Stride goes outside

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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On the heels of Stride Goes Steel, the company is about to embark on yet another first. Last week it was the first show to feature a steel cage match. This week it'll be the first time Stride Pro Wrestling goes outdoors. The show on Saturday (June 2) will be contested outside.

It's part of the Christopher Homecoming event in downtown Christopher. As of press time the official card has not been released. Heath Hatton, "T-Dog" Jerry Travelstead and other favorites from the Stride roster will be in the ring. I can tell you I'll be there, however, I will not be wrestling that afternoon. Yes, I said afternoon. Not only is this Stride's first outdoor show, it's also the first daytime event.

Rumor has it, the new Stride Pro Wrestling Champion Tony Flood will not be on hand Saturday. He has returned home to Canada, reportedly at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Flood is soaking up the accolades of his fellow countrymen and women.

We will be on the main stage at Christopher Homecoming, starting at 2 p.m. The Stride Pro Wrestling show will be part of several events planned this weekend. You can check out their Facebook page for more details. Be sure to come out and support Stride. More details will be shared on our social media soon. 

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That's what friends are for

Spade flies high
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's funny what a little bit of gold and the prestige of being called "champ" can do to a relationship. Stride Pro Wrestling Champion Jay Spade and Tony Flood spent their formative years together in Christopher, Illinois. The two met in sixth grade and bonded over their love for professional wrestling. A few years later the two broke into the business together.

They were partners and opponents in those early days. The two then went their own ways working for different companies around southern Illinois. In 2016, they both ended up on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. Spade was involved in tag team competition with Josh Totten and reunited later with Joey O'Riley. Flood pursued the Legacy Champion and won it twice. 

Flood slams Spade
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

In February, Flood won the Stride Rumble and became the number one contender to Spade's Heavyweight Championship. The two battled it out in the very school they met. Spade picked up the win much to the delight of the hundreds of fans in attendance. A week later, they picked tag team partners for their war. Flood and Wraith beat Spade and Farmer Billy Hills that night, ensuring Flood gets a rematch.

So that brings us to this Saturday night. April 7 at the Lane Austin Benefit Show it'll be a rematch for the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Spade defends against Flood. May the best man win. See you at the Carterville Community Center. 

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Tony Flood gets schooled

Flood gets slammed

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One of the things I love most about Stride Pro Wrestling is the interaction with fans. That's a benefit of most indy shows. The men and women in the ring take the time to talk with fans and take photos and sign autographs. You don't see that happen very often on the bigger stage and if you do, you'll pay handsomely for it in most cases.

Christopher Elementary School

On Wednesday morning a few of us from Stride made a trip to Christopher Elementary School, the host of Saturday night's benefit show. Heath Hatton, Tony Flood and I attended a pep rally of sorts both celebrating the end of the 2018 Winter Games and also promoting our event. Stride will be invading the school's old gym to help raise money for trip students are taking to New York.

Tony being Tony...

The gym was packed with students in grades K through 8. Teachers were on hand too as I introduced Tony and Heath and hyped up the championship matches each man is in. Hatton and Ax Allwardt challenge for the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team titles and Flood faces Heavyweight Champion Jay Spade. There was a nice roar from the audience and then Tony snatched the mic from my hand and proceeded to insult the students and staff within the very school he once attended.

Hatton heard enough though and took the mic and told Tony there was no need to wait until Saturday to get his butt kicked. But Tony balked until Hatton stopped the number one contender and scooped him up, slamming him to the hardwood gym floor. The students roared in excitement and no doubt enjoyed seeing a little karma coming to the Northern Saint. I only wish when I was that age that pro wrestlers would have come to our school for an assembly.

Don't miss the action. Six great matches are scheduled at Christopher Elementary Saturday night with a 7 p.m. bell time.

This friendship is flooded

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Fans of Stride Pro Wrestling may not know that rivals Jay Spade and Tony Flood have a very storied history together. The two grew up in Christopher and were the best of friends through the teenage years. They even got into the pro wrestling business together. You can hear Flood's take on it in this week's My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. 

Bull Bronson vs. Jay Spade
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Each man took a different path after splitting up as a tag team. I met Jay in All-American Pro Wrestling where he proved time and time again that his heart and drive helped him achieve success and the admiration of the fans. I didn't meet Flood until he debuted in Stride Pro Wrestling where he was estranged from Spade and had distanced himself from his hometown roots, adopting Canada as his home. 

Flood wins the Stride Rumble
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now the two are on a collision course and it's all coming to a head in the very school they met. Flood's path to the championship match is more colluded than Spade's. Tony hasn't always used the most respectable tactics in the ring. In fact, he hid under the ring during the Stride Rumble earlier this month before dumping Roger Matheus to become the number one contender. Some may consider that a smart strategy, which it did work out for Flood in the end. Spade, however, has faced giants and monsters not only to win the Stride Pro Wrestling Championship but to defend it. 

This match will no doubt be amazing. Both men put 110% in the ring. Flood is hungry, but Spade has worked too long to win the title to just let it go. We'll see you Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Christopher Grade School.