Fun Fact Friday: JD Wilk

JD Wilk in action
Courtesy: Steve Belcher 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've been a fan of JD Wilk since he made his Stride Pro Wrestling debut in December 2016. He comes to the company as a rookie, but he certainly has developed his skills, despite being bit by the injury bug in 2017. I also feel like I owe him a debt of gratitude for preventing "Farmer" Billy Hills from doing anything to me after shoving me in the ring back in September. 

JD has been a popular wrestler on the Stride roster. But it appears he has a chip on his shoulder with recent actions toward Joey O'Riley, Arron Brooks and even his own tag team partner Ace Hawkins. Despite that though, I asked JD to participate in this week's Fun Fact Friday. Here's what I learned...

1. JD loves the New Orleans Saints. He's such a fanatic that his gear is black and gold. 

2. He is of Filpino descent. JD's mom and grandma are from the Phillippines. 

3. He hates video games. JD says he finds playing video games boring, especially ones that involve shooting. This one surprised me. I had JD pegged as a gamer for sure.

JD faces Ax Allwardt in the opening round of the Stride Cup Tournament. The action happens a week from tomorrow (Jan. 13) at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

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Trivia Day: Play and win

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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January 4 is Trivia Day. I've decided to test your knowledge and see what you know about pro wrestling with a contest. Answer the five questions below via private message on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page and you'll be entered to win. The person with the most correct answers will win. However, in the event of a tie, a random drawing will take place. Good luck.

1. Who were the first two men to enter the first ever (televised) Royal Rumble? (I need them in the right order.)

2. Who managed Mr. Perfect after Bobby "The Brain" Heenan retired as a manager in 1991?

3. Who did Ax Allwardt defeat to become the first Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion? (I'm looking for three wrestlers and you can find it in a past My 1-2-3 Cents blog.) 

4. What was Kane's festive persona in USWA?

5. Who was Samoa Joe's first WWF opponent on TV? (2001)

My wrestling goals for 2018

Announcing for Stride Pro Wrestling
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's a new year and I'm still feeling inspired and ready to build the My 1-2-3 Cents brand (along with Kevin Hunsblogger and Crafbeericans). To do that, I'm going public with some goals and hopefully together we can hit some of these.

The My 1-2-3 Cents podcast is going strong and has been on each week on the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network since December 2014. I love doing the show, but I feel like I've fallen flat. So if you listen, I'd love your feedback. And if you don't listen, why not and what do you want to hear on the show? I still have a bucket list of having Ric Flair on the show.

Promo code: MY123CENTS

In mid-2017 I became a sponsored athlete for COLLARxELBOW brand. Yes, it's weird for me to say that, but they do allow fans/podcast hosts to be a part of the company. There's a line of pro wrestling t-shirts, hats and other merchandise. When you use the promo code MY123CENTS you'll save 10 percent on each purchase. 

COLLARxELBOW makes it easy to sell items. But for a long time now I've wanted to create and sell my own shirts on Pro Wrestling Tees. I have a few design ideas in mind. It's now a matter of saving up to pay for the artwork to proceed. Hopefully, by mid-2018 you'll see a new line of My 1-2-3 Cents t-shirts. 

Stride Pro Wrestling action
Courtesy: Brittany Chapman

I want to watch more wrestling. But as you can imagine trying to network and build brands there's not much down time for TV watching. That's part of the reason I'm skimming through Raw and SmackDown Live these days. I'd love to be able to take a few road trips to see live indy shows too. Stride Pro Wrestling has a busy first quarter and I'm looking forward to being a part of that action. As a ring announcer for that company, I'd also love to improve my performance. Give me your feedback here.

And finally, I'd like to make some public appearances under the My 1-2-3 Cents banner. Ideas including hosting one of the big four WWE events at a restaurant or attending Cape Comic Con as a vendor of sorts. I'd love to host a wrestling and beer event similar to the one Dynamo Pro Wrestling, 4Hands Brewing and Strange Donuts did in St. Louis last year. I've had some talks with key people, but nothing is in place... yet. 

Again, thank you for being a part of this journey for the last seven-plus years. I'm really looking forward to 2018.

2017 Centy Awards

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's the start of a new year and we're wrapping up 2017 with the annual Centy Awards. You can listen to the full explanation of each award on the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast this week with Chad and me. 

Wrestler of the Year

Kevin's pick: AJ Styles

Chad's pick: Dalton Castle

Most Hated

Kevin's pick: Injuries. Dean Ambrose. Big Cass. Farmer Billy Hills. Nikki Lane. Marco Stunt.

Chad's pick: Baron Corbin

Most Underappreciated Kevin's pick: Stride Pro Wrestling referee Lane Austin 

Chad's pick: Rusev

Most Overrated Kevin's pick: Baron Corbin 

Chad's pick: Nakamura 

Breakout Star of the Year Kevin's pick: Johnny Gargano 

Chad's pick: Velveteen Dream

Show of the Year Kevin's pick: Buried Alive by Stride Pro Wrestling

Chad's pick: Tom & Jim's Top 5 (podcast) 

Star on the Horizon Kevin's pick: Matthew Riddle 

Chad's pick: Ophidian 2.0

Female of the Year
Kevin's pick: Alexa Bliss

Chad's pick: Alexa Bliss

Best Use of Social Media Kevin's pick: Chris Slammer (@macsgym)

Chad's pick: Rusev

Biggest Fall From Grace

Kevin's pick: James Ellsworth 

Chad's pick: NXT

All Out of Bubblegum Award: I came up with this award in honor of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. This year it's going to Jerry Travelstead. He does so much to help others with wrestling fundraisers. You can read more about his efforts here.

In memory 2017

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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We lost several legends of the ring in 2017, including many from my childhood. May they all rest in peace. You can see more on the website Wrestler Deaths.

Centy Claus is coming to Stride

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Centy Claus is one of the many characters I came up with when doing regular videos on the My 1-2-3 Cents YouTube channel. He shows up every year around Christmas. This year, he's left some gifts for the men and women of Stride Pro Wrestling.

For new Stride Pro Wrestling Champion Jay Spade: An injury-free run as champion. You've worked hard to get to where you are and prove that the size of a person's heart is just as important as their stature. 

For former Champion Roger Matheus: A rematch for the heavyweight title. You were the most dominant champ in Stride's history. Don't let one loss judge the reign of this wrestler.

For Legacy Champion Chris Hargas: Continued momentum after winning both Buried Alive and the Legacy title within a week of each other. You are ending the year on a high note after surviving one of the most physical matches we've seen in Stride.

For former Legacy Champion Tony Flood: A bigger pair of brass knuckles. If you're going to resort to cheating, you're going to need a bigger pair against Hargas.

For Dexter Roswell: An endless supply of hand sanitizer. You're going to be shaking a lot more hands as Stride continues to grow in popularity.

For Scott Phoenix: A lifetime supply of whatever shampoo it is that makes your hair the envy of the Stride Pro Wrestling locker room. And one lucky lady to actually accept your digits.

For J. Wellington Beauregard: Protective gear. You continue to make men like Ax Allwardt, Heath Hatton and Jerry Travelstead angry. You're going to need something to protect yourself. 

For Ax Allwardt: Five minutes alone in the ring with J. Wellington Beauregard, without the abovementioned protective gear. Also, a tag team partner who can appreciate a cold beer, loud 80s music and a thick steak from time to time. 

For Heath Hatton: Baby oil and someone with warm hands to apply it. But on a serious note, the continued respect and admiration from fans and colleagues for bringing indy wrestling back to southern Illinois.

For Frank Wyatt: More money from J. Wellington Beauregard to make up for the beating you took at the hands of Heath Hatton in Woodlawn.

For Arron Brooks & Joey O'Riley: A shot at the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championships. 

For Brian Richards: A face mask to keep your beardless face warm since losing to El Magnifico.

For El Magnifico: A pinata that won't break.

For Aaron Edwards & Nathan Brag: More respect from the leader of your "party". 

For Bull Bronson: A welcomed return and a championship opportunity. 

For Jerry Travelstead: Continued success with the fundraising efforts you get behind with the Stride shows. Your efforts are appreciated more than you know.

For the fans of Red Daniels: Peace and understanding in the wake of this month's Buried Alive match that led to Red's demise.

For "Farmer" Billy Hills: A clean bill of health from the doctor and the wisdom to mend some broken fences. 

For Sarah Summers: More opportunities.

For JD Wilk: A healthy 2018 and a shot at the Legacy title.

For Shane Lauder: Determination. You've been trained by some of the best in Stride Pro Wrestling, keep working hard and aiming high.

For Sam Hunter: A lifetime supply of fish sticks and the ability to enjoy them without the ridicule of J. Wellington Beauregard. 

For referee Lane Austin: Those pecs you've been pumping so hard for and a night without Hunter yelling "Lane sucks". 

For Jim Kelton (the sound guy): A new laptop.

For Stride Pro Wrestling fans: A happy and healthy 2018 and more appearances by past guests like Ace Hawkins, Brandon Espinosa and Daniel Eads.

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Fun Fact Friday: Arron Brooks

Arron Brooks
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In October, Arron Brooks made his return to Stride Pro Wrestling. Fans around the region probably best remember him as AT Brooks. But with his reemergence, he's undergone a bit of name change. He and Joey O'Riley have formed a successful tag team and will soon be earning a chance to win the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championships. I wanted to learn more about Arron and share those fun facts with you.

Brooks vs. JD Wilk
Photo by Steve Belcher

1. Arron has done martial arts since the age of eight. He got started with his uncle who owned a martial arts academy. Not only did it help with his athletic skills, but Arron says martial arts also taught him discipline and manners. He holds a third-degree black belt in Jiu Jutsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate and some Aikido. You can see some of these techniques in the ring.

Joey O'Riley, me and Arron Brooks

2. He's collected comic books since the age of five. Deadpool, the Green Arrow and Power Rangers are his favorites. That's why he has a green arrow tattoo on his right forearm and the Cantonese symbol for ‘survive’ on his chest. (Both references are from the Green Arrow.) He loves Power Rangers because of the martial arts they perform. The White Dino Thunder ranger is his favorite. Mighty Morphin' is always a favorite, too.

Cosplaying as White Dino Thunder Ranger

3. A visit to Disney World and Universal Studios inspired Arron to get into cosplay. He enjoys visiting comic con events around the country in costume. His top cosplays right now are the White Dino Thunder Ranger, Deadpool and Kylo Ren.

Keep up with Arron's cosplay and wrestling on social media. Follow @brookskickedme on Twitter and @arrowbrooks on Instagram.