Amy Hennig’s Pro Wrestling Debut

So Close to Doing the Impossible
Amy Hennig’s Pro Wrestling Debut and WLW Results

by Joshua Ray
Owner-Editor
inadvertent.nerd@gmail.com

You would think that a guy who lives an hour away from World League Wrestling in Eldon, MO would make it to a WLW show more often, but alas that hasn’t been the case. After attending my first Eldon WLW show on July 26, 2008, that is definitely changing.

WLW presented a great show at the Eldon Community Center, right next to the old Harley Race Wrestling Academy, on July 26, 2008. The crowd was loud (more on that later) and the wrestlers gave it their all. You can’t ask for anything more!

Earlier in the day I had the opportunity to sit with my good friend Brian “Flair” Kelley and his girlfriend at the Eager Beaver in Eldon as we waited for Eugene to arrive for an autograph signing. My wife accompanied me to Eldon that day, and the four of us had a great visit. I’ll tell you right now, the burgers at the Eager Beaver were pretty good.

Another enjoyable part of the time at the Eager Beaver was getting to chat with Harley and BJ Race for fifteen or twenty minutes about wrestling. I first talked to the Race family in April in my hometown of Lebanon, MO and even though it was a great event and I had a good talk with BJ, I was worried that I might have made a bad impression on Harley. Before writing this, only my wife really knew about that fact. I was very impressed with Harley Race and his genuinely kind and humble personality. I was just concerned about I came off. Everyday is a learning experience and you should always strive to learn from your mistakes, but life is too short to learn exclusively from your own mistakes and I definitely didn’t want April’s interactions with him to be on that list of mistakes I was forced to learn from.

My concerns were put to rest when I chatted with both about WLW’s upcoming training camp with Pro Wrestling NOAH September 15th through the 18th as well as wrestlers that I thought they should keep their eye on. My opinion is worth the same as sand is in Iraq (I’m still digging some of that sand out of crevices, but I digress), but I appreciated him listening and responding to what I had to say.

Eugene arrived, but Brian and I were more content to chat and watch Eugene interact with the young kids to harass him about an interview. One classic exchange between Eugene and a boy went like this:

Kid: You’re my favorite wrestler, Eugene.

Eugene: Well why are you wearing a John Cena shirt, then?

That one got a loud reaction from everybody in the Eager Beaver. Of course Eugene still graciously gave the boy an autograph. I have no doubt that this young boy will remember that conversation for the rest of his life, and that is what pro wrestling is all about. This is why I love it so much.

My group left the Eager Beaver and had some extra time on our hands, so BJ was kind enough to let us tour their brand new facility. It is located right next to the restaurant. The highlight for me was Harley Race’s office. He had the old Central States Championship and his old NWA Heavyweight Title on display. To me, those things are awe inspiring.

Now is the time for me to poke a little fun at my buddy Brian. He knows he messed up, plus even though he’s my friend I really don’t like him very much. While BJ Race was giving us a tour, Brian asked her how she felt when Harley won the NWA Heavyweight Title. Well, back when he won that belt, she didn’t know he even existed! They were married years later. She still answered him, verifying this fact, but I still thought it was funny since I know he knew that already. That’s Brian for you, though. He asks the hard questions… the really hard questions… as in the questions that are impossible to answer. It’s okay, though… later in the evening during Eugene’s first match, I yelled Eric instead of Eugene for some reason. Classic.

I still didn’t corner Eugene for a quick interview. One of these days I’ll learn to do my job. Hopefully I will have another opportunity. I was too busy taking in the new facility to think about such trivial things as doing what I’m supposed to. Next you’ll be asking me to actually watch a wrestling match or something.

I was impressed with the Eldon Community Center when we arrived there for the show. It was large for the size of the town, and very clean. Michael Strider, Tyler Cook, and Domino Rivera arrived and said hello to Brian and me. I didn’t know what the lineup was going to be for the night, but I was personally hoping for Domino Rivera to make it onto the show. I think the guy is talented and deserves more recognition than he currently receives. A match I watched recently between him and Derek Stone was good, and he’s been working great matches for Central States Wrestling over the past year as well.

Once in the building, my main complaint was that the merchandise was hard to get access to. Over the course of the night I was able to chat with Tyler Cook and Bao Nguyen, both of which are becoming favorites of mine, but it was hard to squeeze up to the tables and it always felt as if I was in somebody’s way.

The first match was “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen vs Akiyago. Akiyago received a lot of negative attention from the crowd and was hit with the first of too many “chicken” chants, led by the guy sitting right next to me. I love to hassle guys as much as the next person, but I try to come up with more to insult them than just “chicken”. Akiyago defeated “Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen by pinfall, using the ropes for leverage. Martin T was the ref, so of course I gave him a hard time. Martin is a great guy and has humored me on many occasions away from the ring, but he has a tendency to call the match in a way that makes my favorite wrestlers lose. Not cool.

I’m not sure, but I believe the next match was Tyler Cook vs Brian Breaker. I think that Breaker is a great wrestler and Tyler Cook is one of the brightest prospects out there, but it seemed in spots that they had a hard time against each other. Cook flirted with Brian’s girlfriend and my wife entirely too much, making me feel guilty that I hadn’t rubbed baby oil all over my body or tanned recently, but I feel I’m sexy enough without all of the added benefits. Cook managed to pin Breaker, so I guessed I’d better leave him alone. Lord knows that he received enough “tighty whitey chicken” chants to last a lifetime. Oh well, at least they added two words to the first matches “chicken” chants. Who am I to complain?

Next up was Michael Strider vs Marc Godeker. Godeker wrestled a good match and is really a talented guy. I need to make it a point to chat with him at the next show I make it to. Hopefully his tag team partner, Steve Anthony, will be recovered from his broken leg and I can see them in tag team action. Even thought Strider was blatantly cheating, I couldn’t help but cheer him on. I think I was the only one… and since Martin T was the ref again for this match, he made sure that Strider lost. I’ll bring some of my basic training birth control glasses for him next time around. Maybe then he can call the match the way I want it called. I’m a paying fan. I should get what I want.

I didn’t know the next match would be taking place, but I didn’t complain. It would see the pro wrestling debut of Amy Hennig. Her first match wasn’t going to be easy, though, as she was given the unenviable task of facing the WLW Ladies Champion, Stacey O’Brien. Amy Hennig is one of the number one prospects for the Midwest, but after that match I want to be sure to tell you that it isn’t simply because her father was “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig or her grandfather was Larry “The Axe” Hennig. That would be selling Amy short. She definitely has the tools to make a name for herself without the last name attached. In this particular match, however, she came up short. O’Brien is a talented veteran and one of the best in the Midwest right now. She used it all to her advantage and retained her title.

It is important to note that there was a chant throughout the crowd during this match that I felt was inappropriate. In my personal opinion, some individuals forget that we are not the close friends of a professional wrestler and should not act as such when in the crowd. A chant of “Do it for your Dad” started through the crowd and was very uncomfortable for me to hear. Ms. Hennig did an excellent job of acknowledging the chant and being gracious, but the fact of the matter was that it isn’t really something that should have been chanted during a wrestling match. I can’t speak for Amy as I do not know her personally, but talking with Brian after the evening concluded confirmed my feelings. Brian approached me and said that he felt embarrassed to be a wrestling fan with that chant going. Enough about that, though.

Things were about to liven up a bit, as a six man tag match was about to get under way. WLW Heavyweight Champion “Dangerous” Derek McQuinn, Dinn T Moore and Michael Strider knew that they were supposed to face former WWE star Eugene and the WLW Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately Marc Godeker’s tag team partner, Steve Anthony, was on the injured list for what looked to be a broken leg. Godeker came out with a microphone and told the men standing in the ring that he had a new partner. This partner was a man whom Derek McQuinn hadn’t beaten for the title… Keith Walker!

Walker was more than up for the challenge and the team of him, Eugene and Godeker frustrated their opponents for most of the match, but in the end fell victim to underhanded tactics. Derek, Strider and Moore picked up the win.

The end of the evening featured a battle royal. Ten men got in the ring to do battle and possibly earn the right for a Heavyweight Title shot in the near future. Brian Breaker, Tyler Cook, Bao Nguyen, Akiyavo and others entered the ring, but the last three were down to Michael Strider, Eugene and Dinn T Moore. The odds seemed stacked against the lovable Eugene. Amazingly enough he made it out as the victor!

It was a great night of action at the Eldon Community Center! I was happy to visit with Brian and see some terrific wrestling only an hour from my home.

Next up for World League Wrestling is a big Sedalia, MO show on September 6, 2008 featuring Wrestlemania 24′s hero Bobby Lashley! One week later World League Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH join forces for a very promising training camp. Pro wrestling legend and current World Wrestling Entertainment agent Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be in attendance on behalf of the WWE. More information can be found by going to http://www.harleyrace.com/.

I hope that you have enjoyed my personal reflection on WLW’s July 26, 2008 show in Eldon, MO. I encourage you to go to one in your area or support your local independent wrestling promotion. Everyone wants options over the current WWE product, but it is up to you to make those alternatives successful!

MWR Spotlight: Abu Colossus

Abu Colossus

By Brian “Flair” Kelley
Photo Credits: Gary Giaffoglione for Pro Wrestling Phoenix

Abu Colossus is a mountain of a man. Standing at 6″5 and weighing 280 LBS, the Pro Wrestling Phoenix Champion not only brings power to the ring but uses his speed to electrify the crowd. As soon as his entrance music, Ludacris’s “Move”, hits the PA the fans go wild and his opponents know they will have their hands full.

Abu has dominated the PWP ring for over three years while waiting to claim what he has always felt was rightfully his: the Pro Wrestling Phoenix Championship. That goal was achieved on May 10, 2008 at PWP’s 3rd Year Anniversary Spectacular when he was able to defeat Babyface” Tony Cortez, Jaysin Strife, & “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt in a 4-way Elimination Match for the title.

Tony Cortez will be the first to tell you that he was the longest reigning Champ with an amazing 20 months and that the belt will return around his waist yet PWP has claimed that we are in “The Era of Colossus”. Cortez and his partner in crime, Hype Gotti will pull out all stops to make sure that the Era is more like a Moment. Cortez and Gotti, once bitter enemies, now collectively known as Simply the Best, are sure to be a thorn in the side of the current champ.

Abu grew up a wrestling fan and took special interests in the Bret the Hitman Hart along with Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat. He was trained by “Irish” Mick Tierney and has worked hard building his reputation as one of the most respected wrestlers in the area. He also utilizes former ECW Champion Tazz’s suplex to punish his opponents along with signature moves the Two Handed Choke Slam and the Colossal Slam.

[Abu hits a Two Handed Choke Slam.]

I had the chance to talk to Jeremy Wyatt and asked him how he approaches a wrestler with the talent that Abu possesses. He said, “Abu is a guy who can be classified as a true heavyweight, there’s not many guys his size working the Indies. You might be able to wear him down if you can keep him from getting a hold of you but he’s not a guy to try and trade shots with. Seems as if he has stepped up his game a bit in the last year or so. With his size and strength, I think he should look to branch out a little more and try to work more places.”

I was able to track down Independent wrestling’s best kept secret, Abu Colossus, the night before he would defend his title at Raising the Bar against the winner of the 2008 Phoenix Challenge, “Number One” Brett Young on August 16th in Council Bluffs, IA .

When I asked him what his favorite matches were to this date, he was quick to say PWP’s December 9, 2006 Candy Cane Chaos match with Michael Strider that ended up in a double DQ. It was a match that took the big man to his limits and led to a dog collar match at PWP’S Year of the Phoenix . A Match with Mark Sterling on November 18th at PWP’S In Your Church was a close second as he feels Sterling is among the elite in the business.

Michael Strider had this to say about the man whose nickname is the Big Hurt:

“Abu Colossus has a million dollar look and I knew every night that we wrestled that I had to bring my ‘A’ game. That guy is just starting to show his full potential”.

[Michael Strider had his hands full during a Dog Collar match that you can purchase on the PWP DVD Year of the Phoenix 2.]

Abu takes great pride in representing Pro Wrestling Phoenix and working with the upstart wrestling promotion Magnum Pro Wrestling. He looks forward to showcasing his skills with the best to prove to the fans in the Midwest that he is the standard that all wrestlers should be compared to. The names that he would like to work with on the national scene were TNA wrestler Abyss, Samoa Joe and Bryan Danielson. In the Midwest he would love to hook up with NWA/CSW Missouri Champion Dingo, Gage Octane, Brian Ash and Mitch Paradise.

When asked if there was anything that he would like to say to the fans he replied “We love what we do and we appreciate their support and we hope that they know that the Independent wrestlers will give a 100% to entertain. They are the reason we do what we do.”

Final thoughts

As a fan of Independent Pro Wrestling I look forward to seeing some of the best take on each other and there is no doubt that Abu Colossus should be in the sights of all promoters and would add to the show instantly.

Love it or hate it, the truth of the matter is fans enjoy powerhouse wrestlers and they are few and far between in this area. Abu is something special and I would love to see how 3XW Commissioner Todd Countryman and his men, Mark Sterling and Gage Octane would deal with this monster of a man. Maybe Casanova will need some assistance with 3XW Champion Devin Carter after turning on him at 3XW’S “On a Stick” show this past month.

Central States Wrestling in Kansas has stated that they will be making a comeback soon and though the talent in the company is plentiful, Abu would be a force from the start, and the fan favorites could use a little help with the “In Crowd” or the Barrio Boys, two factions that have been terrorizing the fans and their favorites in the area.

Let’s not forget that Lethal Wrestling Alliance president Luke Roberts is looking for a man that can defeat the Future Donovan Ruddick. Why not bring in an outsider to do their dirty work. Yet who knows maybe the Future will contact Abu to help him in his dominance of LWA, a combination that could prove unstoppable.

Pro Wrestling Phoenix fans are fortunate to have one of the most exciting wrestlers in the Midwest as their champion and some big matches will be in Abu’s future with the very talented roster that PWP now boast to have in Number One” Brett Young, Jaysin Strife, Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt, Arya Daivari, The Anarchist” Arik Cannon, Mark Sterling, Tyler Cook and familiar foes Simply the Best gunning for the title.

You can check out Abu Colossus at Pro Wrestling Phoenix http://www. prowrestlingphoenix. com/ where you can purchase DVDs and find out who he will be up against at future shows. He can also be found at Magnum Pro Wrestling at http://www. myspace. com/magnumpw . Booking info for Abu Colossus http://www. myspace. com/abucolossus

MWR Spotlight: Gary the Barn Owl

A Barn Owl Soars Toward Victory

By Kari Williams

Gary the Barn Owl soared into the hallowed ring of professional wrestling before he was even old enough to spread his wings and take flight.

Back in high school, Peter Townsley, Pierre Abernathy and Gary “used to always want to be wrestlers and we just jumped around in the backyard like a bunch of idiots.”

Townsley, who, at the time, worked at the Gravois Grill in Fenton, MO, ran into Jordan Lacey, his wife, Dawn, and Hellraiser.

“We got the flyer, called the number and ended up wrestling out in a field doing God-knows-what, basically we had no clue what we were doing, and then we eventually met Nick Tyson and Adam Raw and then it kind of snow-balled into the LWA, which snow-balled into us training,” Gary said.

His initial training began with Lacey and the XWA and was then followed up by Raw and Tyson. Under those two, Gary trained every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday for approximately a year and half, until he officially began his career.

However, his passion for the sport was born long before he ever set foot in a wrestling ring.

“I can just remember everybody used to like football, and then I just did not want to watch football because I just thought it was boring… I remember seeing Macho Man, his hat was pretty shiny; I liked it,” Gary said.

Flying around the Midwest for nearly four years, Gary notes one simple detail that intrigues him the most about stepping between the ropes.

“I like the physicality. For some odd reason, I’m a glutton for getting my ass kicked. I love it; it’s a good time, and I just like entertaining people,” Gary said.

Along with Evan Gelistico, Jordan Lacey and Billy McNeill, Gary helps to form The Bearded Men From Space Station Eleven—a group that Gary has associated himself with for as long as he can remember.

“When I was born I had a beard. I was the wierdest looking kid, I can show pictures but people will kind of laugh and gawk, so I just keep those at home. So, honestly, ever since I was born I’ve been a member [of the Bearded Men]. My mom has a beard, that’s really awkward, but she’s momma. Momma from Space Station Eleven,” Gary said.

The group formed because the Submission Squad was ganging up on Gary, and he needed help, so he joined forces with Gelistico, who was having his own problems within the Sexual Dynasty, of which he was a part. Lacey and McNeill—who is credited with naming the faction—enlisted as well, and the Bearded Men have been going strong for nearly two years.

Gary and Gelistico flew the coop, so to speak, and returned with AWA-PPW Tag Team Titles, which are from Indiana. On his own, Gary currently holds the U-30s belt, from IWA-Texas, based out of the San Antonia and Dallas area.

Despite the plethora of gold he currently holds, Gary’s greatest feat thus far was his LWA championshp reign.

“My biggest accomplishment is probably being the LWA champion…because I started off as just a trainee here, and they gave me the ‘Gary the Barn Owl’ gimmick, and at first I didn’t like it, and I started really warming up to it and getting in to it. Just basically, becoming from say your opening card guy and now I can main event, open a show, I can do anything because obviously I’m the greatest thing ever. Not really, but you know,” Gary said.

Locally, Gary can be seen wrestling for Lethal Wrestling Alliance (LWA). However, for one keen on travelling, he can be spotted in promotions such as NWA-CSW (Kansas and Missouri), IWA-Texas, PWI-Texas and PPW-Indiana, among others.

Gary the Barn Owl Fast Facts:

Most Important Lesson From Wrestling: Wrestling has taught me respect. That’s the biggest thing. A lot of people might say it, or not, but just respect, and how much you put in and how much you get out of it, you have to work really, really hard to make it to the point where you’re making it a living. So, those guys on TV, even if you don’t like them or you don’t like them because they’re not good or bad, those guys bust their ass, and I give them all the credit for it.

Favorite Match: (One of three favorites) I wrestled Mike Quackenbush and Evan Gelistico in February. That was a really fun match. Evan and me go way back. We met when the XWA/LWA started. We used to hate each other. But now we’re cool. We’re like brothers. He’s like a brother from a different mother—or alien, I really don’t know. We wrestled Quackenbush in a three way, and that’s just overall learning experience was fantastic. Mike Quackenbush is a great athlete, has a really good mind for wrestling and he brought a whole different style to what we were used to.

Dream Matches: I’d say A.J. Styles from TNA. Out of anybody in WWE, I’d wrestle Paul London because I really like Paul London. Either him or Brian Kendrick. It’d be really cool if it was Brian Kendrick and London verus me and Evan, that’d be a good match. Let’s see, anywhere on the indies, I’m a really big fan of El Generico, I don’t know why, I just really like El Generico’s work.

Who Has Taught Him the Most: I’ve learned the most from Nick Tyson, he’s the one that really got me focused because it’s hard to get me focused on certain things. But, he really drilled it in my head the respect thing, and just you can go out and have a good match, and he’d tear me apart. We’d watch it, and he’d tear it up, and about the small things that make things look even better, that I don’t notice it, but the fans notice or other people notice.

When a “Rock” Meets a Hard Place

When a ‘Rock’ meets a hard place
Rocky Johnson’s appearance in MMWA-SICW

By Kari Williams

An uncertain buzz filled the tiny East Carondelet Community Center on July 19. Fans were packed into the building, anticipating the appearance of a bonafide legend—Rocky Johnson—who was on hand for his induction into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. However, Johnson contributed more to the show than his namesake alone.

Johnson was involved in an altercation with The Connection’s Phil E. Blunt and Jerome Cody, along with their manager Travis Cook.

MMWA-SICW Wrestler of 12 years, “Wild Child” Billy Diamond, saw Johnson’s involvement as more than meets the eye.

“It was an honor to have Rocky Johnson there. There are always going to be times that you get star struck, but they remind you that they are just people dedicated to the same craft you are. Having anyone like that on our show is not only a benefit, but a very big honor,” Diamond said.

Despite his “cameo” of sorts with MMWA-SICW, Johnson relays the fact that the road he took to get to where he is today was not an easy one.

“It took 40 years for me to get here. It took a lot of struggling. It took a lot of hard work. It took a lot of striving. It took a lot of aches, pains, broken bones,” Johnson said.

During that time, the father of The Rock did not think about giving up—not once.

“I never ever thought of [giving up]. I [ran] into some rough times because in the 60s and 70s, and when I came to the south—not so much in Canada—I ran into some racial prejudice, I ran into a lot of that stuff. But it just [gave] me the incentive to go on,” Johnson said.

However, not every wrestler had the mindset that Johnson did. MMWA-SICW Wrestler Mr. Bibbs suffered a back injury in 2006 and questioned returning to the ring.

“It gave me quite a scare to think and wonder if I was ever going to be able to play with my children and live a normal life that I was used to,” Bibbs said.

Injuries can occur at any level of wrestling—Johnson suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung and knee surgery—but he feels that it is that desire to succeed that holds back independent wrestlers.

“They don’t have that ‘eye of the tiger.’ If they have a job making $300 a week, and then they can they can get [into] independent wrestling and make $600 a week, they’re satisfied. They don’t have the eye of the tiger to make it in any sports,” Johnson said.

Bibbs, however, has a slightly different take on Johnson’s perception of the indy scene.

“Nothing against Mr.Johnson, I deeply respect the man, but I strongly disagree with him. I know a lot of guys in this business that, if given the chance, would out work some of the so called superstars,” Bibbs said.

Although on the same level as Bibbs, Diamond sees where Johnson is coming from. When Diamond first started in wrestling, he was told that there was not an abundance of money involved on the independent level.

“It is your responsibility to make an impact with the people. It’s all on you to seek out going to another level. It can be done, but often because of families or other jobs or other commitments it’s hard to chase it as much as you would like. It does happen though and that ‘eye of the tiger’ never say die attitude is what gets you there,” he said.

That attitude may be alive and well in some of the wrestlers that Johnson saw on his return to the St. Louis wrestling scene.

“Coming back here, I like to look at some of these youngsters and see—hope—some of them will get a chance. I’ve seen a few that probably could make it, but I think what they [have] to get today is that ‘eye of the tiger,’” Johnson said.

MWR Event Report: FIST on July 26, 2008

FIST Combat Arena Report

By Kari Williams

As FIST Combat made its return like the proverbial Phoenix rising from the ashes on July 26, 139 fans crowded into the River’s Edge Complex in Granite City, Illinois for an explosive night of wrestling action.

Steven Kennedy vs. Brandon Espinosa

Kennedy and Espinosa kicked off the show with an awe-inspiring display of athleticism. They set the bar high, with both competitors working rabidly to gain the advantage. Despite Espinosa’s heart and determination, Kennedy, who was making his FIST debut, used his quick wit and caught Espinosa by surprise in the closing moments of the bout.

Steven Kennedy def. Brandon Espinosa with a roll-up

“The Main Attraction” Tommy Knight vs. “Future” Donovan Ruddick

Knight had an uphill battle to fight against Ruddick in the second match of the night. The imposing physique of Ruddick did not deter Knight, who relentlessly attempted to knock the larger man off his feet. However, Knight’s desire did not equal Ruddick’s dominance in this instance.

“Future” Donovan Ruddick def. “The Main Attraction” Tommy Knight with a big boot to the face

Abraham vs. Jeff Hawkins

These two behemoths barely had a chance to lay into one another because the ECW original, Sabu, made his presence felt in a way that only he could. Sabu hurled a chair at one man, and caught the other in a camel-clutch-like maneuver until the referees forced him out of the building.

No Contest

Conrad Kennedy III vs. C.J. Otis

Cockiness personified met pure athleticism as CK III and Otis squared off in a lengthy contest. The advantage went back and forth on multiple occasions, with the technical prowess of both men shining bright. Just as it appeared that Otis had CK III pinned, the bell rang, signifying that the match would end in a time-limit draw. This act prompted Otis to ask for five more minutes. However, CK III’s arrogance beckoned, as he berated the fans while declining the five-minute extension.

CK III’s actions prompted Dingo to venture ringside and challenge the self-proclaimed ‘Greenwich City Samurai’ to a match. Commotion ensued and resulted in the promoter of FIST, Mike Gordon, announcing that there will be a first-annual Sabu Invitational tournament. The three competitors announced who will compete in the tournament are none other than C.J. Otis, Conrad Kennedy III and Dingo.

Thirty-Minute Time-Limit Draw

Zero Gravity vs. The Soul Shooters

The high-flying team of Zero Gravity took on the Soul Shooters in a fast-paced, high-impact bout. Both teams provided stellar performances that were sure to please any crowd. In this ultimate showdown between brawlers and high-fliers, the brawlers won out.

The Soul Shooters def. Zero Gravity

Tracy Smothers vs. Shane Rich

Smothers practically embodied the Toby Keith song, “A Little Less Talk, and a lot more Action,” as he relentlessly forced the fans to endure his unpleasant antics. In an attempt to get the match started, Rich then got on the mic to usher the match along. Although Rich, a St. Louis native, had all the guts and fortitude to overcome the legend, it was not to be.

Tracy Smothers def. Shane Rich

The Kari Williams MMWA-SICW Recap

MMWA-SICW Recap (July 19, 2008)

By Kari Williams
When a bonafide legend meets a of couple up-and-coming, loud-mouths, all hell is sure to break loose. With Rocky Johnson on hand to accept his induction into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame, one witnessed just that—along with multiple other events—at the East Carondelet Community Center on July 19.

As advertised, the main event pitted Jeremy Lightfoot against his most recent nemesis, Jeff Hawkins, in a cage match. Both competitors embodied hatred and detestation throughout the bout. However, Hawkins, who tried to end the fight quickly by attempting to climb out of the ring after delivering a handful of headbutts and a devastating clothesline, showed traces of cowardice. Lightfoot quickly capitalized on the ill-advised Hawkins and trapped him in the camel clutch, weakening the opponent. The remainder of the hellacious battle became a back and forth contest, with no man gaining a clear advantage over the other. Nonetheless, Lightfoot made his intentions crystal clear as he delivered a powerful Michinoku Driver to score the pinfall. Despite Lightfoot’s victory, his night ended in utter brutality, as Hawkins and his cohorts (Jerome Cody and Waco) attacked Lightfoot and even went so far as to handcuff him to the cage.

Previously, Tommy Riggs took on The Connection Member Jerome Cody in a rugged battle. Cody began the match the only way he knows how—with a cheap shot while Riggs’s back was turned. Regardless of Riggs’s efforts, Cody’s devilish deeds paid dividends as he connected with a powerful belly-to-belly suplex from the turnbuckles securing another win for The Connection.

The Big Texan made an effort to put Moondog Rover back in the dogpound during their bout. In only 4:40, a winner was determined, but not without controversy. Rover nailed Texan square in the head with his signature bone, causing a disqualification victory for Texan. Although the referee had done his job, fans were disgruntled nonetheless.

The prior match-up pitted “Night Train” Gary Jackson against Phil E. Blunt with the stipulation that if Jackson were to win, he was guaranteed five minutes in the ring with Travis Cook. Jackson fought an uphill battle this night—and not for lack of ability. He had to contend with Cook’s interference, which allowed Blunt to take control of the match-up on occasion. Luck was on Jackson’s side—along with the multitude of fans on hand—which allowed him to connect with his patented elbow drop and fierce punches. Blunt then attempted to score a quick pinfall on Jackson, but Jackson was able to get one over on Blunt as he caught Blunt with small package.

As per the stipulation, Jackson was given his promised time with Cook. However, moments after the match ended, Cody and Blunt attacked Jackson, leaving him vulnerable for an attack by Cook. During the assault, the recently inducted St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame member Rocky Johnson got involved in a successful attempt to aid Jackson.

Before that action got underway, “Wild Child” Billy Diamond took on the fan favorite, Shaft. Although both men had their shining moments in the bout, Shaft had a slight advantage throughout. It was Shaft’s tenacity and determination to succeed that forced him to target Diamond’s ankle sporadically. This proved to be Diamond’s demise, as Shaft forced the wild one to tap to the ankle lock at just over 11 minutes.

Jaysin Static proved himself as a worthy competitor once again in his battle with Bobby D. D controlled the opening moments, but Static used his natural athleticism to connect with a Harley Race-like high knee to turn the tide. Unfortunately for Static, D was able to quickly regain the advantage. Despite Static’s heart and desire—and his ability to lock D in the sharpshooter—D’s experience proved to be too much for, arguably, the hardest working athlete in MMWA-SICW.

What made this night special was the fact that legends were on hand to accept their rightful place in the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. Former Wrestling at the Chase commentator Larry Matysik had the honor of inducting Buddy Rogers, Dory Funk, Jr., Jack Briscoe, Lee Warren, Joe Garagiola and Rocky Johnson into the hallowed hall. On hand for the occasion were Warren and Johsnon, as well as Mickey Garagiola accepting for his brother who was broadcasting an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

As Johnson was in the process of receiving his plaque, The Connection felt the need to interrupt the ceremony, proclaiming that no one cares about the “has-beens” of professional wrestling. This prompted Jackson to defend Johnson, which resulted in the match against Blunt.

The wild night began with A.J. Williams’ Junior Heavyweight Title on the line against Johnny Courageous. Though exhibiting tremendous athletic prowess, neither man had a clear advantage throughout the bout. Courageous and Williams exemplified what it takes to be champion, showing their never-say-die attitudes. However, in the end, Williams emerged victorious after a swift superkick at 11:46.