“Murphy vows to destroy SICW” ?

Since his return to the ring, Matt Murphy has found himself in the thick of many top stories around the Midwest. He has been featured in main event matches in Kansas City ,upsetting WWE HOF Ted Dibiase in Iowa and last fall he returned for a historic match at the WLW/ WWE/ NOAH annual camp show in Eldon, Missouri. – Photo Credit Brian Kelley

Editor’s note: While we were thrilled to find out that Matt Murphy was promoted to work with SICW, a couple a months ago, that happiness has tuned into a very volatile situation. Murphy would go on to lose in stunning fashion to the young beast Alexander Rudolph in his debut.

Since that time, Matt Murphy has had animosity towards SICW promoter Herb Simmons, announcer Larry Matysik, the wrestlers in the back and the fans out front.

In a war of words coming in from both sides, MWR stance with all of them is that they each are free to let the world hear their side of this story, in hopes that cooler heads will prevail in the end.

For the fans that are just joining us today for the first time, glad to have you at MWR and feel free to catch up with the first shot in this argument from Matt Murphy.

Matt Murphy calls out Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons after SICW Debut.

Click here to hear his reply to the accusations of Matt Murphy.

Promoter Herb Simmons has worked with some of the very best and most dangerous meant in the sport including Bruiser Brody and Ron Powers. Yet Murphy is a man that does not have the power of Brody and Powers but is able to be just as dangerous in his attacks, as he is normally one step ahead of his opponents.

SICW promoter Herb Simmons responds to “All That” Matt Murphy.

Letter sent via Matt Murphy

In today’s digital age, it doesn’t take much to call yourself a writer. You don’t need talent, ability to engage an audience, or even mastery of the Queen’s English. You just peck away at your keyboard, hit Send, and you’re published. Case in point: Herb Simmons’ half-coherent rant that was posted on Missouri Wrestling Revival concerning my debut with SICW. You’d think that a guy who calls an author, Larry Matysik, his friend would have the sense to reach out for some proofreading help before sending off his letter to Brian Kelley for web publication. But the poor grammar and style Herb used, while certainly as irritating to all of you as it was to me and quite possibly a felony in the U.K., isn’t what prompted my rebuttal.

His response to me should have contained just two words. “Thank you.”

Quick backstory, for those of you joining this program already in-progress: International wrestling star and bestselling author Matt Murphy, kindly (and foolishly) thinking it would be good for the wrestling business, tried to breathe some life back into the corpse known as St. Louis wrestling when he agreed to make some appearances for SICW. While most promotions would have rolled out the red carpet for Murphy, SICW instead stabbed him in the back. Yet, despite a lackluster and controversial debut, our hero still captured the interest of sponsors, who signed on to help fund SICW for the next two years. In one night, despite it being one of the worst nights in his wrestling career, Matt Murphy did more for SICW than anyone who ever held a spot on the roster before him. But did promoter Herb Simmons give due credit? No. He looked the gift horse in the mouth and then spit on it.

Everyone up to speed now? Good. Let’s move on.

Murphy has challenged for the NWA World title against Adam Pearce and the Central States Championship held by highly touted ACH. – Photo Credit Brian Kelley

Herb showered Larry Matysik with praise in his letter. He said that Larry is honest and doesn’t need to prove himself to anyone. Was he honest when he weaseled his way into a book deal for an idea that I pitched and a manuscript that I had already delivered to the publisher? Was he honest when he tried ending my storied career by sicking the unstable super-heavyweight behemoth Alexander Rudolph on me after leading me to believe I would be competing against someone in my weight class? Herb called Larry Matysik a household name. To paraphrase the great Jim Cornette, “Larry Matysik might be a household name, but so is garbage, and it stinks when it gets old, too.”

Larry Matysik has made a living in wrestling as a pencil-pusher and a jabber-mouth. Is that not enough? Wrestlers should treat him as an equal, or as if he’s better than us? The first time I was lifted six feet in the air and slammed onto the plywood and metal beams, I earned more respect in this business than anyone who’s never survived that experience. Sure, he’s a legend, as far as announcers go, but is it really saying anything to call yourself the finest slice of bologna in a steakhouse? This is the wrestling business. Wrestlers are the stars. Announcers, ring crew, referees…they’re all supporting cast, and it would be best for everyone involved in the business if the supporting cast remembered their place at the end of the catering line.

I don’t like old people. Call it one of my few character flaws, but I don’t like them. I don’t like the way they drive, smell, reminisce, beg pardon, and gossip. But I especially don’t like old people who talk tough to me. I don’t discriminate: I’m an equal-opportunity ass-kicker, and I will hit an old man, not just because I dislike old people, but because I do what I can to be politically correct. Larry and Herb are treading on thin ice with me, and every misspelled word Herb wrote cracked the ice just a little more.

“Murphy vows to destroy SICW”?
Is the title of this article but make no bones about it wrestling fans, Murphy is a real threat to our friend Herb Simmons and Larry Matysik. While he can wrestle with the best of them, he has showed recently that he prefers to take short cuts and play mind games. -– Photo Credit Brian Kelley

I return to SICW on August 18th. When I look across that ring and into my opponent’s half-awestruck and half-terrified eyes, I’m going to see Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons staring back at me. Every strike and every hold will reflect my anger towards the men who pull the strings at SICW. I hope my opponent has a bright future in professional wrestling, because bright wrestling futures are a beautiful thing, and right now I feel like destroying something beautiful.

-International Professional Wrestling Star and Bestselling Author Matt Murphy

Matt Murphy calls out Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons after SICW Debut.

Alexander Rudolph chokes Murphy with his hair….Did SICW ambush Matt Murphy?? – Photo Credit Brian Kelley

Sent to MWR from ”All That” Matt Murphy.

Since the day I came in to the wrestling business in 1999, I’ve been a success.  I’ve made a name for myself all over the world, and I’ve fought for and earned every ounce of respect I’ve been shown.  But I have never felt as disrespected and humiliated as I felt June 16th night in SICW.

I didn’t ask to come to SICW.  Larry Matysik reached out to me.  He called me and said, “I’d love to have you come in and wrestle for us.  I think you’d really connect with these fans.  We’ll put you in there with a young up-and-comer, really make you look like a star.”

I had heard great things about the fans and the talent at SICW, so I said, “Sure, Larry.  I’d be glad to do it.”

I felt good about returning to wrestle in the St. Louis area.  As everyone knows, St. Louis has a long and storied history in professional wrestling.  It was once known as the class of the business.  Where other territories promoted shows under spotlights in carnival tents, St. Louis shows were held under chandeliers.  Where toothless half-wits filled the seats in every other territory in the world, the fans of St. Louis wore suits and gowns and sitting among them were the city’s most prominent businessmen and public figures.

I’ve accomplished some great things in St. Louis: winning titles, headlining major events, competing for WWE in front of a sold-out crowd at the Savvis Center and, of course, putting the legendary St. Louis Blues enforcer Tony Twist on his back with a right hand to the jaw.

I came to SICW to wrestle, but what I walked into was an ambush.  Everyone was in on it: the entire SICW roster, the fans, even the referee.  And Larry Matysik and Herb Simmons orchestrated the whole thing.

Larry promised me a young up-and-comer.  And what he booked me against was Alexander Rudolph.  I’d heard of him and knew how dangerous he could be.  But I’ve battled and beaten giants (Meng, The Barbarian, The Harris Brothers, Takeshi Morishima, just to name a few), and I was confident that I would add Alexander Rudolph to that impressive list.  I would have, too, had it been a one-on-one match.  But I was up against everyone in the building that night, from my opponent to the locker room to the lady selling nachos to the toothless geriatrics sitting in most of the seats.  Even I couldn’t overcome those odds.

Although we compete with each other on the Amazon bestseller list, I’ve always respected Larry Matysik, even liked him.  I thought he was one of the good guys in the business.  But what happened Saturday night was a painful reminder that there are no good guys in wrestling.

Speaking of good guys, where were they when Alexander Rudolph attacked me after the match?  Where were the heroes of SICW?

Where was Ricky Cruz?  Slicking his hair back?  Polishing his new Classic Wrestling Championship belt?

Where was Gary Jackson?  Too busy telling everyone in the locker room that he was a big-time star when most of them were still in diapers?

Where was Sean Vincent?

Where were the heroes?

Where were you, Larry?

I’ll give credit where it’s due.  I didn’t see it coming.  SICW made one of its most promising stars, Alexander Rudolph, look like a superstar when he mopped the canvas with “All That” Matt Murphy, a bona fide Midwest legend.  But Larry and Herb didn’t think their devious plan through.  When Herb signed me to wrestle for SICW, he signed me for 6 shows.  They played their hand too early.  And now they’re stuck with me for 5 more shows.  That’s 5 more opportunities for me to destroy SICW.

Enjoy this victory.  Savor every moment between now and the night I come back.  Because when I return, everyone who was involved in the ambush and everyone who pledges allegiance to SICW will suffer.  I’m going to tear apart SICW one piece at a time.  After I’ve dismantled SICW limb from limb, I’m going to rip out its heart, Larry Matysik, and finally close the book on the history of St. Louis wrestling.

Matt Murphy-False-Finish

If MWR had a comeback award Matt Murphy would have it in the bag. He has wrestled many of the best in the world from Japan to WWE prior to his first break from the ring. During his return he was in the thick of the action at Metro Pro Wrestling and returned for a classic match at WLW/WW/NOAH camp. – Photo Credit Brian Kelley

Matt Somebody

The blog of writer and former wrestler Matt Murphy, author of THE SOMEBODY OBSESSION: A NOBODY’S DESPERATE JOURNEY TO STARDOM

The false-finish, when executed correctly, can be one of the most exciting elements of a pro-wrestling match.  It draws fans in, makes them invest in the belief that they’re about to see the end, and then, at the last second, the wrestler kicks out to avoid defeat.  Unfortunately, it’s terribly overused and often desensitizes the crowd so the false-finishes that really matter mean less than they should.

Pro wrestlers are notorious for another overused false-finish: the finish of their careers.  Terry Funk, Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair…they’ve all retired multiple times, and they kept coming back.  It has made for some special moments but, like the in-ring false-finish, it has watered down the real retirements and left fans wondering how long until we see the retiring star back in the ring.

Last week, I announced via Facebook that my comeback was coming to an end.  I won’t call it a retirement–I don’t make a living as a wrestler–but I was going to walk away.  That was the plan.  And now, just days before my last match, as the referee’s hand is inches from the mat, I’m kicking out.

Here’s the story.

 To read the rest click here.

Friendship: = Matt Murphy and many more.

The value of friendship is often the result of friends consistently demonstrating the following:

The tendency to desire what is best for the other:

Sympathy and empathy

Honesty, even in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth

Mutual understanding and compassion; ability to go to each other for emotional support

Enjoyment of each other’s company

Trust in one another

Positive reciprocity — equal give-and-take between the two parties

The ability to be oneself, express one’s feelings and make mistakes without fear of judgment.

As we head to an exciting weekend with one of the top wrestlers in the world today Adam Pearce making his way to Glen Carbon, Illinois at NWA Dynamo on Friday night to take on Ricky Cruz then make his way to Kansas City for Metro Pro Wrestling to take on one of my very favorites Michael Strider in his very last match in a match that I know will be truly awesome.

While those two matches alone is worth the price of admission you will also be able to see many of the best in the country today including MsChif, Mark Sterling, Miss Natural, Dan Walsh, KC Karrington, SBC, Bull Schmitt, Derek Stone, Makaze, The Magic Man just to name a few.

With that said please let me take the time to be personal with you.

This past week I have been receiving e-mails and messages on Facebook from many friends and fans that have purchased the 2011 MWR Yearbook stating how awesome of a job I did.

Matt is one of the most underrated minds in the world of pro wrestling. His books are well thought out and he has been a wrestler and teacher for the legend himself Harley Race. Still his greatest accomplishment is being a father to young Hunter.

The truth of the matter is the books professional look and layout was the work of one man…Matt Murphy. Murphy has always been a guy from the start that has been blunt and caring with his support of MWR. His book The Professional Wrestler in the World of Sports Entertainment was offered to us for FREE for you the fans and can still be seen on the top link above the MWR link as MWR Features. Each week that we posted the articles from that book, fans and wrestlers were writing us on how much they enjoyed the book.

Still Murphy and I was just casual friends talking every once in a while when I needed advice, so I really didn’t know him that well. So when the day he told me he would be willing to help me work on the MWR yearbook, I was excited but to be perfectly honest I have had friends in the past who have said that they would do something and A) Just couldn’t because of family and life but had good intentions and that’s totally understandable B) Never planned on doing it anyway so as you can see I am a realist that will work towards a goal and gives a 100%.

Yet, Matt was not only true to his word about supporting the book; he went over and beyond putting effort towards this book. The time alone that he had to correct my grammar and spelling is worth hundreds of dollars not to count the loss hair he has from pulling them out from my mistakes  but with many of the stories I sent him he had some information about the promotions (Many he didn’t know from Adam) and wrestlers.

His vision of the book was a dream come true. The hours he spent on talking to me on what to do with the book I am sure was time consuming for Matt. Then when it was time to release the book he was there giving me advice on what to do to make the book look as professional and get the word out to the masses. …. Heck he even did the press release for the book that day for me.

With my dad passing away, he gave me an outlet to honor him in a way that was worthy of the love he gave our family. That is something I will be forever grateful.

What is the cost of Murphy’s time and expertise on the MWR Yearbook that he asked for ?      To this day Matt has not taken a dime from me though I have offered it to him. His reply has always been “I’m glad to help. I’m really happy you do what you do for the business with MWR.” WOW.

Behind every great man there is a great women, for Matt Murphy that love is his wife Jessica.

I still hope to find a way to at least give back to him in some way and am currently working on something for my friend.

My only regret is that I didn’t include a picture of his wife Jessica and his son Hunter Murphy in the yearbook. To be honest there were several friends that I left out that I care about in the past at wrestling shows that did not make the book but why I didn’t think about the two people he cares about the most in the book is beyond me. I know he holds no ill will about it and would never say anything yet I do wish I would of thought about it.

While being a guest in the Murphy home putting on the final touches of the book, his son brought me this drawing that he had done of me as a gift. Matt said to me that he is normally shy around others but it must be that he had seen me so many times on the computer during the time that Matt worked on the book that he must have felt like he knew me. How awesome is that – Art Hunter Murphy

I do not want this to come off as somber or stupid but I am blessed to have a GREAT family and wonderful friends who don’t even watch wrestling so I am not lacking there. Yet if something should happen to me today, tomorrow or many years for now I would like to have Matt be a pall bearer for me for his friendship that I hope will last much longer than people will remember this book.

Maybe this is too much information for many of you but I only know one way to act and that is with my heart. Far from perfect I am but I am forever grateful for his friendship.

I would also like to give credit to a few other people help make this book a reality.

Dubray Tallman- Many of miles on the road, putting wear and tear on our vehicles for the past five years she has had to deal with my obsession and my desire to be a part of my first love –Pro Wrestling. Trust me it can be some long drives back home from a show that is 5 hours away sometimes. The time at the shows goes so fast that I like to get there early as can be so that I can get promo, photos, and have conversation with friends that it can be pretty boring for her.

The promoters of the MWR Coverage area- Thanks for the support. My biggest dream was to be a promoter of a wrestling fed. After working with them I have an all new respect for the work that they do to make the night of wrestling happen. Do I ever want to promote, that is something that I don’t relish as much to this date.

The Wrestlers – Your support of MWR by take photos, doing promos, wearing the MWR T-shirts and sharing our links on Facebook and elsewhere is vital to our success. I wish I could give everyone a wrestler of the year plaque but we do our best to let the fans know who you are even if you are in the opening match or the main event.

The fans- I love talking to you, sometimes I don’t have as much time at the shows due to the workload I have at the shows. I do enjoy hearing from you through e-mail, Facebook etc. You taking the time and supporting pro wrestling by buying tickets, purchasing t-shirts, trading cards, 8×10’s help the wrestlers immensely.

In no order what’s so ever at the before mentioned and the ones I am about to talk about

Josh Ray – A friend of mine that I can talk for hours with, it’s amazing he still takes my calls as they can last for hours

Raven Johnson- The artist of the 2011 MWR Yearbook cover – If you have seen it then you know why. The cover its self is eye popping and makes you go what is this…..A great guy as well as a wonderful artist. He stated that if this book is a success he would be thrilled to do not only the front but the back cover as well.

Jay Ray- Poor Jay knows that when I call I am needing some help. A great graphic artist who is did the layout for the back cover of the yearbook as well as the photo collages for the year in award plaques.

ICON- The artist that has been seen in the magazines of WWE with his historic History of Wrestling Painting was kind enough to offer for me to choose a MWR Fantasy Warfare artwork. The concept is that he draws a veteran from the past to take on a superstar today. Of course, I chose Harley Race a personal idol of mine and my favorite wrestler of the his generation Kurt Angle . To see who would get the edge check out page 86 in the yearbook. Love talking to ICON.

Rob Schamberger- From the moment we talked on-line I could tell that he was genuine. A wonderful artist who drew many of the Midwest stars early on at MWR as we debuted our trading cards including Neil Diamond Cutter, Lucy Mendez, and Dan Gier. Thankfully he has not stopped their and has been getting press worldwide with his KICKSTARTER project where he plans on painting every World Champion which happens to be over 200. Last night I asked him if I needed to make reservations to speak with him as he is so busy, which brought out a chuckle from my friend. You can see Rob this weekend at Metro present a piece of art of Michael Strider to the man himself in the Middle of the ring to honor his last match. A surprise I was keeping to myself but I cannot hold it any longer is that Rob is the artist for the tribute piece to Randy Savage in our 2011 MWR Yearbook page 45.

Dart- The man of the MWR Top Draws seen on the site and banners around the Midwest including this year’s yearbook. A man that I call a friend from the start of MWR and one that I enjoy speaking to at all times.

Patrick Brandymeyer- The man with his hands on all the news in the STL. A friend who has spent many hours supporting wrestling.

Mike Wilson- Shooter spotlights: I love this concept for this year’s book that he has on his site. A great read for the fans of not only the stars of the Midwest but for those that purchase the book out of the area to know that big things are going on in our coverage area.

Each and every photographer-  there are so many and I love each and every one of you. I hope that you are secure enough to know I appreciate each and every one of you.

Michael Gordon:  A man who thinks big and has always been there for MWR. He has open some great doors for us and it has meant a lot.

I know I am missing some but I hope you understand.

Thank you for your time and support of Missouri Wrestling Revival. I love Pro Wrestling today more than I did yesterday and it is because of many of you that are ready this right now.

Brian Kelley

The State of Missouri is proudly represented in Las Vegas at the 2012 Cauliflower Alley Club reunion.

Bob Geigel, Tom Andrews, Harley Race and Bill Kersten are presented with oversize Missouri flags at the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Las Vegas at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino. RELATED SECTION: SLAM! Wrestling's CAC section. Photo by Greg Oliver.

By Brian Kelley

It’s hard to believe that Harley Race, one of the greatest wrestlers in the world much less Missouri is not a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, Missouri. Race an 8-time World Champion, a member of almost every wrestling Hall of Fame in the world is not even a member of the hall of fame of the state that he grew up in.

Race has supported the communities around the state of Missouri and the Midwest with fundraisers with his wrestling promotion for over 10 years. My concern became even more bothersome when I traveled to Iowa for a couple of wrestling shows. On the way to Council Bluffs, Iowa from Des Moines, Iowa was the small town of Van Meter, Iowa. It so happen to be the home of Baseball great Bob Feller. In a small town of 1,700 was this awesome museum that kept the memories alive of the hometown boy who went on to sign with the Cleveland Indians and became a first ballot MLB Hall of Famer.

Even though I only knew the name of Bob Feller, I always respected him as a HOF. His museum was able to teach me on the life of not only one of Iowa’s great athletes but one of the world’s best. Though I am a Cardinal fan that bleeds red, the Bob Feller museum was a true treat for the sports fan in me.

Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, Iowa.- Photo Credit Brian Kelley

Bob Feller Museum inside

The museum isn’t huge but is worthy of a man who worked hard to become one of the greatest ball players of all-time. As I continued my drive, it got me thinking about an article that my friend Matt Murphy had done called Missouri Sports Hall of Fame snubs pro wrestling. Murphy wrote a polite letter to the Missouri Hall of Fame asking why has wrestling greats like Race been ignored?

To read the answers that Matt Murphy got along with his great article click here.

The more I thought about it the more I became concerned that when Race is gone (hopefully a long long long time from now) will the state  just forget all that he has done for the state of Missouri, much less wrestling? Where will all the great photos of Race with the greats in wrestling and beyond end up?

Most likely some will end up in Waterloo, Iowa which has a great hall of fame for wrestlers and that would be appropriate for them to have some but I’d love for there to be a home to celebrate Race in Eldon, Missouri or St. Louis that would also be worthy of a man who has been a legend in the sport. While I envision the museum to be The Harley Race Wrestling Museum, the men he fought with and against would be remembered as well. It would be great to see men like Rufus R Jones , Trevor Murdock and Bob Geigel not forgotten or  just a mention in someone’s autobiography. How great it would be to have two rooms with great wrestling action going on as Race would be battling Bulldog Bob Brown in Central States Wrestling as Bill Kersten calling the action and another room with Wrestling at the Chase’s Larry Matysik calling a Race and Flair matchup.

I have some great friends who are talented that I know would make the building have enough class and interaction for the fans young and old. This would be awesome

Oh but I am a dreamer, just a guy that can barely keep the MWR site going day to day but if I had the funds know darn well I would work to keep the history of wrestling from KC to STL alive for generations to come.

Sorry about getting away from the subject at hand, the truth is I love Cardinal baseball, football, college basketball and many more sports. Still Race deserves to be in the Sports Hall of Fame while he is alive.   Without a doubt that Harley Race should be welcome along with the greats such as Lou Thesz, Sam Muchnick, Stan the Man, Lou Brock and Ken Boyer.

Matt Murphy challenges for the NWA World Championship on April 7th at Metro Pro Wrestling.

Photo Credit Brian Kelley

Matt Murphy is the first graduate of and former lead instructor at eight-time NWA World Champion and WWE Hall of Fame inductee Harley Race’s Wrestling Academy.

His talents have earned him the rare opportunity to wrestle in Japan for Pro Wrestling Noah and make appearances on WWE TV. He has held titles around the Midwest, and been in the ring with a who’s who of wrestling greats.

When an auto accident sidelined him in what looked to be the end of his career, Murphy’s talent would be focused towards producing his Amazon bestselling autobiography The Somebody Obsession: A Nobody’s Desperate Journey to Stardom.

With the love of the business still in his heart Murphy was destined to return to the ring. This time it was not as a wrestler but as commissioner for the upstart wrestling promotion Metro Pro Wrestling. Metro Pro Wrestling promoter Chris Gough a graduate of MU and a former employee of WWE, saw quickly the great mind that Murphy had and quickly put Murphy in charge.

As the year progressed, that decision on Gough would come to bite him as Murphy’s ego would get the best of him. During some of the key moments of Metro Pro Wrestling in 2011, the commissioner seemed to have himself involved. In August, Murphy would shock the MPW fans as he cost Michael Strider the MPW title when he nailed his former friend with a chair thus giving  Derek Stone the easy pin.

If that wasn’t enough, Murphy would be the center of attention as the NWA Worlds Champion Adam Pearce defended his prestigious title against Strider.

The dream of becoming a NWA World Champion looked to have become true as Strider had hit his patented Strider Spiral -Photo credit Brian Kelley

It looked as if history had been made, Strider had pinned the Champion of the World after nailing a Strider spiral, the ten pounds of gold was around his waist, the local legend Michael Strider celebrated with his father who was at ringside that night, the fans had erupted and the internet was a buzz that Strider a mans man had become “The Man”……..But

Murphy, still the commissioner demanded that the match be started due to Pearce’s feet being on the ropes. Murphy taunted Strider with the words “Do you want to be a man or win the belt like that?”. With the fans chanting “keep the belt keep the belt” , Strider unwisely let the ref restart the match and moments later Pearce was the one that had used the feet on the ropes to retain the title and celebrate with Murphy before running back home to California.

Not too long ago Murphy assisted the NWA World Champion Adam Pearce to retain the NWA Worlds champion. Now it is Murphy who will be looking to bring the belt back to its home in the Midwest against his former friend Pearce.-Photo credit Brian Kelley

The end of the year would be a life changer for Murphy as 2011 ended with a bang, literally. Michael Strider ended war with the Strider Spiral followed by a sick chair shot, which blasted him on top of the head hard enough to leave a half-dollar-sized bruise on his spine.

Murphy would go on to say after the match that he “ was sore as hell for a couple weeks, but any questions I had as to whether my neck could withstand the rigors of pro wrestling were answered when I healed just fine.”

That match and the holidays marked a new era for the man who started his career as a beloved fan favorite, as in 2012 he vowed to make amends to his fans and his friends fellow wrestlers the Brotherhood of Trevor Murdock and Bull Schmitt. As of to date that question that the Brotherhood trust him, has yet to be answered.

Yet, at the last Metro Pro Wrestling, Matt Murphy was able to capture one of the biggest wins in his career when he surprisingly defeated the much heralded 5.0 Matt Riviera. Though Riviera may in fact have 5 million dollars to his name and is among the top wrestlers for this year’s Cauliflower Alley Club Future Legend award, it still wasn’t enough to overcome Murphy’s wrestling expertise.

Matt Murphy was on fire in March as he upset 5.0 Matt Riviera in his debut for MPW -Photo credit Brian Kelley

Wrestling expert, Jonathan Metz was impressed but not overly surprised with this huge win for Murphy. Metz stated “Murphy has long been considered one of the top stars in the Midwest, with wrestling magazines touting him to make an impact with stars such as CM Punk before the car accident. Now with almost a full year of training and his endurance improving with each passing day, he could very well be one to watch in 2012. Murphy is smart enough to know the history and honor it is to not only receive an opportunity for the NWA World title but to actually win the same title that his teacher Harley Race once owned, It could be one of the greatest comebacks in modern wrestling for a man who not to long ago was seen as a man who was marked under , what could have been.”

In less than two weeks , Matt Murphy will look across the ring to see the man who he helped retain the NWA World Championship last fall against Michael Strider.

Will the Metro Fans witness a magical moment in the making? How does former MPW Champion Michael Strider feel about this?

The night before in St Louis Pearce meets Kahagas for the NWA World title, will it be Murphy vs. Kahagas instead?

If Pearce the most active NWA World Champion in recent memory is able to survive the Tokyo Monster Kahagas, is he prime pickings for Murphy?

The very next day in California for NWA Hollywood, Pearce is scheduled to defend the title against Colt Cabana, will NWA Hollywood have to rush to get the airfare ready for Murphy to defend against “BOOM BOOM” Colt Cabana.

There are many scenarios in this equation during the second week of April for the NWA World title. If you are one to say that because Pearce has a match set with Cabana then there is no way that Pearce is going to lose then all you have to do is look back at the NWA history to see Flair defeating Dusty Rhodes in Kansas City therefore changing the title picture completely and setting up Flair and Race instead of Rhodes and Race.

Buy your tickets now, you may never know what will happen.

Plus

Doors open at 6 p.m., and bell time is 7 p.m.

Appearing in action on April 7, 2012, inside Turner Rec Center in Kansas City, KS:

- Former TNA Knockouts Santana G and Christina Von Eerie
- “Tokyo Monster” Kahagas
- Metro Pro Title Match: Jeremy Wyatt (c) vs. Michael Strider
- Dingo vs. “The Danimal” Dan Walsh

Check out their website here to buy tickets

MWR Book Review: The Somebody Obsession- A Nobody’s Desperate Journey to Stardom by Matt Murphy

Missouri Wrestling Revival Book Review: The Somebody Obsession- A Nobody’s Desperate Journey to Stardom by Matt Murphy

People are often discussed with the notion that societies are black and white. In the world of wrestling it is magnified even more so: promoters are people looking to use their wrestlers, the wrestlers are loose cannons, and the fans, well, we are all missing a few pieces to the puzzle.

The truth of the situation is that each one of us can fit that description at one point during our life. Life is not easy and sometimes the desire to succeed can turn a great payout promoter to struggle to pay his wrestlers, cause a wrestler with all the tools to succeed to become bitter, or have a hard working fan get so upset during a match that he does or says something he/she regrets.

For many, wrestling is a way of life. Whether you work in the sport or you just love cheering on your favorite wrestler, we just can not get enough of the wild world of pro wrestling.

At Missouri Wrestling Revival.com, you have seen many of the stars of the Midwest go after titles, do promos and travel town to town in the hopes of getting noticed. Each man and woman has a tale to tell.

One man with such a story to tell is “All That” Matt Murphy. Murphy grew up in the Midwest, not with a silver spoon in his mouth but with hardships and a love of pro wrestling.

His story talks to the reader with an honest look at himself, his friends, and even his closest peers in wrestling.

His first claim to fame was being named “The first graduate student of former World Champion Harley Race’s Wrestling Academy” but what a trip it was to become that.

Murphy makes you feel like you were right there as he struggles to become a man as a teenager to coming back home as a boy that lived his dreams. Stories of who helped him and who took their advantages of himself and other wrestlers are high points throughout the book.

This is easily a must read for any wrestling fan or aspiring young boy that truly wants a taste of a guy who has had the opportunity to make it to Japan and the disappointment of not making it to the WWE.

Matt Murphy was able to see his friend and fellow WLW Alumni Trevor Murdock make it to the WWE with much success. Hear his thoughts on that, as well as his time working with Ian Rotten’s IWA Mid-South along with current WWE Superstar CM Punk. What kind of impression did former wrestlers Big Van Vader and Meng leave on him plus stories of his time with Pro Wrestling NOAH.

I have had the pleasure of working with Matt Murphy in the past and this book gives us a true look at the man who has been a winner, a underachiever with much self doubt, a self proclaimed asshole, and a man who by all means overachieved and did not appreciate it.

After my final assessment of Murphy with working with him and reading his books, I feel as if he is one of wrestling’s best kept secrets. Matt Murphy is a man who has a wealth of wrestling knowledge that just does not sugar coat his thoughts. If given the chance I have no doubt that Murphy is capable of improving the world of wrestling as we know it today.

His book delivers with a must read story for every fan that loves wrestling.

To Buy this book via paperback or e-book click here.

“Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell reviews Matt Murphy’s book “The Somebody Obsession: A Nobody’s Desperate Journey to Stardom”

Jimmy Rockwell currently is one of the top young wrestlers in the Midwest today.  Rockwell is multi-dimensional  wrestler who has won singles titles around the Midwest and currently holds onto two tag team titles with two different partners.

“Rockstar” Jimmy Rockwell (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Rockwell’s title history.

3xw Pure Championship

3xw Cruiserweight Championship

Current 3xw tag team champion with Mike Sydal

1st ever 3xw King of Des Moines

Current Metro Pro wrestling Tag Team Champion with Zach Thompson

NWA  Midwest tag team champion

Mecw tag team champion

MECW Independent champion

Windy City Pro Wrestling 6man tag team champion

By Rockstar Jimmy Rockwell

I get asked quite a bit what’s it’s like to be a pro wrestler… where do i start? How does somebody describe something they’ve completely dedicated themselves to?

Wrestling is filled with the good stuff but there is also the times that is filled with disappointment and setback.

During a huge 6 man match at Metro Pro Wrestling in February , Matt Murphy teamed up with Bull Schmitt and Trevor Murdock to take on Showtime Bradley Charles, Jeremy Wyatt and Mark Sterling. Here Murphy drops Charles and Wyatt.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Maybe this where I’m supposed to talk about the blood, sweat and tears?

Rockwell and his partner Zach Thompson otherwise known as Heroes for Hire has had two classic matches with the Hooligans at Metro Pro Wrestling. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Well in Matt Murphy’s autobiography, The Somebody Obsession, he nails it.

Matt overcame a less ideal childhood to follow a dream. He dedicated himself to it in ways other people can only imagine and achieved a level they can only dream about. From being the 1st graduate of the Harley Race Academy and being one of Harley’s best and brightest. He toured Japan, wrestled the best in the world, and entertained thousands. All while living with friends, waiting tables and wrestling with demons.

Matt’s book is an easy read with something for everybody. He’s got funny tales of language breakdowns with some of Japans best, to hilarious “injuries at his own hand”… Gives insight to some of the greatest stars in the history of pro wrestling. Harley Race’s competitive nature and the stubbornness of Bret Hart. Matt also gives his candid opinions on some of the best wrestlers covered in in the MWR area. Murphy does this with a writing style that makes you think he’s in the room telling you the stories personally.

This book is a must have for wrestling fans everywhere.

To purchase this must read book from All That Matt Murphy click here.

Fans can catch Matt Murphy and Jimmy Rockwell at Metro Pro Wrestling and various other quality promotions around the Midwest.

Metro Pro Wrestling features the first MWR Christmas wish list match- Heroes for Hire vs The Hooligans

By Brian Kelley

During the Christmas season, MWR looks around the Midwest at the fifteen promotions that we cover to find matches that we have never seen. Some we know may never happen but there is always that hope that somewhere, sometime they will meet.

We call these matches the 2011 Christmas wish list of matches and this year can be seen by clicking here, and have included such Matt Murphy vs. Gary Jackson,  Mark Sterling vs. Edmund “Livewire” McGuire and Serenity vs. Lucy Mendez.

During the very first show of the year for the 2011 MWR Promotion of the Year, Metro Pro Wrestling a Christmas wish will be granted when the Midwest Tag Team Champions The Heroes for Hire ( Zach Thompson and Jimmy Rockwell will go toe to toe with the 2009 MWR Tag Team of the Year and was named the number one Tag team during the MWR years Devin and Mason Cutter, the Hooligans.

The Hooligans- Photo Credit Brian Kelley

When the dust settled this past year during the MWR awards committee’s voting, Heroes for Hire was voted the first runner up while the Hooligans was only one behind them at 2nd runner up.

This match will be the debut for Kansas City fans of the Hooligans, a team that has earned rave reviews for the past three years. Trained by former WWE Star Curtis Hughes, they are old school with quick tags mixed with the high impact new age attack that has allowed them to capture belts around the Midwest.

Heroes for Hire- Photo Credit Brian Kelley

The Heroes for Hire have been the tag team champions since they defeated the Beer City Bruisers on April 9th, 2011. Since then they have only getting better than ever defending the titles around the Midwest against some of the very best teams they can find.

Yet, in less than three weeks they will challenged like never before when they meet two men who have been involved in  death matches but are much more than a team that brings the pain, they are men with a purpose to be the top tag team in wrestling today.

With their eyes set for Kansas City and the chance to prove themselves on Metro Pro Wrestling TV against the fan favorites Heroes for Hire, the champs better be ready for a war.

The Heroes for Hire will need to use their speed and support from the fans to give them the edge to retain their titles in the very first meeting of the Heroes for Hire and The Hooligans !!!!

Is NWA World Champion Adam Pearce’s “Last Ride” tour about to come to a screeching halt due to “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt?

NWA World Champion Adam Pearce’s t-shirt as he makes his world tour.

By Brian Kelley

The prestigious NWA World title returns to where it all began as the NWA World Champion Adam Pearce comes to Des Moines, Iowa on January 27^th in action at the 2-time MWR promotion of the Year 3XWrestling.

 Adam Pearce has been the NWA World Champion since July 31^st when he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time by defeating Chance Prophet, Jimmy Rave and Shaun Tempers in a four-way match to win the vacant title.

It’s a shame that Pearce, a veteran of the sport for over 16 years has never received the just do that the man of his talents deserves. While the NWA title and the organization thrived for years under the management of the likes of Sam Muchnick, times have changed and the NWA has seen dark days for the type of wrestling that made me a fan of the sport.

With his years of experience in the ring and a desire to bring back the glory of the NWA World Title Adam Pearce has embarked on what he calls his “Last Ride tour”. 

His last trip to the Midwest was memorable to say the least as he made his way to Kansas City for Metro Pro Wrestling. The Challenger was Michael Strider, the setting a packed house at the Turner Rec Center on November 5^th, 2011. 

Steven J Girthy and NWA Central States Champion Jeremy Wyatt make their claim for the NWA World title. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Earlier in the night at Metro Pro Wrestling, Jeremy Wyatt and his manager Steven J Girthy would let the fans know that it was he who deserved a match against Adam Pearce. Bringing to the ring  Wyatt read the hype surrounding him in the year 2011 including the KC Star where they ranked him the #1 wrestler in Kansas City and copies of the MWR article “Does Steven J Girthy have Jeremy Wyatt poised to become the NWA Champion of the World on Nov 5th at Metro Pro Wrestling ?”

Yet, it would be a classic matchup in the main event as  Strider looked to have earned his boyhood dream to become the NWA World Champion when he pinned Pearce as referee  Michael Crase Jr. counted 1-2-3.

The fans were ecstatic to see Michael Strider go for the NWA title in November at Metro Pro Wrestling. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Strider look to land the big move that would give the former NWA Central States champion his dream to become the NWA World Champion. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Strider the NWA World Champion??? (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

Matt Murphy, then the MPW comish goaded Strider to continue the match due to Pearce’s feet to be supposedly under the ropes. (Photo Credit Bill Smith)

While Strider went to celebrate with his fans and father, out to the ring came MPW commissioner Matt Murphy. Murphy claimed that Pearce’s feet were on the bottom of the ropes as Crase Jr. made the final third count to the mat.

 Murphy on the mic taunted Strider stating that “You don’t want to win the title like that; you want to be a man and win it like a Champion.”

Strider unwisely would make the decision to not take the title that way and agreed to have the match continue. It would be minutes later that Pearce would benefit a little assistance from Murphy when he tripped Strider, allowing Pearce to strike and use a roll up with his feet on the ropes to retain the title.

The next day I would travel to Collinsville, Illinois to cover Ring of Honor where fans came up to me, asking if in fact Michael Strider had become the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion as they had seen on the NWA website, then was deleted as the NWA webmaster caught word of what had occurred.  Unfortunately, I had to deliver the bad news that Pearce along with Murphy had stolen the Worlds Championship from the former NWA Central States Champion Strider.

Little did we know how someone’s missed opportunities would allow Wyatt to get his wish at the NWA world title.

Fast forward to the final show of the year at 3Xrestling on December 30th.  3XWrestling Champion Jeremy Wyatt loses a close match against Mark Sterling after the “Iron Man” used the ringside bell to help Sterling began his first 3XWrestling title reign.

In the locker room, 3XWrestling camera’s captured Todd Countryman offering Sterling the contract. Let’s watch this once more to see how Wyatt and not Sterling received this dream match against the World Champion Adam Pearce.

So mark your calendars, ask for the day off, and make your way to Des Moines, Iowa at ALL PLAY as the Champion of the World Adam Pearce comes to defend his title against the 2-time 3XW Champion Wyatt. Wyatt is currently the NWA Central States Champion and only the 3^rd man in the history of the NWA to hold both the NWA Central States and the NWA Missouri title (He did this last year, Harley Race and Bob Orton being the other two men) Jeremy Wyatt.

Only the third man to hold the NWA Central States and Missouri Championship at the same time, Jeremy Wyatt(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Though Adam Pearce used some underhand tactics to defeat Strider at Metro Pro Wrestling, make no doubt about it that he can defeat Wyatt in many many ways. Pearce in the past has successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Bryan Danielson (WWE’S Daniel Bryan, the reigning World Heavyweight Champion) and Danielson is just one name on a list of victims.

From the Apr '09 edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated; Pearce bludgeons perhaps his greatest opponent, a bloody Brent Albright, in New York City.

Pearce brings the ring an old school high impact attack, standing 6’2, 245 pounds he will unleash a fury of moves including the Figure four leglock, Flying fist drop, and the Middle-rope elbow drop setting his opponents up for The Rack Bomb (Backbreaker rack dropped into a powerbomb) or the vicious Jumping piledriver to retain the title.

Quite honestly, after hours of studying tape of Pearce in action, you can see many of his opponents in fear of those finishers from the start of the match. 

Pearce will have to beware of the crossface finisher from Wyatt. Many matches and titles have been won via this feared move in the Midwest for “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

One man who will not have fear in his eyes is the “The Belt Collector” Jeremy Wyatt.  Wyatt considered by many to be the best wrestler in the Midwest, has been dying for this opportunity to make a name for himself. He knows that opportunities likes these are very rare for wrestlers in the area. Quite possibly the most hated man in the Midwest, 3XWrestling fans have come to love him for his multiple matches of the year and giving a 110% during every match.

Wyatt can strike from anywhere!!!(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Wyatt has many of the fans scattering for safety as he stalks Gage Octane. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Opponents have to be concerned about going to the mat as Wyatt is a student of the game and is scary to defend against. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Devin Carter goes flying from a right hook from Wyatt….Where Wyatt lacks in size he makes up with the knowledge of when and where to deliver the blow.(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Wyatt has successfully defended his NWA Central States championship against arch rival and NWA Kansas champ Tyler Cook. In less than two weeks he goes for the NWA WORLD TITLE!!!(Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Wyatt most likely will be the first to tell you he is not doing this for the fans, yet he is the fans best chance to bring back the NWA Worlds title back home to the Midwest. 

Adam Pearce has been the heart of the NWA since his first NWA World title reign September 1st, 2007 when he defeated Brent Albright in the finals of the vacated NWA tournament. Here Pearce is on set of NWA Wrestling Showcase talking 'rasslin' with David Marquez. (Photo credit Shane Kidder.)

Is Pearce making a mistake as he makes good on his promise to “GIVE BACK to a deserving industry that has given me 16+ years of experiences that I’ll cherish forever.”

Onlu the kids are brave (naive)enough to talk back to the champ. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Pearce has been wise in the past to align himself with men who can assist him in keeping his beloved gold, here he celebrates with the then MPW Champion Derek Stone and Matt Murphy. (Photo Credit Brian Kelley)

Pearce, a fighting champion will be around the world in  Oberhausen, Germany defending the title a week prior to his return to the Midwest. Fans in Iowa can prepare for a double shot starting off with match against Wyatt at 3XW then heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa for Magnum Pro Wrestling to take on “ Babyface” Tony Cortez the very next night.

With one Lighting Spiral from Wyatt on January 27^th at 3XWrestling, the NWA president Robert Trobich   and Magnum Pro may be scrambling late Friday night to come up with a plan to resign a rematch against the NEW NWA World Champion Jeremy Wyatt and Adam Pearce immediately. 

When it is all said and done, I want the NWA and Adam Pearce don’t say that Missouri Wrestling Revival didn’t try to warn you of “The Belt Collector”.

Great NWA world title moments in the Midwest.

April 3, 1908-Frank Gotch defeats George Hackenschmidt to become the world champion in Chicago, Illinois.

April 19, 1917 Earl Caddock defeated Joe Stecher to become the world champion in Omaha, Nebraska.

Earl Caddock was not only a world champion but also enlisted in the Army to serve our country. Fans be sure to pick up the new book from Mike Chapman called Caddock “Walnut’s Wrestling Wonder” on one of the best wrestlers to ever come from the Midwest. For more info on how to purchase the book click here.

 March 3,  1922  Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated  Stanislaus Zbyszko to become the world champion in Wichita, Kansas.

Here is a great photo of two of the most powerful, respected and important men in the history of wrestling, Sam Muchnick and Lou Thesz.

December 29, 1937 Lou Thesz defeats Everett Marshall in the first of his six NWA world titles in ST Louis, Missouri.

June 30, 1961 Buddy Rogers defeats Pat O’Connor to win his first NWA world title in Chicago Illinois.

I love this photo of Harley Race. Arguably the greatest NWA World champion of all time.

May 24, 1973 Harley Race defeats Dory Funk Jr. to win first of 8 NWA world titles in Kansas City, Missouri.  Match named Pro Wrestling Illustrated match of the year.

Ric Flair would capture his first NWA World title right here in the Midwest in what many called an upset at the time.

September 17, 1981 Ric Flair defeats Dusty Rhodes to win first of 9 NWA world titles in Kansas City, Missouri.

June 10, 1983 Harley Race defeats Ric Flair for the NWA world title to set up Starcade.  Match named Pro Wrestling Illustrated match of the year.

February 20, 1989 Ricky Steamboat defeat Ric Flair to capture the NWA world title in Chicago, Illinois

January 27^th 2012 Jeremy Wyatt ???? Adam Pearce Des Moines, Iowa

Information of the NWA world title courtesy of the 16^th edition of the PWI Wrestling Almanac.

Could Jeremy Wyatt be defending the NWA WORLD TITLE at these MWR Promotions after January 27th?

MWR fans for a great source of the NWA check out the Alliance-Wrestling.com here.