Foreign Object Friday: Ax Allwardt's chain

Ax & his chain
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Chains have long been a weapon of choice for some pro wrestlers. In the 80s, Hercules carried one to the ring and used it to assault Billy Jack Haynes at WrestleMania III. The Russians, Ivan and Nikita Koloff battered Dusty Rhodes and other baby faces with their chains. And Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez used (I think) the One Man Gang's chain to destroy a brand new car won by Kevin Von Erich. In that chain toting tradition, I introduce you to former Stride Pro Wrestling Champion Ax Allwardt.

Gaylord & Ax in 2008

Ax's chain days date back many years. I remember catching him in action in 2008 with All American Pro Wrestling. This was long before I started working for the company. Ax was in his true Old School Warrior mode in those days and that chain, along with manager Gaylord Stephens, played a role in the outcome of several matches.

Phoenix wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now that he's older, you'd think he'd be kinder and gentler. But that is not the case. Ax still carries that chain. And several members of the Stride roster have tasted the links. "Farmer" Billy Hills got popped in the face recently as he faced Ax's new partner Scott Phoenix. The shot was hard enough to render the Farmer unconscious and Phoenix picked up the huge win.

Ax & J. Wells
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

So will the chain and manager J. Wellington Beauregard play a role in Maximum Overdrive's championship match this weekend? The duo battles the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions The Midwest Mafia, "Farmer" Billy Hills & Sarah Summer and Team Triple X in a tag team turmoil fatal four-way match. Be there, bell time is 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion.