Larry Matysik: The voice of my childhood

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Some people will tell you Jim Ross was the voice of their youth when it came to pro wrestling. Others will choose Tony Schivanie. Gorilla Monsoon, Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura, Gordon Solie, Bob Caudill, Bill Mercer and Lance Russell all rank up there in my childhood too. However, one of the first and most memorable voices for me is that of Larry Matysik.

I grew up just outside St. Louis, Missouri. When I was in grade school my dad, brother and uncle religiously watched Wrestling at the Chase and World Class Championship Wrestling. At the time, I had no interest in it, however, I would hear the action being called. Early on I remember the sound of Larry Matysik's voice as he called the action between the likes of Dick the Bruiser, Gene Kiniski and Bruiser Brody. 

Once my fandom exploded in early 1983, Wrestling at the Chase became a staple each Sunday morning in our house. Sadly I got hooked a little too late as the show ended its decades' long run on KPLR later that year. 

But what a year it was for me. I don't remember specific matches from that era, but I do remember hearing Larry call matches. To me, he is Wrestling at the Chase. I remember ring announcer Mickey Garagiola very well too. My uncle knew Mickey's kids from school so it always felt like we were watching good friends do their thing on TV.

Hatton & Matysik

It wasn't until 2017 that I got to meet Larry Matysik. I traveled to a Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling show with my friend Heath Hatton. Larry is very active with SICW and promoter Herb Simmons. I enjoyed chatting briefly with someone who meant so much to me as a child and an influence on my passion for becoming a wrestling commentator and announcer.

Matysik and Simmons

I understand Larry has had some medical setbacks recently. I wanted to take a few minutes to share thoughts and memories on someone who molded a generation of professional wrestlers and its fans. Larry, thanks for the memories. 

Shop here

Fun Fact Friday: Herb Simmons

Herb Simmons

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Social media has been a powerful tool for years, letting people reconnect all over the world. It's also been a great way to learn more about one of my passions, professional wrestling. It feels like there are more independent companies cropping up, including several within a couple hours of my home in southern Illinois. 

One company I've been able to check out is Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling. Several familiar faces from the Stride Pro Wrestling roster have been on the show, including Heath Hatton, Ax Allwardt and Chris Hargas. 

Abdullah the Butcher and I 

Last year I attended my first show in East Cardonolet. I met the legendary Abdullah the Butcher, long time announcer Larry Matysik and promoter Herb Simmons. He agreed to participate in this week's Fun Fact Friday.

Herb and Ted DiBiase

1. Herb has been promoting wrestling for 43 years. SICW has had many greats on the show; including Dory and Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bushwhacker Luke, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Ted DiBiase, One Man Gang, Koko B. Ware and Hillbilly Jim. He also worked with legends like Bruiser Brody, Dick Murdoch, Crusher Blackwell, Ox Baker, Baron Von Raschke and Gene Kinski. 

2. The company has a monthly show called SICW Wrestling Explosion. You can watch it here. It's based on the classic Wrestling at the Chase from St. Louis. (I grew up on that show.) They just aired episode 360. Congrats! 

3. Herb's day job is the St. Clair County 9-1-1 director. He's also been the mayor of East Carondelet for 33 years. SICW does several fundraiser shows for the police and fire departments in the community. 

SICW returns to the East Carondelet Community Center Saturday (Jan. 20) Bell time is 7 p.m. You can call (618) 286-4848 to reserve tickets. 

St. Louis Legends WWE forgot

St. Louis Legends
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I have been hesitant to write this blog, as I don't want to come off as too critical of WWE and I don't want to make the same mistake the company did in overlooking worthy people to be included in the St. Louis Legends segment. I loved the idea and think it's a great way to pay tribute to those who have paved the way. I grew up in St. Louis and watched Wrestling at the Chase and attended shows several times as a kid, so I take this segment a bit more personally than I probably should. 

Larry Matysik and SICW Promoter Herb Simmons

I'm not going to say the men who were recognized shouldn't have been. Instead, I'm going to offer my 1-2-3 cents on how the segment should have gone. Last week I wrote about the decision to keep longtime Wrestling and the Chase announcer Larry Matysik out of the spotlight for this segment. I would have loved for the WWE to not only recognize Larry but also let him call that championship match with JBL, Byron Saxton and Tom Phillips. 

Bruiser Brody

I would have also included a video package featuring the stars who made St. Louis wrestling memorable. WWE's video production is the best in the world. Their team does an excellent job and could have produced a piece that lasted a few minutes honoring those legends. Names that weren't included during the Money in the Bank broadcast like Bruiser Brody, Dick the Bruiser, Bulldog Bob Brown, Gene Kinski, Pat O'Connor, Rufus R. Jones, Mickey Garagiola and Sam Muchnik. These men are in addition to the greats who were ringside and mentioned during the broadcast. 

I never expected a tribute to St. Louis Legends by WWE, but after hearing from SICW Promoter Herb Simmons on Facebook, it would have been awesome of WWE to do something. Again, it wasn't expected, I'm not whining about the situation. What they did was nice, but not complete by any means. 

That's not best for business

Larry Matysik
Courtesy: Missouri Wrestling Revival

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

As I was scrolling through Facebook Monday night, I came across a post from SICW Promoter Herb Simmons. I've met Herb a couple of times now and highly respect what he does and the work he's doing in the St. Louis area. He's been working with Wrestling at the Chase commentator Larry Matysik. Growing up in St. Louis, Larry is a legend and a historian of sorts. I've also had a chance to meet him and I think very highly of him. I tell you all this to set the stage for the post I mentioned in the opening sentence. Herb posted:

"SICW ALL-STAR WRESTLING
NEWS FLASH- As you know we announced the other day, and yesterday that our friend Larry Matysik was going to appear on the WWE Money in the Bank this Sunday. We received a call today saying that due to Larry's physical condition Vince doesn't want him appearing. I find that disturbing. I wonder if that means any fan that may have a physical condition isn't welcomed. The fans have seen Larry at several different SICW events and have talked with him. Sure he is in a motorized chair for his condition, but that hasn't hampered his ability to get around or think for himself. I personally believe its sour grapes on someone's part reaching back years ago. On behalf of Larry, he wanted me to inform the good fans of St.Louis of the news. He was looking forward to seeing some of the other great workers that are scheduled, and fans that helped make the St.Louis area the best in the wrestling business."

Wrestling at the Chase

I don't know what the official reason is from WWE or if Vince McMahon is the one who ultimately made this call. I'm disappointed to hear this. Larry is one of the most dedicated and respected figures in St. Louis wrestling. I'd like to think this is just a simple error in judgment on the part of WWE, but I fear it's more than that. 

SICW May show
Courtesy: saintlouiswrestling.com

Larry has taken the high road and hasn't complained, but I am taking it upon myself to make my 1-2-3 cents known. It's highly unlikely anyone from the company will see this, but if for some reason you work with WWE and read this, please reconsider this decision, ESPECIALLY if it's based on the fact that Larry is in a wheelchair.

Meeting the Butcher

Meeting Abdullah

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A couple days ago, my buddy Heath Hatton invited me to ride with him to SICW (Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling). He had two matches, a six-man tag and he was a participant in the Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal. We talk about the experience in this week's podcast which drops Monday. 

I was excited about the opportunity to go for several reasons. I'd never been to SICW plus I wanted to meet promoter Herb Simmons, as well as the legendary Larry Matysik who was the voice of Wrestling at the Chase and is involved with SICW. Brody's widow Barbara Goodish was there Saturday night as well as WWE Hall of Famer Abdullah the Butcher. All four were very kind and inviting to me as I stayed in the locker room and chatted with the other wrestlers throughout the show.

At one point, I looked around and it was just Abby and I there watching on the large monitor. It was one of the most surreal moments I've experienced as a wrestling fan. I was watching a match with one of the biggest legends in the business. He was pretty quiet throughout the evening, and me being an introvert I dared not initiate a conversation. But it's a memory I won't forget.

Thank you to Heath for letting me tag along and to Herb and the rest of the men and women on the card for being so inviting to me. It was a great evening and I look forward to making the trip again in the future. Oh and look for a podcast interview with Larry soon. We chatted about setting something up. I'll also have an interview soon with new SICW Heavyweight Champion Chris Hargas. Congrats to you!