Is two really better than one?

When you realize you're facing Roger Matheus next...
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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In 2012, Heath Hatton famously used the line "Two is greater than one." as he and Ace Hawkins prepared to face Ryback in a handicap match on WWE Extreme Rules. Hatton and Hawkins found themselves on the losing end of that effort, proving on that night two was NOT greater than one. 

Roger Matheus
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

This Friday night at Gallatin County School, that theory will be put to the test again. This time, the combatants are much different. Former Stride Pro Wrestling heavyweight champion Roger Matheus is taking on DR Party enforcer Brian Richards and Mr. Anthony. Anthony is new to Stride, serving as J. Wellington Beauregard's personal assistant.

It's unclear what the issue is between Matheus and the DR Party. My guess is the big man has been hungry for competition. He's manhandled the likes of Cash Borden, Cole James and Joey O'Riley. So we'll see what he can do in a situation where he's outnumbered. This will also be a good chance to see Matheus in action as he gears up for a big match against former Impact Wrestling champion Abyss. That match is set for Oct. 6 in Pinckneyville.

Matheus kicks me while I'm down
Courtesy: Tom Harness

Matheus will bring it to the DR Party. He has no friends, no alliances. He seems happier that way. I know first hand just how tough and mean Matheus is. Richards and Anthony need to notify their next of kin...

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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. 

A super six man tag team

A Super team

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling returns Saturday night to John A. Logan College. Several great matches have been announced, including a six-man tag team match featuring some pretty super individuals.

The DR Party

'The Man of Tomorrow' Daniel Eads makes his return to Stride. He'll be teaming up with Chris Hargas, who is a huge Superman fan. They'll hit the ring with Farmer Billy Hills who is a super competitor here in Stride Pro Wrestling. This newly formed trio takes on members of the DR Party. At press time, it's expected that Dexter Roswell will lead Brian Richards and Scott Phoenix into this match. They, of course, will be seconded to the ring by J. Wellington Bereaugard. 

I enjoy all six men announced for this match. It'll be interesting to see how Eads works with Farmer and Hargas. Those two have teamed before and opposed each other inside a Stride ring. But with the underhanded tactics the DR Party has displayed in the past, Hargas, Farmer and Eads must all be on the same page during this match. 

Bell time is 6:30 p.m. at John A. Logan College. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Be a part of Stride Pro Wrestling and come cheer for your favorites. 

Old school is in session

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The rivalry between Jerry Travelstead and Dexter Roswell has been well documented. In October you may remember Roswell lost a paddle on a pole match to the school administrator turned pro wrestler. You'd think that experience would have straightened up Roswell, but the DR Party leader has only been up to more hijinks in the months that have passed.

He cost Heath Hatton the Legacy Championship and along with Scott Phoenix and manager J. Wellington Beauregard screwed over Ax Allwardt and won the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championship. Huge mistake. Ax is out for blood now and nearly got his revenge earlier this month.

However, Stride General Manager Sam Hunter is giving Ax and Jerry an early Christmas gift. The unlikely duo of Old School Discipline will team up to face Roswell and his party's enforcer, Brian Richards. Because there are multiple members of the DR Party, the "Freebird" or "New Day" rule will apply to title defenses, especially as Phoenix continues to recover from his shampooing injury.

Revenge will be sweet no matter what, but I know Ax really wants to get his hands on Phoenix when he returns. Battering Richards and Roswell should bring some smiles to an otherwise grumpy Allwardt. And T-Dog will enjoy whipping the DR Part members again. Old School Discipline has much to gain Saturday and I'm not so sure the tag titles matter as much as teaching their younger foes a lesson or two in old school wrestling. 

The tag team title match is one of many matches set for Saturday's show in Woodlawn. The event is a fundraiser for Woodlawn Grade School. Bell time is 6:30 and tickets are $15 for ringside and $10 for general admission. See you there. 

Beard vs. mask

Jose Magnifico vs. Brian Richards
Photo by Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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No Shave November comes to an end tonight. But for Stride Pro Wrestling's Brian Richards, it could end on December 9th. The enforcer of the DR Party is putting his beard on the line against Jose Magnifico's mask. The two have been engaged in an on-again-off-again feud for most of the year.

When Dexter Roswell and Richards showed up in Stride Pro Wrestling in December 2016, the duo attacked Magnifico. The Mexico, Missouri native was apparently on their short list of people who weren't helping to make Stride great again. Through 2017, Magnifico has battled against various members of the DR Party. 

Richards with the pinata
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Richards takes great pride in being Roswell's "right-hand man" and the enforcer for the group. He's also quite proud of his beard. After having to sit out at November's show due to his neck injury from the Ax Allwardt piledriver, Richards still got himself involved as Magnifico was battling Arron Brooks. Richards swiped Magnifico's pinata and whacked the masked star over the head with it, setting up Brooks for the win.

Magnifico
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

It was after that last attack that Magnifico, who is one of the most fun-loving wrestlers in the Stride Pro Wrestling locker room challenged Richards to the beard vs. mask match. You know Magnifico is frustrated when he's willing to put the heritage of the wrestling mask on the line in such fashion. That match is a part of the big Buried Alive show on Saturday, Dec 9 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Bell time is 6:30. It's going to be a huge night, so please join us.

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The DR Party's benefactor revealed

J. Wellington Beauregard is now with the DR Party

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Seven months ago two men wrestlers appeared at the Star Wars themed Stride Pro Wrestling show. Both wore suits to the ring. At first, I thought Dexter Roswell and Brian Richards were going to remove the dress clothes and wrestle in traditional gear, but I was wrong. After cutting a scathing promo on illegal immigrants in our country, Roswell did battle with Jose Magnifico. It was clear then that Richards was going to be the bodyguard and roughed up Magnifico from outside the ring.

Dexter Roswell's debut
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

As the months passed, Roswell campaigned to 'Make Stride Great'. He grew the party by another member and the trio of Roswell, Richards and Nathan Brag did what they could to make life miserable for the likes of Magnifico, JD Wilk, Farmer Billy Hills, Chris Hargas and even Heath Hatton. 

It's finally been revealed who has been funding this campaign of chaos. J. Wellington Beauregard, the man behind current tag team champions, Maximum Overdrive is spending his fortune on the DR Party. The now-public association with J-Wells has already paid off. Brag and Richards picked up a win over Hargas and Magnifico shortly after revealing their new manager. 

It will be interesting to see what happens next with this relationship. It's possible Beauregard is looking to put a stranglehold on Stride Pro Wrestling as Roswell has been in the hunt for the Legacy Championship. Now with the public support, it may be enough to earn Roswell his first title. Brag and Richards can work together as a team or on their own. This new association could spell disaster for the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. Find out what's next on Saturday, Aug. 5. 

It's (DR) Party time!

The DR Party
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The DR Party is at it again. Lead by Dexter Roswell, the group claims they're trying to make Stride Pro Wrestling great again. Brian Richards and Nathan Brag, along with their leader failed to do that at the most recent Stride show, Return. Roswell came up short in his quest for the Legacy Championship. To be fair, he did not get pinned in the fatal four-way matchup. But his cohorts each came up short in their matches against Cash Borden and Farmer Billy Hills respectively.

Dexter Roswell helps Eugene Drip freshen up
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now the trio will come together in six man tag team competition at Saturday night's Summer Showdown event. They'll face Borden along with Eugene Drip and Jose Magnifico at Summersville Grade School in Mt. Vernon. Drip and Magnifico came together to face Stride tag team champions Maximum Overdrive recently. The duo didn't win the gold but put up a valiant fight against Ax Allwardt and Scott Phoenix. 

Cash Borden
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Borden has always been a solid performer and will likely take the lead role in this trio. I would suspect he is the exact opposite of what the DR Party considers to be "great." Roswell has no doubt been boosting the morale of his teammates this week and will pick apart the weaknesses of their opponents. Despite his smug attitude, Roswell is an intelligent performer. Will the brains of the DR Party overcome the determination and spirit of Borden, Magnifico and Eugene? Join us Saturday night and find out. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. but come at 5 o'clock for a meet and greet with WWE Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton. 

Foreign Object Friday: The DR Party's campaign signs

The DR Party
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Since debuting in December, Dexter Roswell has vowed to "make Stride Pro Wrestling great again." He and his bodyguard/tag team partner Brian Richards have tried doing this by some unconventional means, including recruiting referee Nathan Brag to join the cause.

Nathan Brag
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

The threesome continues to campaign on the platform of bringing greatness to Stride. They have the political signs to prove it, toting them to ringside when a DR Party member is in the ring. Sometimes the sign has been used to give party members an advantage.

Destroying the sign
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But that's not always the case. In a recent match against Heath Hatton and Chris Hargas, the party found out the hard way not to use their sign. Both good guys got a hold of it and ripped the sign to shreds. However, I wouldn't put it past the devious DR Party members to come up with something new for the Stride Pro Wrestling Return. Each man is scheduled for competition, as Richards faces Hargas, Brag takes on Farmer Billy Hills and Roswell gets a shot at the Legacy Championship in a fatal four-way match. 

So will the DR Party get a boost in their approval ratings or will Stride fans vote down the threesome? Join us at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night at the Illinois Star Centre Mall and find out. Look for updates on the Stride Pro Wrestling Facebook page.

Making Stride great again

The DR Party grows
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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As a ring announcer for Stride Pro Wrestling, I try to not show favoritism toward the men and women who step through the ropes. But as a wrestling blogger, it's hard to not write about the promotion. It's a great way to help get the word out about a company I truly believe in and think has many great days to come.

Keeping it clean
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

A few months ago two of the Stride Wrestling School graduates debuted with a new gimmick. Dexter Roswell and his bodyguard Brian Richards hit the ring, vowing to "make Stride great again." The two make a great pairing and the reaction they get from the crowd is perfect. Roswell walks to the ring shaking hands and politicking only to get to the ring and insists on cleaning his hands with sanitizer. He makes his opponents use the sanitizer before shaking their hand. The routine makes me laugh every time and then Mr. Roswell cuts a promo burying the fans and the wrestlers in the back, including El Magnifico. 

DR Party wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

At the One Year Anniversary Show, Roswell and Richards were battling the team of Eugene Drip and JD Wilk. Just as the good guys had the upper hand, referee Nathan Brag delivered a low blow allowing the DR Party to pick up the win. Moments later, Brag took off his striped shirt and revealed a bright red DR Party t-shirt. He joined Roswell and Richard in the middle of the ring standing proud.

The DR Party was already headed on the right path. Now with Brag in the mix, this trio could end up causing, even more, chaos in Stride Pro Wrestling. It's great seeing young wrestlers succeed and chase their dreams. Stay tuned to see what's next for the DR Party on Saturday, April 8 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion.