and stop the celebration.
Another guy is Adam Pearce; we had five or six matches, all of them were fun, intense, and good. We just seemed to mesh well together.
I’ve been lucky, I’ve gotten to work my fair share of guys who’ve accomplished some very good to great things in this wacky business. Stevie Richards, Colt Cabana, Jerry Lynn, Road Dogg, Samoa Joe, Ace Steel, Eric Young, a multitude of ROH guys. It’s a long list and the experience has been really positive with pretty much all of them.
MWR: One last question of the past: MWR was covering you at one of your title hunts in Illinois for All American Pro Wrestling. I am not going to lie, we have covered over 300 events during the MWR years and it was one of the very few where there was a riot almost started as there was true heat and it was directed at you Sterling. after a match . I remember at the end of the night saying my goodbye to the promoter and some of the fans and the next thing I knew, a small mob was forming to come get you. It is obvious that you hit a nerve at one point from their fans, who were you wrestling and how did it get so heated that the fans were after you?
The Mississippi Madman was in agony on the outside as Wyatt pulled out all the stops early on and throughout the match. With his tactics the AAPW fans were furious at the end of the night and was seeking revenge from the Kansas City Killers. Photo Credit Michael Van Hoogstraat
Jeremy: Heat machine, baby!! I used to always want to get people so pissed that it’d start a riot; I probably should’ve been born another twenty years earlier. I’ve turned it down some but I think people still pay money wanting to see me get my ass kicked. As far as that particular incident, I said something to a guy, he thought I said something else and got all worked up. So, once I knew he was heated, I just tried to get more and more people worked up. Don’t remember the exact details but Sterling may have been at ringside with me or he may have just interfered in the match later on. Pretty sure it was a match against Mississippi Madman.
The Lethal Wrestling Alliance fans had to scatter as the Rebel took it to fan favorite Jordan Lacey on the outside as the chairs flew and referees fell among the chaos. – Photo Michael Van Hoogstraat
MWR: I am of the belief that there you are one of only a handful of wrestlers that a promotion in the Midwest can build around to carry a company. We have seen that in Metro Pro Wrestling, 3XWrestling, Pro Wrestling Phoenix and before in LWA, as you are able to be the hated bad guy or the man that they have grown to love.
I know that this may be the hardest question that I throw at you, but what do you feel you have done to have made the fans become so invested in you, as either a good or bad guy in the ring?
Jeremy: I think it mostly comes down to being believable in the ring. Nothing I do is overly intricate, or choreographed looking. I don’t think I do anything that looks fake. While we may be doing wrestling moves, it looks like a fight. Anybody can get people to pop for moves, not everybody can get people emotionally invested. If I can get the same reaction from a chop or punch that someone gets from a dive, for example, I don’t need to dive. I’ll just punch you in the face but when I do dive, the reaction is going to be even bigger.
Wyatt locks in the crossface at Pro Wrestling Phoenix.
I also think people can see how hard I work to give them their money’s worth. The whole show could suck, hopefully it doesn’t, but if it does, I’m still going to do everything I can to make them feel like the $10 to $20 they spent was worth it. The main thing is if you can get people to believe in you and invest emotionally in you, the moves you do don’t really matter.
MWR: We had spoken about how Kansas City had become a ghost town for wrestling for quite some time. Thankfully, Chris Gough would spearhead Metro Pro Wrestling in 2010 and pro wrestling is alive and well in Kansas City.
Life is not easy at Metro Pro Wrestling as Wyatt is challenged by many of the best in the world including the likes of Ace Steel and ROH Star Kyle O’Reilly.
I like to call Chris Gough the Sam Muchnick of Kansas City as both men were/are of high integrity, and were/are respected in the mainstream sports world and brings that attribute to the squared circle. Like Muchnicks’ NWA, the best of the Midwest have pretty much made their way to the Turner Rec Center for MPW including a highly respected match in the Adam Pearce vs. Colt Cabana’s Seven Levels of Hate series, as well as wrestlers Stevie Richards, Kyle O’Reilly, Trevor Murdoch, Ace Steel and Christopher Daniels mixed in with the likes of Metro Pro Champion Derek Stone, ACH, Mike Sydal, SBC, The Commission, Pete Madden, The American Bulldogs, Miss Natural, Kobra Kai Dojo, Lucy Mendez,Dan Walsh, Ryan Drago (NXT’s Simon Gotch) and Tyler Cook just to name a few. What has surprised you the most of Chris Gough and what has been the recipe for success for MPW?
Jeremy: Chris is a good guy, first and foremost. He’s just a good person, in general. As a promoter, he takes care of people, you’ll never hear him say “sorry, the house was light”. With the booking, he has ideas, but if you have a better idea, or an idea to tweak his idea and improve on it, he’ll be more than willing to go that route. He gives people a lot of freedom, but he’s there to reel them in if need be. Some people, if it’s not their idea, they don’t want to do no matter how much more your way may make more sense. I think people perform better if they at least feel like they can contribute ideas to what they’re doing. They become more emotionally invested in the match or angle. He runs the show, the whole shebang, but he makes time for everyone and makes sure everyone is happy and excited to be involved in whatever they have going on that particular night, or for future shows. Chris gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Michael Strider and Jeremy Wyatt received their MWR Match of the Year at an LWA event in House Springs, MO as Wyatt shows off his scar from the battle in the barb wire match in 2009. Time has pass, but the war and bad feelings continues. Pictured left to right Michael Strider, MWR Columnist Kari Williams, MWR Owner Brian Kelley, Jeremy “The Belt Collector” Wyatt
MWR: Last but not least, you are heading into the middle of 2015, better than ever, but the stack is against you wherever you go. You continue to lock down title belts around the Midwest and look for more. This coming week, you will take a break from challenging Sterling for who is the best in the Midwest, as the two of you travel to Illinois to enter the Proving Ground Pro 8-man tag team tournament to add to the PWP Tag team belts to the KCK résumé (Editors note: This interview was unable to be put up on the site in time for this match to happen) , then on the 28th the two of you will be defending your PWP Tag Team Champions in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On April 3rd in Des Moines, Iowa it’s the start of the double shot weekend as you defend your title against your Sterling at 3XW.
The next night you make your way to Metro Pro Wrestling as Commissioner Strider has ordered a special tag match, as you and SBC will meet Sterling and Mike Sydal. If you or SBC is pinned, you are fired from Metro Pro Wrestling. I personally would love to see you challenge for the World League Wrestling Championship this year for your first opportunity to capture Harley Race’s title. All in all though, you will have logged thousands of miles for the love of wrestling. How much fun are you having, and what are your goals as you are expected to once again be in the running for the MWR Wrestler of the Year?
Jeremy: I’ve made it no secret that I’m a lot closer to the finish line than I am the beginning but I’m having a ton of fun. I only work at places that I enjoy, I’ve done it long enough that I can be more selective with my bookings. But I’m also managing to keep pretty busy. It’s funny, the shows you mentioned coming up, Mark and I are either teaming or fighting. Either way, it’s a good combo. I sometimes wonder how good of a team Mark and I could’ve been if we just focused on that. But we both enjoy beating each other up in singles matches too much to strictly be a team.
My goals are pretty simple, have as much fun as I possibly can, this isn’t going to last forever. I want to keep trying to get better. When my last match comes, I want to be the absolute best I’ve ever been. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. I also really want to help guys get better, while I’m still around. I’ve been trying to be more active in giving advice and feedback. It sounds corny, but I want to help make this area better than it was when I started. I’m at least trying to do my part. Those are the main things. There’s guys I’ve never faced, like AJ Styles, who I’d like to get in there with, and test myself against but that’s out of my control. So, if it happens, great. If not, no sweat, I’ve gotten to work a lot of other guys up to this point. And since I’ve been robbed of the MWR Wrestler of the Year award the last six years in a row, I’ll throw winning it in 2015 on the list.
3xwrestling All Stars Of The Midwest Episode 11 Rory Fox Vs Jeremy Waytt
Adam Pearce has been the NWA World Champion since July 31st when he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time by defeating Chance Prophet, Jimmy Rave and Shaun Tempers in a four-way match to win the vacant title.
It’s a shame that Pearce, a veteran of the sport for over 16 years has never received the just do that the man of his talents deserves. While the NWA title and the organization thrived for years under the management of the likes of Sam Muchnick, times have changed and the NWA has seen dark days for the type of wrestling that made me a fan of the sport.
With his years of experience in the ring and a desire to bring back the glory of the NWA World Title Adam Pearce has embarked on what he calls his “Last Ride tour”.
His last trip to the Midwest was memorable to say the least as he made his way to Kansas City for Metro Pro Wrestling. The Challenger was Michael Strider, the setting a packed house at the Turner Rec Center on November 5th, 2011.
Steven J Girthy and NWA Central States Champion Jeremy Wyatt make their claim for the NWA World title. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Yet, it would be a classic matchup in the main event as Strider looked to have earned his boyhood dream to become the NWA World Champion when he pinned Pearce as referee Michael Crase Jr. counted 1-2-3.
The fans were ecstatic to see Michael Strider go for the NWA title in November at Metro Pro Wrestling. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
Strider look to land the big move that would give the former NWA Central States champion his dream to become the NWA World Champion. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
Strider the NWA World Champion??? (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
Matt Murphy, then the MPW comish goaded Strider to continue the match due to Pearce’s feet to be supposedly under the ropes. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)
While Strider went to celebrate with his fans and father, out to the ring came MPW commissioner Matt Murphy. Murphy claimed that Pearce’s feet were on the bottom of the ropes as Crase Jr. made the final third count to the mat.
Murphy on the mic taunted Strider stating that “You don’t want to win the title like that; you want to be a man and winit like a Champion.”
Strider unwisely would make the decision to not take the title that way and agreed to have the match continue. It would be minutes later that Pearce would benefit a little assistance from Murphy when he tripped Strider, allowing Pearce to strike and use a roll up with his feet on the ropes to retain the title.
The next day I would travel to Collinsville, Illinois to cover Ring of Honor where fans came up to me, asking if in fact Michael Strider had become the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion as they had seen on the NWA website, then was deleted as the NWA webmaster caught word of what had occurred. Unfortunately, I had to deliver the bad news that Pearce along with Murphy had stolen the Worlds Championship from the former NWA Central States Champion Strider.
Little did we know how someone’s missed opportunities would allow Wyatt to get his wish at the NWA world title.
Fast forward to the final show of the year at 3Xrestling on December 30th. 3XWrestling Champion Jeremy Wyatt loses a close match against Mark Sterling after the “Iron Man” used the ringside bell to help Sterling began his first 3XWrestling title reign.
In the locker room, 3XWrestling camera’s captured Todd Countryman offering Sterling the contract. Let’s watch this once more to see how Wyatt and not Sterling received this dream match against the World Champion Adam Pearce.
So mark your calendars, ask for the day off, and make your way to Des Moines, Iowa at ALL PLAY as the Champion of the World Adam Pearce comes to defend his title against the 2-time 3XW Champion Wyatt. Wyatt is currently the NWA Central States Champion and only the 3rd man in the history of the NWA to hold both the NWA Central States and the NWA Missouri title (He did this last year, Harley Race and Bob Orton being the other two men) Jeremy Wyatt.
Only the third man to hold the NWA Central States and Missouri Championship at the same time, Jeremy Wyatt(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Though Adam Pearce used some underhand tactics to defeat Strider at Metro Pro Wrestling, make no doubt about it that he can defeat Wyatt in many many ways. Pearce in the past has successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Bryan Danielson (WWE’S Daniel Bryan, the reigning World Heavyweight Champion) and Danielson is just one name on a list of victims.
From the Apr '09 edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated; Pearce bludgeons perhaps his greatest opponent, a bloody Brent Albright, in New York City.
Pearce brings the ring an old school high impact attack, standing 6’2, 245 pounds he will unleash a fury of moves including the Figure four leglock, Flying fist drop, and the Middle-rope elbow drop setting his opponents up for The Rack Bomb (Backbreaker rack dropped into a powerbomb) or the vicious Jumping piledriver to retain the title.
Quite honestly, after hours of studying tape of Pearce in action, you can see many of his opponents in fear of those finishers from the start of the match.
Pearce will have to beware of the crossface finisher from Wyatt. Many matches and titles have been won via this feared move in the Midwest for “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
One man who will not have fear in his eyes is the “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt. Wyatt considered by many to be the best wrestler in the Midwest, has been dying for this opportunity to make a name for himself. He knows that opportunities likes these are very rare for wrestlers in the area. Quite possibly the most hated man in the Midwest, 3XWrestling fans have come to love him for his multiple matches of the year and giving a 110% during every match.
Wyatt can strike from anywhere!!!(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Wyatt has many of the fans scattering for safety as he stalks Gage Octane. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Opponents have to be concerned about going to the mat as Wyatt is a student of the game and is scary to defend against. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Devin Carter goes flying from a right hook from Wyatt….Where Wyatt lacks in size he makes up with the knowledge of when and where to deliver the blow.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Wyatt has successfully defended his NWA Central States championship against arch rival and NWA Kansas champ Tyler Cook. In less than two weeks he goes for the NWA WORLD TITLE!!!(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Wyatt most likely will be the first to tell you he is not doing this for the fans, yet he is the fans best chance to bring back the NWA Worlds title back home to the Midwest.
Adam Pearce has been the heart of the NWA since his first NWA World title reign September 1st, 2007 when he defeated Brent Albright in the finals of the vacated NWA tournament. Here Pearce is on set of NWA Wrestling Showcase talking 'rasslin' with David Marquez. (Photo credit Shane Kidder.)
Is Pearce making a mistake as he makes good on his promise to “GIVE BACK to a deserving industry that has given me16+ years of experiences that I’ll cherish forever.”
Onlu the kids are brave (naive)enough to talk back to the champ. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Pearce has been wise in the past to align himself with men who can assist him in keeping his beloved gold, here he celebrates with the then MPW Champion Derek Stone and Matt Murphy. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)
Pearce, a fighting champion will be around the world in Oberhausen, Germany defending the title a week prior to his return to the Midwest. Fans in Iowa can prepare for a double shot starting off with match against Wyatt at 3XW then heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa for Magnum Pro Wrestling to take on “ Babyface” Tony Cortez the very next night.
With one Lighting Spiral from Wyatt on January 27th at 3XWrestling, the NWA president Robert Trobich and Magnum Pro may be scrambling late Friday night to come up with a plan to resign a rematch against the NEW NWA World Champion Jeremy Wyatt and Adam Pearce immediately.
When it is all said and done, I want the NWA and Adam Pearce don’t say that Missouri Wrestling Revival didn’t try to warn you of “The Belt Collector”.
Great NWA world title moments in the Midwest.
April 3, 1908-Frank Gotch defeats George Hackenschmidt to become the world champion in Chicago, Illinois.
April 19, 1917 Earl Caddock defeated Joe Stecher to become the world champion in Omaha, Nebraska.
March 3, 1922 Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko to become the world champion in Wichita, Kansas.
Here is a great photo of two of the most powerful, respected and important men in the history of wrestling, Sam Muchnick and Lou Thesz.
December 29, 1937 Lou Thesz defeats Everett Marshall in the first of his six NWA world titles in ST Louis, Missouri.
June 30, 1961 Buddy Rogers defeats Pat O’Connor to win his first NWA world title in Chicago Illinois.
I love this photo of Harley Race. Arguably the greatest NWA World champion of all time.
May 24, 1973 Harley Race defeats Dory Funk Jr. to win first of 8 NWA world titles in Kansas City, Missouri. Match named Pro Wrestling Illustrated match of the year.
Ric Flair would capture his first NWA World title right here in the Midwest in what many called an upset at the time.
September 17, 1981 Ric Flair defeats Dusty Rhodes to win first of 9 NWA world titles in Kansas City, Missouri.
June 10, 1983 Harley Race defeats Ric Flair for the NWA world title to set up Starcade. Match named Pro Wrestling Illustrated match of the year.
February 20, 1989 Ricky Steamboat defeat Ric Flair to capture the NWA world title in Chicago, Illinois
January 27th 2012 Jeremy Wyatt ???? Adam Pearce Des Moines, Iowa
Information of the NWA world title courtesy of the 16th edition of the PWI Wrestling Almanac.
Could Jeremy Wyatt be defending the NWA WORLD TITLE at these MWR Promotions after January 27th?
The 2011 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Bob Geigel. Geigel, born in Iowa and now 87 years of age, is most notable in the Midwest for his six NWA Central States Heavyweight title reigns, his four NWA Central States Tag Team title reigns, and his status as the promoter for the Kansas City territory during the heyday of the National Wrestling Alliance. He accomplished much more than this, however, earning the AWA World Tag Team Championship and the NWA National Heavyweight title among others in his great career wrestling in the Missouri, Arizona, Kansas, and Texas territories.
As promoter of NWA Central States in the Kansas territory from 1963 to 1986, Geigel served as President of the National Wrestling Alliance on three separate occasions. His tenures (1978-1980, 1982-1985, and 1986-1987) were considered great successes, as the NWA moved into a golden age during this time with the help of Harley Race and eventually Ric Flair. Race and Geigel formed a business relationship for the Kansas territory and eventually bought out Sam Muchnick portion of the St. Louis territory. Race spoke of Geigel’s exceptional business skills in his book King of the Ring: “After taking the sisters’ money for years to see Kansas City-area wrestling shows, Geigel—normally a shrewd businessman—stopped charging them.”
This award is not the first Lifetime Achievement Award Bob Geigel has received. In 2007, he awarded the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award by the Cauliflower Alley Club. When asked about Geigel, JJ Dillon, another pro wrestling legend, said in an interview with SLAM! Wrestling “A man’s man, a guy that is physically a tough guy. That was Bob Geigel. That’s the type of person he was.”
Geigel is a key component to the Midwest’s proud professional wrestling history, and served as one of the most influential parts of the global and national wrestling scenes during a period of growth, as well. His status as a tough-as-nails competitor, champion, and exceptional businessman will not soon be forgotten by fans, and it is with great pride that Missouri Wrestling Revival awards the 2011 MWR Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Geigel.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 