AUDIO: WrestleMania 2 Redo

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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What's the worst WrestleMania of all-time? Some say it's the second installment of the event. So my co-host this week, Jerry Travelstead and I tackle the show. We give our overall thoughts and a few ideas to make things better.

You can listen here. Don't forget to rate and review the show as well on your favorite listening app. And check out the new My 1-2-3 Cents below on my Pro Wrestling Tees store.

AUDIO: Abyss & Impact Hall of Fame

Click here for the Abyss audio on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I wrote a piece about a month ago about Abyss coming to Stride Pro Wrestling. The soon-to-be Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer will face Roger Matheus this Saturday night, Oct. 6 at Community Consolidated School District 204 in Pinckneyville. Bell time is 6:30, but there's a meet and greet with the Monster prior. Call 618-357-2419.

I recently sat in on a conference call with Abyss. The Monster talks about his career, a few highlights and his thoughts on the Hall of Fame. You can hear it right here on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network. 

Black & white attack: it's the rWo

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've talked before here about the Ragin' Redneck. He arrived on the scene in Stride Pro Wrestling in late 2017 before taking on the red and yellow persona of Hulk Hogan. RedneckMania was born and despite his love and admiration for the Hulkster, his win-loss record did not reflect that of his mentor's.

That's when a change occurred. RedneckMania was a special guest referee for a tag team match between the DR Party and Josh Plumlee and Tony Wilson. During the course of the match he turned on the good guys and attempted to help the DR Party win. Those efforts didn't work and the educators ended up winning.

When RedneckMania returned to Stride in August, gone was the red and yellow. Instead the black and white were on display and a few henchmen were in tow. Hollywood Redneck snatched the mic and announced the Redneck World Order was taking over Stride.

"The Bad Guy" Cole James and Hollywood will join forces and challenge for the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles. The Midwest Monster Hunters are the current champs. Former champs the DR Party will also be involved. Three of the most hated factions in the company will collide. It'll be interesting to see who comes out on top of this three-way championship match.

You can see all the action this Saturday night. We'll be a part of the Carterville Free Fair. Bell time for the Free Fair Faceoff is 6:30 p.m. at the Carterville Community Center. 

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Looking for their Legacy

Legacy contenders
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In yesterday's blog post I talked about the winner of the Stride Cup Tournament being crowned the new Legacy Champion this Saturday night at Christopher Grade School. Whether it's Jose Magnifico or Anonymous, there won't be much time to celebrate the victory. That's because Saturday night there is a fatal four-way to determine the number one contender for the belt. So who's in the match?

Jerry Travelstead: T-Dog is the very first Legacy Champion. He's taken Stride Pro Wrestling by storm since joining the company shortly after it was created. Jerry is an educator by day. He put 110% into everything he does, including in the ring. He fights hard and the night he won the Legacy Title in a grueling ladder match, I believe he proved his doubters wrong. Jerry is the real deal and has a solid chance of winning this match and going on to regaining the Legacy Title.

JD Wilk: Wilk has consistently improved his game since debuting in Stride Pro Wrestling in December 2016. He's taken some time off due to injuries and has come back with a completely new style. Once a high flyer, Wilk has bulked up and has used that extra weight and strength to his advantage. But with that new look has come a new attitude. While I didn't like seeing him turn down young fans who wanted to slap his hand as he walked to the ring earlier this month, I do think he rededication to getting on the winning track is refreshing. He's young, he's hungry and he's more dangerous than before.

Ace Hawkins: Ace is the most experienced of anyone in this match (I think, you'll see why in a moment). He is the current Missouri Wrestling Heavyweight Champion (that belt is not defended in Illinois obviously) and has wrestled around the country and the world. I've seen Ace win gold in other companies, including All-American Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Collision. Winning this match Saturday night will set him up to get a crack at gold in Stride.

???: That's right, a mystery opponent will be filling that fourth spot. Stay tuned Saturday night to see who rounds out this foursome. Again, we're at Christopher Grade School. Bell time is 7 p.m.

When ring announcing gets painful

Hoisted up

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The usual post Stride Pro Wrestling buzz I feel on a Sunday after a show has been replaced with pain. We had a great show and our host John A. Logan College was more than accommodating to us. A full recap of the show will be a part of Monday's My 1-2-3 Cents podcast on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network. So why am I in pain?

I'm glad you asked. Quick backstory. You may remember my blog from last month when Roger Matheus attacked referee Lane Austin after being disqualified in his match against Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Jay Spade. At Saturday night's show, Matheus confronted General Manager Sam Hunter, demanding another title match. Spade was defending against Bull Bronson and Matheus found that unfair. Hunter's compromise was to put Matheus in the Stride Rumble, which the winner would be deemed number one contender.

Matheus made it to the final two but was dumped over the top rope by a sneaky Tony Flood. Fast forward to the match between Bull and Spade. As Spade climbed the top rope, Matheus emerged and knocked the champion off. That meant Bull would be disqualified and as you can imagine that angered the 400-pound beast. He and Matheus went nose to nose. I turned around to put the mic away because the night was over at that point.

Bull left the ring and exchanged high fives with fans. Little did I know, Matheus exited the ring to and came up behind me. He grabbed me and threw me onto the ring apron. My back hit the bottom rope and I bounced back like a rubber ball. Matheus rolled me again and I ended up in the middle of the ring. Matheus came in behind me and I remember seeing his giant boots and begging him not to hurt me. 

Bull makes the save

The next thing I know I'm on his massive shoulders. I could see Lane pleading with Matheus to put me down. A moment later, I felt a tug at my waist. It was Bull pulling me to safety. I hit the mat and quickly rolled out to the floor. Bull then nailed Matheus with a right hook. Matheu rolled out of the ring but jawed more with Bull. 

I'm sore, but feeling good that Bull was still close by and made the save. I have no doubt I'd likely not be capable of writing his blog today had Matheus had finished what he started. Now he has Bull to contend with on Saturday, March 3 at Christopher Grade School.