Foreign Object Friday: Cowboy Bob Orton's cast

Bob Orton & his cast
Courtsey: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

More than 30 years ago, "Cowboy" Bob Orton suffered an injury to his forearm. Part of the recovery for that injury included wearing a cast to the ring. His arm healed in real life, but in the wrestling world, he was "under doctor's orders" to keep wearing the cast. It became a part of Orton's legacy.

Orton
Courtesy: WWE

The cast was used as interference for most of 1985. Orton was the deciding factor in the main event of the first WrestleMania. It was that cast that came crashing down on "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and lead to Hulk Hogan and Mr. T winning the match against Orndorff and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The cast came into play in future matches for Ace, as he used it against everyone from Jimmy Snuka to Hogan. Orndorff combated the problem by getting a cast of his own and battled Orton after the WrestleMania incident.

Courtesy: Jim Cornette

The cast is now in the possession of Jim Cornette. I found it on his website recently. Orton signed it and gave it to the famous manager for helping with the training of Cowboy's son, Randy Orton. You can see more about it on Cornette's website. 

This Saturday night Orton steps into the ring for Stride Pro Wrestling and he and "Farmer" Billy Hills challenge Ax Allwardt and Scott Phoenix for the tag team titles. Maximum Overdrive will, of course, have their manager J. Wellington Beauregard and his clipboard ringside. So it may not be a bad idea for the doctor to order Ace to start wearing that cast again. Anything can happen when a WWE Hall of Famer shows up. You can meet Bob Orton starting at 5 p.m. at Summersville Grade School. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. June 10. Hope to see you there.

Bob Orton cost me a shot at tag team gold

Farmer's proposal to team up
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I hope no one took the title on this blog too serious, as I am kidding around. But I did want to take the chance to write more about the upcoming Stride Pro Wrestling benefit show this Saturday night. Money raised at this event goes to the YouthBuild program of Jefferson and Marion Counties. On the show, “Farmer” Billy Hills teams with WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton against Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions, Ax Allwardt and Scott Phoenix. The duo known as Maximum Overdrive had a successful defense this past Saturday night. And as I found out, their manager J. Wellington Beauregard is quite confident his team will beat “the Farmer and the retired wrestler.”

Farmer vs. Hargas
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

The reason I throw my name into the mix is that at the Brave the Storm show in April, Farmer beat Chris Hargas to earn the tag title match and pick the partner of their choice. As Farmer made his way back to the locker room, we met on the ramp. He took the mic and teased the crowd that he’d pick me to be his second in that all-important championship encounter. The proposal took me off guard and there were no real plans for that to happen, but it did get me thinking about stepping through the ropes again.

Chances are you know that I have had one match, nearly five-and-a-half years ago. You can watch it on YouTube and hear the story behind it on the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. I was hesitant to ever wrestle because I wasn’t a big fan of the Michael Cole-Jerry Lawler storyline in WWE prior to what we worked out in All American Pro Wrestling.

Winner, winner chicken dinner

But in the end, I think our fans enjoyed the story and the payoff. I know I had a blast, but at the same time respect every single man and woman who has ever wrestled. It’s no easy task and the fact that they put their bodies on the line on a regular basis is nothing short of inspiring.

The bottom line for this whole blog is to say that if the right opportunity comes along, then yes I would get in the ring again. I’m not going to lie, I liked the attention my match garnered in 2012. I also like the fact that I can say I’m still undefeated after all these years.

Stride Pro Wrestling 'Return' could be Flood's downfall

GM Hunter & Flood
Courtesy: Jamie Myers

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stride Pro Wrestling returned to the Illinois Star Centre Mall with the appropriately titled show Return. In the opening moments of the show, Legacy Champion Tony Flood voiced his frustration with General Manager Sam Hunter and told him he's tired of wrestling former champ "T-Dog" Jerry Travelstead. In fact, he's so tired of it, Flood added a stipulation that could lead to his own demise in Stride Pro Wrestling.

Before facing T-Dog, Dexter Roswell and Joey O'Riley in a fatal four way for the Legacy Title, Flood promised Hunter that if he loses at the June 10 Stride show, he will retire from wrestling, no questions asked. Flood will defend his title against T-Dog in a one-on-one encounter that night.

RKO from the top by Tony Flood
Courtesy: Robert Young

This stipulation took many fans (myself included) by surprise. Flood survived the fatal four way by pinning T-Dog. He is confident he will be able to do the same thing at Summersville Grade School this Saturday night. I should note Alexxa Flood was ringside and once again played a factor in the match, slamming T-Dog to the hard, unprotected floor.

With the stakes this high, Saturday's matchup between Flood and T-Dog will be more intense. Jerry could not only recapture the Legacy Title but rid Stride of his biggest nemesis. If Flood wins, T-Dog is out of luck when it comes to getting another shot at the gold and he gets to stick around and torment GM Hunter and others on the Stride roster. Remember, bell time is 6:30 p.m. at Summersville Grade School in Mt. Vernon. Here's a map to get there.

How the WWF made Saturday night's better

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I hope the World Wildlife Fund doesn't sue me over the title, but it's a more accurate description for the topic at hand. It was on this date 32 years ago (May 11, 1985) that Saturday Night's Main Event first took to the airwaves. I was 12 years old and had been a fan of wrestling for a couple years at that point. Back then the only access to WWF programming I had was Tuesday Night Titans and WWF Superstars of Wrestling. There were also the VHS tapes the company produced and of course WrestleMania had just appeared on closed circuit TV.

As I was flipping through the TV Guide that afternoon (yes, I read TV Guide like a book) I came across an ad promoting Saturday Night's Main Event. (I tried finding a pic on Google, but had no luck) The wrestling show was filling the time slot held by Saturday Night Live. Hulk Hogan was featured in the black and white photo, as he was scheduled to face "Cowboy" Bob Orton for the WWF Championship.

Orton vs. Hogan
Courtesy: WWE

This was exciting news for several reasons. The Hulkster was wrestling on TV and against someone who posed a threat (remember, I was only 12). Other Superstars would be wrestling in matches that weren't the usual squash matches we'd grown accustomed to. And Wendi Richter was going to be in action (again, remember I was 12). There was no way I was going to miss any of this action. I stayed up late that night and watched the show on what now I realize was a small screen TV in my bedroom. 

Not only were the matches featuring more competitive opponents, the production value of the show was on point. I still think of SNME every time I hear the song Obsession by Animotion and Take Me Home by Phil Collins. The short promos that were cut at the start of each episode did exactly what they were supposed to do to get me excited for the matches. I also loved that the main event was either the opening match or near the start of the show so if I did doze off and forgot to set the VCR, I wouldn't miss the big event. I hated waiting weeks for a new show to air, but eventually grew to enjoy SNL.

Cyndi Lauper & Wendi Richter
Courtesy: WWE

It's been a long time since WWE replicated Saturday Night's Main Event. The last reboot was in 2006 and wrapped up in 2008. I'll never forget those early days and especially that first show. George "The Animal" Steele turning good after being attacked by Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, Hulkamania running wild all over Bob Orton and Roddy Piper and Richter successfully retain the Women's Championship. 

 

When wrestling gives back

James Storm vs. Scott Phoenix
Courtesy: Tom Harness

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


We often see stories about how WWE works with charities around the world. The company has donated money to causes like Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Make a Wish and the Boys and Girls Club. But smaller wrestling companies and the men and women who work those shows often give back to their communities too. 

Hatton vs. Matheus
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

Stride Pro Wrestling recently held a fundraiser show for victims of deadly tornados that hit southern Illinois. Special guest 'Cowboy' James Storm competed with the familiar faces on the Stride roster. Champion Heath Hatton clashed with 'Big' Roger Matheus in a TLC match that took both men to the brink of destruction. I'm proud to have been a small part of the event and to report the show raised more than $2,500. A portion of that money will go to the storm relief as well as a fund to install a parking lot at Community Consolidated Unit 204 school.

Stride is behind another big fundraiser event June 10. WWE Hall of Famer 'Cowboy' Bob Orton teams up with 'Farmer' Billy Hills to face Maximum Overdrive (Ax Allwardt & Scott Phoenix) for the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles. The event will raise money for a program called Youthbuild of Jefferson and Marion Counties. The group helps young adults get their GED and train them for a variety of careers, including nursing and construction. Ringside seats are $15 and a meet and greet with Bob Orton is $10. General admission seats are $10. The show is at Summersville Grade School in Mt. Vernon.

Cape Championship Wrestling is teaming up with Lawless Harley Davidson in Scott City, Missouri for the Ashlynn McClure Memorial Show. This is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. The show is Saturday, May 20 and the guest that night is Tracy Smothers. Tickets are on sale now on the company's website.

These are just a few upcoming fundraising events. Like I said, indy wrestling has always found a way to give back. Please try to come out and support these special causes and the men and women who are putting their bodies on the line to entertain us. 

Stride Pro Wrestling: One year later

I made the poster!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

It's hard to believe we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Stride Pro Wrestling. The company will mark the occasion Saturday, March 4 with a huge show at the CMA Dojo inside the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. This week I'll talk more about the matches on this blog as well as on the Stride Pro Wrestling social media accounts. Here's a look at Stride Pro Wrestling by the numbers.

Ax Allwardt vs. Heath Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champions:

Ax Allwardt

Heath Hatton

The Midwest Mafia
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions:

Damage Inc. (Frank Wyatt & "Homicidal" Steven Davis

Team Triple X (Jay Spade & Joey O'Riley)

Midwest Mafia ("Hitman" Jake Capone & Red Daniels)

Jerry Travelstead
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Stride Pro Wresting Legacy Champions:

Jerry Travelstead

Red Daniels & Frank Edwards

Graduates of the Stride Pro Wrestling School:

Red Daniels

Frank Edwards

Scott Phoenix

Dexter Roswell

Brian Richards

Daniel Eads
Photo Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Guests of Stride Pro Wrestling:

"Cowboy" Bob Orton

Madman Pondo

Daniel Eads

Brandon Espinosa

What will year two hold for Stride Pro Wrestling? Join us on Saturday, March 4 as the adventure continues. 

Taking things in STRIDE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Earlier this year a new wrestling company came to life in southern Illinois.  STRIDE Pro Wrestling has been around three months and has already gained quite a following with hundreds of fans showing up for monthly contests.  

Heath Hatton

The shows are held at the CMA dojo at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion, Illinois.  It's an unconventional location for a wrestling company, but it is a welcomed feature to an that is in need of live entertainment and  a mall that can use the extra traffic.

The champ Ax Allwardt

Plenty of familiar faces from now defunct southern Illinois wrestling companies are a part of the competition.  The champion is the "Old School Warrior" Ax Allwardt.  But he'll soon face stiff competition as Farmer Billy Hills has a title match at the June 4 show.  Whoever walks out of the ring champ that night has the ever popular Heath Hatton waiting in the wings.  He won a Royal Rumble style battle royal to become the number one contender.

Frank Wyatt & "Homicidal" Steven Davis

There are new tag team champions too.  Frank Wyatt and "Homicidal" Steven Davis beat Jay Spade and Josh Totten in the finals of a tournament to crown the first champs.  Chris Hargas, Tony Flood and Carnage are a part of the company too.  Plus, the monster Bull Bronson, who teams up with WWE Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton on that June 4 show to take on Dalton Diamond and Cash Bordin.

Class is in session

Not only are there monthly shows, but CMA is also home to a weekly wrestling school.  Heath and his staff are training the next wave of indy wrestlers here in southern Illinois.  There's a lot of promise as these young men prepare to climb the ranks and battle for the STRIDE champion.

Lane Ferrell & I 

Oh, I can't leave out general manager Sam Hunter and referee Lane Ferrell.  Sam has made some key matches, including the Ax vs. Farmer and brining in Orton next month.  Lane is the busiest ref in the business these days.  And yours truly serves as the ring announcer.  It's a lot of fun being involved in a monthly wrestling program again.  If you have a chance come be a part of the action. Learn more here. 

What If Wednesday: Survivor Series 1985

Hogan vs. Piper
Photo courtesy: WWE 

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Doing a little fantasy booking from my childhood today and looking back at 1985, the year Wrestlemania made its debut.  Of course we all know two years later, Vince McMahon introduced the world to his second pay per view idea, Survivor Series.  Since it's the season for Survivor Series, I figured I'd share some thoughts on how I would have put together the first event, based on the WWF roster in the fall of 1985.

I looked at house show results in late October and November 1985 on the History of WWE website. Interesting notes: King Tonga (Haku/Meng) and Dino Bravo teamed up briefly as baby faces, that's why they're on the British Bulldogs team.  I noticed the heel tag team division was quite lacking that year, as you'll see too.  Wendi Richter lost the women's title three days before Thanksgiving, the night this event would have been held, and left the company.  That's why she's not a part of the show.

Hulk Hogan, Captain                       vs.              Roddy Piper, Captain 

Paul Orndorff                                                       Bob Orton

Ricky Steamboat                                                  Don Muraco

Bruno Sammartino                                               Adrian Adonis

Tony Atlas                                                            Hercules

Andre the Giant, Captain                  vs.              Big John Studd, Captain

Hillbilly Jim                                                          King Kong Bundy

Tito Santana                                                          Randy Savage

Junkyard Dog                                                        Terry Funk

George Steele                                                        Jesse Ventura

The British Bulldogs, Captains         vs.             Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake, Captains

Uncle Elmer & Cousin Junior                              The Hart Foundation

The Killer Bees                                                    The Moondogs

Mike Rotundo & Danny Spivey                           Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff

King Tonga & Dino Bravo                                   Mr. X & The Gladiator

Velvet McIntyre, Captain               vs.               The Fabulous Moolah, Captain

Linda Gonzalez                                                   Donna Christanello

Susan Starr                                                          Leilani Kai

Dawn Marie                                                        Judy Martin

Jean Kirkland                                                      Mad Maxine

My First Time

Photo courtesy: @TheHistoryofWWE on Twitter

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Although I share a lot on this blog, I'm not going where you might think I am with the title of this post. I'm referring to the first live wrestling matches I ever attended.  Thanks to the power of social media, and @TheHistoryofWWE on Twitter, I confirmed the date.

December 27, 1984, my dad, brother, uncles, cousins, and friends headed to the famed St. Louis Arena for a night of WWF action.  Hulk Hogan defended his WWF championship against Brutus Beefcake, long before he became known as "The Barber." A vile "Rowdy" Roddy Piper locked up with the Junkyard Dog, with Lou Thesz as the special guest referee, and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka battled Piper's main man "Cowboy" Bob Orton.

Looking back on the night, it was a who's who of the WWE Hall of Fame these days.  The notable absence being Andre the Giant, who I unfortunately never got to see wrestle in person.  But that night at the Arena was so much fun none-the-less.  I had been watching wrestling for just over a year at that point.  I had become a fanatic about it earlier in the year.  I was just buying into the whole "Hulkamania" craze, so, of course, we all went wild when the Hulkster defeated Beefcake in the main event.

We had floor seats at the show and probably sat about eight rows back.  Fans weren't as obnoxious back then as they are now, holding up signs and standing to block the view with every out-of-the-ring moment.  But since we were young marks, we'd run to the entrance side before and after each match, holding to slap hands with the greatness that was before us.  

Unfortunately, I did not bring a camera to this event and capture the action, but many of the moments are still burned in my brain.  Orton and Piper double-teamed Snuka and dropped him crotch-first on the top rope.  That prompted an angry JYD to run off the heels.  Beefcake hit a beautiful high knee (his finisher) in what we thought might end the reign of Hogan, but the Hulkster kicked out and mustered the strength to win.  I also remember feeling bad for SD Jones and watching him go down in defeat to the Spoiler.  I always had a soft spot for Special Delivery, may he rest in peace.  The night also featured a very young, Bret Hart as he wrestled soon to be manager Johnny V to a draw.

The action reaffirmed my love for wrestling and set me on the path of remaining an obsessed fan.  Who knew that night so many years ago would lead me to several more house shows, live WrestleManias, and even a chance to step inside the squared circle.  Thanks to my dad for taking me and sharing that special memory with my brother.  What a night.