Borden cashes in

Cash Borden
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling returns to the CMA Dojo in the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion, Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 11. Several big matches have been announced that night including the tag team championship main event. Team Triple X defends against The Midwest Mafia. Mafia member Red Daniels will be on Monday's podcast, so stay tuned for that.

Another championship will be defended that night. Jerry Travelstead puts the Legacy Title on the line against Cash Borden. The former half of Boyz in da Hood gets a shot at the championship after beating his former partner Dalton Diamond at the January show. 

Diamond vs. Borden
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Diamond was under the impression that just because T-Dogg couldn't defend the title due to his injuries after being attacked prior to the show, that he'd be handed the gold. Instead, Dalton was put into a match against his former best friend and partner Borden. Cash picked up the win and now finds himself as the number one contender.

Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now for My 1-2-3 Cents on this matter. Even though I didn't agree with their tactics inside (or outside) the ring, I liked duo of Borden and Diamond. Their chemistry was genuine as these two longtime friends clearly loved working together. I don't know what caused these two to part ways, but I have to believe Diamond's violation of the Stride Pro Wrestling wellness policy played a factor.

Jerry wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Borden is an accomplished indy wrestler. Even though he has years of experience, he still has youth on his side. He's hungry for gold and will no doubt give Travelstead everything he has. But Jerry isn't going to take this challenge lightly. He's worked hard to prove himself as a worthy champion and discredit the negativity spewed recently by Tony Flood.

Saturday, Feb. 11 will be a helluva night. Will Borden cash in and create a legacy of his own? Join us that night and find out. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

This Diamond has had it rough

Cash Borden & Dalton Diamond
Photo courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In the 10 months, Stride Pro Wrestling has been around, one of the most entertaining tag teams on the scene is Boyz in Da Hood. Dalton Diamond and Cash Borden hail from "The Slums" and brought an irreverent style to the ring each month. Note I said brought, because not long ago Diamond failed a wellness test and was suspended by Stride Pro Wrestling.

That suspension put stress and strain on the tag team and the friendship. Diamond and Borden's history in the ring goes much deeper than Stride Pro Wrestling. The two have been teaming up on the independent scene for years. However, none of that matter because when Diamond returned from his suspension he told his best friend he didn't need him and that Cash was holding back Diamond's career.

Diamond wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

There's been no sign of Cash since that night a couple months ago. Diamond picked up a win at last month's Stride Pro Wrestling show on his own. Now he's lobbying General Manager Sam Hunter for a shot against the Legacy Championship. However, Tony Flood attacked champion Jerry Travelstead, rendering him unable to defend the belt this month. 

What's next for Diamond? Come out Saturday, January 7 at the CMA Dojo at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion to find out. Bell time for the show is 6:30 p.m.

Taking things in STRIDE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Earlier this year a new wrestling company came to life in southern Illinois.  STRIDE Pro Wrestling has been around three months and has already gained quite a following with hundreds of fans showing up for monthly contests.  

Heath Hatton

The shows are held at the CMA dojo at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion, Illinois.  It's an unconventional location for a wrestling company, but it is a welcomed feature to an that is in need of live entertainment and  a mall that can use the extra traffic.

The champ Ax Allwardt

Plenty of familiar faces from now defunct southern Illinois wrestling companies are a part of the competition.  The champion is the "Old School Warrior" Ax Allwardt.  But he'll soon face stiff competition as Farmer Billy Hills has a title match at the June 4 show.  Whoever walks out of the ring champ that night has the ever popular Heath Hatton waiting in the wings.  He won a Royal Rumble style battle royal to become the number one contender.

Frank Wyatt & "Homicidal" Steven Davis

There are new tag team champions too.  Frank Wyatt and "Homicidal" Steven Davis beat Jay Spade and Josh Totten in the finals of a tournament to crown the first champs.  Chris Hargas, Tony Flood and Carnage are a part of the company too.  Plus, the monster Bull Bronson, who teams up with WWE Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton on that June 4 show to take on Dalton Diamond and Cash Bordin.

Class is in session

Not only are there monthly shows, but CMA is also home to a weekly wrestling school.  Heath and his staff are training the next wave of indy wrestlers here in southern Illinois.  There's a lot of promise as these young men prepare to climb the ranks and battle for the STRIDE champion.

Lane Ferrell & I 

Oh, I can't leave out general manager Sam Hunter and referee Lane Ferrell.  Sam has made some key matches, including the Ax vs. Farmer and brining in Orton next month.  Lane is the busiest ref in the business these days.  And yours truly serves as the ring announcer.  It's a lot of fun being involved in a monthly wrestling program again.  If you have a chance come be a part of the action. Learn more here.