Stride Pro Wrestling makes it into PWI

Thanks, Mike Bessler

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Growing up a wrestling fan in the 80s meant a steady supply of the 'Apter magazines.' Back then, Pro Wrestling Illustrated was by far the industry leader. The first copy I bought was the October 1984 issue. Kerry Von Erich was on the cover holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. 

After that initial purchase, it became a habit to go to our local drug store and pick up the latest PWI. I added The Wrestler and Inside Wrestling to my collection. WWF Magazine and Wrestling Superstars were also staples. I continued this habit through middle school, high school and even college, ending my buying in 1995 when the internet became a faster way to learn about pro wrestling. Much to my wife's chagrin though, all those back issues are sitting in our garage. 

I'll admit I haven't bought a copy in years, I did pick up an issue in 2012 after meeting write Mike Bessler at an indy show. It was All American Pro Wrestling. I was doing color commentary and even had my first match in AAPW. Mike did a great piece in his Independent Roundup column in the September 2012 issue. Bessler puts over AAPW Main Event from earlier in the year and talks about a situation that had happened between Mike Masters and a heckling fan. We certainly appreciated the shout out in the magazine.

After my most recent match against Roger Matheus at Stride Goes Steel, Mike reached out to me again. We did an interview and I figured there would be a write up online about it. Mike said his editor enjoyed the story and much to my surprise, I got a message from a fan this week with a pic of the write-up. Not only did Stride get a mention in the hard copy of the magazine but a photo from the event also appeared.

I'm excited for a couple of reasons. Yes, I made it into a magazine that has been a part of the pro wrestling landscape for decades. But also Stride Pro Wrestling, a small indy company in Marion, Illinois is now sharing the pages of a magazine that has covered WWF(E), NWA, WCW, AWA, New Japan, ROH, Chikara, Midsouth, UWF and countless other wrestling companies. It's an honor to be a part of the issue, which ironically is the October 2018 issue. Some 34 years to the issue of me buying my first PWI I am now a part of this amazing magazine. Matheus, Cash Borden, my daughter Brooke and my buddy Tom Harness all get shout-outs too. 

Thank you, Mike, on behalf of myself, My 1-2-3 Cents and Stride Pro Wrestling. We appreciate the support. Now, how about a spot in the PWI 500 this year? 

Click the pic to shop
Promo code: MY123CENTS

I know wrestlers on the PWI 500

Bradon Espinosa vs. Farmer Billy Hills at Cape Championship Wrestling
Photo by: My 1-2-3 Cents

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I still remember buying my first pro wrestling magazine. I was 11 years old. It was the December 1984 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Barry Windham was on the cover and my favorite wrestler at the time, Kerry Von Erich was the poster inside. I bought every issue of the magazine from that time until the end of 1995, when the internet and Rec Sports Pro Wrestling (and my lack of space) took over. One of my favorite issues became the annual PWI Top 500. 

The first issue came out my freshman year in college. Hulk Hogan stood on top of the rankings in 1991. It made sense. He had a solid year, regaining the WWF Championship and defending the honor of America against the Iraqi-sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. The unique thing about the Top 500 though was getting to learn more about wrestlers I'd never heard of before.

Espy goes to the top
Photo by: My 1-2-3 Cents

Now, some 27 editions later, I'm finding that I now know (like in person) some of the wrestlers who have made the list. I haven't seen everyone on the 2017 list, but I do know Brandon "Espy" Espinosa has once again been ranked. I met Espy during our days with All American Pro Wrestling. He was quite a talent then and has only continued to excel in the years that have passed. He has traded the Missouri Wrestling Revival Championship with his former partner in AAPW, Ace Hawkins this year and continues to wrestle around the country. In 2016 he did a show with Stride Pro Wrestling as well. 

"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony vs. Heath Hatton in AAPW
Courtesy: Jason Wilkey 

"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony has graced the PWI 500 list too. I also met Golden Boy in AAPW, where he wrestled everyone from Heath Hatton to The Mississippi Madman. He's recovering from a recent heart procedure but has been an established member of the NWA: Midsouth roster for years now.

Yep, that's me with Matt Cross (and guests)
Photo courtesy: Missouri Wrestling Revival

Matt Cross, who first came to prominence on Tough Enough several years ago, also wrestled a couple of times for AAPW. He too has been on the PWI Top 500. He continues to rise on the indy scene and is one of the top guys in Lucha Underground right now. 

As I mentioned, I haven't seen the complete list for 2017, if I missed someone on this year's list that I do know, I apologize. Congrats to Okada for being the first Japanese wrestler to top the list and to everyone else who made the cut. Check out the standings right here.

As Good As Gold

"The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony
One To Watch

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I bought my first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1984.  I can still remember it, heck I still have it.  It was the December 1984 issue, Barry Windham was on the cover and my idol Kerry Von Erich was the centerfold.  For the next 11 years I bought the publication.  I've still got them.

Last year something cool happened.  PWI featured my friend and colleague in the business, Chris Hagstrom.  At the time Chris was the executive producer of All American Pro Wrestling, a company I was doing play-by-play for.  It was awesome to know that all our hard work had paid off and AAPW was being mentioned on the same pages as WWE, TNA, and Ring of Honor.

In the most recent issue of PWI, another friend in the business stepped into the national wrestling spotlight.  "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony graces the pages of PWI.  The magazine did a feature on Anthony, who is a competitor with Traditional Championship Wrestling.  He's a part of their "One to Watch" segment.  Golden Boy is no stranger to PWI, as they ranked him at number 434 in the most recent PWI 500.

"Golden Boy" in action
Photo courtesy: Jason Wilkey

Big props to Anthony, who has worked very hard to get where he is today.  I know The Golden Boy doesn't look like you're typical wrestler, but inside that ring he's like his catch implies, "good as gold."  I had the opportunity to work with Anthony in AAPW.  I always enjoyed him in the ring, as he was a throwback to the old school legends.  His work on the mic was always on par too.  I always enjoyed being in the promo area when it was time for the Golden Boy to do his work.

Getting pied
AAPW Fan Fest 2011

Anthony always took time to give me advice with my delivery as a commentator and helped me prepare mentally for my professional wrestling debut.  He also took a pie to the face (actually dozens) during a Fan Fest event.  I'm proud to say I got to pie him as well.

I haven't seen the Golden Boy in more than a year, which is unfortunate.  I'm not able to travel as much as I'd like to and watch other independent promotions, but I'd highly recommend if Greg Anthony comes to your town, check him.

PWI's 500: I Know Some of You

AAPW stars & guests in the PWI Top 500
Photo by Jason Wilkey

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Since 1991, Pro Wrestling Illustrated has featured the top 500 men and women in the world of wrestling.  Each year they've come up with a list that covers the major companies and the independent leagues.  When the issue first started coming out, I had a subscription to the magazine and never missed one.  But with the rise of the Internet, I'll admit I stopped buying PWI, Inside Wrestling, The Wrestler, and WWF (yeah back then the F was still there) magazines.

Who knew 20 years ago when I was reading those rankings that I would one day be able to lay claim to  actually knowing wrestlers on the list?  And I mean legitimately know, not just guys I've interviewed like the Miz, Lex Luger, or Hacksaw Duggan.  Several AAPW wrestlers and guests made an appearance on this year's list.

We'll talk more about the top ranking guys on Thursday's From the Rafters Radio show.  You can click this link to listen live at 7 p.m. CST or search us on iTunes.  It's no surprise to me that CM Punk tops this year's list.  It's a well deserved honor in my view.  I'd like to share with you the folks I have had an opportunity to work with over the last 18 months or so with AAPW.  If you've not heard some of these names, I'm sure you will in the not so distant future.

Matt Cross, El Generico, PAC, and Colt Cabana
AAPW Main Event
Photo by Brian Kelly

Colt Cabana (44), El Generico (82), PAC (88), and Matt Cross (188) all appeared for the first time at AAPW Main Event in January.  It was a pleasure getting a chance to not only see these guys wrestle, but to call their matches too.  PAC and Generico had an amazing match which was probably the most challenging bout I've ever done play-by-play for.  Matt Cross put up a good effort against the undefeated Pokerface. He also returned to AAPW recently for Summer Chaos. Unfortunately I wasn't able to be at the announce table for Colt's match against Eric Wayne as I was preparing for my own match that night.  I'm excited that Colt will be joining us again on October 20 for Zero Hour.  More details to follow on that event.

Ace Hawkins & Brandon Espinosa
AAPW Collision
Photo by Jason Wilkey

Ace Hawkins (295) and Brandon "Espy" Espinosa (311) are great on their own, but they also make an excellent tag team.  They've dropped their "Minor Threat" moniker as they want to prove to the AAPW tag team champs they're serious about winning the gold.  By the way, Ace also appeared on WWE Extreme Rules as "Aaron Relic" alongside AAPW standout Heath "Jay" Hatton in a match against Ryback.  Who can forget that two is greater than one?

Other notables include Adam Pearce (62) who is the current NWA World's Heavyweight Champion. He's bringing that 10 pounds of gold to Marion, Illinois on September 22 and will defend it against Hatton.  I'm looking forward to that match for several reasons and will talk more about it soon.  I can't wait to meet him as well.

Mike Sydal (335) is a rising star, wrestling for AAPW and ROH among other companies.  Mike has had several matches in AAPW and he's got a lot of energy.  He's fun to watch and will continue to climb the ladder of success, much like his older brother Evan Bourne.

Dave Osborne (428) has had a handful of matches with AAPW as well.  He has come a long way and continues to improve as well.

"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony vs. Heath Hatton
AAPW Main Event
Photo by Jason Wilkey

"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony (434) has always noted that he's as good as gold.  I like his style in the ring and miss him at AAPW.  He's got an incredible amount of passion for the business and it shows in his work and his promos.  Golden Boy has offered me advice not only on commentary, but as I geared up for my one and only match back in January.  His advice is always appreciated.

Perhaps one of the biggest miscarriages of justice (thanks Gorilla Monsoon) is the fact that Sara Del Rey is ranked at 430.  She's only the fourth woman to crack PWI's Top 500 in its 22 year history. I've only seen her wrestle live a couple of times for Chikara, and I can tell you she deserves a much better ranking.  Of course, I'm sure the editors at PWI have a very difficult time coming up with this list and I don't envy them at all.  You're never going to please everyone.

What are you thoughts on the list?  Remember, listen to From the Rafters Radio and weigh in on the discussion via Facebook or Twitter (@RaftersRadio, @my123cents)

#1, Really? Really?

Courtesy: PWI

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

Let me start this off for all the new readers, I am a big fan of the Miz.  I think he is one of the best overall performers in the WWE right now in terms of wrestling and mic skills.  You have to consider both of those elements to truly be a superstar these days.  The Miz has that "it" factor as far as I'm concerned.

That being said though, I'm a bit surprised to see that Pro Wrestling Illustrated has named him #1 in it's annual Top 500 ratings for 2011.  The magazine has been rating wrestlers for 21 years now.  I have issues of the first several years.  Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Sting, Shawn Michaels, and Steve Austin were in the top spot in the early years.

Randy Orton, Triple H, John Cena, and AJ Styles have been number one most recently.  Some names that never made the top spot: "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Edge, the Undertaker, and the Rock.  Since this rating system started in 1991, I can almost see why Savage and Flair weren't number 1.  But both men did have reigns as WWF champion in 1992.  And they each held the WCW world title in the late 90's.

The 2011 issue isn't out on stands yet, and so far PWI has only announced the Miz as #1.  He's certainly improved a lot over the last year.  But to qualify him as the #1 wrestler in the world, I question.  Of course I know I'm getting caught up in the technicality that wrestling is predetermined.  This isn't "real".  I know I get it.  Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill.  Again, big fan of the Miz.  Just not sure why he's been named the best.

Look at his world title reign.  He struggled in his feud with Jerry Lawler.  I wouldn't have had a problem with that if it was 1985.  Lawler is an announcer primarily (at least in the WWE) and the fact that he had come up with wins over a young, up and coming champion really bothered me.  The way he won the belt was also "questioned" by the WWE, cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase and taking advantage of an injured Randy Orton.  Did he have one credible title defense outside of the match with John Morrison on Raw?

Me & the Miz in 2010

Even though he got the win over Cena at Wrestlemania, it was marred by interference by Alex Riley and the Rock.  Since losing the title back to Cena, he's had his ass handed to him by A-Ry and was pinned by Roddy Piper on Raw recently.  (I know that was with A-Ry as the special guest referee).  I also understand this was AFTER the editors made their selection.

I'm not sure if the magazine bases this honor on the calendar year or the accomplishments so far of that year.  By those standards, I would (as much as I hate to say it) go with either Randy Orton or John Cena.  Based on the last month or so, I'd put CM Punk as #1, but I'm kind of a mark like that.  Again, don't get me wrong, the Miz is one of my favorites, but to put him at the top of the mountain, I just struggle with that.

So who would you put at the top?  Does my argument against the Miz make sense?  Miz, if you're reading this, it's nothing personal.  One day I think you will deserve the honor of being #1.

Comment here, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.