MWR Fan Spotlight: Randy and Brendan Phillips

Brendan and Randy Phillips are all smiles at SICW.

 

MWR Owner and Editor Brian Kelley: For many father and sons a night of pro wrestling is a wonderful way for them to spend time some quality time with each other while taking that rollercoaster of exciting night of wrestling action that will be memories for them for years to come. Today, I am joined with Randy Phillips and his son Brendan: . Guy, I would like to thank you for joining us at Missouri Wrestling Revival.com

Randy: Thanks for having us Brian!

Brian: Randy, let’s start off with you my friend. Where did you grow up and what were your first introduction to pro wrestling and who were you a big fan of?

Randy: I grew up in Homestead, Florida. It’s about 1 hour south of Miami. Born and raised until the age of 21. My first recollection of wrestling was Wrestlemania 2 with Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy in the big blue steel cage. I can remember sitting on the living room floor just amazed at how big Bundy was and how cool it was that Hulk could move around for such a big guy around the ring. Obviously in the early to mid 80’s, most kids gravitated towards Hulk Hogan. He was my guy to cheer for. I can remember having the tear away Hulk shirt that my mom watched me tear away and cringed cause that meant she had to buy another one lol. I had the old WWF ring and one Christmas got all of the wrestlers LJN produced. I can recall like it was yesterday waiting in anticipation for Wrestlemania V and the Mega Powers exploding. My cousin and I used to be the Mega Powers (he was Randy Savage and I was Hulk and his sister was Miss Elizabeth).

Brian: Did your dad and you make any wrestling events and what were some of your memories that you recall?

Randy: Dad was really into wrestling for as long as I can remember. He grew up with Championship Wrestling from Florida with Dusty Rhodes and the Briscoes and of course, the big dog back then, the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance). I remember like it was yesterday when Dad took me to my first ever live show, Royal Rumble 1991 at the Miami Arena in Miami.

Of course, Hulk Hogan was my pick to win the Rumble and The Ultimate Warrior was gaining speed to succeed him as the man as he was the WWF champion. I remember my dad screaming at me because Randy Savage was racing down during the Warrior vs  Sgt Slaughter title match and he hit Warrior with the scepter. The crowd went crazy and we had a new champion. Dad said Hulk had to win the Rumble so he could take the title off of Slaughter at Wrestlemania VII. From then on, Dad had to order the WWF pay per views so we could watch them all. Mom was a big 4 Horsemen fan, especially Tully and Arn. She always threw up four fingers and told me that this is the symbol of excellence. If the WWF or WCW was in town, we went, house show, tv or ppv. I can recall going to Spec’s (CD store) and meeting The Rock and D’Lo Brown for autographs when The Rock’s autobiography came out. When my wife and I were dating, we heard on a radio station that Hulk Hogan would be in Key Largo to help promote the new gym owned by Kevin Sullivan. We drove 30 minutes to meet him.

Brian: In today’s mainstream wrestling (WWE,TNA,ROH) who are your favorite wrestlers?

Brendan: WWE – John Cena is my favorite! I also like Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Roman Reigns & Lucha Dragons. ROH – Moose, Michael Elgin and ACH

Randy: WWE – Triple H is my all time favorite. I also love to watch Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt & Dolph Ziggler. TNA – Before they moved to Destination America, I was a big fan of Bobby Roode, Austin Aries & Taryn Terrel. Since they moved to Destination Amaerica, I do not watch them anymore and only catch the spoiler tapings to stay in touch. ROH – Moose, ACH & The Addiction. ROH is broadcast locally and I started watching them heavily since the wrestlers also come to High Risk Wrestling.

Brian: Prior to making it to a MWR coverage promotion, did you and Brendan attend any of the mainstream events and do you have any fond memories of meeting any of the stars or some of the matches.

Randy: Since Brendan is only 6 years old, we haven’t been able to attend any events as the cost is so high and I don’t want to take him and sit in the nosebleeds where he’ll possibly lose interest. He likes to be up close and that’s just not feasible at this time.

Memories that will last a lifetime with be Brendan and his father spending time so close to the action of wrestling at an Indy event.

 

Brian: What was your first local promotion that you attended and how did you hear about it?

Randy: The first local promotion I attended was SICW to meet Ted Dibiase. I liked his page on facebook and heard he would be there. I then looked up SICW on Facebook and we then attended. Brendan’s first show was High Risk Wrestling and we heard about them through Facebook as well and I liked their page. The Belleville fairgrounds in only 20 minutes from us so I took him to see if he would enjoy it.

Brian: Thankfully, the shows were good enough for you to return. What and who did you enjoy from that event ?

Brendan: SICW – Ricky Cruz & the Midgets. HRW – Moose, Michael Elgin, ACH, Uhaa Nation, Chuck Taylor, reDRagon, & Mike Outlaw

Ricky Cruz and Herb Simmons have been two men that have worked to bring back fans like Randy and Brendan to events that have featured some of the biggest moments in the Midwest.

Randy: From SICW, I liked Ricky Cruz straight away as he had a great flamboyance to him even though he was a “bad guy”.

We hope to have the opportunity to meet him and get a picture at a future show. Honestly, the legends were bringing me to the SICW shows and then we started to enjoy the wrestling. Brendan always asks me who the good guy and bad guys are so he knows how to cheer for them. He has been to enough shows now to know who these guys are and he wants whoever Travis Cook brings out to lose, lol. As for HRW, Frank (the promoter) and I conversed before and during the show and he was kind enough to bring out their champion, ACH for a photo op and the Magic Man Jack Sinn to show him a few magic tricks.

Brendan loved having his photo with the exciting Ring of Honor and High Risk Wrestling Superstar ACH.

 

The sheer size of Moose instantly caught Brendan’s eyes as well. We have since purchased their DVD’s and watch them from time to time. We also got to meet Bobby Eaton at the first HRW show we went to in October and Brendan asked me who that was? I said, that’s Beautiful Bobby. Brendan went up to him and said, your Beautiful Bobby? Bobby said, I don’t know about Beautiful, but yeah, I’m Bobby Eaton! Lol. I loved it. We got autographs from him and pictures.

Brian: Since that time you have made your way to a few other events. What other promotions have you checked out and what show was your favorite and why?

Randy: We have seen SICW and HRW so far. I don’t like to travel too far for an event, so these promotions are local for us. My favorite show was High Risk Wrestling, Makes a Great Stocking Stuffer as we got to see reDragon, Michael Elgin and ACH. Those guys tear it up no matter how many people are there as long as we cheer loud and I can’t find anyone more pumped to see them than Brendan and I. As for personal appeal, I truly enjoyed meeting the One Man Gang as he was just so genuine to Brendan and couldn’t believe that a 5 year old, at the time, came just to see him.

Brendan: My favorite show was HRW, What High Risk have you done for me lately?. My favorite match was Bolt Brady v.s. Mike Sydal

Brian: Out of the local wrestling stars who have you enjoyed the most and why?

Brendan: I like to watch Mike Sydal, Bolt Brady, Moose, & Chuck Taylor

Michael Elgin is as dedicated as they come in the ring wrestling against the top stars around the world as well as out of it with his fans.

 

Randy: I enjoy watching Moose, ACH, Ricky Cruz, reDragon, Michael Elgin, Jonathan Gresham.

Brian: You have attended both SICW and High Risk Wrestling, and both have been willing to bring in legends of the sport including the likes of the One Man Gang, Ted Dibiase, Bobby Eaton and Nikolai Volkoff. Randy, you and I grew up with these stars, but prior to making your way to meet them, do the two of you check out old videos of these and Brendan, which one has been your favorites from your dads younger days to watch wrestle?

Randy: Before we go meet a legend, I look them up on the internet and show him pictures. If I have a DVD with them on it, I show Brendan as well.

Brian: I have been a fan of wrestling myself for all my life. During that time I have met some that I really loved, but when I met them in person I was disappointed, and on other occasions have met wrestlers that I became bigger fans of once I did meet them due to their actions to myself and other fans around me. Which one out of those legends has been your favorite to meet in person?

The Phillips join the One Man Gang Army.

 

Brendan: One Man Gang was my favorite legend to meet. And I asked my dad to buy me a OMG t-shirt to wear. We also got a picture with him.

Randy: My favorite legend to meet so far has got to be the One Man Gang as we discussed earlier. We got to meet Ace Cowboy Bob Orton last week in East carondelet.

When so many people have nice words to say about you, then it must be true. That is the case as we hear another testament to the kindness and down to earth of one of the greatest tag team wrestlers ever, Beautiful Bobby Eaton.

 

I also garnered a better appreciation after meeting Bobby Eaton as he is just so humble and acts like it’s a pleasure to meet you rather than it is to meet him. So classy.

Brian: You have also had the opportunity to meet the likes of Trevor Murdoch, Michael Elgin, ACH, redDragon and Moose. Out of these or any of the other Indy superstars or former WWE wrestlers you have seen wrestle at this level, whos matches have you enjoyed and why?

Brendan: My favorite match to watch was for the HRW High Risk title, ACH v.s. Ricochet.

Randy: reDragon has amazed me the most as they wrestle at such a high speed that you can’t help but get excited watching them. I get pumped up for Michael Elgin as I love the long standing vertical suplexes he does. He is also very humble and is easily approachable for pictures and just talking in general.

Brian: If I was to start a promotion and I came to you and asked you what I should do to improve on what you have seen, what would it be?

Randy: I know everyone’s not perfect but I see little things like the wrestlers or referees not exactly knowing the rules of certain matches or promotions. For instance, at HRW last time, we had a three way match and the wrestlers had to tag in and out to always keep it one on one. Didn’t make sense to me as the same style match but a 5 way had all of them in the ring at once. Just consistency issues. HRW has no count outs, but one referee kept trying to count them out and we are screaming at the referee that there are no count outs in HRW.

Brendan’s grandparents Maw Maw and Paw Paw.

 

Brian: What are your upcoming events you hope to attend and if someone was to ask you why they should purchase a ticket to a local wrestling event, what would you say?

Getting photos and autographs with Volkolff at SICW.

Randy: HRW moved to Cahokia, IL. So we are pumped to see who Frank brings in next. SICW keeps bringing the legends that we have to go see and we are truly grateful for that.

Herb was also kind enough to surprise Brendan with letting him hold the SICW Classic title.

Brian: Randy and Brendan thank you so much for joining us today with this interview. I always enjoy seeing you guys at the events that we cover and I feel safe to say that I speak for all the promoters and wrestlers in the Midwest that we appreciate your support of pro wrestling by attending the events and we hope to see you in 2015 soon.

 

Breaking news: Bobby “The Brain” Heenan comes to SICW to Celebrate the 55th Year Anniversary of Wrestling at the Chase on May 17th

 

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY AS THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT !!!!!!!!!

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Many believe that Bobby “The Brain” Heenan is the top manager of All-time in the sport that we love. Heenan wrestled in St. Louis during the Wrestling at the Chase, but was so good at managing that he was the only manager at during Sam Muchnicks’s NWA Years.

Be a part of History on May 17th when SICW celebrates their 55 years of Wrestling at the Chase in East Carondelet, Illinois

I share with you a great bio from Brian Westcott from the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum on the one and only

Bobby “the Brain” Heenan

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, the self-proclaimed “World’s Greatest Manager”, was born Raymond Louis Heenan on November 1, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois.

Heenan began his wrestling career working as a manager under Dick the Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder. Wally Karbo gave Bobby his gimmick of “The Brain”. Heenan, who also had success as a wrestler, was a master at taking bumps when an opponent struck him. He was holder of the WWA Canadian Tag Team title at one point in time. Bobby worked for Verne Gagne’s AWA and Georgia Championship Wrestling for years before being employed by Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation.

Heenan managed a wide variety of wrestlers over the years. The late “Ravishing” Rick Rude, Nick Bockwinkel, Ric Flair, Harley Race, the late Andre the Giant, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, The Masked Superstar, Terry Taylor, The Brooklyn Brawler, The Barbarian, Haku, the late Curt Hennig, Blackjack Lanza, Bobby Duncum, Sr., King Kong Bundy, the late Big John Studd were managed by Bobby at various times.

Heenan made many close friends in the business. In 1991, Heenan made the transition from manager to broadcast journalist. Basically, Heenan was a color-commentator. He especially enjoyed his relationship with the late Gorilla Monsoon, with whom he co-hosted Prime Time Wrestling on the USA Network. In December 1993, Heenan would leave the World Wrestling Federation for World Championship Wrestling. Heenan made his WCW debut on the Clash of Champions in January 1994 alongside another close friend from his AWA days, Gene Okerlund. Heenan did color commentating on WCW Monday Nitro and the pay-per-views. Heenan became close friends with Mike Tenay during his WCW tenure. In November of 2000, Bobby left WCW.

In early 2001, Heenan would face his greatest opponent: throat cancer. The example he has set for others with serious health problems is inspirational.

Heenan is a devoted family man. He is also very dedicated to the pro wrestling industry and has co-hosted the Cauliflower Alley Club conventions with Mike Tenay. With his humor and tenacity, Bobby Heenan is one-of-a-kind and it is likely that there will never be another one like him.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY AS THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT !!!!!!!!!

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Be sure to check out MWR for details on this show as they come in on this can’t miss night of wrestling.

Missouri Wrestling Revival Trading Card #61 Tony Atlas!

In the world of pro wrestling few men have ever had the physique like Missouri Wrestling Revival’s number sixty one in the MWR Trading Card set, MR USA Tony Atlas.

Throughout his career Atlas has enjoyed success and failures that has been documented in his great autobiography Atlas: Too Much… Too Soon released by Crowbar Press, co-authored with Scott Teal.

A member of both the WBBG Hall of Fame and the WWE Hall of Fame he has wrestled around the world the along with the biggest stars. Matches with Hulk Hogan, Harley Race and King Kong Bundy thrilled fans as he tested his power that won him the title MR USA among many other bodybuilding titles.

He would make history when he teamed with Rocky Johnson to defeat The Wild Samoans to win the Tag Team Title thus becoming the first ever African-American team to hold the belts. During his time in the sport he would hold also hold titles in the NWA and AWA.

Fans recently will remember Tony Atlas as he worked with “ The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry as he held the ECW Title. Later on ECW he was featured as the announcer for “The Abraham Washington Show” segment each week. On December 12, 2011, he made a brief appearance to co-present the Slammy Award for “Trending Superstar of the Year” with David Otunga.

In 2011, he would make his way to Midwest meeting fans with Dinner with the Legends and wrestling two matches at Harley Race’s World League Wrestling against Farmer Billy Hills and WLW Champion “The Prince” Jason Jones.

During the first night I had a chance to interview Atlas to discuss his match with Hills, his autobiography and the upcoming MWR Trading Card.

We are proud to announce the Tony Atlas as part of the MWR Trading card set.

#1 The Northstar Express Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz – 2008 MWR Tag team of the Year

#2 Mark Sterling– 2009 MWR Wrestler of the Year

#3 The Hooligans Devin and Mason Cutter – 2009 MWR Tag Team of the Year

#4 MsChif – 2009 MWR Female Wrestler of the Year

#5 Mike Sydal – 2009 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year —-SOLD OUT—

#6 Jeremy Wyatt – 2008 MWR Wrestler of the Year, 2008 & 2009 MWR Match of the Year (vs. Michael Strider, vs. Tyler Cook)

#7 Santana G – Midwest Sweetheart

#8 Kahagas – The Tokyo Monster

#9 Mephisto – Hardcore Favorite

#10 Tyler Black – Ring of Honor World Champion

#11 Sir Bradley Charles – Rising star trained by Lance Storm

#12 Brandon Espinosa – Talented Superstar

#13 Dave Vaughn – The Wrestling Machine

#14 “The Future” Donovan Ruddick – The 6’9″ Monster

#15 Brandon Aarons – Current Triple Crown Champion in the Midwest

#16 Davey Richards – Arguably the best in the world today

#17 “Superstar” Steve Fender – First American wrestler to train in Pro Wrestling NOAH Dojo

#18 MR Late Nite – “Hollywood Super Agent”

#19 Eric Allen – The Pride of Peoria

#20 Eddie Edward – American Wolf

#21 Evan Money – The Pro Wrestling Kid

#22 Delirious – A Familiar Face from “The Edge of Insanity”

#23 Jason Jones – On the Path to Superstardom

#24 Tony Kozina – Rugged and Well-Traveled Veteran

#25 Jeromy Robb – Senior Referee at 3XW and MECW

#26 Sean Vincent– Canada’s Favorite wrestler

#27 Lucy Mendez – Midwest Latino Knockout

#28 Trevor Murdock – Former WWE Superstar

#29 Eric Davis –Senior referee at IHW and PWE

#30 Angel -ECW Original

#31 Jonathan Greshem– Electrifying young star

#32 Brett Young -#1

#33 Michael Crase Jr -Metro and NWA Dynamo Ref

#34 -U-Gene Dinsmore– Lovable fan favorite.

#35– Billy McNeil– Innovating high flyer.

#36 Mia Martinez – Mysterious and fiery, Midwest diva

#37 Mike Sydal – 2010 MWR Wrestler of the Year

#38 Stacey O’Brien-2008 MWR Female Wrestler of the Year

#39– Neil Diamond Cutter– Prince of Death

#40– Bloody Harker Dirge– God of Thunder

# 41– Brian Breaker– 2011 Pro Wrestling Noah tour

# 42 Brandon Schmitt -WLW and Metro Pro Ref

#43 The The Mississippi Madman– PWE Champion

#44 Dan Gier WLW Announcer

#45 B.G. James– 7 time World Tag Champion

#46 Rob Conway– 3 Time WWE Tag Champion.

#47 Larry Zbyszko- 2 time AWA World Champion

#48 Michael Barry – MR Saturday Night

#49 The Lumberjacks Abe and Gabe– Most decorated tag team in the Midwest

#50 Larry Matysik – Wrestling at the Chase announcer

#51 Jimmy Jacobs– ROH Superstar

#52 The Survivor Barry Ryte – Cancer Survivor

#53 Jessie Belle Smothers – Tracey Smothers daughter DING DING

#54 The Strong Style Devil’s – Bailey Mannix Eric Allen, Loveley Leon

#55 Ace Hawkins– Young High flyer

#56- Ryan Howe– WWE Tough Enough

#57- Misfitt Manners– Mizfitt Madness

#58- JB Payne-The Midwest Mauler

#59 Dave Hebner – Legendary Ref

#60 El Generico– The Generic Luchador

For a complete list of Missouri Wrestling Revival trading cards as well as WWE , TNA and Japan sets check out the website Wrestling trading cards.com here.

To purchase MWR Trading cards:

1) Catch the star at a show to have them autograph the cards personally

2) Contact them via facebook or myspace

3) Send $1.50 in money order or check for each card at *

Brian Kelley

305 West 3rd Salisbury Missouri 65281

*Checks will take longer to clear than money orders so expect time for that to happen. Make sure you list exactly what card you are wanting to have.

Please note that when purchasing MWR Trading cards from the wrestlers, that they decide the prices for their cards. We highly recommend that you get them from the stars themselves and let them know that you enjoy MWR.

These cards are limited and are not mass produced making them highly collectable.