By Brian Kelley – Missouri Wrestling Revival Owner and Editor
All photos from Mike Van Hoogstraat

The world of wrestling is full of talented wrestlers that thrill fans each and every weekend around the country. With hopes and dreams to become household names, the chances are slim.

Today with reality TV and the sport being so open for anyone from models to actors to get in the ring , there are many people that go out to become a wrestler. Some of them have the dedication and talent to excel in the sport while others get a moment in the spotlight that others should well receive.

I am just one man but I feel very strongly that a wrestler that wants to make their dreams come true then they will have to stay active. The first order is to find proper training from the best like Harley Race’s Wrestling Academy in Eldon Missouri.

Then once you get “trained” a wrestler has to understand that WWE, TNA or ROH is not going to come find them, you have to make yourself known to them. Staying active, making sure you are at the gym, working on conditioning working shows, selling yourself at all times.

It could take years and there will is sure to be disappointments along the way. The truth of the matter is that your dream of making it “ big” may never happen.

If you are an aspiring wrestler, I highly recommend you stay positive and always learning. Finding ways to get your name out there in a positive light and always be in shape, always be ready to steal the show.

Recently my good friend and MWR photographer Mike Van Hoogstraat had the honored to be able cover Ohio Valleys’ tryout in Louisville Kentucky.

The camp was filled with influential and some of the great minds in the business including OVW’S Danny Davis, Rip Rogers, Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore and none other than Jim Cornette and former WWE wrestler Mike Mondo who has recently made appearances this month with Ring of Honor.

Some of the very best in the Midwest made their way from DES Moines , to Kansas City to ST Louis and in between took advantage of this two day camp.

In attendance were the reigning MWR Wrestler of the Year Mark Sterling. Sterling is currently a double champion holding the NWA Central States title as well as one half of the WLW Tag titles with “Superstar” Steve Fender.

Wrestling fans around the world know the name Evan Bourne who has electrified the WWE. His brother Mike Sydal has not just sat around waiting for a phone call just because he has a brother who is a star. No Sydal has wrestled around the country ,taking part in the annual WLW/NOAH camp while earning the 2009 PWI Rookie of the Year award. He has continued his momentum in 2010 be a part of the Chikara’s 2010 Young Lions Cup. Sydal would train at the ROH training facility

The hard work would pay off as fans around the world would be able to see him on ROH HDNET in matches with stars such as Tyler Black, Christopher Daniels and Kyle O’Reilly.

Sir Bradley Charles is a man that everyone at MWR is all a buzz about. A great look, mixed with a desire to be the best. SBC trained at the  Lance Storm Wrestling Training Academy. Since then SBC has already wrestled in Canada and Australia. In Kansas City he has been earning a Kings welcome home at Metro Pro Wrestling.

MWR Fans in the Midwest are familiar with the “Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell. Rockwell has been a former 2 t-time 3XW Pure Champion as well as the current MECW Independent Champion.

Dave Vaughn is a name that many fans know in St Louis. The wrestling machine took the skills learned from taking part in the WLW/Noah camp in 2009 to parlay that into his first MMWA-SICW Championship. Vaughn was a dominate champion until being upset from “The Future” Donovan Ruddick with a little help from Brandon Espinosa and Travis Cook.

Zach Thompson has been a part of one of the most popular tag teams ever at 3XWrestling with Mike Sydal called the High Flyers. Thompson has also found success as a singles competitor at both 3XW being a Pure wrestling champion and a MECW Champion.

One of the most powerful men in the Midwest is “MEAN” Mason Beck. Beck stands a towering 6’5 and weighing 250 IBS. A powerful man with unlimited potential, he was last seen at PWE teaming up with “The Future” Donovan Ruddick with manager Mr. Late Nite to get a win against the PWE Champion The Mississippi Madman and former WWE’S Eugene.

The purpose of speaking on each of these men’s accomplishments is to highlight the fact that everyone of them are not just resting of them. They are doing all they can to be the best in the not only the Midwest but the world.

In this extended recap there are many students from around the country. At MWR, we do not each of the guys names that took part in the pictures but we hope they know that this post is a salute to them and their hard work.

In this feature you will see them work on the basics, moves and have some matches to show off their skills

Last but not least we would like to thank Mike Van Hoogstraat for sharing this with us and Ohio Valley Wrestling for the opportunity to show you how the professionals become the stars that we know them.

For more information on Ohio Valley Wrestling please click here.