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Monday, December 31, 2018

AUDIO: The 2018 Centy Awards

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@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's the end of another year and to celebrate Chad and I are back with the Centy Awards. We didn't do as many categories this year, but we did talk about our favorite performers and moments from 2018. Give the show a listen here and let us know your thoughts on the year of wrestling. 

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Saturday, December 29, 2018

My favorite Stride Pro Wrestling moments of 2018

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@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's the end of the year and I'm taking a few minutes to reflect on 2018 in Stride Pro Wrestling. The company had plenty of highlights for sure and I'm looking forward to 2019. As I share these memories, keep in mind they are from the shows I was a part of. I missed two shows in 2018, one due to a family commitment and the other because I was in Las Vegas for the Impact Wrestling tryout. 

Wraith & Ryzer
Wraith dominates the Stride Cup/Legacy Championship Tournament. Wraith was a dark, mysterious figure who showed up in Stride in January. He destroyed everyone in his way and eventually won the tournament and introduced us to his Disciple Ryzer. Unfortunately that same night, JD Wilk got injured and had to retire from the ring. That night in March stands out to me for both of those moments.


Tony Flood and Jay Spade swap the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Both of these guys spent years in the ring. I have a great deal of respect for their work ethic and what they're able to do in the ring. Watching these former friends trade the greatest prize in Stride over the course of several months was thrilling. Despite their years of experience in the ring, the future is still bright for both of them. I look forward to what they'll do in 2019.


This One is for Lane. In April the entire Stride Pro Wrestling roster came together to support one of our own. Referee Lane Austin, who is a diabetic, had to go on dialysis and eventually ended up on the transplant list for a new kidney and pancreas. The show of love for our friend that night was amazing. It's just one of the many shows Stride helped raise money for in 2018. 


Heath Hatton and Ax Allwardt win gold. Bitter enemies in the ring for years, Hatton and Allwardt put their differences aside and teamed up to win the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles from the DR Party. Dexter Roswell, Scott Phoenix and J. Wellington Beauregard were a constant thorn in the sides of Allwardt and Hatton. 


My return to the ring. I never, ever dreamed I'd have a chance to step through the ropes and wrestle. It happened the first time in 2012. Then again in May of this year. My opponent this time was Roger Matheus. I can't thank he and Tyler Hatton for having enough faith in me to do this. I'm a 45-year-old with a dad bod and limited skills in the ring. Roger made me look and feel like a million bucks. Of course keeping with the story, thanks as well to Cash Borden and Tom Harness for saving my ass.

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Friday, December 28, 2018

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Christmas Goodies


@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's episode 3 of Go Figure Friday. This week I show off a couple of Christmas gifts from my buddy Chad Smart from Positive Cynicism. He got me a Brainy Smurf Funko Pop and a Neville WWE action figure. He tells me he found it on sale at the store Five Below (go figure, pun intended). 

Be sure to subscribe to the My 1-2-3 Cents YouTube channel as I will be doing more giveaways in 2019. Thanks!





Thursday, December 27, 2018

3 Things I want for Royal Rumble 2019


@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The Royal Rumble is still weeks away and I know odds on favorite are already pointing at Seth Rollins. However, I'm going to use this post to do a little fantasy booking. I know what I'm wishing for are most likely not going to happen and probably won't even get the thumbs up from most fans, but here goes.

Courtesy: WWE
1. Becky Lynch wins the Women's Royal Rumble. This has to be a no-brainer right? I think most fans are hoping for a Ronda Rousey-Becky Lynch battle at WrestleMania. I maintain this could be the main event of the 35th installment of the show. Rousey and Lynch have had a great 2018 on their respective shows. The canceled Survivor Series matchup between the two disappointed many, myself included. However, this fresh contest can be revived and built up with Becky winning the Rumble.

Courtesy: WWE
2. Matt Riddle wins the Men's Royal Rumble. I know, I must be high bro, right? No, no. Hear me out. Riddle or someone else unexpected would certainly shake things up. Given Riddle's MMA background, I'd love to see him in a match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 35. Not only that, I'd like to see Brock drop the belt. I don't dislike Lesnar. However, I've grown bored of him being on top. New blood will probably not fix the rating problems but I really don't see it hurting anything. 


3. No Legends required. I love when the Legends make an appearance from time to time. However, with the talent pool being so deep these days, I'm not sure there should be three or four Legends taking a spot in this match. 

What are your wishes for the 2019 Royal Rumble? Am I crazy with my thoughts? Comment here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

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Wednesday, December 26, 2018

My 2019 wish for the WWE Women's Division

Courtesy: WWE
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

WWE has come a long way over the past few years in terms of women's wrestling. I know some will point out how it's long overdue. I agree with that sentiment, but that's not the point of this blog. Instead, I'm going to address the talk of creating WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. 

I haven't seen it reported, so I don't know if it has but I'm assuming each brand will have the championships, just like there's a SmackDown and Raw women's champion. However,  as a fan, here's how I'd like to see the Women's Division treated in 2019.

1. Create a Women's Divison show for the Network. Much like 205 Live and NXT, this could bring more eyeballs to the Network. I'd also add a couple more women's only pay-per-views or Network specials.  Women would still compete regularly on Raw & SmackDown as well and the big four for sure. (I get that there are so many hours in a week to get something like this accomplished so I'm not holding my breath.)

2. On this Women's show, there would be one WWE (or World's) Champion, an Intercontinental Champion and the Tag Team Champions. I don't believe there are enough women on the current roster to support two separate women's divisions with champions on both shows. 


3. Give us Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch for the main event of WrestleMania 35. This can happen. It needs to happen. I can't imagine a better never-before-seen match for WrestleMania than this one. Please, please save these two. Don't let them have any physicality until the bell rings at MetLife Stadium in April. 

I know most of this is wishful thinking, but that's the point of having a blog. What do you want to see happen in the women's division in 2019?

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Tuesday, December 25, 2018

AUDIO: Wrestling with Nostalgia

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@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Merry Christmas!!! I was the guest on the Positive Cynicism podcast with Chad Smart. We talked about pro wrestling nostalgia. All month long Chad and his guests have talked about some form of nostalgia. 

We share our memories from when we first started watching wrestling in the early 80s and why our fandom has remained intact. You can listen to the discussion here

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Monday, December 24, 2018

AUDIO: Wrestling Under the Influence: 4 Elf Winter Ale & Christmas memories

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Merry Christmas!!! On the My 1-2-3 Cents Podcast this week we decided to do a Wrestling Under the Influence. Chad Smart from Positive Cynicism joins me for a bottle or two of Dark Horse Brewing's '4 Elf Winter Warmer Ale.' 


As we drink we cue the nostalgia and remember some of our favorite pro wrestling/Christmas memories. Spoiler alert, the Ultimate Warrior manhandling Santa Claus in comic book form is brought up.


Listen here and Merry Christmas.



Friday, December 21, 2018

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Teeny Talk



@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's time for the latest installment of Go Figure Friday. This week I'm opening up three packages of WWE TeenyMates. I had never heard of these until a friend of mine, Dan Gentz, sent them to me a couple weeks ago.

You can learn more about these interesting teeny, tiny toys in this week's video and don't forget to like and subscribe if you dig what you see on my YouTube channel.






Wednesday, December 19, 2018

VIDEO: Cash Borden's warning

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Champion recently had a change in attitude. He's always been an 'in your face' type of athlete. But earlier this month he turned his back on his friend and tag team partner Jay Spade, all in his quest for gold.

Now Cash is speaking out about his decision. He has a stern warning for everyone on the Stride roster and the fans. Take a look here.


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Monday, December 17, 2018

AUDIO: Analyzing the AWA's SuperClash III

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@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Thirty years ago this month the AWA held its one and only pay-per-view event. SuperClash III was held on Dec. 13, 1988, and featured a unification match between AWA World Champion Jerry "The King" Lawler and WCCW World Champion Kerry Von Erich.

This week for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast Minnesota native Bob Schulte joined me to discuss the show and the highs and lows of the AWA.  You can listen here.

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

Looking back on Starrcade 1990

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's hard to believe how fast time flies. Twenty-eight years ago today (Dec. 16) Starrcade 1990 went down. I'm talking about it today because it was the first (and only) WCW pay-per-view event I ever attended. It was my senior year of high school and my buddy Jim Horrom and I decided to get tickets when the show was announced.

The event was at the historic Kiel Auditorium. I'd witnessed several other WWF house shows in that building prior to Starrcade. It was a different vibe though. As I try to remember back on that night, things seemed brighter. Obviously, this would be because of the fact it was the first time I'd attended a show that was going to be televised.

Courtesy: WWE
Sting was the WCW World Champion, having beat Ric Flair months earlier for the big gold belt. By this point, Sting was feuding with the mysterious Black Scorpion, a figure from the champ's past who continued to torment him with mind games. Flair had moved on to team with Arn Anderson against Doom for the WCW Tag Team Titles. In fact, the two teams were set to clash in a St. Louis Street Fight that night. But either prior to the show or during the event, it was announced Flair was unable to wrestle that night. A chorus of boos erupted at the news, but in my mind, I instantly knew Flair was under the mask of the Scorpion.

I was not wrong in that assessment. In the main event, Flair was in fact revealed to be the Black Scorpion. It was a bit of a letdown. Up until that point, I really didn't have an idea of who the mystery man would be or who I even wanted for that matter. 

Despite that bit of disappointment, the night was still a lot of fun. We saw several wrestlers we'd never seen before with the International Tag Team Tournament. I wish I knew then what I know now as I would have taken pictures of the show. I'll always have a special place for Starrcade 90 though. 




Friday, December 14, 2018

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Hulk Rules



@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I've started a new feature on the My 1-2-3 Cents YouTube channel called 'Go Figure Friday'. I've wanted to do something on action figures for quite a while and Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins' podcast 'Major Wrestling Figure Pod' inspired me to get going.


In the first installment, I share the motivation for starting my collection back in 1985 and what I did prior to having LJN in my life.  I have a lot planned for this serious and look forward to future episodes. Please let me know what you think.

Monday, December 10, 2018

AUDIO: 'Christmas Break' results

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@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter


Stride Pro Wrestling's December show is in the books. Christmas Break lived up to its word. The action was intense and a new Legacy Champion has been crowned. The show came on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Buried Alive show. You may remember Red Daniels wrestled his last match (RIP).

You can hear more about Christmas Break here as well as another round of #AskMy123Cents. Some great questions once again. 

Be sure to rate and review My 1-2-3 Cents on iTunes or whatever platform you listen. Screenshot your review and email my123cents@gmail.com. I'll be doing giveaways in the coming weeks and months (and you don't have to give a positive review to win).







Sunday, December 9, 2018

Why Cash, why?


Cash Borden, Legacy Champion 


@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Because Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Champion Arron Brooks wasn't able to defend the title at Christmas Break over the weekend, General Manager Sam Hunter stripped the champ of the title. That made way for the main event that included Wraith, Ryzer, Cash Borden and Jay Spade competing for the vacated title. Spade and Borden have teamed up in recent months and there's been a hint of dissension between the two.

That all came to a head Saturday night. Cash didn't show up for the match, despite winning the right to be in the main event earlier in the night in a tag team match with Spade. Then about halfway through a mysterious man, covered from head to toe and carrying a lead pipe returned to ringside. We saw this man earlier hit Heath Hatton with the same pipe to help "King" Chris Hargis and Tony Flood win a tag team match.
Borden wins
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers
The mystery man made his way into the ring after Wraith and Ryzer were dumped to the floor and Spade had his back turned. The lead pipe was used and the man unmasked himself to be Cash Borden. Borden proceeded to beat Spade severely and pin him to claim the title.

He cut a scathing promo and demanded I announce him as the new champion more than once. He proceeded to beat the crap out of Spade, bringing true meaning to the term 'Christmas break'. Fans were stunned as we helped Spade back to the locker room. 

Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers
I appreciate Borden's help earlier in the year in my battles with Roger Matheus. Cash proved that just because he's not the biggest dog in the fight he's among the toughest. Add in the hardcore matches he's competed in for other companies and you'll understand Cash is the real deal.

I worry what his new attitude is going to look like. 2019 may very well be the year of Cash Borden here in Stride Pro Wrestling. But don't count Spade out just yet. I'm sure he's resolving to straighten out Borden's bad attitude in the New Year.

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Friday, December 7, 2018

Stride celebrates Christmas in Carterville

Christmas in Carterville
Courtesy: Khrissy Hollister
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Earlier this year, the city of Carterville became the unofficial home of Stride Pro Wrestling. The Community Center, Junior High School and John A. Logan College all hosted shows in 2018. Then in November, we held our first show in our new home at 1130 N. Division Street. We're happy to be here.

Part of being here in Carterville means getting out in the community. That's why members of the Stride Pro Wrestling roster will be on hand at tonight's Christmas in Carterville event. The downtown area will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Businesses and churches provide holiday-themed treats and games from 6 to 9 p.m. We'll be handing out items and letting folks know we're here and our next show is Saturday night.


If you plan to come downtown, please bring a new, unwrapped toy as well. The first ever Stride Pro Wrestling/My 1-2-3 Cents Toy Drive is happening Saturday night, but we've already got an early start. Several pro wrestling action figures and toys have been donated. I'd love to drop off 100 items to the Toys for Tots office Monday in Carbondale. We hope to see you there. 

Don't cry this Christmas.
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