The most recent episodes of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown are both in the books and I wanted to take a moment to recognize a few familiar faces who showed up on those shows recently. Several weeks ago my friend (and former tag team partner) Tyler 'Heath' Hatton told me he'd been invited to be an extra for the Jan. 10 SmackDown and the Jan. 13 Raw. He mentioned Joey O'Riley and Brandon 'Espy' Espinosa were also invited.
Espy is on the right
Jay Spade and I made the drive over to Evansville Friday night for SmackDown. Tyler and Joey didn't appear on that show, but Espy did as he was one of the men carrying out King Corbin to the ring.
Hatton knows the Truth
Fast forward to Monday night. Tyler ended up appearing in two segments as a 'WWE Medic', helping R-Truth to the back after being attacked by Brock Lesnar. Tyler got out of the way as Mojo Rawley charged the 24/7 champ and pinned R-Truth to win the gold.
Wipe those tears
Tyler and his medical expertise were needed again after Becky Lynch got sprayed in the eyes with Asuka's mysterious mist. He helped the Raw Women's Champion back to her feet and walked her backstage too.
Rowan vs. O'Riley
Then Joey O'Riley did battle with Erick Rowan. We still don't know what's in that cage, but it seemed that Joey was going to get an up-close look at one point.
I'm proud of all three of these guys. They've all toiled for years on the indy wrestling scene. Their appearances on WWE television has created quite a bit of local buzz. They deserve a big round of applause. Congrats guys.
"History will be made tonight!" is one of wrestling's greatest cliches. This Thursday night though, I can say without hyperbole history will be made at Stride Pro Wrestling's Bash at the Ballpark event. I'll talk more about the women's championship in Monday's post. However, today, I'm talking about another new title being added to the company.
Thursday night 10 men will compete for the No Limits Championship. But this will be no ordinary match. The newly minted belt will hang above the ring and whoever climbs a ladder and retrieves the title first will be the new champion.
So who's in this epic battle? Roger Matheus, Farmer Billy Hills, "The King" Chris Hargas, Dexter Roswell, "Warbound" Bo Sawyer, Will Power, B-Rad, Scott Phoenix, "T-Dog" Jerry Travelstead and Brandon Espinosa. Lots of seasoned guys and some relative newcomers in this battle which will make it so unique. It also makes it hard to predict.
Come out to Rent One Park, Thursday, August 29. Tickets are just $7 and include five wrestling matches and a baseball game (the Southern Illinois Miners take on the Lake Erie Crushers). Bell time is at 5:35 p.m. We'll see you there!
Saturday night Stride Pro Wrestling celebrates the season with Christmas Break. The show features two championship matches and the return of a popular star on the indy season. 'Espy' Brandon Espinosa has been a guest here at Stride.
The last time we saw Espy in a Stride ring was October 2017. There is no word who the former Missouri Wrestling Revival Champion will face Saturday night, but there's no doubt he'll put on an excellent show. I was able to catch Espy at the most recent Cape Championship Wrestling Show I attended in October. He continues to be a big part of that company and many others around the country. He's a frequent inclusion on the PWI Top 500 list as well.
I've been a fan since first meeting Espinosa in All-American Pro Wrestling in 2011. He and Ace Hawkins had textbook matches against Matt Cage and Christian Rose, trading the tag team titles in a ladder match that remains one of my all-time favorites.
So join us Saturday night. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. at the Stride Pro Wrestling Arena (1130 N. Divison St. Carterville). Bring a new, unwrapped pro wrestling action figure for the first ever Stride Pro Wrestling/My 1-2-3 Cents Toy Drive.
It's been more than a year, but after some late night negotiations, Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager Sam Hunter has inked a deal to bring back Brandon "Espy" Espinosa. The former MWR Missouri Champion will be in Marion this Saturday night. He will face another St. Louis wrestler in Justin D'air.
Justin D'air
I'm eager to learn more about D'air as this will be the first opportunity I'll have to see him in action. The Neon Icon has quite a pedigree though, wrestling for several promotions in Missouri and Illinois. However, I'm also excited that Espy is coming back. I had to miss the show he wrestled on for Stride in June 2016. But I did get to see him battle "Farmer" Billy Hills in Cape Championship Wrestling last summer.
My first experience with Espy came in All-American Pro Wrestling. He and Ace Hawkins were one of the best tag teams on the indy scene at that time. The duo was extremely popular and had some of the most epic matches in AAPW history against Team Overkill of Matt Cage and Christan Rose. One of my favorite matches remains the ladder match between the two teams at AAPW Zero Hour. The battle lasted nearly 20 minutes and Espy and Ace came out as champions. Even though their team name was Minor Threat, they were major players and top-tier talent.
My AAPW birthday bash in 2012 Courtesy: Jason Wilkey Photography
Another one of my favorite memories from AAPW didn't involve a match at all. Executive Producer and Promoter Chris Hagstrom surprised me on my birthday (we had a taping that night) with a birthday cake. The babyfaces on the roster all joined me and Chris in the ring and sang happy birthday. Espy was front and center for that celebration too. It made this aging commentator feel special for sure.
Don't forget, bell time Saturday night is 6:30 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Come dressed in a Halloween costume as we celebrate the holiday too.
I still remember buying my first pro wrestling magazine. I was 11 years old. It was the December 1984 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Barry Windham was on the cover and my favorite wrestler at the time, Kerry Von Erich was the poster inside. I bought every issue of the magazine from that time until the end of 1995, when the internet and Rec Sports Pro Wrestling (and my lack of space) took over. One of my favorite issues became the annual PWI Top 500.
The first issue came out my freshman year in college. Hulk Hogan stood on top of the rankings in 1991. It made sense. He had a solid year, regaining the WWF Championship and defending the honor of America against the Iraqi-sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. The unique thing about the Top 500 though was getting to learn more about wrestlers I'd never heard of before.
Espy goes to the top
Photo by: My 1-2-3 Cents
Now, some 27 editions later, I'm finding that I now know (like in person) some of the wrestlers who have made the list. I haven't seen everyone on the 2017 list, but I do know Brandon "Espy" Espinosa has once again been ranked. I met Espy during our days with All American Pro Wrestling. He was quite a talent then and has only continued to excel in the years that have passed. He has traded the Missouri Wrestling Revival Championship with his former partner in AAPW, Ace Hawkins this year and continues to wrestle around the country. In 2016 he did a show with Stride Pro Wrestling as well.
"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony vs. Heath Hatton in AAPW
Courtesy: Jason Wilkey
"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony has graced the PWI 500 list too. I also met Golden Boy in AAPW, where he wrestled everyone from Heath Hatton to The Mississippi Madman. He's recovering from a recent heart procedure but has been an established member of the NWA: Midsouth roster for years now.
Yep, that's me with Matt Cross (and guests)
Photo courtesy: Missouri Wrestling Revival
Matt Cross, who first came to prominence on Tough Enough several years ago, also wrestled a couple of times for AAPW. He too has been on the PWI Top 500. He continues to rise on the indy scene and is one of the top guys in Lucha Underground right now.
As I mentioned, I haven't seen the complete list for 2017, if I missed someone on this year's list that I do know, I apologize. Congrats to Okada for being the first Japanese wrestler to top the list and to everyone else who made the cut. Check out the standings right here.
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.
Three years ago if you would have asked me to name five
independent wrestlers, I think I would have struggled. Now, after working with
two different indy wrestling promotions, I’m proud to say, not only can I name
hundreds of independent wrestlers, I can call many of them my friend as
well.
If you’re a fan of indy wrestling, you know that many of the
same guys and gals wrestle for multiple companies.While I haven’t had a chance to see them in person, one
group I’m learning more about is Pro Wrestling Elite.The company is based west Tennessee and features some
outstanding talent, both rising stars and established legends.I’ve worked with many of the guys in
the locker room, including the very gifted Brandon Espinosa, the wildly popular
Farmer Billy Hills, the brutally aggressive Bull Bronson, and the cunningly
clever “Golden Boy” Greg Anthony.
Brandon "Espy" Espinosa
Each man shines when he's in the ring, and you
can believe they bring 110% when they come out to wrestle.Most of my experience with Espinosa has
been calling his tag matches.He
teams frequently with Ace Hawkins, and the pair has been very successful in the
Midwest.Their match against Team
Overkill (Matt Cage and Christian Rose) was my favorite match to call.They battled in a ladder match that I
think rivals anything you’d see on the big stage.
Don't go messin' with this country boy
Farmer Billy Hills
Farmer Billy Hills has a special place in my heart.I’ve visited his family (two legged and
four legged) in Mudlick, Kentucky.He works just as hard outside the ring as he does inside it.Farmer does some amazing things between
the ropes (and outside them) when you consider how big he is.I’ve seen him fly through the ropes and
take out opponents on the arena floor.His attitude in the locker room is inspiring, and he never stops
learning.
He's a bull in a China shop
Bull Bronson
Bull Bronson is one of the most intimidating and quite
honestly brutal wrestlers I’ve ever worked with.His aggression in the ring has resulted in a lot of pain for
his opponents.I’ve seen Bull take
out guys in handicap matches, knock down defenseless announcers, and throw guys
through tables like it’s just another day at the office.He’s a force to be reckoned with, and I
suspect we’ve only seen a sampling of the pain and destruction Bull Bronson can
deliver.Simply put, he doesn’t
care who gets hurt along the way, and will do what it takes to make it to the
top of the mountain.Honestly, I
find his aggression and brutality refreshing.
Good as gold, and he knows it...
"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony
Greg Anthony truly is golden.He’s an old school wrestler who talks a big game, but unlike
many wrestlers today, can back it up in the ring.Golden Boy is one of my favorite indy guys on the mic
today.He tells fans that he is
good as gold, and then climbs into that ring and backs it up.I had the pleasure over Wrestlemania
weekend to see Golden Boy wrestle and do some work on the mic.He went toe to toe with the legendary
Rock ‘N Roll Express, rivals that he and partners like Jason Rage and Matt
Riviera have beaten for the PWE tag team titles before.
I’m looking forward to creating a relationship with
PWE.If you’re looking for some
great indy action, I would suggest giving these talented wrestlers a look.Here’s a link to the website, let me
know who some of your favorites are on the roster.
Regular readers of this blog or those who watch My 1-2-3 Cents on YouTube, know that I complain a lot about the tag team scene on the national level. I am however, impressed with the way things are looking on the independent scene. Chikara continues to impress me, but today I want to focus on Pro Wrestling Collision.
For the purposes of full disclosure, I am on the commentary team for PWC, and bottom line the point of this blog is to promote our next show, which is Saturday, April 27 at the Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale. Bell time is 7 p.m.
Ace & Espy vs. the Submission Squad
Photo courtesy: Lewis Marien
I feel like tag team wrestling means something in Pro Wrestling Collision. Champions Ace Hawkins and Brandon Espinosa have defended their titles more than any other champions in the company. They've faced the inter gender duo of Alex Castle and Angelus Lane, the Submission Squad, and King Entertainment. Each one of these matches has resulted in a victory for Ace and Espy. KOA, the Kings of Armory, will return to face the champions Saturday night.
Sugar Dunkerton and Aaron Epic make up this duo. They're .500 in Pro Wrestling Collision and favorites among the fans. The two made an excellent impression on the fans and with those in the locker room. I'd seen Sugar work before in Chikara as both a member of FIST and The Throwbacks, and I like his style. He's a great person outside the ring as well. I don't know a whole lot about Epic, but I was impressed with his work and attitude at the show KOA was on.
Espy & Ace climb the ladder of success
Photo courtesy: Missouri Wrestling Revival
I can't say enough about Ace and Espy either. This team has been in some of the best matches on the card. Their battle against Matt Cage and Christian Rose last fall took ladder matches to a new level for me. It ranks among the best matches I saw in 2012 and I'm honored to have had the privilege to call it.
If you live in the tri state region, I highly recommend the drive to Carbondale. For $10 you're going to get a great night of wrestling action, not just from these two exciting tag team, but also Collision champion Heath Hatton will defend his gold. Joey O'Riley's No Limits title is up for grabs against Zakk Sawyer. Plus, in what may be the grudge match of the year so far, Shane Rich looks to gain revenge on the behemoth Bull Bronson. This rivalry has been intense to say the least. Plus Matt Cage will tangle with Farmer Billy Hills. More matches will be announced Saturday, so if you make it out, please stop by and say hello.
Back in January, my friends Adam and Aaron lost their home in a fire. I met Adam and Aaron through wrestling. We all work together with Pro Wrestling Collision and are co hosts on From the Rafters Radio. Both have also written blogs for My 1-2-3 Cents.
As they each try to rebuild their lives, the cast and crew of Pro Wrestling Collision is helping out. This Saturday, (April 20) there is a benefit show for Adam and Aaron. Chaos Pro Wrestling out of Metropolis is teaming up with us for the benefit. Bell time is 2 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.
Collision champion Heath Hatton will defend his title against his best friend Shane Rich, in what I think we be a classic confrontation. The two fan favorites will no doubt put on one helluva show and the fans who come out for this one will walk away the winners.
CPW's champion Ty Blade will take on Shane Smalls. I have not yet seen a CPW show, but many of their wrestlers have had matches on Collision, so I'm looking forward to seeing this match. I think it's great that a cooperation between two local indy companies exists.
Other matches planned for Saturday include the wildly popular Collision tag team champions Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins defending against King Entertainment. The No Limits Title will be on the line in a triple threat match that features champ Joey O'Riley taking on his buddy Jay Spade and the always obnoxious Zakk Sawyer (sorry Zakk).
Again, bell time is 2 p.m. Saturday. For more details on the show, head to Pro Wrestling Collisionor Chaos Pro Wrestling's websites. It's all for a good cause, helping two great guys get a new start after losing almost everything in a fire. And be sure to come back a week later when Collision returns to the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale at 7 p.m.
Once again, I have to say how proud I am to be a part of All American Pro Wrestling. AAPW is preparing for its 6th anniversary and the front office has been working hard to put on one heck of a celebration. Since 2008, the anniversary show has also had the distinction of being a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Money raised from tickets, concessions, and several silent auctions and raffles will be given to the charity.
From top to bottom "Zero Hour" is stacked. This will no doubt be the biggest anniversary show in company history and will no doubt be the best show we've ever done. Like "Main Event" and "Summer Chaos", "Zero Hour" will be a DVD exclusive.
Mike Masters takes on Edmund "Livewire" McGuire
AAPW champion Mike Masters won the title in controversial fashion at "Summer Chaos", now he defends the title against former champ Edmund "Livewire" McGuire in AAPW's first ever steel cage match. There is more than just the championship on the line. There's a lot of raw emotion involved in this match, from Masters stalking Edmund and his young son, to the menacing words he's used against the father and son on social media. Factor in the volatile nature of their contract signing, this will be nothing less than war.
Climbing to new heights
Team Overkill vs. Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins
In another highly anticipated grudge match, Team Overkill will defend their tag team titles in a ladder match. Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins have been screwed out of the titles the last couple of times they've competed. Espy recently won a match against Christian Rose to determine the type of match at Zero Hour. Since Rose and his partner Matt Cage have used the belts as weapons in recent defenses, Espy and Ace decided to take the match to new heights.
"Boom Boom" returns to AAPW to team with Hatton
Gaylord steps into the ring
"Boom Boom" Colt Cabana makes his AAPW return. Back in January, Cabana was on the losing end to "3G" Eric Wayne. This time, he teams up with AAPW hero Heath Hatton to take on the "Old School Warrior" Ax Allwardt and his manager Gaylord Stephens. That's write, the Prince of Polyster will step into the ring against these two great stars. Hatton has been robbed out of two title opportunities thanks to Stephens, Allwardt, and newcomer J. Wellington Beauregard. First Ax smashed Heath with a chain helping Masters retain his title. Then Beauregard and Stephens caused a distraction and helped Adam Pearce pin Heath in their NWA World's Heavyweight title match.
The Reward is in the Risk
KC Jackson takes on Joey O'Riley
"The Main Attraction" KC Jackson has ventured into the singles ranks and is doing quite well for himself as he prepares to take on Joey O'Riley in the finals of the newly established "No Limits Division." I'm excited about this because the first ever NLD champion will be crowned on the 20th. Both men have been strong in the tournament. KC added some momentum by beating Joey and two other No Limits stars, Jay Spade and Sean Vincent in a fatal four way at "Summer Chaos." Regardless of who wins this one, I'm glad to see guys in a cruise weight category getting to show the fans what they can do together.
Worlds collide
Ultimate battle of the big men
The immovable force meets the irresistible object in the ultimate battle of the big men. The undefeated Bull Bronson (weighing in at 375 pounds) takes on his biggest challenge in AAPW, and maybe of all time in the Mississippi Madman. Madman is a former AAPW heavyweight champion and co holder of the tag team titles. Oh yeah, and he weighs in at more than 450 pounds. But will he be able to end the streak of Bull? Should be an interesting contest to say the least.
Will lady luck help Alex Castle?
Kyle Sykes is an up-and-comer in AAPW and he'll meet a relative newcomer to the company, Alex Castle. When Castle has his good luck charm Angelus Layne by his side, he's been unstoppable. Can the rising star overcome "the Monster" Castle and his beautiful valet? We'll find out.
Past meets present in the anniversary Battle Royal
There's also an Anniversary Battle Royal planned for the evening. Ten men will compete in this Royal Rumble style matchup. You'll see favorites like Chocolate Thunder, "Farmer" Billy Hills, and Justice. The powerhouse Truk Thompson and the Convoy will also be in the battle royal. So who will be the four remaining entrants? We do know a philanthropist has secured a couple of those spots, so no telling who will enter this event. Be at the show on the 20th and find out.
We'll also find out what the future holds for former AAPW champion "Serial Thriller" Shane Rich. We hope to see you there. Get your tickets by clicking here.
