Scariest of All-Time: Wraith

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's day 10 of the countdown and another member of the Stride Pro Wrestling roster to talk about, Wraith. He appeared in January 2018 decked out in black and a mask covering his face. He entered the ring in darkness and made quick work of his opponent, eventually carrying the young man's lifeless body from the ring.

Wraith quickly became established as one of the top wrestlers on the Stride roster, winning both the Stride Cup and the Legacy Championship in one night. His ghoulish behavior continued as he recruited other disciples to join his path of destruction, most notably Ryzer. Wraith dominated most of the year before eventually fading away in 2019.

The word wraith means a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly before or after their death.  Who says wrestling doesn't teach you anything... 

BattleBowl final set

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager Sam Hunter has come up with a new concept for the company. It's a bit like the 1991 BattleBowl: Lethal Lottery event, but with an update. Eight team captains were chosen and each of those captains picked a name at random. 

Those teams did battle Saturday night for rounds one and two of the tournament. The winning team will then face off against each other for a future Stride Heavyweight Championship match. The runner-up team will get a title match against the tag team champions. 

Roger Matheus returns
Courtesy: Jamie Myers

I enjoyed the matchups as we had a chance to see guys on the Stride roster in the ring against each other for the first time. For example, Cash Borden was in there against Ax Allwardt. The other big news of the night was the return of Roger Matheus. In October we thought his career was over after an injury suffered in the ring. But with therapy and training, he's back and bigger, badder and better than ever. 

We now know how that final match is going to shape up. "King" Chris Hargas and Cash Borden will face Heath Hatton and Scott Phoenix on Saturday, July 6 back at the Stride Building (1130 N. Division Street).

Results from the show:

Blaine Black pinned Saveyon Ayers.

The Sin City Saints (Tony Flood & Jay Spade) (c) beat Team Frat Fitness (B-Rad & Will Power).

Battle Bowl: Ax Allward & Ryzer beat Jose Magnifico & Brian Richards.

Battle Bowl: King Hargas & Cash Borden beat Bo Sawyer & Bud Gallows after Jason Tiller interfered.

Battle Bowl: Mr. Anthony & Roger Matheus beat Farmer Billy Hills & Dexter Roswell.

Battle Bowl: Heath Hatton & Scott Phoenix beat Hollywood Redneck & Jason Tiller after Bo Sawyer interfered.

Battle Bowl: Hargas & Cash beat Ax & Ryzer. Ax then turned on Ryzer and gave him a piledriver.

Battle Bowl: Hatton & Phoenix beat Anthony & Matheus.

Red Daniels (c) pinned Wraith to defend the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

Saturday, Bloody Saturday

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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This Saturday night blood will be shed at Strideiversary. It's a guarantee as Wraith and Ryzer will do battle in Stride Pro Wrestling's first ever First Blood Match. The rules are simple, the first wrestler to bleed loses. 

Wraith made the challenge recently, speaking for the first time. He and Ryzer were one time inseparable. But tension grew between the Man from Beyond the Grave and his young disciple. In a contest like this, Wraith seemingly has the advantage. Not only is he bigger than Ryzer, but he also has the benefit of wearing a mask which will clearly be more difficult to draw blood. I'm instantly reminded of Kane vs. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin from King of the Ring 1998. 

However, Ryzer has quickly become a shining star in Stride Pro Wrestling. He was made for this business. He has the look, the passion and the aptitude to go far as a pro wrestler. Wraith is cold and calculating and will do everything in his power to prove a point and hurt the man he brought into Stride. This will be nothing less than a fight between two former friends which always adds to the story. The fans will be invested in this one and on the edges of their seats until someone gets busted open. 

Be a part of Strideiversary. The show is this Saturday night (March 2) at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. See you there!

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Wraith speaks!

Wraith
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Thirteen months ago a masked and mysterious man showed up in Stride Pro Wrestling. For weeks he had not given anyone his name. Then a message came into the Stride Pro Wrestling front office proclaiming the mystery man was to be known as Wraith. 

Wraith & Ryzer
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Wraith dominated his opponents and won the first ever Stride Cup and the Legacy Title on the same night. He also recruited a young disciple named Ryzer. Ryzer was not only a loyalist to Wraith but also served as a mouthpiece.

Ankle lock
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

Then in the fall the two parted ways and have engaged in some brutal altercations. Ryzer distracted Wraith during his Stride Cup match against "The King" Chris Hargas which lead to the first time cup winner to be eliminated. At the end of the night, after Hargas defeated Ryzer to go on to the finals, Wraith reemerged. He snatched the mic from my hand and for the first time spoke. "March 2. First blood match." 

General manager Sam Hunter was standing ringside at the time of this announcement. He nodded and signed off on the match. This tells me how much hate there is between these men and just how personal things have become. Wraith wants to hurt Ryzer and no doubt Ryzer wants to do the same. 

So now it's set on Saturday, March 2 at Strideiversary it'll be Wraith and Ryzer in Stride's first ever First Blood Match. Join us at 600 N. Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois.

Show your Stride pride

Cashing in on the Stride Cup

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In 2018 the first ever Stride Cup tournament happened. Newcomer (at the time) Wraith dominated and not only took the cup but also became the Legacy Champion. That's because Chris Hargas had to vacate the belt due to injury. 

Now, a year later an even larger crop of competitors will go for the Stride Cup. And as Stride General Manager Sam Hunter announced recently on Facebook, the winner of the tournament will also have a guaranteed shot at the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Sixteen men will compete in the opening round this Saturday night at 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville.

The Stride Cup finals will happen on Saturday, March 2 at a location TBD. This is also the third anniversary for the company and other announcements about Strideiversary will be happening at this weekend's event. 

There are several new names in the mix for the tournament including War Bound, Will Power and B-Rad. Last year's winner Wraith and his disciple turned-rival Ryzer will be in along with familiar names like "King" Chris Hargas, Farmer Billy Hills, Scott Phoenix and the new Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. Jay Spade and Legacy Champion Cash Borden and the Red Neck World Order are all scheduled to compete as well. 

Who will advance to the finals? And what's next for the vacated heavyweight title? Find out this Saturday night. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

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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

Why Cash, why?

Cash Borden, Legacy Champion 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Because Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Champion Arron Brooks wasn't able to defend the title at Christmas Break over the weekend, General Manager Sam Hunter stripped the champ of the title. That made way for the main event that included Wraith, Ryzer, Cash Borden and Jay Spade competing for the vacated title. Spade and Borden have teamed up in recent months and there's been a hint of dissension between the two.

That all came to a head Saturday night. Cash didn't show up for the match, despite winning the right to be in the main event earlier in the night in a tag team match with Spade. Then about halfway through a mysterious man, covered from head to toe and carrying a lead pipe returned to ringside. We saw this man earlier hit Heath Hatton with the same pipe to help "King" Chris Hargis and Tony Flood win a tag team match.

Borden wins
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

The mystery man made his way into the ring after Wraith and Ryzer were dumped to the floor and Spade had his back turned. The lead pipe was used and the man unmasked himself to be Cash Borden. Borden proceeded to beat Spade severely and pin him to claim the title.

He cut a scathing promo and demanded I announce him as the new champion more than once. He proceeded to beat the crap out of Spade, bringing true meaning to the term 'Christmas break'. Fans were stunned as we helped Spade back to the locker room. 

Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

I appreciate Borden's help earlier in the year in my battles with Roger Matheus. Cash proved that just because he's not the biggest dog in the fight he's among the toughest. Add in the hardcore matches he's competed in for other companies and you'll understand Cash is the real deal.

I worry what his new attitude is going to look like. 2019 may very well be the year of Cash Borden here in Stride Pro Wrestling. But don't count Spade out just yet. I'm sure he's resolving to straighten out Borden's bad attitude in the New Year.

Don't cry, order today

Will Wraith rise again?

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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At the October Stride Pro Wrestling show, Locker Room Melee, Wraith lost the Legacy Title to Arron Brooks. It was part of a fatal four-way ladder match. Not only did Wraith lose the championship but his disciple and seemingly only friend in Ryzer. The two brawled during the course of the match and at press time do not plan to be together this weekend.

As we've established, Wraith doesn't have much to say. In fact, we've never heard the man from beyond the grave speak. However, his actions speak clearly. He's been one of Stride's most dominant wrestlers in the nearly three-year history of the company. He won the Stride Cup tournament and the Legacy Title on the same night and had numerous successful defenses before dropping the gold.

That being said, you can't underestimate Brooks. He'll go into Saturday's title defense prepared to retain. He's said before he wants to be a fighting champion and this will mark his second defense since winning the belt less than a month ago. He retained against Joey O'Riley a couple of weeks ago. 

You won't want to miss any of the action. We're at the new Stride Pro Wrestling Arena at 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville. It's an intimate set up with no bad seat in the house. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there.

 

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My variations of WWE's 'World Cup'

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm having some fun with the upcoming World Cup tournament WWE has planned for the Crown Jewel event. I'm staying away from the controversy surrounding the location. (For the record, I think it's a good idea to move the event.) Since all the competitors were born and raised in the USA, I decided to offer up some alternatives from both WWE, Impact Wrestling and the indy scene. 

WWE Current Roster (NXT included)
Daniel Bryan - USA
Kevin Owens - Canada 
Pete Dunn - United Kingdom
Finn Balor - Ireland
Cesaro - Sweden
Andrade “Cien” Almas - Mexico
Rusev - Bulgaria 
Jinder Mahal - India

WWE Legends (Competed in the 80s or 90s)
Sgt. Slaughter - USA
Tito Santana - Mexico
British Bulldog - United Kingdom
Iron Sheik - Iran
Nikolai Volkoff - Russia
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper - Scotland
Yokozuna - Japan
Andre the Giant - France

WWE 80s & 90s Lower to Mid Carders
Cpl. Kirschner - USA
Outback Jack - Australia
Tiger Chung Lee - Japan
Killer Khan - Mongolia 
SD Jones - Antigua and Barbuda
Giant González - Argentina 
Boris Zhukov - Russia
Tony Garea - New Zealand

Impact Wrestling (Past & Present)
Kurt Angle - USA
Bobby Roode - Canada
Konnan - Mexico
Taiji Ishimori - Japan
Rob Terry - United Kingdom
Bhupinder Singh - India

Grado - Scotland
Basile Barka - France

Stride Pro Wrestling (four men, double elimination)
Heath Hatton - USA
Tony Flood - Canada
Jose Magnifico - Mexico
Wraith - Punjabi, India (his fall residence) 

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Climbing to success

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The very first time the Legacy Title was on the line it was in a ladder match. It happened in Pinckneyville, Illinois when Jerry Travelstead beat Tony Flood in the tournament finals. Now, nearly two years later the belt is on the line again, in a ladder match and in the same exact place, Community Consolidated School District 204.

This time, Wraith faces three men; Arron Brooks, Jay Spade and Wraith's sidekick Ryzer. All four men have had issues with one another all summer long. It all started after Brooks won the number one contendership for the belt at Stride Goes Steel. Spade and Ryzer started an issue not long after that. In fact, Ryzer prevented Spade from regaining the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title from Tony Flood. So now, GM Sam Hunter is forcing all four guys to work out their differences in a match that has the potential to steal the show Saturday night.

I don't think I'm speaking out of turn, but I believe this is the first ladder match for all four men, at least here in Stride. That I know for sure. We've seen Ryzer, Brooks and Spade all climb that top rope and even scale the cage at Stride Goes Steel. There's no fear factor among anyone involved here. Plus, each man wants a piece of the championship pie. Ryzer and Brooks have never held gold here while Spade has been a tag team champion in addition to the Heavyweight champion.

What I'm looking forward to seeing is how Ryzer and Wraith work together. Ryzer has been a flunkie of sorts for Wraith since they paired up in March. He's a huge factor as to why Wraith still holds the Legacy Title. Case in point, the video above. Will Ryzer still help Wraith win no matter what, or could he have an appetite for gold? And what personality will Brooks bring to the ring with him that night?

Find out this Saturday night. CCSD 204 in Pinckneyville is the place to be. Bell time is 6:30 (come early for a meet and greet with Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee Abyss) Learn more here. 

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TerroRYZERING Arron Brooks

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Yeah, I know the title is a bit lame, but it's to illustrate a point. Since Arron Brooks became the number one contender to the Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Title in May, champion Wraith and his main man Ryzer have done everything possible to make Brooks' life a nightmare. I'd go so far as to say Ryzer has done most of the heavy lifting here, which is understandable since for some reason he's under the control of Wraith.

Wraith and Ryzer
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Brooks has been beaten up and attacked by Ryzer a couple of times, including taking a shot to the head from Ryzer with the Legacy Title. This lead to Wraith successfully defending the belt. Most recently, Wraith and Ryzer joined forces in tag team competition. Again, the duo from beyond the grave overcame Spade and Brooks. 

Brooks vs. Ryzer
Courtesy: John Cramner and Dewayne Daniels

Now, this Friday night (Sept. 21) Brooks gets his hands one on one against Ryzer. I know there's a lot of pent-up rage and anger that will come Ryzer's way. Brooks will likely deploy a ground assault with a flurry of kicks before heading to the top rope. However, Ryzer is no slouch. His first year in Stride has been impressive so far. Simply put, he won't take any abuse from Brooks without returning it in extreme amounts. The two have met in singles competition before so this rematch will be an interesting one to watch.

Wraith could, of course, be a factor in this match. Will he return the favors he owes his charge? Or will he be too busy worrying about Cash Borden who gets a title shot Friday night too? My advice to Brooks, have an ally nearby. You never know what tactics a desperate man or spirit will use to win. Be there Friday night at Gallatin County High School for all the action.

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