What has the 2011 MWR Wrestler of the Year Brandon Espinosa been up to at OVW?

Check it out as the 2011 MWR Wrestler of the Year is thrilling fans at OVW. Check it out plus OVW Board Member Ken Wayne brings out the entire OVW locker room to announce a tournament for the currently vacant Television Championship and brings out Josette Bynum and former OVW owner Danny Davis.

OVW Referee Josh Ashcraft calls out OVW Referee Chris Sharpe for his recent conduct and actions Round One of the Television Championship Tournament Cliff Compton vs. Christopher Silvio w/ Mo Green and Mary Jane.

First Pick for July SNS Best-of-Seven series Josette Bynum s Pick vs. Danny Davis’s Pick.

Plus Brandon Espinosa and Paredyse!!!!

Watch Here.

Brandon Espinosa – Missouri Wrestling Revival 2011 Wrestler of the Year.

During the MWR years, there have been no doubts on the skills of Brandon Espinosa.

Yet, in 2011, Brandon Espinosa experienced a breakout year. He sought out better training at OVW in Louisville and is now featured regularly on OVW TV with other future WWE stars. He arguably wrestled more matches for more companies than anybody in the area- at least 100 per year. Espinosa was a key player not only in his hometown of St. Louis but around the country

In what may have been his biggest win to date , Espinosa won the Pro Wrestling Epic 8 tournament by defeating Ace Hawkins in round one, Evan Money in round two, then in an exciting final matchup shocked the Midwest when he defeated one of the very best in ROH Superstar Jimmy Jacobs.

Throughout the year he wrestled for All American Pro Wrestling, High Voltage Wrestling, Independent Hardcore Wrestling, IWA Unlimited, IWA Productions, NWA Supreme, Pro Wrestling Epic, Metro East Championship Wrestling, & MMWA-SICW in the MWR covering area for 2011, has also wrestled for New Midwest Wrestling & NWA Dynamo in the past. In 2011, held the MMWA Jr. Heavyweight Championship, MMWA Wild World of Wrestling TV Championship (current holder), Pro Wrestling Epic Heavyweight Championship (current holder), and IWAU Club Championship but also held the Pro Wrestling Prestige US & Heavyweight Championship and TIWF Cruiserweight Championship in Tennessee, plus at one point held 4 Championships at once.

He competed in the following tournaments in 2011 – NWA Midwest X-Division Championship, AIWF Krazy 8 in North Carolina, IHW St. Louis Invitational, and OVW #1 Contender Gauntlet, reached the Finals in the SICW Classic Championship and TIWF Cruiserweight Championship Gauntlet, and won the PWE Epic 8 and the first ever St. Louis Cable TV trophy by defeating David Osborne, Phil E. Blunt and Gary Jackson.

He would contend for the WLW title held by “The Prince” Jason Jones in his very first match with the company coming up just short when Jone’s manager threw salt in the eyes of Espinosa.

Espinosa had victories over nationally known talents such as Jimmy Jacobs, El Generico, Jay Lethal, and Mike Sydal.

In 2011, Espinosa wrestled in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, as well as in the past in Arkansas, and Kansas.

Espinosa also made an appearance on All Worked Up (Season 3 Episode 12) when taped at a ROH event in Ohio. Also is the trainer of MWR talent  and the 2011 PWI Rookie of the Year Ace Hawkins, as well as many others.

We are proud to announce that Brandon Espinosa as the 2011 MWR Wrestler of the Year.

1st Runner Up- Mark Sterling
2nd Runner Up – Jeremy Wyatt
3rd Runner Up – Ron Powers

Other wrestlers receiving votes : Derek Stone, Brian Ash, Trevor Murdock, Bailey Mannix, Ryan Phoenix, Jason Jones, Brian Breaker, Edmund McGuire, Mike Sydal and Gary Jackson.

Past Winners

2010 Mike Sydal
2009 Mark Sterling
2008 Jeremy Wyatt

Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins debuts for OVW.

Last night two of the hottest wrestlers in the Midwest,  Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins made their very first appearance for Ohio Valley Wrestling.

Brandon Espinosa was accompanied by Hawkins in a one on one battle with Randy Terrez.

Brandon Espinosa *Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat *

Ace Hawkins *Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat*

MWR Exclusive: Some of the Midwest best train at Ohio Valley Wrestling in Louisville Kentucky

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information on Ohio Valley Wrestling please click here.

Years of experience was on hand to teach in this two day camp including Danny Davis, Jim Cornette and Nick “Eugene Dinsmore. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

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“Mean” Mason Beck(Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Dave Vaughn in the center of the ring. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Mike Sydal and Sir Bradley Charles work on their technique. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

The trainers were hands on throughout the two days giving their advice to do it the right way. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Lock up! (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Mike Mondo gives his advice to the class. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Sterling and Sydal know each other very well over the past few years.(Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

Rockwell and Thompson gets advice from Mike Mondo.(Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

First match (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

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Thompson explodes. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

SBC getsn nailed by the big guy. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

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Cocky Dave Vaughn feels the power of a real womens slap. (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

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Miscommunication by Vaughn and his partner .(Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

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Miscommunication by Vaughn and his partner . (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)

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Introducing Ohio Valley Wrestling Trainee Michael Hayes

Last month at Pro Wrestling Epic we were on hand to watch the PWE Champion the Mississippi Madman team up with former WWE’s Eugene to take on “The Future” Donovan Ruddick and Mason Beck.

During the evening I had the chance to sit down with a young Michael Hayes. Hayes is just beginning to train under Eugene (Nick Dinsmore )and the rest of the staff at Ohio Valley Wrestling.

The website says it best

Ohio Valley Wrestling is recognized around the world as one of the finest professional wrestling training facilities in the industry. OVW counts among its many accolades that it was once one of the official developmental programs for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the sport’s leading promotion.

Over the years, OVW has trained over one hundred superstars for the WWE, including many current and past WWE Champions: Batista, John Cena, Victoria, Doug and Danny Basham, Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Randy Orton, plus many more including Rob Conway, Eugene, Sylvan Grenier, Bobby Lashley, and Lance Cade.

Located in Louisville, Kentucky, OVW‘s training center is under the supervision of OVW owner “Nightmare” Danny Davis, a former pro wrestler with nearly 30 years’ experience in wrestling, managing, promoting, and training, with Rip Rogers as lead trainer – who is a veteran pro wrestler and trainer in his own right.

Let me share with you a special interview I did with Hayes.