Borden cashed out

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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At the start of Saturday night's Cashing In fundraiser for YouthBuild, Cash Borden had all three of Stride Pro Wrestling's singles championships. He won the Legacy title in late 2018 after the championship was vacated. He recently climbed the ladder and claimed the No Limits Championship, even though he wasn't in the match. Then after losing the Heavyweight title back to Red Daniels, he stole the belt and assaulted General Manager Sam Hunter in the process. 

'Warbound' Bo Sawyer

However, that punch may be what lead to Cash's demise as a champion in Stride. He had to defend all three belts at the fundraiser. First, he lost the No Limits title to 'Warbound' Bo Sawyer in a fatal four-way with Dalton Anthony and Dexter Roswell. 

Jose Magnifico 

A bit later, Jose Magnifico picked up the Legacy title. And in a hard-hitting, action-packed main event, Daniels beat Borden in the middle of the ring and got his hands back on the Heavyweight championship. 

Daniels vs. Borden
Courtesy: Tyler Adams

It was an incredible night of wrestling action and I do tip my hat to Cash who wrestled five men in three different matches that night. While his actions are far from a champion, he proved he's a true competitor here in Stride.

Other match results: 

'Stone Cold' Redneck beat 'Squire' Savveon Aryes.

Mike Masters beat B-Rad.

Ax Allwardt beat Ryzer in a chain match when the referee determined Ryzer couldn't continue.

Heath Hatton and Kevin Hunsperger retained the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles by beating Bud Gallows & the Masked Man and Roger Matheus & Chris Hargas (the Kings of Destiny). 

Perhaps the best part of the night, Stride raised about $3,000 for the YouthBuild program. Thanks to everyone who attended the show.

WWFools Day

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Since it's April Fool's Day, I figured I'd take some time to honor some of my favorite 'fools' from the world of pro wrestling. I don't mean anything negative with the term fool here. Instead, these guys added some fun for fans and created memorable moments along the way. 

Doink
Courtesy: WWE

Doink the Clown is one of my favorite gimmicks in all of wrestling. When Matt Borne arrived in the WWF in late 1992 as the evil clown, I was impressed. I loved the way he was portrayed. The ending to his match with Crush at WrestleMania 9 is one of my favorite memories of that show. I know from a marketing perspective it made sense to turn Doink good and add Dink and new merchandise opportunities. But I wish they would have kept him evil.  

Colt Cabana
Courtesy: ROH

Colt Cabana is someone I've had to the pleasure of meeting and actually talking with backstage at shows. He gets the 'comedy' style and does a great job getting fans invested in his matches. Not everyone can pull off comedy in the world of entertainment or in the ring. But Colt is one of the best. Plus he has done a great job creating a brand.

Ole!
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Jose Magnifico is the most fun-loving wrestler on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. He hails from Mexico... Missouri and weighs in at 123 two-pound burritos. He comes to the ring with his trademark sombrero and pinata. The fans love him, especially when he whacks an opponent with that pinata and candy starts flying. I've had a chance to do the Mexican Hat Dance in the ring with Magnifico. He really knows how to get the crowd going.

Who are your favorite fools of the ring?

 

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Two prizes for the price of one

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The Stride Cup tournament was announced in 2017 and officially kicked off at the January show in Carterville. The prize, of course, is the beautiful Stride Cup trophy. However, at the February show, we learned the winner of this eight-man tournament will get another prize, the Legacy Championship.

The Stride Cup & Legacy Championship
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

In case you missed it, Legacy Champion Chris Hargas had to relinquish the title due to an injury. Chris, get well soon by the way. General Manager Sam Hunter made the decision that evening to add the Legacy Title to the Stride Cup finale. It'll be a big night for one of two men.

El Magnifico
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Those men are the ever popular Jose Magnifico. He's been wrestling in Stride and around the region for years now. Fans immediately get up on their feet when his ring music hits. Magnifico celebrates with the fans before getting to the ring and even if things don't go well for him, there's still dancing and usually some candy being passed out. Sometimes though that happens when the pinata Jose carries gets smashed over someone's head. Magnifico scored wins over Brian Richards of the DR Party and JD Wilk to advance to the finals. 

Anonymous wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Magnifico faces newcomer Anonymous. The big man made his debut in the Stride Cup tournament in January, appearing in the ring after the lights went out in the venue. He destroyed Shane Lauder in seconds and carried the rookie back to the locker room on his shoulder. We haven't seen nor heard from Lauder since. Anonymous also beat Ace Hawkins in the tournament.

This will be a great match and with so much on the line, I look for each man to put in 110%. Be sure to join us Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at Christopher Grade School. This match is a fundraiser for the school so be sure to support the cause. 

Hargas injured, relinquishes Legacy Title

Sam Hunter making an announcement

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Big news coming out of Saturday night's No Love Lost 2 event in Carterville. Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager Sam Hunter announced Legacy Champion Chris Hargas has been injured. He didn't go into details, but the injury is severe enough that Hargas won't be able to defend the Legacy Title in the foreseeable future. Hunter went on to explain that the winner of the Stride Cup Tournament will also get the cup along with a newly designed belt. 

Chris Hargas the night he won gold

I hate to hear this about Hargas. He is one of the most seasoned and well-respected members of the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. He had some hard-fought battles against Ax Allwardt and Roger Matheus when each man was the Stride Heavyweight Champion. Then he defeated Red Daniels in an amazing Buried Alive match before beating Tony Flood for the Legacy Title. Hargas only had one title defense but was on course to have a great run as champion. It is my sincere hope that he recovers thoroughly and quickly and is able to regain his championship upon his return. 

However, this opens up an amazing opportunity for either Jose Magnifico or the man I simply know as Anonymous based on the Stride Pro Wrestling posters. They are the two finalists for the Stride Cup and now the Legacy Championship. They are set to do battle Saturday, March 3 at Christopher Grade School. Bell time that night is 7 p.m.

Beard vs. mask

Jose Magnifico vs. Brian Richards
Photo by Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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No Shave November comes to an end tonight. But for Stride Pro Wrestling's Brian Richards, it could end on December 9th. The enforcer of the DR Party is putting his beard on the line against Jose Magnifico's mask. The two have been engaged in an on-again-off-again feud for most of the year.

When Dexter Roswell and Richards showed up in Stride Pro Wrestling in December 2016, the duo attacked Magnifico. The Mexico, Missouri native was apparently on their short list of people who weren't helping to make Stride great again. Through 2017, Magnifico has battled against various members of the DR Party. 

Richards with the pinata
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Richards takes great pride in being Roswell's "right-hand man" and the enforcer for the group. He's also quite proud of his beard. After having to sit out at November's show due to his neck injury from the Ax Allwardt piledriver, Richards still got himself involved as Magnifico was battling Arron Brooks. Richards swiped Magnifico's pinata and whacked the masked star over the head with it, setting up Brooks for the win.

Magnifico
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

It was after that last attack that Magnifico, who is one of the most fun-loving wrestlers in the Stride Pro Wrestling locker room challenged Richards to the beard vs. mask match. You know Magnifico is frustrated when he's willing to put the heritage of the wrestling mask on the line in such fashion. That match is a part of the big Buried Alive show on Saturday, Dec 9 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Bell time is 6:30. It's going to be a huge night, so please join us.

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Foreign Object Friday: Jose Magnifico's pinata

Jose Magnifico
Courtesy: Steve Belcher 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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There's something infectious about Jose Magnifico and his ring entrance at Stride Pro Wrestling. When his music hits the fans immediately cheer. This Lucha star from Mexico, Missouri comes in his traditional mask, sombrero and sarape. He also has a pinata filled with candy in hand.

Those pinatas are the focus of today's post. You wouldn't expect the party favor to be used as a foreign object, but by definition, that's exactly what these items are. Typically speaking, the pinata stays intact and El Magnifico returns to the locker room with it. However, I've seen some wrestlers get hit over the head with the candy-filled objects.

Ole
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Jose himself has been victimized by his own pinata. The only benefit to someone busting one open is the candy that spills in the ring and onto the arena floor. Kids ringside scoop up handfuls of the treats to enjoy.

El Magnifico returns this Saturday night. This time he'll have Chris Hargas on his side as this new tag team faces off against DR Party members Nathan Brag and Brian Richards. Perhaps the pinata can counteract the ruthless party members from using their campaign sign for Dexter Roswell. Join us Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion.