The Hunters become the hunted

Roger Matheus vs. Abyss

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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On Saturday night, Impact Wrestling's Abyss made an appearance at Stride Pro Wrestling's Lockerroom Melee show. It was a successful fundraiser for Community Consolidated School District 204 in Pinckneyville, Illinois. The 6'7'' monster met with fans prior to the show for a meet and greet. Then it was time to face his challenger, former Stride Pro Wrestling champion, Roger Matheus.

Known as the Mad Viking, Matheus has been on the path of destruction in recent months, taking out any and all who get in his way. He was briefly stopped in his tracks Saturday night as Abyss took Matheus to task. The two brawled for a few minutes (something they've done before) until the Midwest Monster Hunters hit the ring and attacked both men. It makes perfect sense, Abyss and Matheus were the two biggest monsters on the card.

Bo Sawyer and Jason Tiller were confident this was a one and done attack as they fled back to the locker room. That's when Abyss invited the former Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions back into the ring for a fight. The Monster Hunters balked and declined the challenge. General Manager Sam Hunter had other ideas and offered Sawyer and Tiller two solutions; 1) get in the ring and fight or 2) be fired. The MWMH love money almost as much as hunting, so they reluctantly got back into the ring.

Abyss and Matheus, despite beating the hell out of each other minutes earlier, came together and fought the former champs. The brawling came to an end when Matheus scored the pin and he and Abyss celebrated to the cheers of hundreds of fans in attendance. To my recollection, it's the first time Matheus has had the entire audience on his side. Would the Mad Viking be changing his ways?

I'll have more thoughts on the show on this week's My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. Be sure to listen. 

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Don't miss Abyss

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've mentioned it a few times before, but it's worth talking about again. Former Impact Wrestling Champion Abyss is headed to Stride Pro Wrestling. He's wrestling Roger Matheus one week prior to being inducted into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame. You can listen to Abyss reflect on his career here.

Matheus and Abyss are not strangers to one another. The two battled it out in Cape Championship Wrestling in a match Abyss won. Matheus has been on an incredible streak since Stride returned from summer break. I have no doubt he'll bring it all and then some in the ring against the Monster.

Before the match happens fans will have a chance to meet with Abyss. He's doing a meet & greet starting at 5 p.m. at Community Consolidated School District 204. It'll last about an hour and then it'll be show time. Pics and autographs are just $10 and the money raised will help the cause to build a new locker room for the school

I've never met Abyss. I've watched him develop into a household name over the last 16 years in Impact Wrestling. I look forward to meeting him and wishing him well on his new adventure as a hall of fame performer. Join us! 

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Teaching the rWo a lesson

Disciplinary Action vs. The rWo 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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There's been an underlying tension between The Ragin' Redneck (now Hollywood Redneck) and 'The Stone Cold Plumster' Josh Plumlee since early this year. The two came to blows at a Stride Pro Wrestling benefit show in Christopher, Illinois in March. Then in May, as Plumlee (a teacher at Community Consolidated School Dist. 204 in Pinckneyville) was teaming with high school principal Tony Wilson, Redneck, who was the special guest referee, turned on the educators. 

Wilson for the pin

Despite the despicable act, Disciplinary Action overcame the challenge and beat the DR Party that night. Now the duo is looking for revenge. Wilson and Plumlee are teaming up once again, this time their target is the Redneck World Order. Hollywood Redneck and Cole James are the former Stride tag team champions. They'll go into battle this Saturday night at CCSD 204. 

rWo wins the gold

Redneck has been running his mouth since Stride's return in August. Now that he has the backing of the rWo, he's been even mouthier than usual. You must also factor that third man in the group who will be lurking outside the ring. Disciplinary Action may be a new unit, but Wilson and Plumlee work well together. They'll take their positive attitude and cohesiveness into battle. That could tip the scales in their favor, no matter how many rWo members show up.

It's time for the Redneck to learn some respect. I have no doubt Plumlee and Wilson are ready to teach him some. Join us Saturday night (Oct. 6). Bell time is at 6:30, but a meet & greet with Impact Wrestling star Abyss begins at 5. We'll see you there.

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AUDIO: Abyss & Impact Hall of Fame

Click here for the Abyss audio on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I wrote a piece about a month ago about Abyss coming to Stride Pro Wrestling. The soon-to-be Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer will face Roger Matheus this Saturday night, Oct. 6 at Community Consolidated School District 204 in Pinckneyville. Bell time is 6:30, but there's a meet and greet with the Monster prior. Call 618-357-2419.

I recently sat in on a conference call with Abyss. The Monster talks about his career, a few highlights and his thoughts on the Hall of Fame. You can hear it right here on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network. 

Climbing to success

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The very first time the Legacy Title was on the line it was in a ladder match. It happened in Pinckneyville, Illinois when Jerry Travelstead beat Tony Flood in the tournament finals. Now, nearly two years later the belt is on the line again, in a ladder match and in the same exact place, Community Consolidated School District 204.

This time, Wraith faces three men; Arron Brooks, Jay Spade and Wraith's sidekick Ryzer. All four men have had issues with one another all summer long. It all started after Brooks won the number one contendership for the belt at Stride Goes Steel. Spade and Ryzer started an issue not long after that. In fact, Ryzer prevented Spade from regaining the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title from Tony Flood. So now, GM Sam Hunter is forcing all four guys to work out their differences in a match that has the potential to steal the show Saturday night.

I don't think I'm speaking out of turn, but I believe this is the first ladder match for all four men, at least here in Stride. That I know for sure. We've seen Ryzer, Brooks and Spade all climb that top rope and even scale the cage at Stride Goes Steel. There's no fear factor among anyone involved here. Plus, each man wants a piece of the championship pie. Ryzer and Brooks have never held gold here while Spade has been a tag team champion in addition to the Heavyweight champion.

What I'm looking forward to seeing is how Ryzer and Wraith work together. Ryzer has been a flunkie of sorts for Wraith since they paired up in March. He's a huge factor as to why Wraith still holds the Legacy Title. Case in point, the video above. Will Ryzer still help Wraith win no matter what, or could he have an appetite for gold? And what personality will Brooks bring to the ring with him that night?

Find out this Saturday night. CCSD 204 in Pinckneyville is the place to be. Bell time is 6:30 (come early for a meet and greet with Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee Abyss) Learn more here. 

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When monsters collide

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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There is a lot going on in Stride Pro Wrestling right now. We've talked about upcoming shows in Carterville (Sept. 8) and Gallatin County (Sept. 21), but today I'm focusing on an event in Pinckneyville. Community Consolidated 204 is hosting a fundraiser on Oct. 6. One match has already been announced: Roger Matheus battles Abyss.

Yes, that Abyss. The former Impact! Wrestling champion will take on Stride's former champion. This won't be the first time the two have clashed. Last year, Abyss beat Matheus in a match in Cape Championship Wrestling. That match was a Monsters' Ball encounter.

Matheus gets tased
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

A lot has happened since that match. Matheus dropped the Stride Heavyweight title to Jay Spade. Then he went on a path of destruction, taking out referee Lane Austin and choosing to attack me and my 12-year-old daughter. Reflecting on it all, I wonder if this first loss to Abyss is what set Matheus to spiral out of control.

Since his loss inside the steel cage in May, Matheus seems to be even more aggressive and hell-bent on destroying the competition. He beat Cash Borden and Cole James in a fatal three-way match. Then he destroyed Borden in singles competition. And finally, he bested Chris Hargas, James and Borden for the right to face Abyss. A monster has been awoken in Matheus. That's not a good thing for anyone on the Stride roster, including Abyss. 

Be sure to join us at all upcoming shows. Keep up to date here.

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Abyss: Prize or punishment for someone at Stride

Abyss is coming to Stride Pro Wrestling on Saturday, Oct. 6
Community Consolidated 204 in Pinckneyville 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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When Stride Pro Wrestling invites a guest to come in and wrestler, many on the roster want the honor of working with Superstar. James Ellsworth, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, James Storm and Bushwhacker Luke are among those who have visited and competed in the Stride ring. On Saturday, Oct. 6, Impact Wrestling's Abyss is coming to town. He'll be in Pinckneyville at the fundraiser show being held at Community Consolidated 204.

However, it's not yet known who will be stepping through the ropes to face this monster. Is wrestling such a performer a prize or punishment? There are four men on the Stride roster who will compete for the opportunity. Cash Borden, Roger Matheus, Brian Richards and Cole James. It'll be winner take all in this fatal four-way this Saturday night (Aug. 11).

Abyss
Courtesy: Impact Wrestling

I applaud the bravery of each man involved in this match for stepping up to the task. Abyss is one of the most intense and toughest wrestlers in the world today. His long resume in Impact Wrestling speaks for itself, including a stint at the company's heavyweight champion.

Cash Borden
Courtesy: Jill McKee

Despite his well-documented past, the abovementioned Stride guys all want that shot against Abyss. Borden has yet to win gold in Stride Pro Wrestling but has an impressive record here. He's also been in some most dangerous styles of matches around the country. He's also gone toe to toe with the toughest guy on the Stride roster, Roger Matheus.

Matheus killing me
Courtesy: Tom Harness

Matheus is the longest reigning Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. You've heard me talk about how tough he is in past. He kicked my ass literally and figuratively in May at Stride Goes Steel. Roger is a military veteran and has had success with MMA as well. Without a doubt one of the most dangerous competitors in all of pro wrestling. He's also wrestled Abyss in the past.

Brian Richards vs. Chris Hargas
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

Brian Richards is a former co-holder of the tag team championships. He's the DR Party's enforcer. Richards has been in there against everyone from Chris Hargas to Heath Hatton to Daniel Eads, so he knows how to perform in high-pressure situations. Plus you have to factor in J. Wellington Beauregard and other members of the DR Party.

Cole James

Cole James is the wildcard. He's only been to a couple of Stride shows, the first being a triple threat with Matheus and Cash. James took the pin in that contest. He was also a participant in the most recent show's battle royal. But I do know James has a hardcore past, similar to that of Borden's. 

So really this is anyone's match to win. Again, the winner faces Abyss on Oct. 6. I guess on Oct. 7 I'll ask if they feel this is a prize or punishment.  We'll see you this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Eldorado High School. Remember it's a benefit show for the Keltner family. 

Halloween gets hardcore

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WCW had the market in October when it came to big events. Halloween Havoc is the one pay per view I wish WWE would bring back and make its own. I loved the cheesier side of the event. Southern Fried Abdullah the Butcher is still probably my favorite Havoc memory. 

Tonight (Oct. 21) wrestling fans in southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky can get a taste of the holiday with CCW Hardcore Halloween. Cape Championship Wrestling is headed to the National Guard Armory in Sikeston, Missouri. The usual favorites will be on hand, with Austin Lane defending the CCW Championship against Farmer Billy Hills, Marni Gras defends the CCW Women's Championship against Sarah Summers and Marko Stunt. The tag titles are on the line too as The Pinnacle battles The LA Hustlers. Plus Sexy Sarge will get a "sexy" surprise fro Pinnacle manager Jeff O'Dell. 

But what makes this Halloween a hardcore one is the fact that TNA Impact Wrestling's Monster Abyss is being unleashed on CCW. The big man is coming to town and facing Roger Matheus in a Monster's Ball Match. This will be everything you'd expect. I know Matheus from being in Stride Pro Wrestling. He's tougher than a two dollar steak. I can't imagine him being intimidated or backing down from anyone. However, Abyss lives up to that moniker of "The Monster". 

It's going to be a great night of action. I'm sorry I won't be there, but I'll look forward to the recap on Pro Wrestling Unscripted on the Podzilla 1985 podcast network.  

Slammiversary XI Thoughts

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter

On Friday, I wrote a blog detailing some of the “issues” I felt TNA needs to address to improve the company. After watching Slammiversary XI, I am still concerned most of those issues will continue to be problems going forward. Because of these issues, I have decided to hold off on purchasing tickets for Bound For Glory as I want to see how TNA proceeds before throwing down a chunk of change for a show that might possibly be equally parts entertaining wrestling and annoying booking. With that said here are my thoughts on what went down in Boston.

I mentioned in the blog on Friday how I have little interest in Aces and Eights because they do nothing but lose. Instead of having a solid showing at Slammiversary, they turned out to be the “pu***es in leather” Hulk Hogan referred to them as early in the show. Garrett Bischoff/Wes Brisco/Mr. Anderson lost a six-man tag match to Magnus/Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy. D-Von lost the TV title to Abyss. Bully Ray retained the World Title only after Bischoff, Doc, D-Von and Brisco ran in and got beat down by Sting allowing Mr. Anderson to hand Bully a hammer which he used to hit Sting in the head knocking Sting out for an easy three count.

Bully Ray wins with Aces & Eights
Photo by Impact Wrestling

Again I ask, am I really supposed to care about Aces and Eights? If so, what have they done to make me interested? I’m not asking for complete dominance. That would be too extreme in the opposite direction. But is it too much to ask that any member of Aces and Eights get a victory that means something? 

If Aces and Eights really want to win a match, I recommend they take at least a couple of months off from wrestling. In Friday’s blog, I talked about how wrestlers disappear for months at a time. Usually it’s mid-card wrestlers who fans forget all about, then when they reappear fans are in a stunned silence trying to figure out who is in the ring. When a popular wrestler disappears and reappears the TNA playbook is to have the wrestler get the big win.

Chris Sabin wins gold
Photo by Impact Wrestling

At Slammiversary, Chris Sabin won the X-Division title after returning in the past month from being on the injured list for almost a year. Abyss’s return to TV was capped off by winning the TV title. James Storm hasn’t been gone but his tag-team partner last night, Gunner, hadn’t been seen in God knows how long. In their first title match StormGunners won the Tag Team Titles. I don’t know what long term plans TNA has in place so I may be being typical internet wrestling fan nitpicking for the sake of complaining, but none of these title changes seemed necessary. 

Being X-Division champion allows Chris Sabin to challenge for the World Title at some point over the summer. I can see why TNA would rather have a Sabin/Bully Ray match instead of a Kenny King/Bully Ray match but it still feels like Sabin’s victory was done simply because he returned from a serious injury. Abyss’ win was bad storytelling. Abyss replaced his brother Joseph Park after Park was attacked backstage by Aces and Eights. Joseph had been counted out so the match was over. The D-Von/Abyss match never should have happened. Trying to remember why James Storm was inserted into tag match since from what I recall he had been calling out AJ Styles and dealing with Aces and Eights. Putting the tag straps on a new makeshift team instead of an established makeshift team seems shortsighted. We’ll see where it goes.

Taryn vs. Gail Kim
Photo by Impact Wrestling

Since I’ve been negative so far let me dish out some praise. The match of the night and surprise of the night had to be the Gail Kim/Taryn Terrell Last Knockout Standing Match. Anyone who’s followed Gail Kim’s career knows she can bring it when allowed to actually showcase her wrestling talent but who knew Taryn was as good as she is before this match? Either she greatly improved since joining TNA or WWE really doesn’t know how to utilize Divas. This was a more brutal and entertaining match than expected and it was given the right amount of time to tell the story.  If you didn’t see Slammiversary, I highly recommend you track down this match.

Soon-to-be-Hall of Famer Kurt Angle with Kevin & Chad
Photo by My 1-2-3 Cents

Kurt Angle was announced as this year’s TNA Hall of Fame inductee. I am of the belief active wrestlers shouldn’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Last year when Sting was announced, I questioned the reasoning. After the Hall of Fame ceremony was over it made sense why TNA inducted him and doing so on the tenth anniversary of the company was meaningful. I understand the significance of Kurt Angle leaving WWE for TNA however I don’t t feel this is the right time for his induction. Not only because Kurt is still wrestling but also in terms of historical importance I feel Jeff and/or Jerry Jarrett should be inducted before anyone else. Kurt going in now also looks like another example of TNA putting ex-WWE/WCW guys over their homegrown talent. AJ Styles, James Storm, Christopher Daniels and even Abyss have been in TNA longer than Angle. Why is Angle being inducted before guys who helped found the company?

I briefly touched on the main event when talking about Aces and Eights. Sting losing means he can never challenge for the World Title again. I don’t know how much longer Sting will be wrestling. I do know this stipulation is a good thing as now TNA might push some new contenders into the World Title scene. If memory serves right, Sting has challenged for the World Title at either Bound For Glory or Slammiversary every year since 2006. Time to mix it up. Now I ask TNA to layout a world title match that doesn’t involve ref bumps and run-ins. I won’t hold my breath.

After reading this you might be thinking Slammiversary wasn’t a good show. To be honest, Slammiversary was a perfectly fine wrestling show hindered only by TNA’s standard booking practices. I am not disappointed I paid for the show. I’m only sad that after 11 years, TNA continues to make the same decisions over and over and over. The TNA locker room is full of talent. If TNA wants to grow they have to stop being TNA.  I forgot to mention this earlier so I’m going to briefly throw it in here. Jay Bradley won a spot in the Bound For Glory series. I’m not saying he should win the series but he should be in the final four. This is a chance to build a new star. Will TNA seize the opportunity or will Jay be the Jobber To The Stars in the tournament? Time will tell. 

Boo: The Monster

Abyss! (from Impactwrestling.com)

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger

I remember the first time I saw Abyss wrestle for TNA back in the early days of the company.  He started in 2003, but I didn't start watching until '04.  My first thought was that he was a rip off of Kane, but I think there's more to him than met my eye intitially.

I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of "the Monster", but I do think he's done some good things in the ring.  At one time he was one of the most recognizable faces on the TNA roster.  I'm not sure if that's saying much though. (I kid)  But I would dispute the claim made by Hulk Hogan that Abyss is the second coming of John Cena.  The character is different for sure, but I don't ever see him taking off to that next level.

Abyss has had his share of ups and downs in TNA.  He's held several titles in the company, including the world, X division, and tag team titles.  I always thought he was at his best when he was a heel though.  But I'm old school and like the monster type gimmicks for the heels.  To me, it just doesn't work as well for the faces.  I think Mick Foley's transformation of Mankind as a face would be the rare exception.  But his monster tendancies went away too.

That ain't Duggan's 2x4 (Impactwrestling)

Anyway, I thought the pairing of Hogan and Abyss and the whole Hall of Fame ring gimmick didn't do Abyss any favors.  It's hard for a guy to go from barbwire and thumb tack matches to hanging with the Hulkster, in my opinion.  But again, it worked for Foley to a degree.  He went from hardcore to popular babyface pretty easily.

Something I did discover about Abyss while researching this, we are roughly the same age.  Not that we're old, but he is pushing 40 and the shelf life of wrestlers is not very long, especially ones who wrestle those hardcore type matches.  I'll be curious to see how TNA utilizes the monster in the coming months.  Clearly it appears that changes are on the horizon, I just wonder if he'll be a part of them.

Boo: Devil in Disguise

Wrath, James Vanderberg, and Mortis

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

I was originally going to write about Mortis and Wrath for this post, but as I was researching I came across a lot of information on this duo's manager James Vanderberg.  At least that's what his name was back in WCW in 1996.  You may remember him better as former TNA manager "Father" James Mitchell or "Devil" James Mitchell.

As I mentioned, it was 1996 when Mitchell first arrived on the national wrestling scene. Prior to this, he had done some work with Smoky Mountain Wrestling, but I have no recollection of his work there.  In WCW though, Mitchell aka Vanderberg was managing Mortis (played by the late Chris Kayon) and Wrath (played by Bryan Clark, aka Adam Bomb) in a gimmick called "Blood Runs Cold."  It was a weird set up for sure.  The whole idea was to push a wrestler called Glacier.  Mortis and Wrath were his rivals in the feud.  They all dressed like characters from a video game, or rejects from the Masters of the Universe.  But as you can see in the picture, Vanderberg didn't dress like his men, instead he looked more like a traditional manager.

The Sinister Minister (ECW)

He later left WCW for ECW and started managing Raven.  But it wasn't long before Raven flew the coop and left the company.  The manager then became a narrator of sorts for ECW and was dubbed The Sinister Minister.  He managed Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck, but again I don't remember much of this gimmick either, as these were the dying days of the ECW brand.  He even appeared at One Night Stand (the WWECW PPV in 2005), but my memory of him being there is strained.

"Father" James with his "son" Abyss

After his time in the original ECW, Mitchell ended up in TNA.  He managed once again, this time leading the way for a team called the Disciples of the New Church.  Brian Lee and Slash were the two members of the New Church.  Eventually, Mitchell would leave the company and return to manage Abyss.  If my memory serves me correctly the storyline was Mitchell was the father of Abyss.  It was a long, played out angle between the two before the revelation was actually made.  Then Mitchell ended up getting released from the company.  Personally, the storyline was starting to remind me a lot of the Kane-Paul Bearer angle from a few years earlier.

The devilish manager hasn't been seen from in years, but certainly made an impact (pardon the pun) on TNA wrestling while he was there.  Maybe he and his "son" will be reunited in the future.  You never know.