Scariest of All-Time: Cash Borden

 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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What can I say about Cash Borden? First, the disclaimer, he's a friend of mine in Stride Pro Wrestling. Cash isn't the biggest guy in the fight, but he is definitely the most fearless. The things I've seen him do have been pretty incredible. He's scary because he doesn't care what he does to his opponents or HIMSELF. He inflicts just as much pain on himself when he's in the ring. 

He went toe-to-toe with Roger Matheus (a previous entry for this blog). Cash even came to the ring when Roger and I battled inside a steel cage and helped me get the win. He had some help from his trusty taser. And that's the other thing about Cash; he's not afraid to grab an object or two to get the upper hand. Barbed wire bats, tasers, and light tubes are just a few of his weapons of choice. 

Cash continues to carve a niche for himself here in southern Illinois and southeast Missouri as one of the all-time greats. I appreciate what he brings to the ring each time he gets in there for a fight. He and others are also working to establish Anna Fight Underground on the local indy scene. Give them a look as well. 

Borden cashed out

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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At the start of Saturday night's Cashing In fundraiser for YouthBuild, Cash Borden had all three of Stride Pro Wrestling's singles championships. He won the Legacy title in late 2018 after the championship was vacated. He recently climbed the ladder and claimed the No Limits Championship, even though he wasn't in the match. Then after losing the Heavyweight title back to Red Daniels, he stole the belt and assaulted General Manager Sam Hunter in the process. 

'Warbound' Bo Sawyer

However, that punch may be what lead to Cash's demise as a champion in Stride. He had to defend all three belts at the fundraiser. First, he lost the No Limits title to 'Warbound' Bo Sawyer in a fatal four-way with Dalton Anthony and Dexter Roswell. 

Jose Magnifico 

A bit later, Jose Magnifico picked up the Legacy title. And in a hard-hitting, action-packed main event, Daniels beat Borden in the middle of the ring and got his hands back on the Heavyweight championship. 

Daniels vs. Borden
Courtesy: Tyler Adams

It was an incredible night of wrestling action and I do tip my hat to Cash who wrestled five men in three different matches that night. While his actions are far from a champion, he proved he's a true competitor here in Stride.

Other match results: 

'Stone Cold' Redneck beat 'Squire' Savveon Aryes.

Mike Masters beat B-Rad.

Ax Allwardt beat Ryzer in a chain match when the referee determined Ryzer couldn't continue.

Heath Hatton and Kevin Hunsperger retained the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles by beating Bud Gallows & the Masked Man and Roger Matheus & Chris Hargas (the Kings of Destiny). 

Perhaps the best part of the night, Stride raised about $3,000 for the YouthBuild program. Thanks to everyone who attended the show.

Revenge is coming...

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Thursday night was a big one for Stride Pro Wrestling. New champions were crowned at Rent One Park as Stride presented Bash at the Ballpark. Cash Borden won the newly created No Limits Championship. Keri Gold is the first-ever Women's Champion. Heath Hatton and I picked up the tag team titles. And Red Daniels is once again the heavyweight champion. 

I'll go into more detail on the tag team title win on the next episode of My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast. Episode 250 (2 is Greater Than 1) drops Monday morning. However, I can tell you this may end up being one of the shortest championship reigns in company history. Heath and I are defending in a rematch against Tony Flood and Jay Spade on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Created by Sam Hunter

Our match is among a handful matches already signed for Stride Pro Wrestling's Revenge show. It's at the Stride building, 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville. 

Red defends against Cash. There's a grudge match featuring Dexter Roswell against his former assistant Dalton Anthony. And we'll see for the first time ever Mike Masters battle 'Warbound' Bo Sawyer.

It's going to be fun. I'm hoping the aches and pains subside by Saturday night. I'm also hopeful we are successful in our first title defense. At age 46, well actually, never in my life would I have thought I'd be writing such a blog. Thanks to all who supported and made this possible.

STRIDE PRO WRESTLING: Ca$h is King

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Well, the title on this might make Stride Pro Wrestling's 'King' Chris Hargas upset, but let me explain. Cash Borden is now the king of championships. He is currently the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight AND Legacy Champions. For the first time in the company's history, one man holds both singles titles. 

It all came to be nearly two weeks ago at the Pulaski County Fair. Borden beat Red Daniels for the heavyweight title in a brutal match on the fairgrounds. The action spilled to the outside of the ring. Bales of hay were involved in the course of the match, which you can strike up to another first in Stride.

However, Cash's luck may be running out. The champ has to defend the title against Daniels who is hellbent on recapturing the gold. Red was arguably Stride's most defending champion beating the likes of Ax Allwardt, King Hargas and Heath Hatton. 

Both men are coming for a fight. The action will be intense once again. 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! 

Bash at the Ballpark

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Pro wrestling and baseball don't seem like they'd go hand in hand, but believe it or not they do. Baseball stadiums make a great venue to see the men and women of the squared circle do their thing. There is, of course, the infamous Showdown at Shea in 1980 that featured Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko cage match and Hulk Hogan against Andre the Giant long before WrestleMania III. 

Managing Velvet Sky 

The summer before my freshmen year of college WWF ran a house show at Busch Stadium. However, we were on vacation and I didn't get to attend. However, I've been to a few independent shows at ballparks and even had a chance to 'manage' Velvet Sky at TNA's Basebrawl event and announce a match for GWF's show at Rent One Park in 2016. 

I'm excited to say that Stride Pro Wrestling is venturing into the baseball concept too. On Thursday, August 29 Bash at the Ballpark happens at a Southern Illinois Miners' game. The team is taking on the Lake Erie Crushers. Fans will see two matches prior to the game and three matches once the game ends. 

Announced for the show, the new Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Ca$h Borden will defend against the former champ Red Daniels. The first-ever Stride Pro Wrestling Women's Champion and first-ever No Limits Champion will be crowned that night (in separate matches). The No Limits Title will be determined in a 10 man ladder match.

Heath Hatton & me
Courtesy: Jamie Myers 

Also, The Sin City Saint, Tony Flood and Jay Spade, are defending the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles against Heath Hatton and me. Yes, I'm stepping into the ring again, this time for a title opportunity. I know I don't belong in the ring with these three, but I felt I had to stand up and help my friend Heath who was being double teamed by the champs. Ax Allwardt and Ryzer will meet in a grudge match too. 

So join us Thursday, Aug. 29. Your ticket covers the ball game and the wrestling. And it's DOLLAR BEER (AND SODA) NIGHT. Bring a chair and enjoy the wrestling BEFORE and AFTER the game. We'll see you there.  

A fair fight

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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August has been a busy month already for Stride Pro Wrestling and will be the busiest time the company has ever experienced. Hot August Night III was a great success as was the show we co-hosted with IWA Productions a week later. This Friday night, we head to the Pulaski County Fair for Pulaski Punchout and then we're off to Rent One Park on Aug. 29. More on that to come.

Pulaski Punchout is shaping up to be a great card and will feature all your favorites on the Stride roster, including a grudge match between Roger Matheus and Scott Phoenix. Heath Hatton, Jerry Travelstead, Chris Hargas, Ax Allwardt, Ryzer, Dexter Roswell, Mr. Anthony, Farmer Billy Hills and many more will compete that night. 

Photo courtesy: Jamie Woodworth Myers

Red Daniels will also be defending the Stride Pro Wrestling heavyweight title against Cash Borden. Borden, of course, is the Legacy Champion and despite this being held at the fair, I highly doubt we'll see a fair fight. Borden showed his ruthless side once again by attacking Daniels during his title defense against Mike Masters at Hot August Night III. The brutality involved there resulted in a trip to the ER for the champ. 

Cash has shown us time and time again he'll do whatever it takes to retain his Legacy Title. Remember the amazing dog collar match he had with Jay Spade back in March? Now Cash will go as far as he can for the biggest prize in all of Stride. However, Red has been one of the most defending champions since winning the gold unexpectedly at Strideiversary. Heath Hatton, Ax Allwardt, Chris Hargas and Wraith have all fallen to the champ.

It's going to be a great match and a great night in general. Come to the Pulaski County Fair to see this show. Bell time is 7 p.m.

BattleBowl final set

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager Sam Hunter has come up with a new concept for the company. It's a bit like the 1991 BattleBowl: Lethal Lottery event, but with an update. Eight team captains were chosen and each of those captains picked a name at random. 

Those teams did battle Saturday night for rounds one and two of the tournament. The winning team will then face off against each other for a future Stride Heavyweight Championship match. The runner-up team will get a title match against the tag team champions. 

Roger Matheus returns
Courtesy: Jamie Myers

I enjoyed the matchups as we had a chance to see guys on the Stride roster in the ring against each other for the first time. For example, Cash Borden was in there against Ax Allwardt. The other big news of the night was the return of Roger Matheus. In October we thought his career was over after an injury suffered in the ring. But with therapy and training, he's back and bigger, badder and better than ever. 

We now know how that final match is going to shape up. "King" Chris Hargas and Cash Borden will face Heath Hatton and Scott Phoenix on Saturday, July 6 back at the Stride Building (1130 N. Division Street).

Results from the show:

Blaine Black pinned Saveyon Ayers.

The Sin City Saints (Tony Flood & Jay Spade) (c) beat Team Frat Fitness (B-Rad & Will Power).

Battle Bowl: Ax Allward & Ryzer beat Jose Magnifico & Brian Richards.

Battle Bowl: King Hargas & Cash Borden beat Bo Sawyer & Bud Gallows after Jason Tiller interfered.

Battle Bowl: Mr. Anthony & Roger Matheus beat Farmer Billy Hills & Dexter Roswell.

Battle Bowl: Heath Hatton & Scott Phoenix beat Hollywood Redneck & Jason Tiller after Bo Sawyer interfered.

Battle Bowl: Hargas & Cash beat Ax & Ryzer. Ax then turned on Ryzer and gave him a piledriver.

Battle Bowl: Hatton & Phoenix beat Anthony & Matheus.

Red Daniels (c) pinned Wraith to defend the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

Every dog has his day

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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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

Cashing in on the Stride Cup

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In 2018 the first ever Stride Cup tournament happened. Newcomer (at the time) Wraith dominated and not only took the cup but also became the Legacy Champion. That's because Chris Hargas had to vacate the belt due to injury. 

Now, a year later an even larger crop of competitors will go for the Stride Cup. And as Stride General Manager Sam Hunter announced recently on Facebook, the winner of the tournament will also have a guaranteed shot at the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Sixteen men will compete in the opening round this Saturday night at 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville.

The Stride Cup finals will happen on Saturday, March 2 at a location TBD. This is also the third anniversary for the company and other announcements about Strideiversary will be happening at this weekend's event. 

There are several new names in the mix for the tournament including War Bound, Will Power and B-Rad. Last year's winner Wraith and his disciple turned-rival Ryzer will be in along with familiar names like "King" Chris Hargas, Farmer Billy Hills, Scott Phoenix and the new Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. Jay Spade and Legacy Champion Cash Borden and the Red Neck World Order are all scheduled to compete as well. 

Who will advance to the finals? And what's next for the vacated heavyweight title? Find out this Saturday night. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

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On the road with Stride Pro Wrestling

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling is venturing out for the first time since finding a new home in Carterville in November. But don't worry, we'll be back at the facility on Division Street on February 9. However, on Saturday, Feb. 2 Stride takes over Central Junior High School. The address is 1500 E. 9th Street in West Frankfort.

The event that night is a fundraiser for the school. Several teachers are getting involved in the action and will be teaming up and fighting for their school. The main event will see the crowning of the Stride Pro Wrestling Champion, as the championship was declared vacant earlier this month. Heath Hatton and Tony Flood will battle it out to determine who gets the gold.

"The King" Chris Hargas faces Ax Allwardt. If Ax wins, he gets a match against his former manager J. Wellington Beauregard. Beauregard, who manages the King, will be the guest referee for the match. However, an enforcer will be on hand too. 

Former friends Wraith and Ryzer will do battle as do Legacy Champion Cash Borden and Jay Spade. The issues between all four men have become extremely personal, especially the battle between Borden and Spade. Whoever wins that match will have a new contender to deal with too, as Jason Tiller takes on Brandon Espinosa and Joey O'Riley in a triple threat match for the number one contendership to the Legacy Title. Tag team champions Farmer Billy Hills and Scott Phoenix put their belts on the line against the hair of Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. That'll be a great one to see how it goes down too. 

It may be cold outside, but the action will be heated on Saturday night. There are still a limited number of meet and greet tickets up for grabs ($20 each). Send a message to here for more details. Bell time is 7 p.m. 

Show your Stride Pride!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's a new year but old feuds are simmering here in Stride Pro Wrestling. New rivalries are starting to heat up too. Everything comes to a head this Saturday night (Jan. 5) at the Stride Pro Wrestling facility at 1130 North Division Street in Carterville.

Heath Hatton and Tony Flood have seemingly been at each other's throats since the inception of Stride back in March 2016. The two unsuccessfully competed for the Heavyweight Title in a fatal four-way match. Now Hatton is the champ, having beaten Flood for the gold. The title will be on the line this weekend.

Another old rivalry pits Ax Allwardt against "The King" Chris Hargas. These two have no love lost, mostly stemming from Hargas' partnership with Allwardt's former manager J. Wellington Beauregard. The two are hellbent on beating the crap out of each other. They'll do just that Saturday.

Farmer Billy Hills and Scott Phoenix are a relatively new duo and the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions. They'll face a couple thorns in their sides in Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. The revamped DR Party looks to unseat the champions after a brutal attack last month.

Two other new feuds featuring auld (old) acquaintances will also be a part of Saturday's show. New Legacy Champion Cash Borden teams up with Wraith to battle Jay Spade and Ryzer. Borden and Spade were friends and partners and Ryzer at one time did much of Wraith's dirty work. Those friendships have been tossed out like last month's Christmas tree. This will be a great grudge match, to say the least.

Be sure to join us Saturday night. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Doors open at 6, bell time is 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there. 

Show your Stride pride and save between Jan. 3 & 7

My favorite Stride Pro Wrestling moments of 2018

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's the end of the year and I'm taking a few minutes to reflect on 2018 in Stride Pro Wrestling. The company had plenty of highlights for sure and I'm looking forward to 2019. As I share these memories, keep in mind they are from the shows I was a part of. I missed two shows in 2018, one due to a family commitment and the other because I was in Las Vegas for the Impact Wrestling tryout. 

Wraith & Ryzer

Wraith dominates the Stride Cup/Legacy Championship Tournament. Wraith was a dark, mysterious figure who showed up in Stride in January. He destroyed everyone in his way and eventually won the tournament and introduced us to his Disciple Ryzer. Unfortunately that same night, JD Wilk got injured and had to retire from the ring. That night in March stands out to me for both of those moments.

Tony Flood and Jay Spade swap the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Both of these guys spent years in the ring. I have a great deal of respect for their work ethic and what they're able to do in the ring. Watching these former friends trade the greatest prize in Stride over the course of several months was thrilling. Despite their years of experience in the ring, the future is still bright for both of them. I look forward to what they'll do in 2019.

This One is for Lane. In April the entire Stride Pro Wrestling roster came together to support one of our own. Referee Lane Austin, who is a diabetic, had to go on dialysis and eventually ended up on the transplant list for a new kidney and pancreas. The show of love for our friend that night was amazing. It's just one of the many shows Stride helped raise money for in 2018. 

Heath Hatton and Ax Allwardt win gold. Bitter enemies in the ring for years, Hatton and Allwardt put their differences aside and teamed up to win the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles from the DR Party. Dexter Roswell, Scott Phoenix and J. Wellington Beauregard were a constant thorn in the sides of Allwardt and Hatton. 

My return to the ring. I never, ever dreamed I'd have a chance to step through the ropes and wrestle. It happened the first time in 2012. Then again in May of this year. My opponent this time was Roger Matheus. I can't thank he and Tyler Hatton for having enough faith in me to do this. I'm a 45-year-old with a dad bod and limited skills in the ring. Roger made me look and feel like a million bucks. Of course keeping with the story, thanks as well to Cash Borden and Tom Harness for saving my ass.

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