Hell in a Cell 2017 predictions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've talked before about not being a big fan of the Hell in a Cell as a pay per view event. I love the match and in my 1-2-3 cents, it's a time to settle a score. Not every rivalry needs to end up there and instead of it being a yearly mandate, it should be a more organic and natural progression to the match. I still like the idea of Halloween Havoc replacing HIAC as a yearly event, but I digress. We're hours away from this year's HIAC, so here are my quick picks.

Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin will beat the Hype Bros and the heel turn of Zack Ryder will be complete.

Bobby Roode will defeat Dolph Ziggler. I like both of these guys and still believe Roode's Glorious gimmick is better suited for a heel. 

Natalya will retain against Charlotte Flair. I like the idea of building more of a rivalry between these two. I want Natalya's run to mean something and not just be a transitional champion. 

Rusev will beat Randy Orton. He needs the win.

AJ Styles will beat (I hope) Baron Corbin. AJ, of course, doesn't need the U.S. Championship. I can't imagine Corbin's alleged 'dog-house' time is over yet, but stranger things have happened.

Shane McMahon will beat Kevin Owens in the Hell in a Cell falls-count-anywhere match. I've gone back and forth on this, but with the falls-count-anywhere stipulation, more McMahons can interfere and help Shane win and get redemption for his family. 

The New Day will retain against the Usos in the second Hell in a Cell match. I like both teams, but I'd rather New Day move forward as champs.

Shinsuke Nakamura will win the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal. I've grown bored of Mahal. I'd like to see what WWE does with Nakamura as champ and hopefully, this puts the wheels in motion for a program with AJ.

What are your picks? Weigh in here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

But wait, there's more...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Friday night, Stride Pro Wrestling put on one helluva wrestling show. Rasslin in the Ville was a fundraiser for Community Consolidated 204. Even though I was unable to attend, I've heard from fans and wrestlers alike that it was an amazing show. 

Plumlee, Steamboat and T-Dog
Courtesy: Angela & John Furlow

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat served as the special guest referee for that paddle on a pole match between Dexter Roswell and Jerry "T-Dog" Travelstead. As you can see, T-Dog won that match and his friend and tag team partner Josh Plumlee got to get a few whacks on Roswell. This was revenge for "Stone Cold Plumster" after he suffered a concussion at the hands of Roswell's DR Party at a recent Stride show.

New Legacy Champion

Tony Flood was silenced when Heath Hatton beat him to capture the Legacy Title. If you recall, Hatton and GM Sam Hunter's careers were on the line in this contest. Hatton becomes the first Stride wrestler to hold both singles championships in the company.

Matheus vs. Spade
Courtesy: Jamie Myers

Jay Spade beat "Big" Roger Matheus by disqualification in a match for the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Because of that ending, Spade has been granted a rematch Saturday night, Oct. 14 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall. But there's a twist this time. It'll be the first time the Stride title has been defended in a best two-out-of-three falls match. I love these types of matches and I have no doubt Matheus will do what it takes to come out as champion as Spade will do whatever it takes to win his first singles title in Stride.

Also planned for Saturday night, Maximum Overdrive defends the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championships in a fatal four-way featuring the DR Party (who will J. Wellington Beauregard cheer for?), AT Brooks and Joey O'Riley and El Magnifico and JD Wilk. And Chris Hargas gets his hands on Red Daniels in a grudge match.

In my 1-2-3 cents more matches will be announced. Since it is the last show prior to Halloween, Stride officials are encouraging fans to come in costume. It's going to be a fun night for sure. See you there!

Fun Fact Friday: Jose Magnifico

Magnifico and I dance before a match

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The pride and joy of Mexico, Missouri has been bringing smiles to the Stride Pro Wrestling audience almost since day one. I'm talking of course about Jose Magnifico. The luchador comes to the ring with a sombrero, surape and pinata each month. Fans embrace him as he works hard to get everyone in the audience involved. I've even had a chance to dance with Magnifico after announcing him in the ring.

I'll admit putting together this week's Fun Fact Friday with Magnifico was a little tough. I minored in Spanish in college, but that was 25 years ago that I was taking classes. So I'm hoping I didn't mess up the translation of his answers. 

In-flight
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

1. Although he's a talented professional wrestler, El Magnifico always wanted to be a baseball player. 

2. When he's not at his home in Mexico, Missouri or in the ring for Stride Pro Wrestling and IWA Productions, you'll find Magnifico taking long walks on the beaches of Arizona. (His words, not mine. Again I think there may be something lost in the translation.) 

3. Magnifico loves roller coasters and water parks. I've never seen him at the water park, but I imagine he gets some looks as he strolls around in his lucha mask and speedo. 

Created by Sam Hunter

Later tonight (Friday, Oct. 6), Magnifico steps into the ring against DR Party member Brian Richards. The two are a part of Stride Pro Wrestling's Rasslin' in the Ville fundraiser. Don't forget, bell time is 6:30 p.m., but arrive at 5 for a meet and greet with WWE Hall of Famer, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.

Taking the bully by the horns

Farmer vs. JD Wilk
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The phrase "take the bull by the horns" is defined this way: "to deal bravely and decisively with a difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant situation." That definition embodies the spirit of JD Wilk. He will be taking a bully by the horns though, not a bully. Farmer Billy Hills has been on a recent string of abuse.

It all started in August when Farmer viciously attacked Wilk after the two lost their match against Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions Maximum Overdrive. It seemed to stem from a simple miscommunication between the two friends, but in September Farmer put an exclamation behind the bully moniker. 

Shoved by Farmer
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

In September as I tried to get a better explanation from Farmer for his actions, he shoved me. Hard. Of course, it hurt physically, but my feelings were hurt too. I've explained before Farmer and I go back several years. His frustration and anger took over and he let me and the fans of Stride Pro Wrestling know how he feels. Thankfully, JD hit the ring before Farmer could do anything else.

Slammed
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Later that night, Farmer and Roger Matheus beat Jay Spade and Wilk in a tag team match. After the victory and the announcement, I was told to redo it and give it some feeling. It was then that I knew the shove was more than just a spontaneous reaction to my questions. Farmer Bully was born in my 1-2-3 cents.

Beaten down
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But now JD gets another shot at redemption. He and Farmer will battle at Friday night's 'Rasslin' in the Ville' fundraiser at Community Consolidated 204 school in Pinckneyville. Wilk is the dream chaser and has made great strides in his short career. He's come back from serious injury more than once. His heart is as big as Farmer's bad attitude. I know I should be unbiased, but I'll be rooting for JD.

Hopefully, after Wilk beats Farmer the bully side of Billy will go away. I believe we can still be friends and I'll gladly head back down to the farm in Mud Lick, Kentucky for a hoedown. How about it Farmer? 

Hawkins' chance to ace Red

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Ace Hawkins makes his return to the Stride Pro Wrestling ring at Rasslin' in the Ville this Friday night. At the show, the MWR Missouri champion battles Red Daniels. (Ace's title is not on the line Friday night for this match.) As I've documented before, Daniels is one of the most talented and dangerous competitors on the Stride roster.

Red slams Hargas
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

He clearly will have the size and strength advantage over Hawkins. Daniels' anger must also be a factor to consider as he gears up for Ace. Just last month Red had a brutal no-disqualification match against Chris Hargas. In a desperate move, Daniels pulled a fan into the path of Hargas. Hargas hit the woman and ended up getting suspended. That's why he's not appearing on this show.

Hawkins vs. Daniels
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Some may consider Hawkins less of a threat than Hargas, but don't be fooled by the size difference. Ace is one of the most experienced and talented wrestlers on the independent scene. I first took note of Ace during his time with All American Pro Wrestling. He and Brandon Espinosa had some of the greatest matches in that company against Team Overkill. Hawkins changed his name for one night in 2012 when Aaron Relic teamed up with Jay Hatton against Ryback at WWE Extreme Rules.

Ace flies
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

So this match is going to be one for the ages. The two have competed against each other in six-man tag team competition before. Red is hungry and honestly just likes to hurt people. That may hinder him from getting based the seasoned and dynamic champion. But if he catches Ace early into the match, that brutality may end up earning Red a win Friday night.

The action comes to Community Consolidated School 204 in Pinckneyville this Friday night. A meet and greet with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat" starts at 5 p.m. The wrestling action follows starting at 6:30 p.m. Call (618) 357-2419 for ticket information.

Stride Pro Wrestling's David and Goliath

Matheus vs. Spade
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship is on the line this Friday night as "Big" Roger Matheus defends against Jay Spade. These two are truly the David and Goliath story of Stride Pro Wrestling. Spade, who weighs in at about 160 pounds will have his work cut out for him. The champion is nearly 300 pounds. Both men are impressive in the ring and will have an incredible match.

Spade is fast on his feet and will take to the air. I expect that he will use his speed and agility to try to wear down the champion. Matheus is a striker. One kick or one forearm has spelled doom for opponents in the past. Spade felt one of those striking kicks the night Matheus beat Heath Hatton for the championship.

Spade kicks Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Before you discount Spade based on his side, so far this year alone, he's pinned Hatton to become the number one contender, survived a battle royal of some of the biggest and best in Stride and defeated a much bigger Red Daniels. His career has soared since he and Joey O'Riley went their separate ways earlier this year. 

Matheus stretches Borden
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But to play fair, Matheus has destroyed everyone he's been in the ring against in Stride. From Farmer Billy Hills to Cash Borden to Heath Hatton himself, Matheus is a one-man wrecking machine. I do not envy Jay Spade at all, but fans shouldn't count him out. That advice also goes for Matheus. In my 1-2-3 cents, this is going to be a fight for the ages. Spade wants to taste that singles gold for the first time in Stride. But Matheus is just as eager to hold on to what he thinks belongs to him. 

The action comes to Community Consolidated School 204 in Pinckneyville this Friday night. A meet and greet with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat" starts at 5 p.m. The wrestling action follows starting at 6:30 p.m. Call (618) 357-2419 for ticket information.

What's Heath Hatton's legacy?

Created by Sam Hunter

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Former Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Heath Hatton has been putting his body on the line for years as a professional wrestler. He’s been around the world and has wrestled for WWE (Extreme Rules 2012). But as you might expect, Heath’s body has been through a lot. By his own admission, he has aches and pains that a man his age shouldn’t encounter. Now his in-ring career could be winding down if Legacy Champion Tony Flood has his way.

Flood wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

At the last Stride show, Flood shocked many by pinning Hatton in a Legacy Title match. Remember, if Flood holds onto the belt through 2017, he will replace his longtime nemesis Sam Hunter at the Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager. But after Hatton got cheated out of the win last month, he declared he’d put his and Sam’s careers on the line against Flood.

Suplex!
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Flood as you might expect gladly accepted the offer. He has a win over Hatton heading into this rematch. One more win and he eliminates two birds with one stone, taking out both Hatton and Hunter. But in my 1-2-3 cents, this will be no easy task for Flood. Despite the abuse and pain, Hatton has experienced, he LOVES this business. He LOVES Stride Pro Wrestling and he LOVES the fans.

He will go into Community Consolidated 204 ready to fight. He doesn’t care about winning the Legacy title. Hatton’s legacy has already been cemented as one of the best on the indy scene. His objective, which has been the objective of many wrestlers before him is to shut up the loud-mouthed Flood. (I say that with all due respect.)

This match will be one for the ages. History will be made either way. If Hatton wins, he becomes the first Stride wrestler to win two singles championships in the company. If he loses, he and Sam Hunter leave.

The action comes to Community Consolidated School 204 in Pinckneyville this Friday night. A meet and greet with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat" starts at 5 p.m. The wrestling action follows starting at 6:30 p.m. Call (618) 357-2419 for ticket information.