The Shield vs. Stride Pro Wrestling

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Please note: The Shield is NOT appearing at any Stride Pro Wrestling event. This is merely a FANTASY BOOKING BLOG. Thanks.

Once again, WWE fans find themselves cheering for the threesome of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. The group is known as The Shield and first burst onto the WWE roster in late 2012. Of course, they've had their ups and downs and have been reunited more times than Big Show has turned heel. (I could be wrong on that.)

The most recent reunion occurred this past Monday, a day after Reigns regained the Universal Championship, Rollins recaptured the Intercontential Championship and a week after Ambrose returned from an extended injury. 

So I decided to have some fun and put together a threesome on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster to go head to head with the Hounds of Justice. If your favorite Stride trio isn't here, don't worry, I'm working on a more elaborate fantasy blog for Chikara's upcoming King of Trios. 

Heath Hatton, Ax Allwardt and Daniel Eads. Hatton and Allwardt are two-time tag team champions. Eads has impressed me since meeting him a few years ago. Together these three could pose a huge threat to the Shield. 

Tony Flood, Chris Hargas and Roger Matheus. These three have had their differences with each other in the past. However, I think in a crisis situation they could put those differences aside and work together. Flood, of course, is the current heavyweight champion in Stride. 

The Midwest Monster and Wraith: Bo Sawyer and Jason Tiller are the tag team champions and Wraith holds the Legacy Title. Not sure how Monster Hunters and a ghost would coexist, but you never know. 

Again these are just a few teams. I'll have the King of Trios blog up next week. Who would you put in the ring against the Shield?

Use promo code MY123CENTS

We fought for Sarah

Photo courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stride Pro Wrestling has had another successful event. This time it was for Sarah Miles-Keltner. She's a mother with three small children who is battling stage four cancer. Saturday night the men and women of Stride teamed up with Sarah's family and friends to put on an amazing night of independent wrestling. In the main event, Sarah's sister-in-law Kaleigh Miles and Heath Hatton beat Tony Flood and Sarah Summers. Kaleigh pinned Summers for the victory. 

Between the sponsors and the fans, more than $3,000 was raised for Sarah and her family. Big thanks to many, many people and businesses and if I forgot someone, let me know and I will add them to the list. 

Legence Bank

State Farm agent Nancy Braddock

Tison Financial Group

Brannon Insurance

Jim Hayes Inc. 

Hendrix Accounting & Tax Services

Eldorado High School

The Miles Family

The Keltner Family

Jerry Travelstead

Josh Plumlee

Heath Hatton

Tony Flood

Sarah Summers

Tony Wilson

AJ Kellis

TJ Kellis

J. Wellington Beauregard

Mr. Anthony

Brian Richards

Dexter Roswell

Jay Spade

Roger Matheus

Farmer Billy Hills

Chris Hargas

Cash Borden

Cole James

Ryzer

Daniel Eads

Arron Brooks

Wraith

Scott Phoenix

Lane Austin

Sam Hunter

Jim Kelton 

Steve Belcher

Thank you all. It was a wonderful evening. Your support and generosity to the family will never be forgotten. 

A super six man tag team

A Super team

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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 guests ca$hing in

Daniel Eads (in the suit)
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I know the title is a bit of a stretch, but I'm glad you're checking out today's blog. I'll be focusing on indy wrestlers making appearances on WWE television. 

Aaron Relic & Jay Hatton
Courtesy: WWE

In 2012, I saw this happen for the first time when both Heath Hatton and Ace Hawkins (now both members of the Stride Pro Wrestling roster) had gone from All American Pro Wrestling to WWE Extreme Rules. The duo famously faced Ryback in a match where "2 is greater than one!" was coined. 

Later that same year both Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn signed with NXT after wrestling each other at AAPW's Main Event show. I still pinch myself knowing that I called that epic match that night. 

Myles Murphy on 205 Live
Courtesy: WWE

In recent months, some of the talent on Stride's roster has had a look from WWE. In March, former Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champion Joey O'Riley battled Jack Gallagher in a highly competitive match on 205 Live. O'Riley went into battle that night as Murphy Myers and as far as I'm concerned showed his value as a professional wrestler that night on the worldwide stage.

Daniel Eads at NXT Takeover

Over this past weekend, a less regular member of the Stride roster popped up on WWE TV. Daniel Eads, who has wrestled a few times for Stride (most recently at Stride Goes Steel) appeared on camera during the main event of NXT Takeover: Chicago II. He was in a suit and came out after Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. Eads has a ton of talent and I have no doubt he'll be signed by WWE at some point. I don't know any particulars about his visit over the weekend, but I'm sure he also had a chance to wrestle in front of the decision makers. He's a great guy and I'd love for him to get an opportunity on that worldwide stage too.

What a difference two months can make...

The last mention for this post is James Ellsworth. Granted, he's not a "Stride Guy", he did a guest spot with us in April. He's also been on a Cape Championship Wrestling show too. Yes, it was because he'd already worked with WWE, but I still find it cool that someone that was on a fundraiser show with Stride two months ago was back in a WWE ring and playing a huge role in a championship storyline. A few of us went out to dinner with Ellsworth after the Stride show and we all had a chance to just sit and talk (even longer than expected because the service was so slow). 

I love that indy guys are getting a chance to shine in front of more people. Not everyone has an end game of being a part of WWE. But to those who do, keep fighting to make it there. Who will be next to appear? You never know. I don't want to turn this on me, but most of you know I'm hopeful to one day be a part of a kickoff show panel discussion on WWE Network. My hope is renewed. 

Click the pic for this week's podcast

'Stride Goes Steel' by the numbers

The cage is ready, are you?

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stride Goes Steel in the 'Ville is just a day away. The Stride Pro Wrestling fundraiser is an all-steel cage match show. In an effort to encourage you, the loyal My 1-2-3 Cents reader, to come to the show I've broken the event down by the numbers.

12 feet off the ground is how high the cage stands.

Not pictured: Daniel Eads

23 men will be competing in 6 steel cage matches. Of those men, 13 have held or currently hold a championship in Stride. Some have been multi-time champs.

600 E. Water Street is the address to Pinckneyville Community High School, our event host. And 618-357-5013 is the number to call for tickets.

10 & 15 are the number of dollars you'll pay for a ticket, 15 bucks for a floor seat and 10 for a bleacher seat.

41 days ago El Magnifico was viciously attacked by Wraith, Ryzer and Chase King. That attack kept the Lucha star out of action since. He teams up with "Farmer" Billy Hills & "T-Dog" Jerry Travelstead.

5 men will battle for a shot at the Legacy Championship next month. (Chris Hargas, Scott Phoenix, Arron Brooks, Daniel Eads and Cash Borden are all in.)

10 championships have been held between the four men competing for the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles. Ax Allwardt has had four, Heath Hatton has had four, Bo Sawyer has had one and Jason Tiller has had one. 

Hundreds of fans will be cheering educators Josh Plumlee and Tony Wilson as they battle they DR Party.  

1 lead pipe has made a difference several times in the feud between Jay Spade and Tony Flood. 

Click the pic for this week's podcast

0 is my chance of surviving the ass whipping I'm going to receive at the hands of Roger Matheus, according to the oddsmakers in Las Vegas.

Daniel Eads: Caged

Daniel Eads

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Earlier in the week, I posted a video about the fatal four-way cage match to determine the new number one contender to the Legacy Championship at Stride Goes Steel in the 'Ville. Since that video, another wrestler has been added to the mix. He will compete against Chris Hargas, Arron Brooks, Scott Phoenix and Cash Borden.

In that original video, I commented on Hargas being the odds-on favorite due to his size and by the virtue of being the former champ. However, with Eads in the mix, the dynamic of the match has changed. He's now the biggest competitor in the cage, standing at 6'4'' and weighing in at around 240 pounds. I've been a fan of Eads since first seeing him compete in 2015 and interviewing him for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. 

I don't know that I've ever seen five guys go at it inside a steel cage with one single winner being declared. It's going to be chaotic, especially with the future of the Legacy Championship on the line. The title has earned a lot of respect here in Stride and everyone involved is hungry for a shot. Hargas is the only former singles champ in Stride in the match. Despite the two big dogs being in the match, don't sell Borden, Phoenix nor Brooks short. Each man has had success in the ring against much larger opponents before.  

Click the pic for this week's podcast

So will be the winner? You'll have to join us at Pinckneyville High School Saturday (May 26). Bell time is 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there. 

Stride Pro Wrestling: One year later

I made the poster!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

It's hard to believe we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Stride Pro Wrestling. The company will mark the occasion Saturday, March 4 with a huge show at the CMA Dojo inside the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. This week I'll talk more about the matches on this blog as well as on the Stride Pro Wrestling social media accounts. Here's a look at Stride Pro Wrestling by the numbers.

Ax Allwardt vs. Heath Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champions:

Ax Allwardt

Heath Hatton

The Midwest Mafia
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions:

Damage Inc. (Frank Wyatt & "Homicidal" Steven Davis

Team Triple X (Jay Spade & Joey O'Riley)

Midwest Mafia ("Hitman" Jake Capone & Red Daniels)

Jerry Travelstead
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Stride Pro Wresting Legacy Champions:

Jerry Travelstead

Red Daniels & Frank Edwards

Graduates of the Stride Pro Wrestling School:

Red Daniels

Frank Edwards

Scott Phoenix

Dexter Roswell

Brian Richards

Daniel Eads
Photo Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Guests of Stride Pro Wrestling:

"Cowboy" Bob Orton

Madman Pondo

Daniel Eads

Brandon Espinosa

What will year two hold for Stride Pro Wrestling? Join us on Saturday, March 4 as the adventure continues. 

Will there be a hoedown after this showdown?

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stride Pro Wrestling returns this Saturday night, January 7 with several great matches. The Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Heath Hatton steps into the ring against "Farmer" Billy Hills. Both men are two of the most popular wrestlers in Stride so this contest will be very interesting, to say the least.

Hatton wins the gold

Hatton won the title in November and had a successful defense against "Big" Roger Matheus, Joey O'Riley and former champ Ax Allwardt in December. Hatton's record speaks for itself. He's had some great matches against all comers from former NWA World Champion Adam Pearce to Daniel Eads to a shot on WWE Extreme Rules against Ryback. 

Farmer Billy Hills
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But don't underestimate the man from Mudlick, Kentucky. Farmer is one of the toughest competitors I've seen in indy wrestling. He's battled the likes of Allwardt, Tony Flood and "The Hitman" Jake Capone. Farmer hasn't tasted gold yet in Stride, but he's come close, making it to the semi-finals of the Legacy Championship tournament. Farmer is very deserving of the opportunity he's receiving. He will not take this moment lightly and will be ready to go against Hatton. But as you might expect, Hatton has the heart of a champion and shouldn't be taken lightly by any opponent. 

Once the dust settles will Farmer being celebrating the showdown against Hatton with a hoedown? Find out Saturday night. Bell time is at 6:30 at the CMA Dojo at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion.

The new 3 R's: Reading, writing and wrasslin'

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Over the last year or so here in southern Illinois more educators are stepping through the ropes and learning how to wrestle. It's in part due to a lack of funding on the state level. Teachers and administrators are wrestling at benefit shows for their schools, putting their bodies on the line in an effort to overcome shortcomings from state coffers.

Jerry Travelstead vs. Tony Flood
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

I've talked with Jerry Travelstead before on the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. He's the superintendent at Pinckneyville Community Consolidated School District 204 and has taken his love of wrestling to the next level. He and teacher Josh Plumlee are trained wrestlers who have gigs on weekend wrestling shows around the region. Jerry is hosting a fundraising show November 5 that will feature WWE Hall of Famer Bushwhacker Luke. Other local favorites like Heath Hatton, Ax Allwardt and Tony Flood (who battles Jerry for Stride Pro Wrestling's new Legacy Championship.

Tshirts for Saturday's event

Another superintendent in southern Illinois, "The Singing Super" Mike Gauch, makes his in-ring debut October 15. He teams up with the Honky Tonk Man to battle HTM's former manager Jimmy Hart and Disco Inferno. Brian Christopher will be a part of the show clashing with Dalton Diamond (also of Stride Pro Wrestling) Jerry Travelstead teams with Heath Hatton to battle Daniel Eads and Chris Hargas. "Colorado Kid" Mike Rappada also wrestles against Desperado. This show is being held at Harrisburg High School. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.

Come out and support not just the independent wrestlers and legends in the ring, but the students, faculty and staff impacted by budget problems in Illinois. I salute these educators who are taking a stand to help their schools and the communities they serve.

The Man of Tomorrow is a star today

"The Man of Tomorrow" Daniel Eads
Courtesy: Missouri Wrestling Revival

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Man of Steel calls Metropolis home. Every year folks around the country gather there for the Superman Celebration. But THE Superman of the wrestling world is making a stop in southern Illinois this weekend.

"The Man of Tomorrow" Daniel Eads makes his Stride Pro Wrestling debut Saturday, October 1. He takes on up and comer Bryan Richardson. While Eads is no veteran, he has definitely been around long enough to become one of the top indy stars in the Midwest and beyond. I've had the chance to see Eads wrestle before and he's proven to me that the future is now with his ability in the ring.

Eads vs. Heath Hatton
My 1-2-3 Cents

Last fall I saw Eads in action in person for the first time. We chatted after the match for a My 1-2-3 Cents podcast and he told me then that he wrestles to give kids hope. Whether he wants to be a hero to the fans, he knows that he's looked up to and for that, I respect what he does. His attitude outside the ring makes him a true champion. 

Eads in control
My 1-2-3 Cents

Eads will go far in this business because he has the ability inside the ring. He has the looks to take his game to the next level. And he has that positive mental attitude that is essential to be a winner in life. I have no doubt he will be on the NXT roster within five years. 

But before that happens, we find out if Bryan Richardson will be the kryptonite that spoils The Man of Tomorrow's Stride Pro Wrestling debut. Come out Saturday night and find out for yourself. It's a family friendly venue and you'll be supporting local and regional wrestlers in the process.