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! 

My 2019 wish for the WWE Women's Division

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WWE has come a long way over the past few years in terms of women's wrestling. I know some will point out how it's long overdue. I agree with that sentiment, but that's not the point of this blog. Instead, I'm going to address the talk of creating WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. 

I haven't seen it reported, so I don't know if it has but I'm assuming each brand will have the championships, just like there's a SmackDown and Raw women's champion. However,  as a fan, here's how I'd like to see the Women's Division treated in 2019.

1. Create a Women's Divison show for the Network. Much like 205 Live and NXT, this could bring more eyeballs to the Network. I'd also add a couple more women's only pay-per-views or Network specials.  Women would still compete regularly on Raw & SmackDown as well and the big four for sure. (I get that there are so many hours in a week to get something like this accomplished so I'm not holding my breath.)

2. On this Women's show, there would be one WWE (or World's) Champion, an Intercontinental Champion and the Tag Team Champions. I don't believe there are enough women on the current roster to support two separate women's divisions with champions on both shows. 

3. Give us Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch for the main event of WrestleMania 35. This can happen. It needs to happen. I can't imagine a better never-before-seen match for WrestleMania than this one. Please, please save these two. Don't let them have any physicality until the bell rings at MetLife Stadium in April. 

I know most of this is wishful thinking, but that's the point of having a blog. What do you want to see happen in the women's division in 2019?

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VIDEO: Evolving to Evolution

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It's another #AskMy123Cents. This time Matt Nelson asks, 

To you, what steps does the WWE need to make in order to make you actually believe they are serious about the Evolution/Revolution?

Instead of Debra, how about Luna

Debra & Luna

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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New WWE fans are likely impressed with the state of women's wrestling in the company. But it hasn't always been this way. Long before Hell a Cell, the Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank, the ladies on the WWE roster competed in pillow fights, bra and panty matches and pools filled with pudding, mud or even gravy. I'm not discrediting anyone's work during the Attitude Era, but bust size played a bigger role in pushes than work rate.

Debra with Jeff Jarrett
Courtesy: WWE

Such is the case in 1999. Sable was the WWE Women's Champion at the time. She and Debra engaged in an evening gown match where the idea is to strip your opponent, not unlike the old tuxedo matches. In this instance, Debra was stripped down to her bra and panties and should have lost the match. However, Shawn Michaels, who was GM or commissioner at the time declared Debra the winner, I'm guessing because he was impressed with her 'puppies.'

Luna
Courtesy: WWE

Debra was never a regular wrestler in the ring. That's why I would have rather seen Luna Vachon have a run as WWE Women's Champion. She was one of the hardest working women in that era and a trailblazer for today's wrestling scene. She and Sable had feuded, but for some reason, the company never switched the title to Luna. 

She was a square peg trying to fit in a round hole at the time. Luna was not the cookie cutter 'diva'. She stood out and she had the skills to succeed. Luna would have made a wonderful champion and could have helped break the stereotypes of late 90s women's wrestling. That stigma took quite some time to break.

Previous 'Instead of' blogs

Instead of Slaughter, how about Jake?

Instead of Hart, how about Von Erich?

Instead of Garvin, how about Windham?

Instead of Diesel, how about Bulldog?

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Show me the Moolah or maybe not

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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By now you've seen the news that WWE had announced the first ever Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal. It was designed to be a tribute to the longest reigning champion in women's wrestling, and a female version of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal that was established in 2014. However, there was fan backlash and WrestleMania sponsor Mars (Snicker's) released this statement:

We were recently made aware of the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc’s (WWE) decision to honor a former wrestler during the upcoming WrestleMania 34 event. As a principle-based business that has long championed creating inclusive environments that encourage and empower everyone to reach their full potential, this is unacceptable. We are engaging with the WWE to express our disappointment.

The battle royal will still happen, but now will be called the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal. I like the idea of honoring a legend in this way. Several of Moolah's trainees have accused the now-deceased Superstar of keeping their earnings and pimping them out to male wrestlers. But is this the right call to make. I'm simply going to play Devil's advocate for the rest of this discussion.

Mad Maxine, a Moolah trainee and accuser
Courtesy: WWE

Yes, change the name

Because of everything going on in Hollywood and beyond, reacting to allegations of abuse is the right thing to do. Moolah has been dead for more than a decade and obviously can't defend herself against the allegations.

Frankly, I was surprised the company made the plan in the first place. When the women's tournament last year was named after Mae Young and not Moolah, I made the assumption it was due to the past allegations. This situation is not new.

Moolah
Courtesy: WWE

No, leave Moolah alone

Remember innocent until proven guilty. Society typically takes the word of the accuser over the accused. That's not to say we shouldn't. But in my own personal experiences, I've seen reports of sexual abuse reported and the accuser later recant their statement. Lives are destroyed in these situations.

Pro wrestling is an interesting form of entertainment. In my 1-2-3 cents, many fans don't separate the character from the person playing that character. Case in point, Mary Lillian Ellison is the woman behind the Moolah character. She's the one who allegedly treated her trainees, not the woman we came to love to hate to love again on WWE programming. 

I'll lump that in with the Ultimate Warrior too. I know he legally changed his name to Warrior and years ago made several homophobic and other statements that some people found offensive. Now he's in the WWE Hall of Fame and has an award named in his honor. But again, I view the statements made by the man different than what was done in the ring.

It's not unlike the Bill Cosby situation.  I know some networks have pulled the plug on the Cosby Show. Dr. Cliff Huxatable isn't accused of drugging women and taking advantage of them, Cosby is. Plus when pulling the show the other actors, writers and crew members are being punished.

No one discredits the Joker for Heath Ledger's overdose death. However, when Sherri Martel's name was brought up to have the Battle Royal named after her, some discredit Sherri because of her addiction issues. But to that, I say addiction is a disease and would we be critical of someone who had cancer due to years of smoking? Or liver problems because they're an alcoholic? I realize I'm on a slippery slope at this point and a whole different argument can be made for addiction and substance abuse issues. I'll save that discussion for another day...

Again, I get that wrestling is different from the rest of Hollywood. Changing the name is probably the best for everyone involved. I'll close with this. I applaud WWE giving the Women's Division more opportunities. However, instead of copying everything the men have done (Money in the Bank, Elimination Chamber and Royal Rumble) I'd like to see some other kind of new and innovative match that's exclusive for the women. Let the male Superstars play catchup in that regard. I have no ideas for this women's match, just something I'd like to see WWE Creative come up with soon.

Sherri was sensational

WWF Women's Champion
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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March 8 is International Women's Day. There have been a number of remarkable women in the world of professional wrestling. From the "Fabulous" Moolah to Elizabeth to Trish Stratus and current stars like Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Mickey James; the evolution of women's wrestling has been amazing.

Sherri in the AWA 

One woman who I've come to appreciate much more since her untimely death in 2007 is "Sensational" Sherri Martel. I remember when she first came onto my wrestling radar in the AWA. It was 1985 or so and women's wrestling was enjoying a bit of a resurgence thanks in part to Moolah and Wendi Richter in the WWF. One thing I learned was Sherri was not related to AWA World Champion Rick Martel. But another lesson learned was she was quite a talent in the ring.

Sherri vs. Moolah
Courtesy: WWE

Even though more women's matches were being broadcast on TV, the division was still grossly understaffed and underrated. Because of that (I'm assuming) Sherri transitioned into a manager too, leading "Playboy" Buddy Rose and "Pretty Boy" Doug Sommers to the AWA tag team championships. Meanwhile, in the WWF, the ladies were getting some more love and Sherri jumped ship, beating Moolah for the women's championship.

Sherri as Peggy Sue
Courtesy: WWE

It seemed that rebirth in the WWF was shortlived too, with Sherri once again returning to her managerial background. She donned a wig, sunglasses and a poodle skirt to be a backup for the Honky Tonk Man for a brief time. But she was most notable for managing the "Macho Man" Randy Savage, becoming "Sensational Queen" Sherri after Savage and Elizabeth split. But the kingdom crumbled and she took on Ted DiBiase as a client and later Shawn Michaels. 

Sensational Queen
Courtesy: WWE

Sherri would leave WWF and go to WCW to manage Ric Flair and Harlem Heat. Her time in the business was nothing short of impressive. Like I said, I've come to better appreciate Sherri posthumously, but I do remember when she was managing she often took bigger and better bumps than some of her male colleagues. Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Dusty Rhodes are just a few of the Superstars who felt Sherri's wrath or dealt out punishment to the former women's champion.

Sherri's HOF induction
Courtesy: WWE

In 2006 I was fortunate enough to be in the audience the night Sherri was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Sadly, a year later she was gone. But her legacy will live on not only as a professional wrestler but as one of the most beloved and talented managers of all time.

Ladies' night at the Royal Rumble

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I realize I'm a few days late with this, but I did want to weigh in on the announcement from Monday night with the all-women Royal Rumble match coming up next month. 

As mentioned in this week's Pro Wrestling Unscripted podcast it's a great move by WWE. But the execution of the announcement was nonsensical. A brawl involving several of the women on the Raw roster was interrupted by Stephanie McMahon. She announced the history-making match and the ladies all seemed to be overcome with the news and stopped their fighting. In fact, they all celebrated in the ring.

We've talked about an all-female Rumble before. Earlier this year, listener Devin Dinkins posed the question on an Ask My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. It's a great move by the company, which has done women matches in the Hell in a Cell and Money in the Bank. The Royal Rumble only makes sense.

I'm not going to speculate yet on a winner until all the competitors are announced. Early favorites have already picked Ronda Rousey. I don't have a problem with that as I believe a match between her and Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania could actually be the main event. Main eventing WrestleMania will be the last major accomplishment for the women's division. 

There are plenty of talented women on the current roster, including NXT and from the Mae Young Classic. There's also a lot of Legends and indy stars who could and should be included in the Royal Rumble. Something else to note, I'm a believer that champions should be in the Rumble match too. In my 1-2-3 cents, it's logical that the Universal or WWE Champion or in this case the Raw or SmackDown Live Womens' champions to want a shot at their counterpart for the gold. I know for the time being WWE will not unify any championships and the champ in the Rumble wouldn't have to win. I'm just speaking from a logic standpoint. 

Who do you think will enter and win the first Women's Royal Rumble match? We'll discuss more on the podcast and here on the blog in the coming weeks.

Carmella is money

Ms. Money in the Bank, again
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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As suspected, Carmella has won the WWE's second ever Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. This, of course, was the rematch from last week's event on pay per view. Storyline wise the "do over" match was needed because of the interference by James Ellsworth. In my 1-2-3 cents, it's because of the backlash from fans who were upset that a man "won" the first ever women's version of the match.

Chairwoman
Courtesy: WWE

Right now there are plans for me to voice more of my feelings on that situation on any upcoming Positive Cynicism podcast with Chad, so I'll save all it for that show in the coming weeks. However, WWE made the right decision banking on Carmella. Admittedly she's one of those characters I didn't think was going to make it after debuting on SmackDown Live last year. When she was first drafted (last I might add) she seemed out of place without her NXT buddies Enzo and Big Cass.

In fact, up until a couple months ago, I was still holding out for WWE to do a reunion of sorts for that trio. But then the genius idea came about to pair her with Ellsworth. The combo has been gold. I'm thoroughly entertained by these two and Carmella has stepped up her game both in the ring and on the mic. I also really dig the money printed gear she's wearing too.

Airborne
Courtesy: WWE

I had picked Carmella a couple weeks ago to win the MITB because I believed her character was most fit to portray the Ms. Money in the Bank character. The build to an eventual cash-in will be amazing and only topped by Carmella becoming the SmackDown Live Women's Champion. She's a classic case of a Superstar I wasn't high on at first and becoming a fan of in the long run. So maybe there's still hope for Baron Corbin...

Do over: Money in the Bank women's edition

Preparing for MITB Part 2
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The women of SmackDown Live are getting a second chance to do their historic Money in the Bank ladder match. The first encounter over the weekend ended with James Ellsworth climbing the ladder, grabbing the briefcase and dropping it into the waiting arms of Carmella. 

Returning SDL General Manager Daniel Bryan ruled that Carmella has to hand over the briefcase. The reason: Ellsworth interrupted one of the most important moments in the history of women's wrestling in WWE. The moment will now be "re-lived" on SmackDown Live on June 27.

Ellsworth grabs the case
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

All five of the original participants will compete in the match, Carmella, Tamina, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Natalya. In my 1-2-3 cents, Carmella will win again. It makes no sense to take the case away from her and keep her in the rematch. If she cheated and did things that are "unprecedented", wouldn't it make more sense to keep her out of the second match as a punishment? Or perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

The cynic in me wonders if this was the original plan or if WWE is responding to the backlash online. I heard several complaints that a man interfering in the match was a setback for the women's wrestling movement within the company. I don't necessarily agree with that point of view, but I certainly understand it. Remember, it's all a work, no matter how we get to the end result.

Ms. Money in the Bank
Courtesy: WWE

Carmella is the best suited for the Ms. Money in the Bank gimmick. Her character has come a long way since debuting on the main roster and she and Ellsworth work very well together. The promo she cut on the post-MITB SmackDown Live was her best yet. This is just a minor setback for the couple and I have no doubt Carmella will make a fabulous SmackDown women's champion sooner rather than later. You can bank on that.

Girl Fight coming to Cape Girardeau

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Look out southeast Missouri. The first ever Girl Fight Luna Vachon Memorial Tournament is coming to Cape Girardeau. It's part of the big Cape Comic Con celebration happening April 21-23. The Girl Fight kicks off the weekend. The show is Friday night at the AC Brase Building at Arena Park. 

Lil Bit vs. Sarah Summers (Stride Pro Wrestling)
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Eight of the best female wrestlers on the independent scene will be a part of this unique event. Scheduled to appear, familiar faces in CCW Sarah Summers, Lil Bit and Nikki Lane. Indy favorites like Amazing Maria, Miss Monica and Ruby Raze will be joined by former NXT Star "Blue Pants" Leva Bates and former TNA star Mickie Knuckles (who I once ate dinner with at Applebee's many years ago).

Mickie Knuckles
Courtesy: Mickie "Moose" Knuckles Facebook page

All eight of these women are highly talented and have what it takes to win this tournament. I've had a chance to see half of these competitors in action through the years. And picking a winner is not easy. But Mickie Knuckles has to be a favorite here. As Jim Ross would say, she's tougher than a two dollar steak and just as fearless. I know it's cliche, but the real winners will be the fans. They will witness eight of the best who will do what it takes to win this special tournament to honor of the wrestling's most unique and iconic women in Luna Vachon.

After the winner is crowned, Final Drive and Eurydice will take the stage and perform a concert. Tickets for both shows are just $10. Head here for more details. And come back the next night for the CCW Super Show.

A 'Little Bit' about Marni Gras

Marni Gras ready for action
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Long before the Divas Revolution/Women's Evolution in WWE, women's wrestling has been a big part of the independent scene. Stride Pro Wrestling is building a roster of women too. Sarah Summers will step into the ring Saturday night and team with Farmer Billy Hills to battle three other teams in a Fatal Four Way Tag Team Turmoil match for the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles. 

Marni vs. Summers
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Last month, Summers did battle with Stride newcomer Marni Gras. For fans who think Marni looks familiar, there's a good reason. She also wrestles in Cape Championship Wrestling as Little Bit. She's already put it out there that she's returning this Saturday night, but says "I just can't figure out which personality is going to show up." We do know the opponent will be the always dangerous Alexxa Flood. We've seen here in battles with not just Summers, but Farmer too. 

Marni gets aggressive
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Marni will need to come to Stride with her A game. Last time she was her, she gave Summers a very competitive match. I've also seen her compete at CCW and have been impressed. Her downfall in March though was when she tried to take a shortcut. Summers turned the tables on an attempt to throw glitter and Marni ended up being blinded and pinned.

The women of Stride Pro Wrestling
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

It'll be interesting to see which woman goes to the well for something underhanded first because both Flood and Marni have a reputation for bending the rules. It's all good though as adding more women to the Stride Pro Wrestling roster is definitely a good thing. Little Bit will be a part of Cape Championship Wrestling's first ever Girl Fight. It's the Luna Vachon Memorial Tournament and part of a huge weekend of wrestling coming to southeast Missouri (April 21 & 22). Listen to Monday's podcast for more details on that show. 

My plans for the WWE Women's Division

Women's Championship
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Allow me to do a little fantasy booking with WrestleMania and the Women's Division. I know the likelihood of any of this actually happening is nil, but I had fun coming up with a plan that I know WWE could easily execute. I'm no booker, so I'd have to rely on WWE Creative to fill in the gaps of my plan.

Asuka
Courtesy: WWE

It all starts with NXT Saturday night before WrestleMania 33. Asuka drops the Women's Championship to Ember Moon. Later in the night we see Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan speaking to the former champion backstage. Fast forward to Sunday at WrestleMania and just before the Women's Championship match, Bryan announces that Asuka has agreed to the terms of a SmackDown Live contract and has joined the roster. She goes on to win the title that night.

Charlotte Flair
Courtesy: WWE

The Raw Women's Championship match comes down to Bayley and Charlotte Flair. Charlotte pulls off the win and regains the gold. The next night on Raw, Charlotte vows to never lose the Women's Championship and talks about how she's the most dominant female of all time. Cue Daniel Bryan's music. He and Shane McMahon come to the ring along with the new SmackDown Live Women's champ, Asuka. 

At some point during the back and forth, Stephanie makes her way to the ring too. Daniel gets to his point and lays down a challenge. A best of seven series between Charlotte and Asuka to unify the Women's Championship. The winning brand's champion then gets the women's division exclusively on their show.

Courtesy: WWE

Steph and Charolette finally accept and the matches will rotate between Raw and SmackDown Live. Of course we'll go to seven matches, with the championship to be determined either at Money in the Bank (because I'll be there) or a special event that features matches from both brands so there's no 'home field advantage'. During the course of the series, Charlotte reforms the Four Horsemen to help run interference. Sasha Banks (who works better as a heel IMO), Nia Jax and Natalya make up the new group. Stephanie "buys" Nattie's contract out from under the noses of Bryan and Shane.

Honestly, I don't really care who wins it all, I just want to see the women all on the same brand to offer more variety of matches, especially on Raw shows.