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Thursday, February 28, 2019

Strideiversary Update from the Event Center



By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

In the 80s and early 90s, WWF programming always had an Event Center set up where either 'Mean' Gene Okerlund or Sean Mooney would run down the happenings in the World Wrestling Federation. I always enjoyed the segments and have recently tried to bring back that feel for the upcoming Strideiversary show.




I'm just learning some new things with my editing software and not all the bugs have been worked out, but I'm pleased with this first attempt. Obviously, I'm no Gene or Mooney (who?), but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? 
I wish I had more time to dedicate to the project but will take the blame as I procrastinated getting started like I usually do.

If you are in the region and are a fan of independent wrestling, I can't stress enough how good this show is going to be. Stop by 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, IL this Saturday night (March 2). Bell time is 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. It's gonna be a huge night and the hard work of a lot of people is going to pay off. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Striking his fancy, striking his face

Old friends...

By 
Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

J. Wellington Beauregard and Ax Allwardt used to go together like peanut butter and jelly. The duo first connected in 2012 in All American Pro Wrestling. It all started when J. Wells bought Ax's contract from Gaylord Stephens.

Courtesy: Steve Belcher
Beauregard and Allwardt stayed together through AAPW's ups and downs and stayed together for Pro Wrestling Collision and when Stride Pro Wrestling started in 2016. In fact, J. Wells was instrumental in Ax's early success, leading him to become the very first Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. 

Maximum Overdrive
Even after Ax dropped that title the two remained focused on success. And once again it was found when Scott Phoenix joined the duo and Maximum Overdrive was born. The team won tag team gold and quickly become one of my favorite tandems. However, J. Wells had his eyes on another prize, the DR Party.

The DR Party
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

In late 2017 he made those intentions known as Beauregard and Phoenix screwed Ax out of the tag team titles. Since then, Ax was been exacting revenge. He and Heath Hatton won and lost the tag team titles, in part because of J. Wells' interference. The former champs even lost a tag team match against Tony Flood and J. Wells in September and Ax was dumped from a battle royal by Beauregard; further fueling the flames of disgust.


Now, thanks to a victory over J. Wells' latest charge, "The King" Chris Hargas, Ax gets his hands in a one-on-one match against Beauregard. The two will lock horns Saturday night at Strideiversary. If I were J. Wells, I'd make sure next of kin is nearby to help identify the parts left behind. Ax's frustration has been building for more than a year. We'll see you on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois)

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Monster Hunters on separate hunts


By 
Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The Stride Cup Tournament finals will be a part of this Saturday's Strideiversary show. 'Warbound' Bo Sawyer returned for the tournament after being sidelined for months with an injury. He'll take on the nearly crowned King of Stride Pro Wrestling, Chris Hargas. Both men have been able to use their size and strength to make a huge impact in Stride.

Hargas is not only King, but he's also the former Legacy Champion and has had several heavyweight title matches against the likes of Heath Hatton, Roger Matheus and Ax Allwardt. Sawyer has been a tag team wrestler for most of his yearlong stint in Stride. He and Jason Tiller are two-time Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions. But the Midwest Monster Hunters seemingly have different goals now.

Joey O'Riley
In fact, Tiller will face Joey O'Riley for the number one contendership for the Legacy Title. The winner of the Stride Cup will have a free ticket to challenge for the heavyweight title. So we could see the Monster Hunters are singles champions in the coming months. 

However, Hargas and his manager J. Wellington Beauregard will stop at nothing to add more bling. But Sawyer has a lot to prove as a singles star. And never count out O'Riley as he has yet to win singles gold in Stride. He's clearly the smaller man in this battle with Tiller but will no doubt fight for everything he has. 

Find out if the Midwest Monster Hunters can make it as a solo act this Saturday night. Strideiversary is at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.



Monday, February 25, 2019

AUDIO: AEW vs. WWE

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By 
Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Tyler 'Heath' Hatton is my guest co-host on this week's My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast. We talk about AEW, WWE and of course Stride Pro Wrestling. It's a company Hatton founded in 2016. As we prepare for the three year anniversary, Hatton reflects on where the company has been and where it's headed.

Give it a listen here and be sure to join us this Saturday night for Strideiversary. It's happening at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.


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Sunday, February 24, 2019

Saturday, Bloody Saturday



By 
Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

This Saturday night blood will be shed at Strideiversary. It's a guarantee as Wraith and Ryzer will do battle in Stride Pro Wrestling's first ever First Blood Match. The rules are simple, the first wrestler to bleed loses. 

Wraith made the challenge recently, speaking for the first time. He and Ryzer were one time inseparable. But tension grew between the Man from Beyond the Grave and his young disciple. In a contest like this, Wraith seemingly has the advantage. Not only is he bigger than Ryzer, but he also has the benefit of wearing a mask which will clearly be more difficult to draw blood. I'm instantly reminded of Kane vs. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin from King of the Ring 1998. 

However, Ryzer has quickly become a shining star in Stride Pro Wrestling. He was made for this business. He has the look, the passion and the aptitude to go far as a pro wrestler. Wraith is cold and calculating and will do everything in his power to prove a point and hurt the man he brought into Stride. This will be nothing less than a fight between two former friends which always adds to the story. The fans will be invested in this one and on the edges of their seats until someone gets busted open. 


Be a part of Strideiversary. The show is this Saturday night (March 2) at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. See you there!

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Saturday, February 23, 2019

Every dog has his day


By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Stride Pro Wrestling will soon celebrate three years of entertaining pro wrestling fans in southern Illinois. On Saturday, March 2 it's Strideiversary and the company is pulling out all the stops to have an entertaining show. I'll be highlighting some of the matches over the next week on this blog. 

First up it's a Dog Collar Match between Legacy Champion Cash Borden and Jay Spade. A very intense and personal rivalry has developed between these two men. The rules are quite simple. Each man will wear a dog collar and a chain will connect the two. That will keep either from escaping his opponent. 

Valentine vs. Piper
Courtesy: WWE
I have no doubt this will be one of the most brutal matches Stride Pro Wrestling has ever seen. Dog Collar Matches are fairly rare. As far as I'm concerned, the most famous is the battle between U.S. Champion Greg Valentine and Roddy Piper at Starrcade 1983. Things turned ugly quick in this match, with both men bleeding after repeated hits with the chain that bound them. Piper won the match (but the title wasn't on the line, that's not the case with the Legacy title).

Cash attacks Spade
Spade and Borden will not hold back on Saturday night. Cash may be the most sadistic man to ever wrestle for Stride. He has a history of brutally violent matches in other companies. This match is going to be right in his wheelhouse. However, don't count Spade out. I don't recall seeing Jay with some much fire before. Quite simply, he's pissed off and Cash Borden is going to feel the brunt of that rage.


But really the fans are going to be the winners Saturday night. Stride has never seen a Dog Collar Match before. It's one of many firsts for the company that night. Join us at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion. Bell time is 6:30. 

Show your Stride pride


Friday, February 22, 2019

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Kamala's Moon

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By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The Hasbro Kamala figure has been talked about a lot in the collecting circles. How valuable is the fig? I take a closer look in this week's Go Figure Friday.

Watch the video and don't forget to subscribe!



Tuesday, February 19, 2019

VIDEO: Tuesday Thoughts: DX in the Hall of Fame

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By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

There has been some criticism online about Chyna going into the WWE Hall of Fame with the group DX instead of as an individual. I find these arguments silly and just another reason for fans to whine about something. I share more specific thoughts on DX going into the 2019 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame in this Facebook video

Presidents' Day sale continues 

Monday, February 18, 2019

AUDIO: Tag team wrestling

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By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Tag team wrestling is one of my favorite parts of the business. But sadly it's one of the most overlooked things too. At least in WWE. I'm joined by Garrett Turner (Dexter Roswell in Stride Pro Wrestling) on this week's podcast. We discuss our favorite tag teams and more. Be sure to listen here and subscribe. 

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Friday, February 15, 2019

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Bird Box Challenge

Click to watch episode 10


By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I've not seen the movie Bird Box yet. But people seem to love talking about it and the Bird Box Challenge. So I combine that with this week's Go Figure Friday. 



Take a look and don't forget to subscribe. Also, get ready... a Presidents' Day sale is coming to Pro Wrestling Tees. Shop for My 1-2-3 Cents merch. Thanks!



Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Flooded by love

The proposal

By 
Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Pro wrestling is known for wild and crazy events. I've witnessed countless things first hand that people who aren't fans simply wouldn't get. But there are also kinder, gentler moments. And luckily Saturday night I was on hand for one at the Stride Pro Wrestling show.

Tony Flood, a long time bad guy in the ring but a good guy behind the scenes, came to the ring after intermission. In his hands, two champagne flutes and a bottle of sparkling grape juice. After all Stride Pro Wrestling is family friendly. Tony wanted to celebrate his upcoming championship opportunity for the vacant heavyweight title. Tony invited his girlfriend Macey into the ring to join in. 

The two shared a toast and Tony thanked Macey for always being there for him. Then the former champ dropped to one knee and in front of a now cheering crowd (odd for Tony Flood), he asked for Macey's hand in marriage. She accepted and the two shared a kiss as the fans applauded loudly. 

The celebration was shortlived as Heath Hatton and General Manager Sam Hunter entered the picture to snap Tony back to reality. The match between him and Hatton will be a 60-Minute Iron Man Match set for Saturday, March 2 at 600 North Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois. 

But back to the important part of this post, not to say that the title match isn't. I want to congratulate Tony and Macey and thank them for sharing that moment with the fans of Stride and all their friends backstage. Since meeting Tony three years ago, I've seen him experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I'm happy to see he is so happy again.  Cheers to the couple and may the best man win at Strideiversary. 



Monday, February 11, 2019

AUDIO: Six favorite pro wrestling couples

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By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's another installment of Our 6 Cents. And since it's Valentine's Day week, we're looking at our favorite pro wrestling couples. Stride Pro Wrestling general manager Sam Hunter joined me for the conversation.

You can listen to the podcast here. Please rate and review as well and check out the Jittery Monkey store. You can save 20% on Feb. 13 & 14 when you use promo code LOVE19. 




Sunday, February 10, 2019

Wraith speaks!

Wraith
Courtesy: Steve Belcher


By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Thirteen months ago a masked and mysterious man showed up in Stride Pro Wrestling. For weeks he had not given anyone his name. Then a message came into the Stride Pro Wrestling front office proclaiming the mystery man was to be known as Wraith. 

Wraith & Ryzer
Courtesy: Steve Belcher
Wraith dominated his opponents and won the first ever Stride Cup and the Legacy Title on the same night. He also recruited a young disciple named Ryzer. Ryzer was not only a loyalist to Wraith but also served as a mouthpiece.

Ankle lock
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers
Then in the fall the two parted ways and have engaged in some brutal altercations. Ryzer distracted Wraith during his Stride Cup match against "The King" Chris Hargas which lead to the first time cup winner to be eliminated. At the end of the night, after Hargas defeated Ryzer to go on to the finals, Wraith reemerged. He snatched the mic from my hand and for the first time spoke. "March 2. First blood match." 

General manager Sam Hunter was standing ringside at the time of this announcement. He nodded and signed off on the match. This tells me how much hate there is between these men and just how personal things have become. Wraith wants to hurt Ryzer and no doubt Ryzer wants to do the same. 


So now it's set on Saturday, March 2 at Strideiversary it'll be Wraith and Ryzer in Stride's first ever First Blood Match. Join us at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois.

Show your Stride pride

Friday, February 8, 2019

Go Figure Friday: The Golden Couple



By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Love is in the air on this week's Go Figure Friday. I open up my boxed set of Goldust and Marlena from 1997. Take a look and subscribe.





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