STRIDE PRO WRESTLING: 10 men, 1 belt

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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"History will be made tonight!" is one of wrestling's greatest cliches. This Thursday night though, I can say without hyperbole history will be made at Stride Pro Wrestling's Bash at the Ballpark event. I'll talk more about the women's championship in Monday's post. However, today, I'm talking about another new title being added to the company.

Thursday night 10 men will compete for the No Limits Championship. But this will be no ordinary match. The newly minted belt will hang above the ring and whoever climbs a ladder and retrieves the title first will be the new champion.

So who's in this epic battle? Roger Matheus, Farmer Billy Hills, "The King" Chris Hargas, Dexter Roswell, "Warbound" Bo Sawyer, Will Power, B-Rad, Scott Phoenix, "T-Dog" Jerry Travelstead and Brandon Espinosa. Lots of seasoned guys and some relative newcomers in this battle which will make it so unique. It also makes it hard to predict. 

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! 

Scott Phoenix could top Scott Phoenix

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've written before about the record Stride Pro Wrestling's Scott Phoenix set in the world of tag team wrestling. He is the only Stride star to win the gold with three different partners. He and Ax Allwardt, known as Maximum Overdrive won the belts in 2017. Then he screwed over Ax and won the titles with Dexter Roswell. Then after becoming a good guy, Phoenix had two championship runs with Farmer Billy Hills.

Now Phoenix is in the unique position to beat his own record. On Saturday night (Aug. 3) at Hot Augst Night, Phoenix and Heath Hatton will team up to take on the Sin City Saints, Jay Spade and Tony Flood. Phoenix and Hatton were part of the Battle Bowl Tournament and finished second, making them the number one contenders to the tag team titles. The winning team, Chris Hargas and Savveon Ayers will battle each other to determine the number one contender for the Stride Heavyweight Title (more on that later this week). 

Phoenix is a graduate of the Stride Pro Wrestling School. He's one of the first to come through the program. The training he received from Hatton and others in the lockerroom has served him well. And with Hatton by his side, I'd have to say the chances of a four-peat for this young star are pretty impressive. Not that I shouldn't be biased in my thoughts, but I'd love for Flood and Spade to get their comeuppance after being shoved by the champs earlier this month. But I digress... 

It's a great opportunity for Phoenix and the fans of Stride Pro Wrestling. Hot August Night is one of FOUR shows scheduled for August. We'll see you at the Stride facility, 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville. 

An unlikely duo

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Last year at this time, Jay Spade and Tony Flood were embroiled in a classic feud for the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight title. Now, the two are allies and partners and will have a shot at the tag team championships this Saturday night. Say what?!?

I've yet to hear an exact explanation from Spade, who has been a fan favorite since I first met him in 2011. Somewhere along the way, something changed. For the past few months, he'd been living a double life. Not only was he fighting intense battles with Cash Borden and getting cheered by the crowd, but he was also disguising himself in a pair of coveralls and a mask and wielding a lead pipe. He whacked Heath Hatton more than once with it.

Why Spade, why? 

Hatton and Flood had been battling for the heavyweight title when Spade's interference started. When he was eventually unmasked, Hatton, along with the fans were shocked. Even more shocking now, Spade and Flood will relive their rookie year and work together as a tag team.

This duo has been granted a championship match in their first outing. I have no doubt they'll do whatever it takes to beat Farmer Billy Hills and Scott Phoenix. However, I know the champs. They just regained the gold and will fight tooth and nail to keep those belts. 

It's going to be a great battle. Come see the action Saturday (April 6) at Johnston City High School. Bell time is  7 p.m.

Scott Phoenix sets a record

New champs

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I mentioned it briefly on a recent My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, but I figured it deserved a bit more attention than a quick statement. Scott Phoenix recently made history in Stride Pro Wrestling. He has become the company's first four-time tag team champion. That's quite a feat for a young man who is not even three years into the business. 

It all started for Phoenix when he paired up with indy wrestling veteran Ax Allwardt. Under the guidance of J. Wellington Beauregard, the two captured the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles in a fatal four-way match in April 2017. The duo became an icon pairing, with Phoenix adopting some of Ax's old school ways. I found his character refreshing as each month he'd share his digits with a lucky female fan in the audience. The long flowing hair and 80s band look went a long way in the development of Phoenix's character.

In November of that same year J. Wells and Phoenix orchestrated an attack on Allwardt which lead to Maximum Overdrive's loss of the titles. But Phoenix insured he would still remain a champion. He and Dexter Roswell became the champions as Phoenix joined forces with the DR Party. The two lost the belts and over time grew apart before finally splitting up.

Phoenix's singles run was short-lived as Farmer Billy Hills found himself in need of a tag team partner after he and String Bean won the belts. The masked man was injured and Phoenix stepped in to help. Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager Sam Hunter officially granted Phoenix's request to be Farmer's permanent partner and the two were off to the races, defending the titles against all challengers. In February their run came to an end when old partner and rival Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony won the belts. The new duo's efforts were less than honorable and it didn't take long for Phoenix and Farmer to regain their gold.

That victory earlier this month put Phoenix in the record books. He is now four times the champ as he and Farmer prepare for future title defenses. Phoenix will be in action this Saturday night in Norris City. Be sure to join us for the action.

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AUDIO: In this corner (with Stride Pro Wrestling)

Courtesy: Julie Campbell 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I tried something different on this week's podcast. I set up my equipment in the corner of the locker room of the most recent Stride Pro Wrestling show. Some of the guys stopped by for a quick conversation on indy wrestling.

Check it out here and be sure to join us this Saturday night for the return of the Stride Cup Tournament. We'll see you there. 

 

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Should auld acquaintance be forgot

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's a new year but old feuds are simmering here in Stride Pro Wrestling. New rivalries are starting to heat up too. Everything comes to a head this Saturday night (Jan. 5) at the Stride Pro Wrestling facility at 1130 North Division Street in Carterville.

Heath Hatton and Tony Flood have seemingly been at each other's throats since the inception of Stride back in March 2016. The two unsuccessfully competed for the Heavyweight Title in a fatal four-way match. Now Hatton is the champ, having beaten Flood for the gold. The title will be on the line this weekend.

Another old rivalry pits Ax Allwardt against "The King" Chris Hargas. These two have no love lost, mostly stemming from Hargas' partnership with Allwardt's former manager J. Wellington Beauregard. The two are hellbent on beating the crap out of each other. They'll do just that Saturday.

Farmer Billy Hills and Scott Phoenix are a relatively new duo and the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions. They'll face a couple thorns in their sides in Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. The revamped DR Party looks to unseat the champions after a brutal attack last month.

Two other new feuds featuring auld (old) acquaintances will also be a part of Saturday's show. New Legacy Champion Cash Borden teams up with Wraith to battle Jay Spade and Ryzer. Borden and Spade were friends and partners and Ryzer at one time did much of Wraith's dirty work. Those friendships have been tossed out like last month's Christmas tree. This will be a great grudge match, to say the least.

Be sure to join us Saturday night. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Doors open at 6, bell time is 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there. 

Show your Stride pride and save between Jan. 3 & 7

Harvesting the gold

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Many farmers have been in their fields harvesting their crops for the last month or so. Farmer Billy Hills has also been doing some harvesting, but you won't find his crop of choice growing in the field. Instead, Farmer harvested gold in the form of the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles.

Farmer Billy Hills
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

He and Stringbean won the belts back in September. But Farmer's homegrown partner suffered an injury was no longer able to defend, so now Scott Phoenix has been named the new co-holder of the belts. Phoenix recently found himself at a crossroads, having been kicked out of the DR Party by its founder Dexter Roswell. He also lost the managerial services of J. Wellington Beauregard, so the opportunity to team with Farmer came at the perfect time for Phoenix.

Phoenix & Allwardt

He's been tag team champion with Ax Allwardt, Roswell and now of course Farmer. Phoenix is the only man on the Stride roster to hold the titles with three different partners. He and Farmer work well together and it's good to see Billy take Phoenix under his wing and give him a shot (as they've had a history of not always getting along).

This Saturday night at Christmas Break the champs defend against form champs the Redneck World Order. Hollywood Redneck and Cole James hope to repeat as champs. It'll be a great contest that you can witness live and in person at 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville. Don't forget to bring a pro wrestling action figure for the Stride Pro Wrestling/My 1-2-3 Cents Toy Drive. You could win a prize too! 

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Breaking up is hard to do

Miscommunication...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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One thing in pro wrestling is inevitable. Friendships come crumbling down more often than not. In the 80s the Mega Powers implosion was one of the great breakups in the history of the business. Shawn Michaels throwing Marty Jannetty through the 'Barbershop' window is a defining moment in WWE history. And the Shield has had more breakups than Brock Lesnar has had title defenses in 2018.

The same theory applies to the world of indy wrestling. Stride Pro Wrestling has seen its share of tag team partners split up. A year ago Scott Phoenix betrayed his tag team partner Ax Allwardt as the duo lost the tag championships. Fast forward to this past weekend and the very man Phoenix helped gain the gold has parted ways. 

Former champs
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Dexter Roswell and Phoenix made a great combination. But it was clear in recent months the two were growing apart. They started arguing in public a couple shows ago before the miscue Friday night and Roswell kicking Phoenix out of the DR Party.

I enjoyed the team of Roswell and Phoenix. However, it's time for both men to explore new opportunities as singles stars. They trained together at the Stride Pro Wrestling School a few years ago and graduated together. Sometimes to prove yourself you have to step away from those who supported you most.

Roswell will continue to work to make Stride great again. He's evolved a lot since debuting in 2016. Phoenix continues to grow and develop as a performer too. It'll be good to see what he can do on his own. I have faith neither man is going to disappoint the Stride Pro Wrestling fans.

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Wraith: Silent and violent

Wraith vs. Farmer Billy Hills

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Since debuting on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster in January, Wraith has proven to be one of the most violent competitors here. He plowed through the other competitors in the Stride Cup tournament, betting established stars like Ace Hawkins and Jose Magnifico. Not only did he win the cup but also the Legacy Title. 

Ryzer and Wraith assault Arron Brooks

His defenses have included the likes of Farmer Billy Hills, James Ellsworth and Arron Brooks. The big man (err... ghost) has used his size and power against all of these foes. Wraith has also had some help in the form of Disciple Ryzer. 

This duo has become a dangerous combo on the Stride roster. Together they have inflicted pain and punishment on everyone they've faced including breaking Magnifico's ankle earlier this year. Most recently, Ryzer used the Stride Pro Wrestling championship belt to split open the head of former champ Jay Spade.

This Saturday night at the Wrestling for Sarah fundraiser, Wraith will defend against former tag team champion Scott Phoenix. Can the hair overcome the scare? (Okay, that was a bad joke...) And Ryzer finds himself going one on one with Farmer Billy Hills. Farmer has had issues with both Wraith and Ryzer in recent months, so I imagine this match will also be quite competitive. 

Remember, the show is Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Eldorado High School. Tickets are $10 at the door. See you there. 

A super six man tag team

A Super team

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling returns Saturday night to John A. Logan College. Several great matches have been announced, including a six-man tag team match featuring some pretty super individuals.

The DR Party

'The Man of Tomorrow' Daniel Eads makes his return to Stride. He'll be teaming up with Chris Hargas, who is a huge Superman fan. They'll hit the ring with Farmer Billy Hills who is a super competitor here in Stride Pro Wrestling. This newly formed trio takes on members of the DR Party. At press time, it's expected that Dexter Roswell will lead Brian Richards and Scott Phoenix into this match. They, of course, will be seconded to the ring by J. Wellington Bereaugard. 

I enjoy all six men announced for this match. It'll be interesting to see how Eads works with Farmer and Hargas. Those two have teamed before and opposed each other inside a Stride ring. But with the underhanded tactics the DR Party has displayed in the past, Hargas, Farmer and Eads must all be on the same page during this match. 

Bell time is 6:30 p.m. at John A. Logan College. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Be a part of Stride Pro Wrestling and come cheer for your favorites. 

Daniel Eads: Caged

Daniel Eads

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Earlier in the week, I posted a video about the fatal four-way cage match to determine the new number one contender to the Legacy Championship at Stride Goes Steel in the 'Ville. Since that video, another wrestler has been added to the mix. He will compete against Chris Hargas, Arron Brooks, Scott Phoenix and Cash Borden.

In that original video, I commented on Hargas being the odds-on favorite due to his size and by the virtue of being the former champ. However, with Eads in the mix, the dynamic of the match has changed. He's now the biggest competitor in the cage, standing at 6'4'' and weighing in at around 240 pounds. I've been a fan of Eads since first seeing him compete in 2015 and interviewing him for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. 

I don't know that I've ever seen five guys go at it inside a steel cage with one single winner being declared. It's going to be chaotic, especially with the future of the Legacy Championship on the line. The title has earned a lot of respect here in Stride and everyone involved is hungry for a shot. Hargas is the only former singles champ in Stride in the match. Despite the two big dogs being in the match, don't sell Borden, Phoenix nor Brooks short. Each man has had success in the ring against much larger opponents before.  

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So will be the winner? You'll have to join us at Pinckneyville High School Saturday (May 26). Bell time is 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there. 

J. Wellington Beauregard's message for Stride

J. Wellington Beauregard
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's hard to argue the success of J. Wellington Beauregard. He managed Ax Allwardt to the first ever Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Then he led "Homicidal" Stephen Davis and Frank Wyatt to the first ever tag team championships. Later he would manage Ax and Scott Phoenix to the tag team glory and helped orchestrate the screw job of Ax when the DR Party rose to fame. In fact, he's the money man behind that group too. 

The chain
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now though, J. Wells is without any champions. But he's still in the mix of things, as he handed Bo Sawyer a chain last month that was used in the dethroning of Ax and Heath Hatton as tag team champs. Tonight, Beauregard returns with another episode of his infamous talk show 'Striking Your Fancy.' Cash Borden will be the guest this evening.

The DR Party
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

We're also being promised an appearance by Dexter Roswell and Scott Phoenix. In a Facebook video, Beauregard calls the fans "trash without class" and says we'll all have "our fancies struck" as a result of what happens tonight. I've seen the card and the DR Party is not slated to wrestle, but as you know in the world of pro wrestling, anything can happen. 

Don't miss a second of the action. Tonight's show promises to be huge as we count down to the all cage show in Pinckneyville on Saturday, May 26. We'll see you at 6:30 p.m. tonight (May 5) at Carterville Junior High School.