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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The Undead Outlaw goes beyond the grave

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Despite being knocked off track recently by Roger Matheus, Cash Borden is looking to make a comeback of sorts. I talked in a recent post about Borden string of losses, mostly to Matheus and the feud that boiled over between the two. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are few people as tough as Borden. I borrow the line from JR all the time, simply put, he's tougher than a two dollar steak.

Wraith & Ryzer

That's why I like his chances this Friday night as he challenges Wraith for the Legacy Title. Despite being nearly unstoppable since his debut in January and his winning of the Legacy belt and Stride Cup tournament in March, Wraith does seem to have a weakness. Maybe not a weakness, but a definite vulnerability. That is he needs someone to have his back when he heads into battle. Over the last few months, we've seen that man be Ryzer. The disciple like figure to Wraith has helped the champion retain his title against the likes of Farmer Billy Hills and Arron Brooks.

Cash vs. Roger Matheus
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

That relationship is something Cash will have to be aware of. I have no doubt he's done his homework and will be ready for whatever the duo from 'beyond the grave' will throw at him. After all, you don't become the Undead Outlaw by being a slacker. This will be an amazing contest and I suspect we'll see both Cash and Wraith be highly competitive against each other. Even though he doesn't talk, Wraith values that Legacy belt. He also seems to appreciate the relationship with Ryzer and vice versa. 

Be there this Friday night. Stride Pro Wrestling heads to Gallatin County School. Bell time is 7 p.m.

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Friday Night's Main Event

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Most Stride Pro Wrestling shows happen on a Saturday night. But the next event is a rare Friday evening show. I've dubbed it Friday Night's Main Event as the company heads to Gallatin County School on Sept. 21. That show is a benefit for the school. 

Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Tony Flood will defend against Heath Hatton that night. It's a homecoming of sorts for Hatton, who grew up not far from the area and has a child who attends the school. Hatton is also no stranger to Flood. The two traded the Legacy Championship last fall. They also both competed for the heavyweight title at the very first Stride show in March 2016. Ax Allwardt walked out the champion that night.

I'm looking forward to this next matchup between Hatton and Flood. Tony is at his best when he's in the ring with Hatton. The two have great chemistry and feed off one another perfectly. Flood's confidence level, which never seems to be lacking, surges when he's at odds with Hatton. It's not just his skills in the ring that shine but also his words. I love watching these two tell a story in the ring.

Don't miss this match. Remember, this show is happening FRIDAY, Sept. 21. Bell time is 6:30 p.m. at Gallatin County School. See you there.

                                                                  

Stride Pro Wrestling: Just do it

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Since the internet is still buzzing with Nike: Just do it memes, I figured I'd come up with a few from the Stride Pro Wrestling roster. A friend of mine, Dan, actually gave me the idea. He doesn't like taking the credit for his ideas, but I thought he deserved a shout out. He planted the seed, I'm watering it and hopefully, it grows. Speaking of Stride Pro Wrestling, don't forget the next show is happening Friday, Sept. 21 at Gallatin County school. Stay up to date here.

What's in a name?

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I announced recently plans to name the My 1-2-3 Cents monkey. I got numerous suggestions once again and many of them were excellent. I like the idea though of going with something in Spanish to fit the vibe that my luchador primate gives. I've come up with a list and the reasons behind each one. 

I have a couple of t-shirt ideas, but a name is going to be critical in moving forward. So, I'm asking you to help me narrow the scope. 

Jefe (Boss) - I like this as a tribute to Andre the Giant. You probably know that Andre referred to those he liked as 'Boss'. However, I don't want it to be confused or to look like a tie in with Sasha Banks, who is currently 'The Boss'. Perhaps I'm overthinking.

Marca (Brand) - It is all about the brand after all. But I fear Marca is too close to mark, which if you're a wrestling fan you know has a stigma. However, that could maybe work out for the best...

Macho (Macho) - I like it. But I worry it's too close to the dearly departed "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Thoughts? 


Mondo (Mondo) - I don't know what it means, Sam Banks, what's up? 

Truco (Gimmick) - The monkey is my gimmick for the My 1-2-3 Cents brand. I figured that embraces the message well.

Cabrio (Goat) - Yes, it's the literal animal. I don't know that it translates well into G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) like I am hoping it does. 

Mito (Legend) - Because let's face it, I want My 1-2-3 Cents to become legendary.

Mono (Monkey) - That's what he is. But is it too generic? Also when I see mono I think of the illness. Mico is also Spanish for monkey so that's under consideration too. 

So between Jefe, Cabrio, Marca, Truco, Mito, Mono and Mico; which do you prefer? Or is there another lucha sounding name that better fits the mold? Let me know by this Friday, Sept. 14.

Rednecks rule!

The rWo wins 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've been a pro wrestling fan for more than 35 years. In that time I've seen some shocking title changes. The Honky Tonk Man pinning Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the Intercontinental Title left me speechless. Then in 1991 Sgt. Slaughter stunned me when he beat the Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Title and there's Ronnie Garvin's 1987 NWA Championship victory over Ric Flair.

New champs

But Saturday night may have been the biggest shocker of them all. The newly formed Redneck World Order, in their first tag team match, won the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championships. Hollywood Redneck and "The Bad Guy" Cole James beat The Midwest Monster Hunters and the DR Party in a triple threat match.

I should make it clear there was plenty of cheating going on from all three teams. The Monster Hunters, DR Party and rWo are all heel factions in Stride Pro Wrestling. The action spilled out of the ring at one point and there were members of the DR Party and rWo fighting outside the ring that didn't even belong in the match. 

Late in the match, rWo's outside man grabbed one of the tag belts and used it to knock Bo Sawyer out of the ring. There were other shenanigans going on and Redneck scored the pin. Just like that new champs were crowned.

But it's not going to be an easy ride for the rWo, even if they institute the 'Freebird rule' when it comes to defending their gold. There are several talented and hungry tag teams on the roster. It's not just the Monster Hunters and DR Party wanting a shot. Look out for other teams on the horizon. Even tandems the Stride Pro Wrestling fans haven't seen yet... 

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Wrestling with the weather

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Pro wrestling has seen its share of wrestlers named after the weather. I've written about it before in fact. There's the Texas Tornado, the Hurricane, Earthquake, Typhoon, Sunny, Al Snow and the Lightning Kid to name a few. As Stride Pro Wrestling prepares for a show tonight on what is going to be a very rainy weekend, I figured I'd share some of our weather-related roster members. By the way, the show is happening tonight (Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Carterville Community Center)

Tony Flood in action
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Obviously, I have to start with Tony Flood. He's already made a post on social media about all the jokes he's heard in the first few hours of this rain system we're experiencing. Flood has been on the Stride roster since day one. He's won the Legacy and Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championships two times each. Tonight, he'll team with J. Wellington Beauregard against Heath Hatton and Ax Allwardt. 

Sarah Summers vs. Heath Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Flood's partner at our last show was Sarah Summers. I know summer is a season and not a weather event, but it is still summertime and there's an obvious tie-in. Summers has wrestled a handful of times at Stride, even competing for the tag team titles with Farmer Billy Hills. She is the current Cape Championship Wrestling Women's Champion as well.

Me & James Storm

James Storm is best known for his work in Impact Wrestling. But the former champ wrestled at Stride Pro Wrestling's Brave the Storm benefit show in spring 2017. He's also made an appearance at CCW before. I had an opportunity to interview him for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. He's a great guy who continues to do well in pro wrestling. 

Don't let the rain keep you from coming out tonight. Again, all the money collected from tickets goes straight to the Lions Club. They continue to do great work in our region. Please come out and support THEM and indy wrestling. 

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