Posts Tagged ‘Trevor Murdoch’

Dubi meets the WLW Fans at Richmond and Concordia Missouri

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 19, 2010

By Dubray Tallman

Dubray Tallman back with “Dubi meets the fans” and on this edition we have a double shot weekend with World League Wrestling from Richmond Missouri on April 23rd and April 24th from Concordia Missouri .

We arrived at WLW on Friday afternoon and Brian tried to be cheap and save money on a motel room by looking around town, but the locals stated that they wouldn’t recommend anything but Super 8. Brian was on vacation so he back down from going elsewhere. When we checked in, the price for a Jacuzzi room with the best bathroom heater they had, it was not much difference and with our AAA membership we got 10% off…. So I had something to look forward to after the matches’ yay.

When we got to the gym the place was buzzing as the small town of Richmond had come together to support young who was in need of a double lung transplant. A huge crowd was ready for wrestling and the place was filled with kids excited about the matches ahead.

WLW had some new faces since we last had the chance to see them but our good friend Dan Gier was still there as well as Johnny Gold who it seems has been on his best behavior since he has not been leading his stable the Gold Exchange at WLW. Brian was busy talking WLW with Bill Smith and I was on the hunt to find fans for Dubi meets the fans.

Amy Hennig and her Superfan Frankie H

I caught up with Amy Hennig’s Superfan Frankie H from Richmond who jumped at the chance to be a part of this and have his picture with Amy. Brian has always been on the excited side for Amy since the first time we had seen her in Slater, MO. Her father was a wrestler who he grew up with. Brian could not get over how much more improved she has become throughout the year.

Mason Mathews and Trent Stone

Who wouldn’t want their picture taken with the Champ? Mason Mathews would have to agree as he was all smiles when Trent Stone was kind enough to pose with him prior to his leather strap match with Trevor Murdoch.

Trevor Mathews and Trevor Murdoch

Speaking of Trevor’s, Trevor Murdoch would meet Masons brother Trevor Mathews from Hardin Missouri. Murdoch and Mathews would have fun doing the Murdoch signal together for the picture.

Alexander family of Shawn, Cassie, Trevon and Jordon all took a family pose with the talented Murdoch

Trevor Murdoch was very popular throughout the night and Richmond’s Alexander family of Shawn, Cassie, Trevon and Jordon all took a family pose with the talented Murdoch.

Eathon Wright and Dubray Tallman

It was my chance to choose a wrestler for my picture with a WLW star. I watched Eathon Wright show a lot of heart in his match with Mark Sterling so he won me over for the night.

The next night we were at WLW in Concordia and while Brian was sweating thinking about what he was going to say in the Mark Sterling presentation for his award, I made my rounds for Dubi meets the WLW Fans in Concordia Missouri edition.

Trevor Murdoch , Eric and Jazlynn Camerrer (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

I first caught up with another fans of Trevor Murdoch in Eric and Jazlynn Camerrer from Concordia Missouri.

Megan Olinger ,Cancun Kid and Keith Garrison (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Keith Garrison was taking his friend Megan Olinger to wrestling for the very first time. They stated they were happy with anyone so that we could choose. I was happy to see another young star from WLW come up to meet the fans when the speedy Cancun Kid came to pose with Keith and Megan. I hope that Megan enjoyed the show.

Jack Gamble and Standley Langkraehr

Standley Langkraehr has bought an 8×10 of another young wrestler and had chosen Jack Gamble to pose with him.

Johnny Gold and Dubray Tallman

I was on the fence on who I wanted my picture taken with on the evening and I decided that beings that Johnny Gold had changed his evil ways that he should be rewarded with a picture with yours truly Dubray Tallman

For real guys I would like to thank the fans as well as the wrestlers for being part of this edition of Dubi meets the fans.

Till then be good

Luv Dubz

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Amy Hennig, Cancun Kid, Dubi meets the fans, Dubray Tallman, Eathon Wright, Harley Race, Jack Gamble, Johnny Gold, mark sterling, Missouri Wrestling Revival, Trent Stone, Trevor Murdoch, WLW, World League Wrestling | Leave a Comment »

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

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 16, 2010

By Brian Kelley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s start out alphabetical.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: #1 Brett Young, 3XW, 3XWrestling, AAPW, Abu Colossus, AJ Styles, All American Pro Wrestling, Amy Hennig, andy douglas, Angelus Layne, Ann Brookstone, Bailey Mannix, Baron Von Raschke, Barry Ryte, bear st.pierre, Billy McNeil, Blake Steel, Bob Backland, Brandon Espinosa, Brian Breaker, Brian Kelley, Brian Scrilla, Central States Wrestling, Chris Havius, Christian Rose, Cory Carter, Da Cobra, Dan The Man, Danny Boy, Danny Cannon, Dave Vaughn, Davey Vega, David Clark, De Andre King, Dennis McHawes, Devin Carter, Donnie Peppercricket, Dory Funk Jr., Dragon Gate, Eathon Wright, ECWA, Edmund McGuire, Eric Allen, Eugene, Evan Money, Flash Flannigan, Gabriel Brimstone, Gary Jackson, Great Cheyenne, Guy Smith, High Voltage Wrestling, Honky Tonk Man, Hulk Hogan, HVW, IHW, Independent Hardcore Wrestling, IWA Productions, IWAP, Jack Gamble, Jayden draigo, Jaysin Strife, Jeff Hardy, jeremy wyatt, Jerry Lawler, Jimmy Rockwell, Jimmy Snuka, Joey Daniels, Joey Eastman, Jonathan Magnus, Kahagas, KC Killers, Keith Walker, Kevin Thorn, Kraig Keesaman, Kurt Angle, Kyle O'Reilly, LOCKDOWN, mark sterling, MECW, Mephisto, Metro East Championship Wrestling, Metro pro Wrestling, Mia Martinez, Mickie Knuckles, Mike Sydal, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MMWA-SICW, MR Late Nite, Mschif, MWR, New Midwest Wrestling, NMW, NWA Dynamo Pro Wrestling, NWA SUPREME, Pro Wrestling Epic, Pro Wrestling Phoenix, PWE, PWI, PWP, Ric Flair, Rip Mystic, Rob Van Dam, Roddy Piper, Ron Powers, Rory Fox, Ryan Drago, Ryan Phoenix, Santana G, Shane Rich, Shawn Santel, Silas Young, simon dean, Sir Bradley Charles, SLAM Wrestling, South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame, Steve Fender, Steve Kennedy, Steven Davis, Sting, The Bayou Outlaws, The Cancun Kid, The High Flyers, The Hooligans, The Hybrids, The Mississippi Madman, The Shiek, TNA, Todd Countryman, Tony Cortez, Tony Kozina, Travis Cook, Trent Stone, Trevor Murdoch, Tyler Black, WLW, World League Wrestling, WWE, Zac James, Zach Thompson, Zero Gravity | Leave a Comment »

MWR exclusive interview with Metro Pro Wrestling’s Joe McDonald and Chris Gough

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 12, 2010

I am joined today with the men behind Metro Pro Wrestling, former Central States Wrestling promoter Joe McDonald and Chris Gough Last year Chris produced the wrestling documentary KC on the Mat. Chris is a Mizzou grad with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. After college, he went to work as a television writer for World Wrestling Entertainment in Stamford, Connecticut. In 2004, Chris returned to his hometown to begin work as an anchor and reporter for Metro Sports in Kansas City.

Brian -Gentleman good to speak to the both on you today on the exciting news that Wrestling is about to come back to Kansas City. How did this adventure come to be?

Chris– I actually did a documentary last year called KC On the Mat, which looked at the historical look at Central States Wrestling. It aired here in the city and shortly after that I spoke with Joe about running shows here in Kansas City. I produce several shows on Metro Sports, an all sports channel in Kansas City, and eventually Joe and I spoke to the general manager of the station who gave us the green light to put together a wrestling show that will debut at Memorial Hall on June 5th. Two or three weeks after that we will air the Metro Pro Wrestling show on Metro Sports.

Joe –Chris had actually myspaced me prior to me leaving for California for my new job when I left CSW. I kinda blew him off because as a promoter you always get these guys who say “I am a former this or that” and you tend to go whatever. Thankfully in time we did get together.

Brian – Chris, please tell our readers your background in Pro Wrestling.

Chris – I was a lifelong wrestling fan who went to University of Missouri. In 1997 I got an internship with WWE, went back in 1998. After graduation I got full time job with WWE in 1999 where I started with WWE.com as a producer and did a show called Byte This and some other shows on the site. I then went on as a creative writer for WWE’S Monday Night RAW thorough 2003. After leaving the WWE I came home and took a job with Metro Sports as an Anchor/Producer.

Brian – Joe, At one time you were a wrestler tell us about that and how long did you run Central States Wrestling?

Joe – We ran for five years, prior to that I joined a school called the Monster factory based out of New Jersey. I begged my parents’ and they said “as long as your grades stay up”. I trained in 95, my junior year in high school and I didn’t really get a very good training, but I hit the road and did shows in ST Louis for next to no pay. There was also a promotion based out of Wichita Kansas that had weekly TV. That was a lot of fun as Derek Stone and Ace Steel where also there. That tells you how long I have known Stone (LAUGHS).

I was too young to wrestle in Missouri until July of 1996 because I wasn’t 18. To be honest I was not a very good wrestler. When I began promoting, I wrestled at times but I didn’t want to put myself over at the expense of the guys. It got to the point where I had to come to terms that I was not nearly as good as the guys I was booking so I stopped wrestling and focused on being a promoter.

Brian – Joe, What have you been up to since you parted ways with Central States Wrestling?

Joe– I went to California working with TV shows and films, like Last Comic Standing and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. At the time I left there were a lot of things going on in my life, including the mentioned once in a lifetime opportunities. Once I got back home, I tried to jump start CSW but I didn’t have it left in me to do so. After the last CSW show I decided it would be best to take some time off and refresh my batteries. I don’t like to say I quit the wrestling business as I have kept up with what has been going on in the wrestling world, I just took a breather. And over the 12 months, Chris and I have been planning on making Metro Sports a successful wrestling promotion.

Brian – Joe, what do you take from your days at CSW?

Joe – There are no instructions on how to run a pro wrestling show. You learn by being on the road, what to do and not to do with the boys, How to treat the boys, the wrestlers always got paid by me. I never canceled shows, I made mistakes all of the time because I just did not know what to do. I will say that I have learned from all of those mistakes and hopefully I do not make them again.

I take some of the credit of CSW but I cannot take it all. It was a collaborate effort by several hard working people. What I did was give them a place to work and we all relied on each other to get the job done.

Brian – What is the goals of Metro Pro Wrestling?

Chris – The goal for 2010 is to have a TV taping once a month. If it increases then that is great, but first things first get that first show done so that we get enough footage to provide an exciting program. We are hoping to have a 1 hour show each week on Metro Sports, weather or not its four or six weeks of tapings for our show.

Joe– We really don’t want to put the cart before the horse, we know that it will take 3 months before the TV really will provide the full benefit of advertisement. We are currently advertising Metro Pro Wrestling via print, Television, Radio ect , when the second TV taping airs we will have had two weeks of shows on Metro Sports that will create a buzz and then by the third we will have ran 6 or so weeks of TV. By the fourth week we will hope to see a return on the exposure from TV.

Brian – Will all shows be at the Memorial Hall?

Chris – For the time being that will be where the shows will be ran. Memorial Hall provides us with a great venue with a historic feel for our debut. Excellent lighting and a superb sound system will give the fans at the show that special feel and those watching at home that professional look. But Brian it’s like all business it comes down to money. If the fans show that there is interest by coming, we would love our shows to be there all of the time but if financially it doesn’t make sense to run shows there we will pull back and find other venues that we have scoped out.

Joe – If we didn’t have TV we would be running an armory or high school gym, to be honest without TV I don’t know if I would have given this another try….well I can’t say that, but it surely wouldn’t be on such a grand scale. Without TV there is only so far that you can go in Indy wrestling.

When I started CSW I borrowed ten thousand dollars. Out of that, six of it went into buying a ring while the other four went towards running shows. I ran for several years on that and then took on a partner. We tapped out at CSW, we got to the point where we had a show with AJ Styles we had four hundred people and that was as big as it got in Lawrence Kansas. Now we are in Kansas City, it’s a lot bigger than Lawrence. We now have a bigger fan base to draw from, TV and two guys that have industry specific background to both wrestling and TV. We most defiantly are not doing this to fail, we feel as if we have all the tools in place to succeed.

Brian – Who should the fans expect to see at Metro Pro Wrestling local and nationally?

Chris – The first show fans will get to see ECW Original’s Tommy Dreamer and “the King of the Streets” Angel,

along with 3 time WWE Tag team Champion Trevor Murdoch. We want to bring in the establish star to bring in the casual fans that don’t follow the Indy’s. It’s always good to bring them in but we also will be showcasing some of the top talent in the Midwest. Joe knows the local talent as well as anyone.

Joe – Yes, I hate to go back to the past but what I set up to do with CSW was to bring up all the local talent from Kansas City, St Louis, Missouri, Iowa, or just so simply the best in Midwest under one roof, just as Ring Of Honor had done. We had a great run with Michael Strider and Mark Sterling.

2009 MWR Wrestler of the Year Mark Sterling (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

This isn’t going to be a CSW retread, certainly we will use some of the guys that I am comfortable with. Mark Sterling for instance is in my opinion one of the best wrestlers in country right now. The man lives and breathes pro Wrestling. Jeremy Wyatt I put him in that category as well.

I have known Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne) since day one and when his brother Mike Sydal told him he wanted to learn how to wrestle Matt told him to go see the guys (Strider and Sterling) in Kansas to learn.

The 2009 MWR Tag team of the Year the Hooligans will make their debut in Kansas City . ((Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

The Hooligans, who I have only seen on tape. Chris actually found them on your site and called me and said you need to check these guys out. I looked at a couple of matches of theirs on YouTube. They were awesome, they have that “it” factor. You can attest to that Brian, you have been around them a lot; I have only dealt with them via phone and e-mail. I called Sterling and Wyatt who I trust to get their thoughts on their work. They vouched that they were for real and that was good enough for me.

Angel and Domino Rivera were two guys I had teamed up at last few CSW shows I ran and had big plans for. Chris and I feel like they can make an impact.

The Mississippi Madman (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

The Mississippi Madman is someone that has a ton of charisma we believe that the fans will get behind.

The Ultra talented Jaysin Strife (Photo Credit Gary Giaffoglione)

Jaysin Strife, I have always been a big fan of as well. We are not a closed door company. If we see someone that we feel that the fans will enjoy and can help Metro Sports we will take a good look at them.

Nate Bash and Benjamin Sailer are a tag team that I am excited about being a part of the company. I feel as if we are really stacked in the tag division and have a heavy emphasize in tag teams.

Brian – Let me ask you Chris you have been with WWE who many feel have diminished tag teams in the past few years. Are you excited about tag teams as much as Joe?

Chris – Before we go any further let’s not forget we dragged Michael Strider out of retirement so fans will most defiantly have that to look forward to. That guy is willing to do anything. But he was done. When Joe first approached him about Metro Pro, Strider wasn’t going to do it. He was enjoying his life off the road. But we told him the game plan and it stoked that flame. As far as tag teams go your right it was a pretty dead deal down there. Granted there were some great teams during the Invasion with the Dudley’s, The Hardy’s Edge and Christina with some exciting matches with ladders. That seemed to be the last real run with teams other than just throwing two guys together. Anyone growing up in the 80’s remembers how big the tag teams were in the WWE and NWA. Myself I am a big fan of a team when they get together and hit their moves and work as a team, you just done see that in the Big two err one.

We didn’t set out to focus so strongly on tag teams but it just so happens that we are fortunate that we have talented guys who happen to team up. I believe that many fans on the Indy scene love tag team wrestling so I hope that it will be a big draw for us.

Brian – Chris, what kinda style should fans see at Metro Pro Wrestling? With the debut of Tommy Dreamer will be see old style ECW Wrestling or WWE/ECW? What style do you prefer?

Chris– My background is WWE and that’s the style I worked with, did I agree with everything no but no company is perfect. I know that WWE takes a lot of slack for what they do but a lot of that has to do with over saturation. With WWE TV storylines need to go so fast because of the amount of shows that need to be done. Sometimes it can take away from what you are doing.

Here at Metro will “Extreme” be the norm? No. Will there be guys that have that in their background and at times will that be sprinkled in sporadically. Yes. As a fan I was a big fan of ECW and still have fond memories of them. The problem is that the style trickled up towards the WWE and every match feature blood in the first match, people jumping off 40 foot ladders. Nothing could top it so it meant less.

What we hope to do with Metro Pro Wrestling on TV is character development. I am all for pure pro wrestling in the ring and we will have that but it’s not so much the storyline that matters as much as is it is for the fans to care for the wrestlers to make the storylines mean anything. I feel as if that is what is lacking in wrestling on TV. I am not going to say I know how to do it better than the next guy but I do know going into this that the wrestlers will have an opportunity to shine on TV. From the top to bottom they are going to be able get their name out to the casual fan.

Joe– Too put it in perspective I was once told by a very smart guy and I am sure he was told by another smart guy. Wrestling is like a three ring circus “You have to have your flyers, you have to have brawlers and you need have your freaks. You need to have something for everyone.” We have to do a little bit of everything for this to succeed. Our balance will be found with the traditional wrestling fan that just likes wrestling but our job is to make the show interesting.

You hear a lot of older fans say that back in my day it wasn’t such a soap opera. But the truth is, it really was. There have always been stories in wrestling. Storylines have just adapted over the years to fit the current world climate. The beautiful thing about early ECW was that you had 2 or 3 matches on their show and the rest was you had advertisements for their next one. During the show you may have had one hardcore match – Tommy Dreamer going hardcore with Raven all over the arena. Then Psychosis and Rey Mysterio flying all around the ring then you had Dean Melenko and Eddie Guerrero in a mat classic.

I would like to see Metro be a little bit like that. You have storylines mixed with wrestling and in the end you have entertainment because of that.

Brian– Any last words for the MWR Fans

Joe – I hope that people give us a shot, come on out and I feel as if their money will be well spent. Come support the guys as we have household names mixed in with some guys we feel will be able to get to the next level. I hope people come to what we hope will become a successful endeavor in the wrestling area. I would also like to thank Martin Thomas for letting us use the CSW Library. That was a really cool thing of him to do.

For all your updates on Metro Pro Wrestling add their website here to your favorites

Be sure to catch Metro Pro Wrestling’s debut television taping on Saturday, June 5, 2010, inside Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets available now at MetroWrestling.com, TicketMaster.com or by calling the Memorial Hall ticket office at (913) 549-4853.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Ace Steele, Angel, Benjamin Sailor, Central States Wrestling, Chris Gough, Christian, CSW, Dean Melenko, Derek Stone, Devin Cutter, Donino Rivera, ECW, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Evan Bourne, Jaysin Strife, jeremy wyatt, Joe McDonald, KC on the Mat, mark sterling, Martin Thomas, Mason Cutter, Matt Sydal, Memorial Hall, Metro pro Wrestling, michael strider, Mike Sydal, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, Nate Bash, NWA, RAW, Ring of Honor, The Hooligans, TNA, Tommy Dreamer, Trevor Murdoch, WWE | Leave a Comment »

World League Wrestling Photo Recap from Richmond, MO on 4-23-2010

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 11, 2010

Cauliflower Alley Club honoree Tom Andrews (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Helloooooo Wrestling fans Bill Kersten jumps starts WLW Wrestling while WLW announcer Dan Gier watches. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Ryan Drago smiles at the thought of keeping Steve Fender, one half of the WLW Tag team Champion down (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Sleeperhold!!(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Drago matched the talented Fender move for move early on. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

One mistake is all it takes and Fender will win the match. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Steve Fender d. Ryan Drago

Mark Sterling.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Wright slows down Sterling. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Sterling goes flying. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Eathon Wright showed true heart but on this day Sterling would be too much. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Mark Sterling d. Eathon Wright

Former WLW Champion Brian Breakers power vs the speed of the Cancun Kid and Jack Gamble. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

The Cancun Kid heats up. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Breaker works on the Kid in the corner. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

The Cancun Kid and Jack Gamble wisely double teams Breaker. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

True power!!!(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Brian Breaker wins once again. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Brian Breaker d. Jack Gamble & Cancun Kid (triple)

Amy Hennig hooks up with Santana G for the very first time. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Hennig talked some smack to Santana G and gets the Midwest sweetheart riled up.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Hennig gets the approval of Fender and Sterling. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Santana G finds out why Amy Hennig is one of the toughest women stars today. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Drago and Fender locks up once again. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Fenders arm gets punished by Drago. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Wright grimaces in pain (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Fender keeps Wright from making the tag for his team.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Sterling plays with Wright.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Drago drops Fender on his head after Santana G gives a helping hand.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

A big upset from Santana G , Ryan Drago and Eathon Wright shocks the Champions of Hennig, Fender and Sterling. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Ryan Drago, Eathon Wright & Santana G d. Superstar Steve Fender, Mark Sterling & Amy Hennig

Special ref Rob Kinnard(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k219/flairwhoooooo/WLW%20Richmond/WLWRichmond4-23233.jpg

Trent Stone retreats to the outside of the ring. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Stone whips Murdoch with the strap.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Two power guys try to control the way of the match. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Trevor Murdoch stomps on Stone in the corner. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Stone chokes Murdoch. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Murdoch stalks the Champion. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Trent Stone looked strong during the match. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

OH MY(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Stone taunts Murdoch. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

NEW WLW Champion Trevor Murdoch(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Breaker sends a message to the New Champion. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Johnny Gold lets Breaker know that he will have to meet the new champ Trevor Murdoch in a 3 way the very next night in Concordia. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Trevor Murdoch d. Trent Stone in a strap match to win the WLW Heavyweight Title

World League Wrestling retruns to action on May 22nd in Deslodge Missouri. For more information on WLW check out their website here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Amy Hennig, Bill Kersten, CAC, Dan Gier, Eathon Wright, Jack Gamble, mark sterling, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, Ryan Drago, Santana G, Steve Fender, The Cancun Kid, The Cauliflower Alley Club, Tom Andrews, Trent Stone, Trevor Murdoch, WLW, World League Wrestling | Leave a Comment »

World League Wrestling 4-10-2010 Keokuk, IA Photo recap from Bill Smith.

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 2, 2010

One half of the WLW Tag team Champions Superstar Steve Fender rudely welcomes Jack Gamble at the start of the match.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Fender continues the onslaught on young Gamble. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

A beautiful dropkick from the Superstar.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Jack Gamble shows a lot of heart after taking an early beating from Fender.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Fender was ruthless in his attack on the young up and comer. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

DROP (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Fender wins once again (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Superstar Steve Fender d. Jack Gamble

The other half of the WLW Tag team Champions Mark Sterling chops Eathon Wright in the corner. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Wright looks to make a name for himself by defeating Sterling. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Sterling is always one step ahead of his opponent and goes on to get the win. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Mark Sterling d. Eathon Wright

Marco Cordona and Ryan Drago go one on one. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Drago strikes from the outside. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Cordona nails a clothesline. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Suplex from Cordona.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Cordona with clotheslines and suplexs would be too much on this night for Ryan Drago. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Marco Cordona d. Ryan Drago

Champions unite as the WLW Tag team champions Steve Fender and Mark Sterling team up with Amy Hennig. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Referee Brandon Schmidt looks to maintain order in an exciting three way match. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Angelus Layne avoids Amy Hennig just in time.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Ouch(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Amy has been nasty as of late!! Her she pulls Laynes hair. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Sterling taunts Wright. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Gamble hits a double splash!(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Gamble goes to town on Sterling in the corner. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

A exciting High risk move from Gamble will it pay off? (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

This is not good!(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

SPLAT(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Jack Gamble Eathon Wright, & Angelus Layne get the upset win. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Jack Gamble Eathon Wright, & Angelus Layne d. WLW Tag Champs Steve Fender & Mark Sterling and WLW Women’s Champ Amy Hennig

Trevor Murdoch.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

The Cancun Kid lands a big shot on Murdoch.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Murdoch makes the save as the Champ Trent Stone goes for the win.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Trent Stone gives a liftoff for the Cancun Kid.(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Trent Stone hits the spear.Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Trent Stone prepares to celebrate the win but….(Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Murdoch nails him from behind. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

WLW Heavyweight Champ Trent Stone d. Trevor Murdoch & The Cancun Kid (triple)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Amy Hennig, Angelus Layne, Cancun Kid, Eathon Wright, Jack Gamble, Marco Cordona, mark sterling, Missouri Wrestling Revival, MWR, Ryan Drago, Steve Fender, Trent Stone, Trevor Murdoch, WLW, World League Wrestling | Leave a Comment »

Matt Murphy Chapter 20-23, When Things Go Awry, The Elephant in the Room, and Being Booked for WWE

Posted by flairwhoooooo on January 21, 2010

Call me cruel, but I always kind of liked watching a match between two guys who’d planned every move, breath, and eye-blink in advance. If two grown men have the audacity to presume that they can control the hundreds of variables waiting to blow their plans to straight to hell, then God bless ’em. But like a NASCAR fan expecting to see a spectacular crash, I watch and wait for the carnage. Blown spots, ropes breaking, injuries, and even fan run-ins can derail a planned match.

If you blow a spot in your match, cover it the best you can. If you’re the heel and it’s in the middle of the babyface shine, cut him off and call a simple spot that puts him back on top. I used to practice blowing spots at Harley’s school so I could learn to conceal them. I’d call a spot, have my opponent mess it up on purpose, and I’d have to cover it. Then we’d switch roles. On one hand, it’s a bad idea to plan for failure; on the other hand, I knew that no wrestler is immune to the blown spot and I wanted to be prepared.

If a rope breaks, don’t panic: it happens. Be smart and safely continue your match. If the whole damn ring collapses, do the same unless instructed to do otherwise.

If your opponent gets injured, find out his status (use the referee if you need to) and, if possible, finish the match without risking further injury. If it’s a serious injury or any type of injury to the head, neck, or back, I’d advise you to end things right then. Fans can be demanding, but no reasonable person would expect a wrestler who has just been spiked on his head to get up and finish. There’s no sense in risking permanent injury just to finish a match and there’s not a standing ovation in the world worth permanent injury. Don’t try to play doctor unless you are a doctor and don’t listen to those who do. I once tore my PCL and had a half-dozen different people, including a couple wrestlers’ girlfriends who were nurses, diagnose six different (all inaccurate) injuries.

You never know the motives of a fan who interferes in a match. He may intend only to get some attention from the other fans, but he might also intend to stab out your freaking eye. Any time a fan gets involved outside the ring, get your ass in the ring immediately. Assume that his intentions are to cause you and/or your opponent harm. Don’t send him an invitation, but if the fan comes into the ring, both wrestlers and the referee should kick the absolute shit out of him until security can rescue him. Don’t resume your match until the fan is no longer a threat and you are sure that no other fans are thinking about getting involved. Deal with the consequences later, but you have to protect yourself and let other fans know that getting into the ring is off-limits and carries severe consequences. Some state commissions have specific rules pertaining to fan interference: educate yourself to and follow those rules. A promoter should instruct his security team on how to handle these situations. If a wrestler is thrown out of the ring and a fan kicks him, then the fan should be ejected swiftly and without question. The same should apply if a fan spits on a wrestler, throws contraband into the ring or at a wrestler, or does anything else to disrupt the show or put talent in danger.

NEVER touch a heckler. Under no other circumstances should you make any attempts to beat up hecklers. When some jerk-off in the crowd insults you, he’s insulting your wrestling persona, not you as a human being. There’s nothing more pathetic than the wrestler who gets physically involved with a heckler. If a fan spits on you, who cares? Let security handle him. Of course it’s gross, but if you can deal with another man’s sweat soaking into your pores during a match then you can handle a little saliva on the shoulder. Ladies, I know that it has to be annoying to those of you with any self-esteem to hear an idiot fan yell, “Show your tits.” Learn to ignore it because you’re going to hear it a lot. Always keep your composure when you’re on-stage.

The best defense against the unexpected is readiness. Misfortune doesn’t care if you’re having the match of your life, but misfortune finds well-trained, cautious, and prepared wrestlers far less often.

Chapter 21: The Elephant in the Room

In a business where nothing’s supposed to be real, the one heartbreaking reality is that professional wrestling is the most tragic business in the world. In any given year, more professional wrestlers die “before their time” than all professional athletes, actors, authors, and musicians combined.

It’s been just 20 years since Wrestlemania VI. Here’s a list of those performing that night who died before age 50: referee Joey Marella (died 1994, age 31, car accident), Andre the Giant (died 1993, age 46, heart attack), Mr. Perfect (died 2003, age 44, drug-related), Miss Elizabeth (died 2003, age 42, drug-related), Sherri Martel (died 2007, age 49, drug-related), Dino Bravo (died 1993, age 44, murdered), Big Boss Man (died 2004, age 41, heart attack), Rick Rude (died 1999, age 40, heart failure).

And over in the National Wrestling Alliance for Wrestle War 1990: Buzz Sawyer (died 1992, age 32, drug-related), Road Warrior Hawk (died 2003, age 46, heart attack), Brian Pillman (died 1997, age 35, heart disease), Woman (died 2007, age 43, murdered).
Drugs will always be a problem in wrestling, sports, and entertainment. Learn more about drug addiction on this article https://firststepbh.com/blog/rehab-centers-will-help-addict-life/. If you’re a pro baseball player in this era, you know that everybody else is taking steroids, so you have a choice of taking them and keeping your job or riding your moral high-horse all the way to the unemployment line. You use them because the guy trying to push you out of a job is taking them. If you’re a football player, you cram pain-killers down your throat and play through injuries because there is a healthy and hungry third-round draft pick right below you on the depth chart who’d love to take your spot in the starting lineup. If you’re a movie star, you’ve been awake for three days straight because you finished the last day of filming a new movie and you walked off the set directly into a media blitz for another one of your movies that’s hitting theaters next week. You need something to knock you out for the flight from L.A. to New York City and then something to get you up once your plane lands. I’m not condoning any of this, but it’s reality to some of the people who live it. Unfortunately, wrestling combines the evils of sports and entertainment.

It’s not just the drugs and alcohol: there are A-list actors and musicians who are drugged-up at this very moment and who will live to see their great-grandchildren. Life on the road, stress, and weight might be contributing factors. Wrestlers, at least in the era when wrestlers didn’t look like your paperboy, were much larger than the average guy. Heavier people have a shorter life expectancy.

The topic of wrestling unions is a dead horse I’m not going to beat other than to say that there are players’ associations, actors’ guilds, etc., to represent athletes and entertainers and nothing like that exists in wrestling. Things will never change because the talent will never unite. In wrestling and every other business, if you’re not willing to do what’s expected of you, there are hundreds of guys who will.

At its worst, wrestling is a cruel, heartless business that abuses and spits out its performers. Sadly, it seems that a lot of the former wrestlers who are doing well now are those who got in the business, made their money, and got out before they wound up broke and alone. But at its best, wrestling can be a wonderful experience like nothing else.

We’ve suffered great loss in this business and will continue to do so. Even if wrestling cleaned itself up today, many past and current wrestlers have done irreparable damage to their bodies in many different ways and will suffer the consequences. And while it’s tragic to see our heroes die young, I think some of them would tell us that the story of a man punching a time clock at a job he hates — who settled for less than everything he wanted out of life, traded his dream for a cubicle, and lived his life full of regret and sorrow until the day he died of old age — is really the tragic story.

The best we can hope for as fans of professional wrestling is that changes are made and that casualties from this generation and generations that follow are fewer than those we have dealt with from those who preceded us.

Chapter 22: Being Booked for WWE

Congratulations, you’ve just been booked for your first WWE event. This probably occurred either through a promoter or a wrestler upon whom they call regularly to provide enhancement talent (or jobbers, or extras) when they are nearby. Maybe even somebody from Talent Relations liked your promo package and wanted to take a look at you.

You’re almost certainly booked for an event that will be televised; it’s unlikely that they’d ever book you for a house show. You’re not booked to wrestle, just to show up: you get your $250 whether they have a spot somewhere for you or not. That spot, if it exists, may be to wrestle, dress up like a cop, or be a fan in the crowd. You really never know. The first time I did a show for WWE, I got to work a match (as did five others), but they also booked ten extras to sit in a strip club to get beaten up during an APA/Right to Censor brawl. That’s a rough way to make $250, eh? Look at some strippers and take a punch. On second thought, I guess it would depend on who was throwing the punch.

When you get to the show, don’t act like a fan who won a backstage pass. Don’t speak unless spoken to, interrupt a conversation between people to introduce yourself, stare at Mickie James for more than four consecutive seconds — it’s hard not to, but control yourself — or ask for autographs.

I guess things have changed now, but in my day we shared locker rooms with the WWE Superstars. During our first WWE booking, Superstar Steve and I shared a locker room with Triple-H, Kurt Angle, Al Snow, Chris Jericho, William Regal, Chris Benoit, Rikishi, X-Pac, Grandmaster Sexay, and a few others. Now I believe they have an “extras” locker room, where local talent gets dressed.

Backstage, there’s a lot going on. Just stay out of the way. You will be instructed on everything you need to do. Be the first one geared up and ready to go. I was given this advice by Kevin Kelly, a longtime WWE announcer and Talent Relations rep, and surely enough, an injury opened a spot for me (the only enhancement guy geared up) to get squashed by Justin Credible in his first televised WWE match since his Aldo Montoya days.

Understand that you are probably the only person in the building thinking about you getting a contract. Honestly, they probably aren’t even taking much, if any, of a look at you. Trevor Murdoch went there nine times before being signed. He was signed to a developmental deal because Chris Benoit noticed he was doing some stretches learned in Japan and that wrestler asked John Laurinaitis to watch him. Trevor sold his ass off during his enhancement match and they just happened to be looking for a strong-working cowboy-type at the time. The stars aligned just right: he never set foot in a developmental territory and was a World Tag Team Champion three months after doing the enhancement match.

Be ready for a match, but don’t be devastated if it doesn’t happen. Plans change by the second, and at no time during the decision-making process do they worry if your feeling will be hurt. Keep your fingers crossed, though. Who knows? You might catch their eye and the stars might align just right for you as well.

NEXT WEEK: Chapter 23: Connecting With the Audience and Chapter 24: Backyard Wrestling

If you’re interested in ordering a print or Kindle copy or to leave a review of The Professional Wrestler in the World of Sports-Entertainment go to Amazon.com. You can also order a print copy of my first book, The Story of a Nobody and the Pursuit to Become a Somebody, at Amazon

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Harley Race, Matt Murphy, Missouri Wrestling Revival, Superstar Steve Fender, Trevor Murdoch, WWE | Leave a Comment »

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Year in Awards …Mike Sydal 2009 PWI Rookie of the year.

Posted by flairwhoooooo on January 15, 2010

Missouri Wrestling Revival is proud and excited that the Midwest was filled with positive exposure in the most important issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated the Year in Awards edition.

St Louis’s own Randy Orton was voted by the fans as the number one wrestler of 2009. Some may not like his actions or his attitude but you can not deny the mans ability. Congrats to Randy Orton for such a great honor.

One of my personal moments of 2009 will be that the promotions and fans in the Midwest joined together to nominate Mike Sydal as the 2009 PWI Rookie of the Year. Mike has thrilled fans in every promotion in the MWR Coverage area and has backed it up by becoming the High Voltage Wrestling Livewire Champion and the being one half of the very popular 3XWrestlings tag team Champions “The High Flyers” with the talented Zach Thompson.

Wrestling fans if you have not had a chance to see Sydal in action I highly urge you get a chance to check him while he is still in the area. Charismatic, exciting and intense are just a few words that come to mind when his name is brought up and now you can add 2009 PWI Rookie of the Year!

Let’s take a quick look at Midwest wrestling promotions and wrestlers that are covered in this historic issue.

Page 13 Former WWE/TNA and WLW Star Trevor Murdoch opens up a new restaurant in Eldon Missouri called T Murdoch’s Bar and Grill. Maybe this means that MWR needs to do a review of the restaurant in the future.

Page 21 one of the most talented women wrestlers to ever grace the sport sores big wins in SHIMMER. A great photograph of her taking on Amazing Kong is on this page.

Page 23 Independent Recent Changes has the MECW Title changes of Barry Ryte pinning Matt Mayday for the Great Plains Trophy as well as the new MECW Tag Team Champions The Bayou Outlaws (Maddog McDowell and Aaron Masterson beating Devin Carter and AJ Smooth, Jordan McEntyer and Knight Wagner and the tag team of Mike Sydal and Rebelucha.

Page 59 In Memoriam remembers the fallen warriors and the influential people who past way in 2009. Included is BJ Race.

Page 62 and 63 Mike Sydal PWI Rookie of the Year !!!

Page 97 A full page photo of ECW Original, Dynamo Pro Wrestler Angle and tag team partner of Domino Rivera has a full page spread of battling Balls Mahoney

Page 128 Tommaso Ciampa – Trained with WLW and Harley Race in the past. Ciampa looked strong in the ECWA Super 8 Tournament

Page 137 Our friends at 3XWrestling are featured in the top of the Rankings page.

Page 140 and 141 Results from High Voltage Wrestling, IWA Productions, 3XWrestling, MMWA-SICW AND Dynamo Pro is all featured thanks to MWR friends Patrick Brandmeyer, John Bach and Midnight Guthrie. Maybe you can get there autographs at a show near you.

That is just a few of the highlights in 2009 PWI The Year in Wrestling

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: 3XWrestlings, Aaron Masterson, AJ Smooth, Angle, Balls Mahoney, Barry Ryte, Bayou Outlaws, BJ Race, Devin Carter, Domino Rivera, High Voltage Wrestling, IWA Productions, John Bach, Knight Wagner, Maddog McDowell, Matt Mayday, Midnight Guthrie, Mike Sydal, Patrick Brandmeyer, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, PWI, Randy Orton, Rebelucha, T Murdoch’s Bar and Grill, Tommaso Ciampa, Trevor Murdoch, Zach Thompson | 1 Comment »

“World League Wrestling original Matt Murphy remembers 10 years of WLW”

Posted by flairwhoooooo on September 23, 2009

{Missouri Wrestling Revival would like to thank World League Wrestling original Matt Murphy for taking the time to reminisce on the early days of WLW to honor their 10 years of greatness. MWR is proud to announce that Matt Murphy will have his own feature article on the site every Monday starting next week. }

With World League Wrestling’s 10th anniversary event just a couple weeks away, I’m sure I’m not the only old-timer whose mind keeps wandering back to the beginning a decade ago.

In July 1999, the Harley Race Wrestling Academy began holding tryouts and classes at Lewis Boxing Gym. It was a small space crammed in along a line of old brick buildings in a bad neighborhood in Springfield, Mo. There was no air conditioning and it reeked of weed, the severity dependent upon which Lewis brother was in the office. The boxing ring was manufactured in the depths of hell and sent to Springfield to punish me for my future transgressions.

There were six of us then: I was the first full-time student; Trevor Rhodes (Murdoch) came a week later along with his brother, independent veteran Johnny D; and the trainers were Derek Stone, Griz, and referee Skippy Johnson. We lived together in a small two-bedroom house and trained between six and eight hours every day.

Meanwhile, Harley and Dave Marquez built World League Wrestling from the ashes of World Legion Wrestling, a promotion I watched on syndicated television that had featured Sid Vicious, Big Sky (Tyler Mane, who played Sabertooth in X-Men, Michael Myers in the new Halloween, and the oil driller who beat up the lead character and then caught fire in Joe Dirt), “Atomic Dogg” Steve Sharp, Luminous Warrior, and the champ, “Sheik” Derek Stone.

After Marquez and the trainers traveled to Lake of the Ozarks to meet with Harley, Derek announced that the school was moving to Eldon. “Where?” I asked, still half-asleep on the couch.

Eldon, for those who’ve never been there, is not much different from every other small town in Missouri: a little backward at times, a little boring at times, but really not a bad place to live. Its population is between 4,000 and 5,000 and rent is cheap enough.

We were local celebrities when we first moved to Eldon, making personal appearances and doing radio and newspaper interviews regularly. And we were all with Harley Race, so if a half-dozen gorillas walking into a restaurant didn’t get their attention then Harley’s presence did.

I’ll never forget the first World League Wrestling event, held during a middle-school assembly Sept. 24, 1999 in Caledonia, Mo. Griz and I squared off in the main event and, due to ring announcer Steve Murphy’s claim that I was a “19-year-old rookie sensation making his professional wrestling debut” (I was 20 and I’d had three matches for East Coast promotions prior to training with Harley, so it was just a small fib), the crowd loved me. The three-match afternoon event was held during school hours with hopes that the kids would go home and beg their parents to bring them back for the full evening show. It was a flop: we had a crowd of about 60 that night.

We had some solid guys back then. Derek Stone was one of the best workers who never had a contract with a national promotion. Griz and “Tiger” Treach Phillips, Jr. were two solid veterans and great assets to their young opponents like me and Trevor. We really didn’t have a weak link on the card. We had other veterans like Johnny Jett, the Drill Instructor, Nasty Bill, Blade Boudreaux, Lance Jade (that’s not a typo, and Jade also had a contract with WWE for a year or two), Malia Hosaka, Brandy Alexander, T.S. Aggressor, Mr. Destiny, Johnny D, and Luminous Warrior.

I always wanted to do two things with my life: become a professional wrestler and make a positive impact on others. Within seven months of our first show, we were wrestling every weekend, usually doing two or three fundraising events. I was living my dream as a professional wrestler and I was part of a group that helped countless non-profit organizations raise funds to make the world a better place. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked for more, but I did.

Like every wrestler, I dreamed of becoming a WWE Superstar. I didn’t make it because I made stupid choices and didn’t earn it. I spent too much time dreaming and not enough time working. But when Trevor Murdoch, who I grew up in the business beside, called me to tell me he signed with WWE, I felt the same inexplainable feeling of pride that I imagined when I used to sit around dreaming about getting a contract with WWE myself. When his first vignette aired on Monday Night Raw, I was thrilled. I sat on the edge of my seat during his debut match. While my dream, as I envisioned it, never came to fruition, I got to go along for the ride while one of the best friends I’ve ever known lived out our dream. That was all the satisfaction I needed.

Times have certainly changed in the past 10 years. WLW talent, other promotions, and crowds have come and gone. Trevor and I were two boys in a locker room full of men, both living our dreams. Now, we’re two old-timers, sitting on the porch talking marriage and fatherhood and barbecue grills. Still, the olden days seem to find their way into most of our conversations.

In the earlier years, there seemed to be more children in the crowd. Many of the kids who were my biggest fans a decade ago have become adults. Some of them still remember me and others seem to have forgotten me. Some still smile when they see me and others seem to resent me. I’d guess it’s because I was somebody they saw as larger-than-life—as a star—when they were kids and now they feel duped when they see me grocery-shopping with my family.

The last time we performed at the Eldon High School gymnasium was one of our greatest events. It was in late-April 2000, with WCW stars Meng and Disco Inferno as the special guests. Disco Inferno pinned me that night in a singles match and then my team beat his in an eight-man tag match later that night. In the main event, Meng lost the WLW Heavyweight Championship to Trevor (with an assist from me). It was our first great event and still one of the best WLW events ever. It’s appropriate that WLW will celebrate its 10th anniversary by returning to the gym. I wish I had the desire, if not physical ability, to get back into the ring one last time for the anniversary event, but I’m proud the worker I became and I wouldn’t dream of getting into the ring at a level below that.

Since my in-ring career ended, I’ve worked with WLW off-and-on in various roles. While I’ve had my ups and downs with WLW, they will always be family.

Congratulations, World League Wrestling, on ten years of bringing exciting, family-friendly entertainment to Small Town, Missouri for good causes. Thank you for giving dreamers a place to learn and practice their chosen trade as they pursue stardom.

Matt Murphy

—————————————————————————————————————–

You will not want to miss the opportunity to support 10 years anniversary on October 3rd. Along with the current Superstars of WLW, fans will be able to meet former greats Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Akio Saito, Bob Geigel, Betty Nicoli, Bill Kersten, Mike George, Roger Kirby and of course the greatest of them all Harley Race.

Show at
ELDON HIGH SCHOOL GYM
101 S PINE ST ELDON MO 65026

Ticket Outlets
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EAGER BEAVER
ELDON CITY HALL
SWEAT GYM

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Akio Saito, “Atomic Dogg” Steve Sharp, “Tiger” Treach Phillips, Betty Nicoli, Big Sky, Bill Kersten, Blade Boudreaux, Bob Geigel, Brandy Alexander, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Dave Marquez, Derek Stone, Disco Inferno, Griz, Harley Race, Harley Race Wrestling Academy, Johnny D, Johnny Jett, Jr., Lance Jade, Luminous Warrior, Malia Hosaka, Matt Murphy, Meng, Mike George, Mr. Destiny, Nasty Bill, Roger Kirby, Sheik” Derek Stone, Sid Vicious, Skippy Johnson, Steve Murphy, T.S. Aggressor, the Drill Instructor, Trevor Murdoch, Trevor Rhodes, Tyler Mane, WCW | 1 Comment »

WLW Recap from Slater Missouri 4-18-2009 Fender vs. Anthony vs. Murdoch

Posted by flairwhoooooo on May 22, 2009

By Brian “Flair” Kelley

World League Wrestling came to Slater Mo with a brand new WLW champion (Superstar Steve Fender), a former WWE Tag Team Champion (Trevor Murdoch), and a legend in Harley Race. With the stars shining bright on April 18^th there was one man looking to cast his shadow on the whole evening. That man was former WLW Champion “King of the 450” Steve Anthony.

Our good friend Dan Gier was missing in action so the Slater crowd was treated with the announcing duties of former Gold Exchange manager Johnny Gold. Gold opened the night off with inviting his friend who had just lost the WLW title thanks in part because of the Rowdy one Roddy Piper in Eldon Missouri on March 21^st. Anthony was quick to direct his comments to the former World Champion Harley Race. Anthony stated that “I am a gift to this company and I have a gifted body, the one with the gifted wrestling talent. There was one gift that was stolen from me and that was the coveted WLW title. Since it has been stolen from me I have had to go through men, week after week I keep coming out her and taking on an opponent but it’s not a title rematch against Fender. Harley. I know your hiding that paper champion Steve Fender, but tonight I am demanding a title shot and I am demanding that you come out here to tell the people that you are going to give me what I want.”

Anthony is one of the top talkers in the Midwest and would not stop so Race made his way to the ring to tell him” Steve you are already in a match tonight” Anthony’s reply was “It’s not a title match Harley”. Harley laid down the law and let him know that if he could win the first match then he would add him in the main event to make it a three way with Fender and Murdoch for a three way. Anthony, not happy about it but very confident in his abilities let Race and the crowd know that he was going home the WLW Champion.

Steve Anthony does not like the ultimatum from the wrestling great Harley Race. (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)

The first match of the evening was Brian Breaker taking on one half of the WLW tag team Champions Darin Waid. Waid with the speed did his best to keep away from Breakers raw power. Breaker at one point tried to catch a break outside but when Waid came close enough, Breaker pulled him outside the ring to punish him with a powerful shoulder block into the ring. Breaker kept the assault and looked to have the match well in hand. Waid never quit and the frustrating was setting in on the young stud.Breaker argued with the ref enough to allow Waid to hit a huge flying clothesline off the top rope. Back and forth these young warriors went but 15 minutes just wasn’t enough and the match ended in a 15 minutes time limit draw.

Darin Waid shows Brian Breaker that he has some power in his arsenal (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Brian Breaker Slows down the momentum of Darin Waid (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Match Results: Darin Waid wrestled Brian Breaker to a time-limit draw

Next up we had the “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen taking on the other half of the WLW Tag Team Champions Dustin Lane. Lane would be tested as Ngyuen was not in a good mood this evening and looked to do what it took to get the win. Both Lane and Nguyen have speed and can wrestle, so as I watched to see who would make the first mistake Lane was crisp early and really had Nguyens number and 7 minutes in was in complete control hitting a monkey flip in the corner and a flying body press along the way. Lane went to the well once to many and Nguyen capitalize by moving out of the way as Lane hit the floor head on. Nguyen hit a perfect kick to the head that landed Lane stretched on the second rope which prompted a fan to tell him that “You don’t have nothing”. Nguyen must had felt the need to show off because he smiled at the fan and teased a Rey Mysterio JR 619 only to stop when he got to the ropes and walk under it to kick Lane in the head instead. This prompted boos but Ngyuen looked very pleased with himself. That arrogance led to a mistake when Nguyen missed a flying punch that Lane went under, when Nguyen came back he was tripped into the corner head first. Lane looked to have momentum going his way but when he went for a backslide for a win Nguyen quickly reversed it for the surprising victory.

“Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen stalks Dustin Lane (Photo Credit Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Match Result: Bao Nguyen defeated Dustin Lane

Anthony needed this next match but Jason Jones is young and determined and Anthony’s chance to get in the main event would have to go through him. Jones did not disappoint and was able to take it to the former WLW Champion showing signs of stardom at moments, but Anthony is on top of his game at this stage and would not be denied the rematch that he felt he deserved when he pinned Jones for the 1—2-3

Young up and comer Jason Jones proves his skills early in the match against the former WLW Champion Steve Anthony (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

The Refs eyes says it all in this picture as Anthony works over Jones (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Match Results: Steve Anthony defeated Jason Jones.

Johnny Gold then announced that due to Stacey O’Brien suffered a serious shoulder injury last week in the WLW match between Amy Hennig she would not be able to wrestle that evening but Hennig wanted to come to the ring to thank the crowd for coming to show. Hennig let the fans knowfrom the bottom of her heart she appreciated them and wished that there was some competition in the area. Hennig then noticed a mysterious beautiful brunette walking to the ring which prompted her to ask “Paris (Hilton) check your children I think one of them got loose and is coming to the ring.”

Amy Hennig is challenged by the Latino beauty (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

The Latino princess firmly let Henning know that it’s a shame she don’t have her license tonight but by the time the next WLW has a show she challenges her for her title. Then she went personal by letter her know and I quote “Sweetheart, it is about time that someone told you that you are not your daddy. That got the blood boiling and Hennig went for a clothesline but the princess was ready as she ducked, then she hit one of her own before bailing out of the ring to fight another day.

The first WLW title of the night was on the line as the MWR Tag Team of the Month for March, Dustin Lane and Darin Waid took on Brian Breaker and Bao Nguyen. Breaker teased that he would start off against Waid but quickly tagged in Nguyen. Waid took control early and hit Nguyen with a shoulder block that sent Nguyen scrambling to the outside. Breaker and Nguyen looked to get in the heads of the young champs by stalling but this young team has grown rapidly in the past few months and remained calm. Breakers power gave his team an advantage but the inexperience showed when he went to tag in Nguyen, he did not take the time to drag his opponent to the corner which allowed Lane to get back on the offensive.

For the WLW Tag Team Championship in Slater Missouri (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Breaker and Nguyen retreat outside the ring.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Darin Waid goes to the top as his tag team partner Dustin Lane holds him in place. Perfect Tag Team action.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Double teams have been the method of which Lane and Waid have been able to remain the WLW Tag Team Champions and they was able to offset the power of Breaker by hitting him with a double clothesline and keeping him in there corner. While watching this match I came to the realization that Darin Waid may be one of the most underrated wrestlers in the Midwest. He was able to hit Breaker and Nguyen from everywhere and with an arsenal of moves.

Breaker used some underhand tactics to get the advantage for his team when he pulled the legs from underneath him while the ref Mark Smith wasn’t looking. Nguyen quickly took advantage with a kick, and then he tagged in Breaker who was relentless in his attack. Breaker and Nguyen tagged in and out while dismantling there opponents. Breaker hit Waid with a clothesline that was so powerful in the corner it threw Waid full body across the ropes. As Waid was stuck there Breaker picked him up and tossed him like a rag doll in the center of the ring.

Action so fast it can be a blur.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

It looked as if we had brand new tag team champions but Waid hit a sweet drop kick on Breaker to allow him to get the tag and change the momentum. As the action broke down all four men were in the ring as the ref Smith did his best to regain control. In the chaos Waid threw Breaker out of the ring, and then went to the top to hit Nguyen with a flying diamond Cutter for the big win.

Darin Waid & Dustin Lane remains the WLW Tag Team Champions.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Match Results: Darin Waid & Dustin Lane defeated Brian Breaker and Bao Nguyen to retain the WLW Tag Team Titles.

An exciting tag team match brought us to the Main event. The World League Wrestling Champion Steve Fender defending his title in a three way with Trevor Murdoch which Johnny Gold announced “was the biggest red neck in wrestling” which brought huge cheers to the Slater crowd and the man who demanded a title shot Steve Anthony.

3 way Dance – WLW Style.(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Fender and Murdoch who have had there shares of battles through the 10 great years have been around quickly took an understanding that they should go at Anthony. Anthony was overwhelmed and retreated out of the ring. As Fender urged Anthony to returned Murdoch struck from behind.

The battle was on between 3 former WLW Champions to see who would leave with the coveted Championship. Murdoch threw Anthony in the corner, and then he threw Fender and ran full steam ahead on top of both of them. The action was fast and furious with bodies flying everywhere. To say it was hard to keep up with all the action was an understatement. The key moment of the match came when Johnny Gold made his presence known by tripping Fender from the outside of the ring giving Anthony the win after . Harley rang the bell to let the fans know that it wasn’t going to happen like that and the tow arch enemies Gold and Race were eye to eye once again. Race hit with a left hook that sent Gold to the ground, Race picked him up and tossed him into the ring with a fired up Murdoch and Fender while Anthony snuck out of the ring leaving Gold behind Fender connected on a superkick while Murdoch kicked him out of the ring.

Trouble in the corner!!(Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Trevor Murdoch is one of true big men who can do it all, here he goes to the top too punish Steve Anthony (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Harley Race had enough of Johnny Golds interference and steps in to take care of the mischievous manager. (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

The mouse is trapped in the ring with Steve Fender and Trevor Murdoch. (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

Murdoch wanted Fender to know that the WLW title was always special to him because it was Harley Races Champion. Tonight he (Murdoch) did not win the belt but wanted to congratulate him on being the Champion. On that moment two of the most important WLW Champions in their 10 years history shook hands out of respect.

Trevor Murdoch lets Steve Fender know that he respects the WLW title but he feels as if Fender is a worthy Champion. (Photo Credit: Brian “Flair” Kelley)

I was able to catch up with Trevor Murdoch after the match and he had this to say about coming so close to winning the WLW Championship.

You do not want to miss World League Wrestling when they come to Waterloo Iowa on July 10th along with the Waterloo Hall of Fame. The show will have none other former NWA World Champion Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Former AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel and Fritz Von Goering just to name a few. If you have never been to the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum I highly encourage you to come and see what you are missing you will not be disappointed. For info call Kent Sesker 319-233-0745.

Young Arena

125 Commercial St

Waterloo, IA 50701

319-291-4335

Ticket Outlets:

United Sport and Athlete

1045 Southtown Drive

Waterloo, IA 50702

319-234-1935

Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum

303 Jefferson St

Waterloo, IA 50701

319-233-0745

For more info on WLW go to their website at World League Wrestling

For more info on the Hall of Fame go to Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum website

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Amy Hennig, AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel, “King of the 450” Steve Anthony, “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen, Brian Breaker, Dan Gier, Darin Waid, Dustin Lane, Fritz Von Goering, Harley Race, Jason Jones, Johnny Gold, Mark Smith, Rey Mysterio JR, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Roddy Piper, Stacey O’Brien, Superstar Steve Fender, Trevor Murdoch, World League Wrestling | 1 Comment »

WLW recap March 20th – “Rowdy” Roddy Piper meets Steve Anthony

Posted by flairwhoooooo on April 15, 2009

By Brian “Flair” Kelley

World league Wrestling has spoiled fans in Sedalia Missouri this past year. Last September WLW treated them with a special appearance by former WWE Wrestle Mania Star Bobby Lashley. (for a recap of the show click here)

Less than a year later on March 20th WLW returned with one of the most influential wrestlers in the history of the Sport, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Piper was instrumental in the wrestling boom of the 1980’s when his feud with Hulk Hogan fueled interest in the sport worldwide. Roddy Piper and Harley Race in the same building, talk about a treat and luckily for me it was only 2 hours away.

I had purchased front row tickets for my cousin Paul and a young kid named Josh that he wanted to spend time with prior to the show. Paul had only been to one show before, which happened to be a WWE show. I had promised him that there was nothing like sitting front row for an indie show and knew that WLW could deliver on that promise.

I was only able to get to the show 15 minutes prior to bell time due to the fact that I was unable to get off work. The bad day was all erased when I walked in the building that was full of people waiting for some hard hitting wrestling action. WLW announced that they were going to start the night off with Roddy Piper signing autographs. It seemed as if everybody in the building had something for the “Hot Rod” to sign. I went to set up for MWR while my cousin and his friend got in line to meet Piper.

The night started off perfect when Dan Gier thanked everyone for coming and he even was kind enough to mention to the crowd that MWR was there covering the event and to please check out the website.

“Superstar” Steve Fender started the show off to take on one half of the WLW tag team Champions Dustin Lane. Lane surprised me when he was able to take it to Fender early in the match. When it looked as if Fender would get the upper hand Lane stopped any momentum that the “Superstar” would have. Lane was surprisingly one step ahead of him going into the five minute mark.

Dustin Lane takes it to the “Superstar” (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

Lane executed a perfect “Stinger splash” or in this case a Lane splash in the corner and went for what looked to be an easy win. Fender kicked out and struggled to get to the corner to catch his breath and asking for a time out! Lane’s inexperience showed because when he went towards Fender, Fender struck and threw him head first into the turnbuckle.

The change of momentum had happen and Lane felt big chops and kicks methodically coming from all directions. The crowd was not happy at all with Fender and the way he was punishing the young champion. Fender continued to work Lane over left and right. One moment it would be a knee to the back the next it would be a kick to the stomach. Lane countered with an atomic drop in the corner ring post, followed up with a clothesline that had Fender reeling. Lane really looked to have the chance to take down the talented Fender but in a blink of an eye, Lane made one mistake going for a roll up, allowing Fender to put smother Lane for the 1-2-3.

The “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen recently brought excitement in the Midwest for his impressive showing at WWE’S ECW. Nguyen was the next to enter the WLW ring much to the delight of the WLW faithful. Nguyen’s opponent was the most recent graduate of the WLW academy Jason Jones. I am always excited to see a new wrestler and one that has graduated from the WLW School.

WLW most recent graduate Jason Jones (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

Jones quickly established that he was not the fans friend and they responded in kind. You suck chants for Jones rang through the building and Nguyen used his speed and drilled Jones with a perfect dropkick. Nguyen went to the top and attempted to hit a high risk move on Jones, but Jones was wise enough to move out of the way and strike with a devastating clothesline.

Two of the young guns went at it back and forth, with Jones exhibiting an impressive power and skill level that will pay huge dividends to his career. Jones attempted to slow down Nguyen with power moves but Nguyen has showed in his time at WLW he should never be counted out. Nguyen hit a savate kick to Jones head.

Bao Nguyen had Jason Jones on the run (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

Nguyen went for the pin but Jones got the save by touching the ropes. Nguyen showed shades of Rey Mysterio JR when he hit a 619 then he springboard off the ropes and delivered another great kick to Jones head. With the crowd in an uproar the ref hit the mat for the third time and Nguyen was proud to have his hand raised in a hard fought battle.

I imagine that I am showing my age with this next statement but I was excited when Amy Hennig entered the ring with David Lee Roth’s awesome “Yankee Rose” song to take on WLW Champion Stacey O’Brien. O’Brien and Hennig have feuded for almost a year now with the Irish bad girl always being one step ahead. Hennig has shown more confidence in her ability the past few times she has battled O’Brien and on this night she was the aggressor. The MWR Female of the Year O’Brien retreated to the outside and Hennig held her ground and waited for O’Brien to return to the ring. O’Brien returned to the ring and continued her dominance until a kick to the midsection to the air out of Hennig.

Amy Henning and Stacey O’Brien was all business in Sedalia (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

O’Brien slowed down Hennig’s exuberance by leaning and pounding on her much to the crowd disdain. O’Brien made one of her few mistakes when she traded punches with the more powerful Hennig. Hennig followed it up with a body slam. Hennig went to the top and hit a snap mare then went for the pin. The foot on the ropes saved the Champion for the time being. O’Brien was hurt and Hennig was ruthless in her attack, but Hennig went to the well one too many times when she went to the top to deliver a dropkick. O’Brien moved out of the way as Hennig hit the mat head first. O’Brien quickly sensed that Hennig was hurt and went for the pinfall that would get her a win in what maybe O’Brien’s toughest match between the third generation superstar.

The Tag team Championship was on the line in the next contest as the defending Champions Darin Waid and Dustin Lane took on Brian Breaker and his tag team partner “Superstar” Steve Fender. Breaker and Lane started the match off, with Lane showing that he could utilize his speed to offset the power of Breaker at least for the start of the contest. Lane tagged in his partner Waid and in return Breaker tagged in Fender. Waid and Lane was a chess match as the two exchanged moves

The tag team Champions Darin Wade and Dustin Lane works over Brian Breaker (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

Lane and Waid really seem to mesh well with one another and seemed to give the tag team of Fender and Breaker fits. When Breaker returned to the ring he was able to power Lane in the corner, when the ref tried to break them up Breaker struck and hit a kick to get the edge for only as second as Lane used his speed to get the upper hand once again. The Champions quickly tagged in and out while beating down Breaker while keeping him on their side of the ring.

When Waid threw Breaker in the corner and went full force to deliver a move Breaker put up a foot and changed the direction of the match. Breaker wisely tagged in a very fresh Fender. Fender and Breaker were now the tag team who took advantage of the quick tags and double teams. The Champions used their speed once again to get out of trouble and get on the offensive. Breaker bailed out of the ring as Lane was lighting him up. Lane showed his inexperience when he went after Breaker around the ring. Breaker had entered the ring with Lane right behind him and that’s when Fender took the cheap shot to get the advantage.

Dan Gier stated that 15 minutes had expired and it looked like we may have new WLW Tag team champions with Lane taking a thrashing from the challengers. The crowd did their best to cheer on the young Champions. Lane needed the tag to Waid. Fender was taking the life out of Lane with an abdominal stretch in Fenders side of the ring. Lane was able to fight out of that only to have Fender beat him to the ground. At one time Lane desperately jumped for a tag to his partner only to have Fender catch him and pound him into the mat.

Then the opening the Champions needed happen, Fender and Lane hit head first but could Lane get up and complete the tag before Fender could stop him or make the tag himself? Lane got the tag to Waid and Fender to Breaker. Waid was on fire and hit a flying leg drop from the rafters and would have got the victory if Fender had not interfered. Fender and Breaker pulled out all the tricks but Waid was one step ahead of them still.

Waid hits Breaker with a big move. (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

Waid threw Breaker to the ropes but Breaker reversed and hit a clothesline that sent Waid flying in the air into a 360 onto the mat. Breaker must have felt confident or my guess dazed at that moment because he went to the top but took too much time. Waid was able to hit Breaker and then struck quickly with a top rope diamond cutter for the victory as Lane kept Fender from making the save.

Rowdy Piper was introduced to the WLW crowd after taking the time from autographing the Polaroid’s. Piper said the crowd was beautiful, and one in the crowd chanted for Piper to take down Chris Jericho. Piper then asked if they wanted him to take out Jericho or Vince McMahon at Wrestle mania. He then wanted to thank Harley Race and wanted the fans to know that he loved them with all his heart.

The main event was for the WLW Championship as the Champion “The King of the 450” Steve Anthony defending his title vs. the powerful Marc Godeker with a twist. The special referee was none other than Former WWE and WLW alumni Trevor Murdoch.

Trevor Murdoch tries to contain WLW Champion Steve Anthony and Marc Godeker in the corner. (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

These two wrestlers have very little weakness in their repertoire. Anthony has the ego and skills to keep him at the top of the WLW but even he had to be worried when Godeker held him up for close to 10 seconds in a standing suplex before smashing him into the mat.

Marc Godeker sends a message to Anthony of the power he possesses. (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

Anthony struck back when he went low to the challenger’s knees; with that one move Anthony had the offense along with the fans disdain. One may not like the champion’s attitude but you can not dismiss his talent and the skills he possess. Anthony though seemed to not like the way the special ref Murdock would reprimand him and the two came face to face several times as Anthony used questionable tactics.
wlw-mecw-3-21-3-22-168
At the ten minute mark Anthony attempted a Frankenstein and Godeker caught him and flung him into the corner post like a rag doll. Anthony was able to fight back but Godeker’s power was phenomenal and kept Anthony from ever really dominating as he has shown he can with others in the past.

Godeker dragged Anthony to the corner and went for a 2nd rope splash but Anthony put his feet up then went to the top to hit the 450 to retain the title.
wlw-mecw-3-21-3-22-170
You could tell that Murdoch did not want to raise the hand but did the right thing and walked away. Anthony could not resist to let the crowd know how he felt” I am going home as your world champion and I saw the Hot Rod (Roddy Piper) come out all night and try to get a pop at the house that I built. You came here to see me( The crowd was louder and louder and louder and when Piper came through the curtain) Anthony stated that he use to respect him (Piper) but he is now a changed man and only cares what the fans think. Anthony kept it up as Piper came to the ring, “ Piper I saw you were in the back telling the young guy (Wrestler) you put your hand around them and said let me give you some advice kid, well guess what Piper we don’t need your advice. I normally give out my bibs to the girls that drool for me but I have one for you.

Anthony taunts Piper (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

He would not quit taunting the “Hot Rod” Piper never one to back down a fight was taking off his jacket ready for a rumble. Anthony then demanded that Piper watch as Murdoch raised the hand of the Champion. Murdoch did so and when he attempted to leave the ring Anthony made the mistake to try to pull him back only to catch a punch straight to the face. Piper then jumped in the ring to have fun at the Champions expense. The two of them kicked Anthony out of the ring to finish off a great night of wrestling.

Roddy Piper works over Steve Anthony (Photo Credit Paul Alberson)

I asked my cousin and his friend what they thought of watching live WLW wrestling from the front row. Paul said that he would had a lot of fun and was thinking about going to see WLW live when they return to Slater Missouri on April 18th with special guest Trevor Murdoch. I had no doubt that he would like it.

For more information please check out World League Wrestling

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: "Vietnam Phenom" Bao Nguyen, Amy Hennig, “Superstar” Steve Fender, “The King of the 450” Steve Anthony, Bobby Lashley, Brian Breaker, Chris Jericho, Dan Gier, Darin Waid, Dustin Lane, Harley Race, Hulk Hogan, Jason Jones, Marc Godeker, Rey Mysterio JR, Roddy Piper, Stacey O’Brien, Trevor Murdoch, World League Wrestling | 1 Comment »

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Posts Tagged ‘Trevor Murdoch’

Dubi meets the WLW Fans at Richmond and Concordia Missouri

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

MWR exclusive interview with Metro Pro Wrestling’s Joe McDonald and Chris Gough

World League Wrestling Photo Recap from Richmond, MO on 4-23-2010

World League Wrestling 4-10-2010 Keokuk, IA Photo recap from Bill Smith.

Matt Murphy Chapter 20-23, When Things Go Awry, The Elephant in the Room, and Being Booked for WWE

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Year in Awards …Mike Sydal 2009 PWI Rookie of the year.

“World League Wrestling original Matt Murphy remembers 10 years of WLW”

WLW Recap from Slater Missouri 4-18-2009 Fender vs. Anthony vs. Murdoch

WLW recap March 20th – “Rowdy” Roddy Piper meets Steve Anthony

Giving Back to Midwest Pro Wrestling!

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Follow Us

Recent Posts

Archives

2015 MWR Yearbook on Sale

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CAC

Rob Schamberger Art

Rings and Cages

Windy Wine Company

Wrestle Talk Podcast

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Posts Tagged ‘Trevor Murdoch’

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