Breaking up is hard to do

Miscommunication...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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One thing in pro wrestling is inevitable. Friendships come crumbling down more often than not. In the 80s the Mega Powers implosion was one of the great breakups in the history of the business. Shawn Michaels throwing Marty Jannetty through the 'Barbershop' window is a defining moment in WWE history. And the Shield has had more breakups than Brock Lesnar has had title defenses in 2018.

The same theory applies to the world of indy wrestling. Stride Pro Wrestling has seen its share of tag team partners split up. A year ago Scott Phoenix betrayed his tag team partner Ax Allwardt as the duo lost the tag championships. Fast forward to this past weekend and the very man Phoenix helped gain the gold has parted ways. 

Former champs
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Dexter Roswell and Phoenix made a great combination. But it was clear in recent months the two were growing apart. They started arguing in public a couple shows ago before the miscue Friday night and Roswell kicking Phoenix out of the DR Party.

I enjoyed the team of Roswell and Phoenix. However, it's time for both men to explore new opportunities as singles stars. They trained together at the Stride Pro Wrestling School a few years ago and graduated together. Sometimes to prove yourself you have to step away from those who supported you most.

Roswell will continue to work to make Stride great again. He's evolved a lot since debuting in 2016. Phoenix continues to grow and develop as a performer too. It'll be good to see what he can do on his own. I have faith neither man is going to disappoint the Stride Pro Wrestling fans.

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New champions crowned in Stride Pro Wrestling

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Wow, I picked the wrong Stride Pro Wrestling show to miss. There were three title defenses Friday night and two-thirds of them resulted in new champions. It may be the first day of fall, but things are certainly heating up for the company.

New champ

First, Heath Hatton has regained the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title. He beat Tony Flood for the belt with Jerry Travelstead as the special guest referee. Hatton first won the Stride Championship in November 2016, beating his former tag team partner Ax Allwardt. He held the gold until Roger Matheus won Stride's first ever TLC match. You can see the history of the championship below.

Hatton and Flood have a storied history. Just a year ago they exchanged the Legacy Title twice over the course of eight days. Flood will no doubt want a rematch. However, it seems he has taken issue with T-Dog once again as well. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Stay tuned as Stride heads to T-Dog's home turf of Pinckneyville on Oct. 6.

Beauty & The Bean

The brand new team of "Farmer" Billy Hills and Stringbean are the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions. 'Beauty and the Bean' as some are calling them formed for the very first time Friday night. The duo outlasted three other teams, including the defending champions, the rWo (Redneck World Order), The DR Party and K2 Brothers in an elimination style match. The DR Party first eliminated the Kellis Brothers. Farmer and Bean beat the rWo and then the DR Party after a miscommunication between Dexter Roswell and Scott Phoenix. That lead to their breakup.

The new champs will have a list of contenders looking for a shot. Between the abovementioned teams (except Roswell & Phoenix) and others like the Midwest Monster Hunters and new variations of the DR Party; Farmer and Bean will have a full plate of defenses. I'm looking forward to the upcoming months. It's always a great time to be a fan of Stride Pro Wrestling, but right now things are getting intense. 

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Tag team turmoil in Stride

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles have changed hands quite a bit so far in 2018. The DR Party dropped the belts to Heath Hatton and Ax Allwardt in March. That duo was beaten by the Midwest Monster Hunters who then lost them back to Hatton and Allwardt only to regain them. Now the Redneck World Order holds the titles.

Cole James & Hollywood Redneck

Hollywood Redneck and Cole James actually won the titles, but there's a third member of the rWo who will likely be used to defend the belts much like the Freebirds and the New Day have done. The champs will see action this Friday night (Sept. 21) as they defend their titles at Gallatin County School. It's the rWo going up against the Midwest Monster Hunters (Jason Tiller and Bo Sawyer), the DR Party (Dexter Roswell and Scott Phoenix) and the newly formed tandem of Farmer Billy Hills and String Bean.

Now for some analysis on each team:

rWo rules

The rWo is a fresh change to the tag team division. Their championship victory on September 8 was the first time we'd seen Redneck and James wrestle together. This new duo took advantage of a situation in the ring and scored the most shocking victory in the history of Stride Pro Wrestling. It was a chaotic triple threat match. But with a fatal four way, things are going to be even crazier. The champs are obviously at a disadvantage in this situation. 

The Midwest Monster Hunters

Sawyer and Tiller are the biggest team in this contest. They're over 600 pounds and will have the size advantage locked in. They're also the most seasoned of the four teams competing. They've already won the tag team titles twice here, but for some reason, they can't seem to hold on to the belts. Their experience in other companies coupled with their size and strength make them a favorite to win.

Phoenix & Roswell
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But don't count out the DR Party. Scott Phoenix shocked fans when he turned on his partner Ax Allwardt late last year and helped Dexter Roswell win the tag titles. Their run came to an end in March and they've struggled to regain their footing since. There have even been a few instances where Roswell and Phoenix have argued in public. For now, I'll chalk it up to all friends have disagreements from time to time.

Farmer Billy Hills & String Bean

String Bean and Farmer Billy Hills are the greenest (pardon the pun) team in this match. They've never teamed in Stride before but seem like a perfect fit. String Bean recently returned to Stride and Farmer has been hunting for a championship win since day one here. He and Sarah Summers and Cowboy Bob Orton have competed for the tag titles before here in Stride. Will the third time be the charm for the popular star from Mudlick, Kentucky?

Don't miss the action. It's happening Friday night at 7 p.m. at Gallatin County School. 

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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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Rednecks rule!

The rWo wins 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've been a pro wrestling fan for more than 35 years. In that time I've seen some shocking title changes. The Honky Tonk Man pinning Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the Intercontinental Title left me speechless. Then in 1991 Sgt. Slaughter stunned me when he beat the Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Title and there's Ronnie Garvin's 1987 NWA Championship victory over Ric Flair.

New champs

But Saturday night may have been the biggest shocker of them all. The newly formed Redneck World Order, in their first tag team match, won the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championships. Hollywood Redneck and "The Bad Guy" Cole James beat The Midwest Monster Hunters and the DR Party in a triple threat match.

I should make it clear there was plenty of cheating going on from all three teams. The Monster Hunters, DR Party and rWo are all heel factions in Stride Pro Wrestling. The action spilled out of the ring at one point and there were members of the DR Party and rWo fighting outside the ring that didn't even belong in the match. 

Late in the match, rWo's outside man grabbed one of the tag belts and used it to knock Bo Sawyer out of the ring. There were other shenanigans going on and Redneck scored the pin. Just like that new champs were crowned.

But it's not going to be an easy ride for the rWo, even if they institute the 'Freebird rule' when it comes to defending their gold. There are several talented and hungry tag teams on the roster. It's not just the Monster Hunters and DR Party wanting a shot. Look out for other teams on the horizon. Even tandems the Stride Pro Wrestling fans haven't seen yet... 

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This underdog has bite

Now former Stride Champion Jay Spade
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Jay Spade has gone from an underdog to one of Stride Pro Wrestling's biggest names. He held the tag team title with Joey O'Riley before going solo and capturing the heavyweight championship not once but twice. He's the first man on the Stride roster to do so.

Factor in that he beat Roger Matheus for the belt, a man who is almost twice Spade's size. Spade has quieted all the doubters. Last week, Spade was on the losing end in a rematch against Tony Flood for the championship. That leaves his evening open for this weekend's Wrestling for Sarah fundraiser in Eldorado. 

One man has stepped up to that challenge. He's the resident loudmouth of Stride, Dexter Roswell. He is still on a mission to make Stride great again. Personally, I never thought Stride stopped being great, but I appreciate Roswell's ambition. Like Spade, Dexter has come a long way since making his debut nearly two years ago.

Scott Phoenix & Dexter Roswell
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Roswell is one of the first graduates of the Stride Pro Wrestling training school. Spade was one of the instructors in the ring as Roswell was coming up. The DR Party leader has shown heart and determination in the ring. But it's often overshadowed by his underhanded tactics like choking opponents with his tie or members of his DR Party, including manager J. Wellington Beauregard interfering. However, Roswell had a run as a co-holder of the tag team titles in a 'Freebird Rules' type scenario with Brian Richards, Scott Phoenix and Aaron Edwards.

Regardless of what you think about the state of Stride Pro Wrestling right now (again, I think it's great) both Spade and Roswell will bring 110 percent to this match. Truth be told though, they already do that. I'm looking forward to this as Spade gets in there with younger talent and refocuses after a brilliant series of matches against Flood. Roswell gets the benefit of showing what he can do on his own in the ring and a chance to work with one of the best teachers out there. 

Again, bell time is 7 p.m. at Eldorado High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. We look forward to raising lots of money for Sarah Miles-Keltner and her 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. 

Stride Pro Wrestling set to return Aug. 4

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The heat is on this summer and things are going to get really hot on Saturday, August 4. That's when Stride Pro Wrestling returns to the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. (Please note, work is being done at the mall now and if they are not ready for us to be back there an alternate location will be announced.) 

We're coming off the heels of the big Stride Goes Steel event in Pinckneyville where we raised thousands of dollars for the Pinckneyville High School football team and Athletic Department. The card for August 4 is still in the works, but I can confirm Jay Spade has enacted his rematch clause and will face Tony Flood for the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title that night.

Wraith will also defend the Legacy Title against Arron Brooks. Will we see the return of Brookspool or does Arron have another alter ego in mind? And the tag team scene is heating up and an unlikely match pits the DR Party against the Midwest Monster Hunters. The winners here will become the number one contenders to Ax Allwardt and Heath Hatton's tag team titles. 

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As we get closer to the date more details will be released here and on the Stride Pro Wrestling Facebook page. Be sure to follow along. Thanks for the support and enjoy your summer.

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Locked up! Stride Goes Steel tonight

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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After weeks of talking about it, tonight is the night. Stride Goes Steel in the 'Ville at Pinckneyville High School. This is a fundraiser event for the school and Stride Pro Wrestling's first all-steel cage match show.

I'm not gonna lie, I am nervous as hell. I am writing this post 8 hours before bell time (6:30 p.m.) and I have pterodactyls in my stomach instead of butterflies. In case you've come across this post for the first time and didn't know, I am the ring announcer for Stride and will be wrestling Roger Matheus in the cage as well tonight. He attacked my daughter May 5 after months of bullying me and others on the roster.

Each day this week I did a video highlighting a match in 123 seconds (or so). I've compiled them all here for this post. Thanks, everyone for the support and kind words. I look forward to seeing you out there tonight at Pinckneyville High School.

J. Wellington Beauregard's message for Stride

J. Wellington Beauregard
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's hard to argue the success of J. Wellington Beauregard. He managed Ax Allwardt to the first ever Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Then he led "Homicidal" Stephen Davis and Frank Wyatt to the first ever tag team championships. Later he would manage Ax and Scott Phoenix to the tag team glory and helped orchestrate the screw job of Ax when the DR Party rose to fame. In fact, he's the money man behind that group too. 

The chain
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now though, J. Wells is without any champions. But he's still in the mix of things, as he handed Bo Sawyer a chain last month that was used in the dethroning of Ax and Heath Hatton as tag team champs. Tonight, Beauregard returns with another episode of his infamous talk show 'Striking Your Fancy.' Cash Borden will be the guest this evening.

The DR Party
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

We're also being promised an appearance by Dexter Roswell and Scott Phoenix. In a Facebook video, Beauregard calls the fans "trash without class" and says we'll all have "our fancies struck" as a result of what happens tonight. I've seen the card and the DR Party is not slated to wrestle, but as you know in the world of pro wrestling, anything can happen. 

Don't miss a second of the action. Tonight's show promises to be huge as we count down to the all cage show in Pinckneyville on Saturday, May 26. We'll see you at 6:30 p.m. tonight (May 5) at Carterville Junior High School.

 

Stride tag team action heats up

Ax Allwardt & Heath Hatton
Courtesy: John Cramner and Dewayne Daniels

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The tag team scene has always been one of my favorite things about Stride Pro Wrestling. In the past two years, the company has seen six different sets of tag team champions. The current champs are the unlikely duo of Ax Allwardt and Heath Hatton. They've been busy defending the belts against different incarnations of the DR Party since winning the championships. 

Chaos ensues
John Cramner and Dewayne Daniels

This past Saturday night nearly every possible duo did a run in at the end of Ax and Hatton's title defense. That chaos will carry over to this Saturday night's show in Mt. Vernon. The champs will be in a fatal four way against Dexter Roswell & Scott Phoenix, Arron Brooks & Joey O'Riley and Bo Sawyer & Jason Tiller (the Midwest Monster Hunters). After the craziness, we saw Saturday night there's no doubt in my mind the Mt. Vernon show will be just as insane.

Hatton Superman punches Phoenix

Ax and Hatton have bad blood with the DR Party, but they'll have to stay focused. Brooks and O'Riley have pulled off some impressive upsets; including a huge win over Sawyer and Frank Wyatt a couple months ago. Their speed and agility will be put to the max, as Tiller is nearly as big as Wyatt. Together with Sawyer, the Monster Hunters will be the biggest team in the match. 

Bo Sawyer
Courtesy: Tom Harness

Their size will mesh well with the champs. Ax and Hatton are two of the strongest guys on the roster and among the most experienced. The rivalry they once had has served them well in the tag team ranks. But never underestimate the DR Party. Roswell and Phoenix are the smallest and least experienced team, but they may the smartest. Add J. Wellington Beauregard and his clipboard into the mix and we could very well see a repeat run for the DR Party.

Head to Roadhouse Harley Davidson in Mt. Vernon for this amazing show. It's a fundraiser for YouthBuild and will also feature former WWE Superstar James Ellsworth. 

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