Last call: Buried Alive rundown

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've talked about it for months here on the blog and on the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, and the day is finally here. Stride Pro Wrestling presents Buried Alive. The show is tonight (Saturday, Dec. 9) at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Bell time is 6:30 p.m., but doors open at 6.

The main event is the Buried Alive match. Bad blood has been brewing between Chris Hargas and Red Daniels for several months. Things got personal between the two when their girlfriends were pulled into the situation. Now either Hargas or Daniels will end up in a grave and covered in dirt. No matter who wins, neither man will be the same when this one is over.

Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Roger Matheus and challenger Jay Spade will sign the contract for their title match. The Last Man Standing contest is a week from tonight at Woodlawn Grade School. 

Tony Flood will defend the Legacy Championship against the aerial assault of Joey O'Riley. Both men are impressive in the ring. Flood is a two time Legacy champ, O'Riley has been a co-holder of the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles. He's won gold elsewhere too, but tonight he would win his first singles title in Stride.

Jose Magnifico puts his mask on the line against Brian Richards' beard. This feud has been going off and on for a year now. Tonight, we either learn the identity of Magnifico or Richards will have to invest in something to keep his face warm this winter.

Revenge will be on Heath Hatton's mind as he faces Dexter Roswell. The leader of the DR party cost Hatton the Legacy Title recently. Hatton trained Roswell long before we first saw Roswell in the ring. But you can bet he didn't teach him everything he knows.

Ax Allwardt was supposed to face his former tag team partner Scott Phoenix. But weightlifting and shampooing incidents have left Phoenix with a bum hand. But I have to believe Ax wants a piece of either Phoenix or former manager J. Wellington Beauregard tonight and General Manager Sam Hunter will be glad to deliver. 

JD Wilk returns tonight to face Arron Brooks. Both men are accomplished in the ring and should put on a great show.

Frank Wyatt will take on Stride Pro Wrestling student Shane Laud.

uglychristmassuitguy.com

Again, bell time tonight is at 6:30 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Oh and I'll be there in my #UglyChristmasSuit raising money for Children's Home + Aid so please consider making a donation.  

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Fun Fact Friday: Sam Hunter

Me and Sam at "Brave the Storm"
Courtesy: Tom Harness

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've known Stride Pro Wrestling General Manager Sam Hunter for several years. He was a fan of All-American Pro Wrestling who quickly turned into a volunteer. Sam would help on the night of shows with set up and tear down, a process that I do not miss anymore. In March 2016, when Stride Pro Wrestling started, it was announced Sam would be the company's general manager. 

Sam has a take no prisoners approach when running the company. He's gone toe to toe with everyone from the DR Party, Ax Allwardt and most notably Tony Flood. Sam also brings the sound system each month to the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion for the Stride shows. He signed off on Saturday's night huge Buried Alive match, so be sure to join us at 6:30 p.m. Now for some fun facts about the GM.

Sam got his start in the entertainment business at an early age, DJing at the teen center in his hometown. He was 12 at the time. It's a passion that has stuck with him, as he created his own DJing business and works gigs like weddings, birthday parties and other special events.

His favorite wrestler of all time is "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. Sam says Dusty's promos were among the best in the business and laid the groundwork for many of today's stars. Sometimes he even quotes the Dream during his own promos in Stride.

Sam Hunter & Lex Luger

Time for some name dropping. Sam has met quite a few celebrities through the years including; Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Sting, Lex Luger, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Paige, Seth Rollins, The Dudley Boys, Goldust, Eugene, Matt Morgan, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Christian, Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Scott Steiner, Eric Bischoff, Rob Van Dam, and Mick Foley.

Hunter & Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Same when to high school in Norris City with former Stride Pro Wrestling champion Heath Hatton.

Sam is an avid video gamer. He started with the original Nintendo and today owns all three major video game consoles. His favorites include; Super Mario Brothers, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Ninja Gaiden, Street Fighter, and Mega Man. He also has his own YouTube channel dedicated to gaming. Join the more than 1,200 subscribers here.

Despite what J. Wellington Beauregard says, Sam hates fish sticks.

Sam has a degree in Computer Information Systems and also enjoys reading about great philosophers including the works of Socrates.

Pre-Buried Alive thoughts

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling returns to the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion this Saturday night (Dec. 9) with what may be the biggest show in the history of the company, Buried Alive. Don't get me wrong, there have been some big events in the past 21 months, including the first TLC match that featured Roger Matheus winning the Stride Pro Wrestling Championship from Heath Hatton in May. Then there was the company's first ladder match in which Jerry "T-Dog" Travelstead was crowned the inaugural Legacy Champion after a hard-fought win over Tony Flood.

But there's something about this weekend that has, even more, electricity around it. In my 1-2-3 cents, it's because it is the FIRST Buried Alive match to be contested in an independent wrestling company. At least for any indy promotion I've ever heard of. Chris Hargas and Red Daniels will make history. To date, I'm only aware of five Buried Alive matches, all taking place in WWE and all involving the Undertaker.

1. The Undertaker beat Mankind in October 19996.

2. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin beat the Undertaker in December 1998.

3. The Undertaker & Big Show beat The Rock & Mankind in September 1999.

4. Vince McMahon beat the Undertaker in November 2003.

5. Kane beat the Undertaker in October 2010.

Hargas pummels Daniels
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

The rules will be simple for Saturday night. Beat the hell out of your opponent, dump them in the grave and cover them in dirt. Hargas and Daniels have both told me they're not afraid to beat the crap out of one another to make this happen. Each man is determined to be the last man standing. The hatred and disdain run deep for each competitor. I'm excited to not only be on hand to announce this contest but to be able to see my first Buried Alive match in person.

Join us. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The main event alone will be worth the price of admission. I'll be running down the full card for the show later in the week. Expect the unexpected as two of the biggest and best competitors in Stride put it all on the line. 

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Thanks a million!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Over the weekend the My 1-2-3 Cents website hit a milestone. Sunday evening the counter reached 1,000,000. I'm not going to lie, I've been waiting for this moment since I started the My 1-2-3 Cents blog in 2010. Yes, it's been just over seven years and I had hoped growth would happen faster. But I'm grateful none-the-less.

Readers of this blog are the ones to thank for the continued growth. I have a few specific shout outs I'd like to make here though. I consider Jeff Rose my blogging mentor. It was his idea for me to start a pro wrestling blog. In the early years, I had trouble increasing numbers. I got frustrated and there were times I thought about calling it quits. Instead, I tweaked my approach and added "life" and "pop culture" to the tagline.

Along the way, I became friends with Tom Harness at Harness Digital Marketing. He suggested changes in the layout of my blog and gave me ideas on how to get the word out on social media. Then in 2016, I got inspired to start a blogging streak, thanks in part to Gary Vee. I've continued that tradition to this day (between here and my other blog page KevinHunsblogger). 

When I started the KevinHunsblogger page, I decided to return My 1-2-3 Cents to its roots of being a pro wrestling blog. Since March 2017, everything posted here has been wrestling related. I have found in recent months the posts I write about independent wrestling, specifically Stride Pro Wrestling, get the most reads. 

I've had a few guest bloggers through the years too, most notably Chad Smart. We've been friends for more than a decade and have been to nine different WrestleManias through the years. I appreciate his help and the prizes he sends to give out to readers and listeners (the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast started in 2014).

And that brings me to this. Now that the million reader milestone has been reached, I'm going to celebrate with a giveaway. Just head over to the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page, like it (if you haven't already) and comment on this post. Thanks, everyone.

Hatton will make Roswell 'great again'

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One year ago, Dexter Roswell appeared at Stride Pro Wrestling's Christmas/Star Wars show vowing to "Make Stride great again". Personally, I've always believed Stride was great. But Roswell and his party of followers are on a mission to make things even better. I suppose you could argue if Roswell is succeeding in his mission.

Roswell with the gold
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

There is one thing for sure. He is making tag team wrestling great. Last month he and Scott Phoenix devised a plan along with manager J. Wellington Beauregard to screw Ax Allwardt. You can read more here, but the end result is Roswell and Phoenix are now the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions.

Hatton presses Tony Flood
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But not only does Roswell have Allwardt to worry about, he's also raised the ire of Heath Hatton. Roswell was instrumental in Hatton's lose of the Legacy Championship to Tony Flood in October. Now Roswell and Hatton are slated to wrestle at the Buried Alive show on Saturday, Dec. 9. Hatton has revenge on his mind, while Roswell is likely still soaking in the glory of winning his first championship.

This will be an outstanding match, I have no doubt. Hatton trained Roswell in the early days of the Stride Pro Wrestling school. Roswell learned a lot from Hatton during those sessions and has put it to good use in the ring. But in my 1-2-3 cents, a good teacher never lets his students know everything. And Hatton will use that to his advantage Saturday. Roswell is destined for greatness, that I am sure of, but Hatton is the one driving him there.

Roswell interferes
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

They say the only way to get better is to have opponents better than you. Saturday night that theory will come to life. Hatton will test Roswell in ways he's not been tested in the ring. And I'm sure that Roswell will pass the test, I just hope he does so without having to cheat. Join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. 

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Brass knucks vs. brass ring

Tony Flood vs. Joey O'Riley
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In one week, Tony Flood prepares to once again defend the Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Championship. This time it's former tag team champion Joey O'Riley getting the nod. These two have been involved in multi-man matches against each other before, but I believe this is their first scheduled one on one encounter in Stride.

It should be one for the ages. Flood is one of the most gifted wrestlers on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. He has the biggest mouth too. But in his case, most of the time he can back up his words, even if it is often by nefarious means. Just when opponents think they have the answer, Tony Flood changes the question. 

The brass knucks
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

This, of course, can be traced to earlier this year when he pulled the wool over our eyes and wrestled as El Fabuloso, despite having been fired by general manager Sam Hunter. Flood not only won the Legacy Title for the first time that night, but he went on to defend it successfully through the summer and in many cases against much bigger opponents. He dropped the belt for about a week to Heath Hatton before winning it back with the help of Dexter Roswell and went on to outsmart Hatton in a rematch with some conveniently hidden brass knucks.

Joey O'Riley in action
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

But Joey O'Riley can't be undersold. He is one of the most dynamic wrestlers on the roster. He takes to the air with ease and wows the fans every step of the way. Primarily he's been a tag team competitor in Stride, having won gold with Jay Spade and teaming successfully with both Cash Borden and Arron Brooks. But in my 1-2-3 cents, Joey has all the tools to be a top singles star. 

He dedicates a lot of time in the gym and in the ring training to get better. The brass ring is on his sites, Joey just needs to grab it. On Saturday, December 9 there's a very good chance he'll do just that. I just hope that brass ring isn't Flood's brass knucks. Bell time for the show is 6:30 p.m. at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. We'll see you there.
 

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Fun Fact Friday: Chris Hargas

Chris Hargas battles Red Daniels
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Chris Hargas and Red Daniels are gearing up for the fight of their respective lives. The two are battling in Stride Pro Wrestling's first ever Buried Alive match. But before that show, I wanted fans to know more about Hargas in this week's Fun Fact Friday.

Chris isn't just a star in the ring. He's also had success in other sports. Hargas played college basketball at Webster University in St. Louis.

But the court isn't the only area he's thrived. In 2001, Hargas won the Show-Me State Games in taekwondo.

Super Hargas

And he's a nerd at heart. Hargas is a huge comic book geek. Those are his words, not mine. Superman is one of his favorites.

You can learn more about Chris Hargas on his website. Follow his adventures in wrestling and more. And be sure to join us on Saturday, Dec. 9 for Buried Alive. Bell time is 6:30 at the Stride Pro Wrestling facility at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion.