STRIDE PRO WRESTLING: Ca$h is King

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Well, the title on this might make Stride Pro Wrestling's 'King' Chris Hargas upset, but let me explain. Cash Borden is now the king of championships. He is currently the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight AND Legacy Champions. For the first time in the company's history, one man holds both singles titles. 

It all came to be nearly two weeks ago at the Pulaski County Fair. Borden beat Red Daniels for the heavyweight title in a brutal match on the fairgrounds. The action spilled to the outside of the ring. Bales of hay were involved in the course of the match, which you can strike up to another first in Stride.

However, Cash's luck may be running out. The champ has to defend the title against Daniels who is hellbent on recapturing the gold. Red was arguably Stride's most defending champion beating the likes of Ax Allwardt, King Hargas and Heath Hatton. 

Both men are coming for a fight. The action will be intense once again. Come out to Rent One Park, Thursday, August 29. Tickets are just $7 and include five wrestling matches and a baseball game (the Southern Illinois Miners take on the Lake Erie Crushers). Bell time is at 5:35 p.m. We'll see you there! 

STRIDE PRO WRESTLING: Old school vs. new school

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Another big match signed for Thursday night's Bash at the Ballpark features Ax Allwardt vs. Ryzer. This is a grudge match that's been months in the making. Ax is Stride Pro Wrestling's first-ever heavyweight champion. Ryzer, as his name might suggest is, in my opinion, the fastest rising star in Stride. 

The bad blood originates from the Battle Bowl tournament where Ax and Ryzer found themselves on the same team. Things seemed to be fine until the unlikely duo lost. Ax flipped out and attacked the youngster. Now Ax has embraced his 'old school warrior' mindset even more. He's dubbed himself the Millenial Nightmare and from the 'Decade of Decadence circa 1984.

As much as I respect Ax and what he's done for the local indy wrestling scene, I worry that he's shortsighted with his views on Ryzer. The kid has a lot of talent and I predict by this time next year he will have won gold here in Stride. He's a hard worker and a natural athlete. Perhaps it's that one-two punch that gets under Ax's skin.

The brawl between these two will not be pretty. But it will be one you won't want to miss. Come out to Rent One Park, Thursday, August 29. Tickets are just $7 and include five wrestling matches and a baseball game (the Southern Illinois Miners take on the Lake Erie Crushers). Bell time is at 5:35 p.m. We'll see you there! 

STRIDE PRO WRESTLING: Ladies' night

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In yesterday's post, I mentioned history being made at least twice this Thursday night at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. Stride Pro Wrestling will crown the first-ever No Limits Champion as well as the first-ever Women's Champion. 

Women's wrestling has grown in popularity over the years. When I first started watching wrestling in the mid-80s, the ladies had few opportunities. Now there are all-women companies out there providing a huge spotlight for female wrestlers. WWE has also done a lot in recent years to change the perception of women's wrestling.

Now Stride Pro Wrestling is going to recognize the women on the roster. Admittedly we have not had a lot of women's matches but that has changed recently. Zooey Moore has worked hard learning the ropes (pun intended) at the Stride school. She's poised now to face off against Keri Gold Thursday night. It's winner take all. 

Gold has years of experience and will stop at nothing to be the first to hold the Stride Pro Wrestling Women's Championship. We've seen just how ruthless she can be in the ring before. However, Zooey has worked hard to get to this match. It's going to be two very determined women ready to prove their the most worthy of holding the gold.

Come out to Rent One Park, Thursday, August 29. Tickets are just $7 and include five wrestling matches and a baseball game (the Southern Illinois Miners take on the Lake Erie Crushers). Bell time is at 5:35 p.m. We'll see you there! 

Thank you Jeff Jarrett

Ready to rumble

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I felt it was necessary to post a follow up to my blog earlier in the week, My Wrestling Resume. It was a blatant pitch (pun intended) to Jeff Jarrett to be a part of the Global Force Wrestling Grand Slam Tour stop in my town. GFW set up at Rent One Park, home of the Southern Illinois Miners, this week. 

Photo courtesy: jitterymonkey.com

I was offered the opportunity to announce one of the matches. Their ring announcer Brandon Baxter introduced me and plugged My 1-2-3 Cents, Jittery Monkey and WSIL. He also complimented my "Bobby Heenan" jacket that my mom made for me when we went to WrestleMania 27 as the Heenan family.

Four corners match

I announced the four corners match between Kongo Kong, Mike Outlaw, Joey Avalon and "Hot Shot" Danny Duggan. Sitting on the field very close to the ring was an awesome experience and when Kong went to the top rope and splashed down on Outlaw I could see the breath escape Outlaw's body. Kong pinned his fallen opponent and won the match.

Yes that's a hoverboard in a match

The announcing experience was awesome as always, but getting a chance to talk with the wrestlers in the locker room and along the concourse was amazing too. I got to meet Karen Jarrett, who was absolutely amazing. Colt Cabana was there and remembered me from the days when he was on AAPW shows here in Marion. It always impresses me when someone who has so much going on in this business remembers my name. I know he's probably not reading, but thankkkkks.

Nash is in green

Kevin Nash and Swoggle were there too, but I didn't really have a chance to interact with the two of them. They were clearly the busiest guys there, meeting fans, taking pics and signing autographs. I did chuckle when a fan asked me "Is she really a Von Erich?" referring to GFW Women's Champion Christina Von Eerie. I told him no and reminded him her name was Von Eerie, not Von Erich.

My view before hitting the ring

Thanks again to everyone who made the show possible and those who came out to watch. I hope one day GFW finds a home on TV. Support these shows when they come to your town and if there's indy wrestling near you, go out and watch as well. You're helping men and women live their dream and you're getting entertained at a fraction of the cost.