CCW gives back

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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If I've said it once, I've said it dozens of times (maybe more) one of the things I love about independent wrestling is the willingness for the men and women involved in it to give back. Stride Pro Wrestling and Cape Championship Wrestling both have big fundraisers coming up this month. Today, we're focusing on CCW as the company's annual benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis is coming up Saturday, May 19.

Ashlynn McClure

The Ashlynn McClure Memorial Cup is an eight wrestler tournament put together in memory of the girl who died of cancer in 2013. She was just two years old. Proceeds from this event go to St. Jude's, a hospital that works to help families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. I've been to the hospital before for a news story and can't say enough about the work happening there.

Scheduled to appear: 

Ashlynn McClure Memorial Cup

Marko Stunt vs. CCW Champion "Best of the Best" Austin Lane
Brandon Barbwire vs. Justin "The Juice" Smart
"Farmer" Billy Hills vs. Van "The Man" Van Horn
Jacksyn Crowley vs. Hollis Giroux

CCW Women's Championship

"#Summertime" Sarah Summers
vs.
Marni Gras

Grudge Match

"Sexy" Sarge O'Riley
vs.
Blaster

The show is at the Delta Center in Delta, Missouri. You can get your tickets here. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bell time is 7 p.m. If you're able to make it to the show, please do and support indy wrestling and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

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Wrestling fans: Make some noise!

Rah! Rah!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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When I attended my first WrestleMania in 2006 I did so dressed as a member of the Spirit Squad. The cheerleaders turned wrestlers (sports entertainers) were a part of the Mr. McMahon-Shawn Michaels street fight. I'd never cosplayed for a wrestling event before nor had I gone and cheered as loudly as I did that night. Well, actually the Friday before Mania we got pretty loud at the Ring of Honor show, but I digress...

The point of this blog is to encourage wrestling fans to make some noise when attending live events. Don't be annoying with your fandom, like doing cat calls during a Hall of Fame speech or chanting "What?!?" continuously as someone is trying to cut a promo.

Jerry Travelstead meets Stride Pro Wrestling fans
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

I'm mostly talking about indy wrestling shows. Previous My 1-2-3 Cents podcast guests Dalton Anthony and Asa Gray have talked about this before on their show Pro Wrestling Unscripted on Podzilla 1985. I wholeheartedly agree with that squad. I've been to Stride Pro Wrestling shows and Cape Championship Wrestling shows where you can hear a pin drop. But fear not, it's okay to boo wrestlers you don't like and cheer your favorites. It's the voice of the fan that often helps dictate the journey for those in the ring.

Fans like Cape Championship Wrestling's Sexy Sarge
Courtesy: Tom Harness

The comments made can also have a stronger impact on those men and women in and outside the ring. Don't be a jerk (like launching personal attacks), but definitely make some noise. Stand up and cheer (don't block those behind you) and bring signs (again, don't block those behind you). There's nothing better as a fan (and ring announcer) than to hear the crowd getting into the action. Clap, chant and stomp your feet. We want to hear you because for most of those stepping through the ropes, it's the best way to get energized and ready to perform.

Heath Hatton fan (yes he has one)
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Speaking of the before mentioned indy companies, both are back in action in the coming days. Cape Championship Wrestling's Homecoming 2 is Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Arena Building. Bell time is 7 p.m. And Stride Pro Wrestling's September Fallout is happening on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall. That action starts at 6:30 p.m.