Earning my stripes

Stopping Roger
Courtesy: John Cramner & Dewayne Daniels

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One of my first gigs in pro wrestling was serving as a referee for USCW in McLeansboro, Illinois. It was November 2010. Sadly there was no documentation of the evening with photos, but I had a good time. This was still several months before the launch of All-American Pro Wrestling on TV and my spot as a commentator. From that initial ref gig and commentary position, I landed roles as guest manager (for Velvet Sky), ring announcer and one-time wrestler. I've also helped set up and take down a wrestling ring more times than I can remember.

I find myself returning to my black and white striped roots. On Saturday night (April 14) I will not only be ring announcing for Stride Pro Wrestling's fundraiser show at Roadhouse Harley Davidson, I'll also be serving as the special guest referee for a match between Roger Matheus and Cash Borden. This all stems from an incident this past Saturday night. 

Whack
Courtesy: Tom Harness

Once again Roger took the opportunity to put his hands on me, shoving me to the floor and taking the chair I was sitting on. He planned to hit Cash with that chair, but something inside me took over and I felt 10 feet tall snatching the chair from Stride's resident bully. With my adrenaline pumping and common sense on a break, I swung that chair like Babe Ruth swinging for the fences. While it stopped the unwarranted attack on Cash I fear I've awakened a beast even more so than before.

Cash kicks Roger
Courtesy: John Cramner & Dewayne Daniels

General manager Sam Hunter has assigned me the ref for the rematch. Despite my disdain for Roger, I am a man of integrity and plan to call the match right done the middle. The ball will be in Roger's court to keep his hands off me during the course of the encounter.

Come out and support local indy wrestlers and the YouthBuild Program. Former WWE Superstar James Ellsworth will be on hand too. A meet and greet begins with him at 4:30 p.m.