My 1-2-3 Cents

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

WWE and CBS Sports have announced legendary tag team The Rock 'n Roll Express will be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017. I had seen rumors of this happening earlier in the year, but it's now official. It's a well deserved honor for Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, but I'll admit I'm a bit surprised by the decision only because the team was primarily an NWA/WCW team although they had a few matches in WWF in the 90s.

Early success

When I started watching wrestling in 1983 the Rock 'n Roll Express had just been created. I read about them in the Apter magazines before they came to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1985. They were the hottest team on the scene, quickly winning tag team gold and feuding with the likes of the Koloffs, The Midnight Express and the Four Horsemen.

Still rockin'
Courtesy: WWE

The duo had singles matches against NWA Champion Ric Flair during the Great American Bash too, with both Morton and Gibson being over with fans as they battled the hated champion. Reading the highlights in those Apter mags, it always seemed like Morton was "this close" to winning the gold. Personally I was a WWF guy in those days and prefered the British Bulldogs, Hart Foundation and Demolition to the Rock 'n Roll Express. Even in NWA matches, I liked The Midnight Express as they had some epic battles against each other.

Ricky & Robert in 2014

When I was working in Alabama in 1998 I had a chance to meet the New Rock 'n Roll Express. It was Morton and his "son". I don't remember the gimmicked name for the wrestler, but he later turned out to be Kid Kash. Morton was very friendly and granted me a quick interview that night, I enjoyed meeting him a lot. In 2014 Chad and I watched as Morton and Gibson captured the NWA tag team titles again at the NWA Midsouth show in New Orleans during WrestleMania XXX week.

Congratulations to both Morton and Gibson on getting the nod for the Hall of Fame, without a doubt the Rock 'n Roll Express will go down as one of the greatest tag teams in the history of the business.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Hatton's triple threat

Ax Allwardt, Roger Matheus & Chris Hargas
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The stage is being set for the next contender for the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Three men are going into battle this Saturday night (Feb. 11) for the right to call themself the number one contender. Former champion Ax Allwardt battles “Big” Roger Matheus and Chris Hargas in a triple threat match.

Ax vs. Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Allwardt could have a distinct advantage in this matchup, as he won the Stride Pro Wrestling Championship in a fatal fourway nearly a year ago. Plus he has the devious and determined J. Wellington Beauregard in his corner. Ax is hungry and bitter after losing the gold at the Redbird Rumble in November.

Matheus vs. Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But Roger Matheus is tougher than a two dollar steak. He and Chris Hargas have had epic battles in the Stride ring for months. He’s the biggest dog in this fight and has made it clear he wants to win the championship. As the third member of the Midwest Mafia, you can’t take Red Daniels and “Hitman” Jake Capone out of the equation.

Hargas vs. Matheus
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

You can't count out Hargas. He's got all the tools needed to win this match and go on to capture the title. Strength, speed and charisma are just some of the hallmarks of this seasonsed star. His matches against Matheus have put both men to the test and given each an opportunity to shine.

No matter who wins this triple threat, I feel sorry for champion Heath Hatton. He’s going to have one helluva hard time when the number one contender cashes in on a title match. Be sure to join us Saturday night. You won’t want to miss it.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Can Phoenix rise again?

Scott Phoenix wins!
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

One of the recent graduates of Stride Pro Wrestling, Scott Phoenix is gearing up for a big battle against Farmer Billy Hills. The two will meet in the ring Saturday night (Feb. 11) at the CMA Dojo at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Bell time as always is 6:30 p.m.

Phoenix rose to the occasion by winning a fatal four-way in November to earn the right to face Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Champion, Jerry Travelstead. That championship match didn't go well for the up and comer, as Travelstead retained the title at the December show. Now Phoenix is working to find his way once again, recently teaming up with fellow Damage Inc. stablemate Ax Allwardt. That duo showed promise, but Ax has bigger fish to fry (that post is coming soon).

Farmer vs. Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

So now Phoenix faces his biggest challenge (physically speaking) in Farmer. The former number one contender to the Stride Pro Wrestling Championship remains one of the most popular stars on the Stride roster. He took champ Heath Hatton to the limit last month. Farmer too is hungry for gold and will no doubt have something to prove in this matchup against Phoenix.

Phoenix and Beauregard
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Farmer has the upper hand on experience as Phoenix is still in his rookie year in the business. But don't underestimate the underhanded tactics Phoenix and his manager J. Wellington Beauregard will employ to pick up a win. Beating Hills would be a huge feather in Scott's hat. There's plenty at stake for both men and their future in Stride.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Borden cashes in

Cash Borden
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Stride Pro Wrestling returns to the CMA Dojo in the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion, Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 11. Several big matches have been announced that night including the tag team championship main event. Team Triple X defends against The Midwest Mafia. Mafia member Red Daniels will be on Monday's podcast, so stay tuned for that.

Another championship will be defended that night. Jerry Travelstead puts the Legacy Title on the line against Cash Borden. The former half of Boyz in da Hood gets a shot at the championship after beating his former partner Dalton Diamond at the January show.

Diamond vs. Borden
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Diamond was under the impression that just because T-Dogg couldn't defend the title due to his injuries after being attacked prior to the show, that he'd be handed the gold. Instead, Dalton was put into a match against his former best friend and partner Borden. Cash picked up the win and now finds himself as the number one contender.

Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Now for My 1-2-3 Cents on this matter. Even though I didn't agree with their tactics inside (or outside) the ring, I liked duo of Borden and Diamond. Their chemistry was genuine as these two longtime friends clearly loved working together. I don't know what caused these two to part ways, but I have to believe Diamond's violation of the Stride Pro Wrestling wellness policy played a factor.

Jerry wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Borden is an accomplished indy wrestler. Even though he has years of experience, he still has youth on his side. He's hungry for gold and will no doubt give Travelstead everything he has. But Jerry isn't going to take this challenge lightly. He's worked hard to prove himself as a worthy champion and discredit the negativity spewed recently by Tony Flood.

Saturday, Feb. 11 will be a helluva night. Will Borden cash in and create a legacy of his own? Join us that night and find out. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Snapping into accountability

I'm Hunsperger on Snapchat

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I've decided to continue on with my monthly fitness/wellness updates. I started doing these posts in January 2016 as a way to hold myself accountable. My hope was putting myself out there I would be more likely to reach my goals. It worked for the first half of the year and then I crashed and burned. I stopped hitting the gym (although I kept a run streak intact) and my healthier eating habits plunged.

In 2017 I decided I would indeed still try to "find my abs", but I'm not so wrapped up in the mission like before. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I joined an accountability club on Snapchat run by a trainer named Chad Williams (@AntrhoChad on Twitter).

I got involved in the group because I don't have a schedule that allows me to have a workout buddy or running partner on a regular basis. I get off work at 10 a.m. when most of my friends are just starting their workday. With the Accountability Club, we snap the group when a workout or other goal is achieved. Sending that green checkmark is a highlight of my day and an accomplishment. I also love seeing others reach their daily goals.

Club members encourage each other before, during and after workouts. We also answer each others questions related to health, fitness or nutrition. Chad has done a great job keeping everyone connected and motivated. That motivation is contagious and uplifting snaps are sent throughout the day. I'm still running each day (today is day 277) and I've lost just over four pounds.

Courtesy: BuzzFeed

I will say I ate more fast food this past month than I normally eat. I submitted to White Castle, Taco John's, Lion's Choice and Taco Bell (damn that new naked chicken chalupa) in January. There's also my sweet tooth and Craft Beer Fridays.

But I'm not giving up by any means. Here's to the Accountability Club and new success in February. At least until the Girl Scout Cookies come in...

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Hustle!

Courtesy: @GaryVee

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter