Vacant becomes Stride Pro Wrestling Champion

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The first Stride Pro Wrestling show of 2019 is in the books and proved to be chaotic at best. From the crowning of "King" Chris Hargas to the now vacated Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title, fans did not leave the show disappointed. By the way, you'll hear from The King on this week's episode of My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast. It drops Monday at 1 a.m.

But in other big news from the show, Heath Hatton is no longer the Stride Pro Wrestling Champion. Neither is his opponent from Saturday night, Tony Flood. The two engaged in another epic battle for the gold. In the closing moments of the match, Hatton locked Flood in a Sharpshooter. Flood managed to escape and while trying to prevent being locked in it again kicked Hatton into the referee, rendering him unable to continue officiating.

That's when Hatton hit the spear but with no ref to count he dispatched General Manager Sam Hunter to the locker room to find another official. In the meantime, that mystery masked man from last month came out and swung his lead pipe at Hatton. He missed though and the champ hit him with a punch that knocked him into next week.

Title vacated
Photo courtesy: Rachel Kremer

Hatton locked on the Sharpshooter again and Flood quickly tapped. The referee couldn't call for the bell and the mystery man then leveled Hatton with the pipe. A new ref entered and counted three but then argued with the original official who had said he saw Flood tap. Hunter made the call to vacate the title and the winner of a best two-out-of-three falls match on Feb. 2 will be crowned the new champion.

Be sure to join us that night. We're taking the show on the road and doing a fundraiser at Central Junior High School in West Frankfort. It's located at 1500 E. 9th Street. 

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He just can't wait to be King

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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As I mentioned earlier this week, Stride Pro Wrestling returns to Carterville tonight (Jan. 5). In addition to several great matchups, fans will also witness the coronation of Stride's new King, Chris Hargas. J. Wellington Beauregard made the declaration last month that Hargas would a royal force here.

Hargas isn't just getting his crown Saturday night. He's also going to be in action in a grudge match with Ax Allwardt. The two have been at odds since September when Hargas smashed Ax with his own chain and allowed J. Wells to score the pin in a tag team match.

I am looking forward to the coronation as I'm sure Beauregard has spared no expense for the ceremony. I loved the old days of WWF when Harley Race, Haku and Randy Savage all held the King moniker. I even enjoyed "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan's ceremony. Hargas and 

I have talked and he will be the guest on next week's My 1-2-3 Cents podcast so tune in for that (it drops Monday morning). 

Bell time tonight is 6:30 at the Stride Pro Wrestling building at 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Doors will open at 6 p.m. See you there!

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VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Everybody has a price

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's the first Go Figure Friday episode of 2019 so I figured I'd share the story of my first Hasbro action figure. My Ted DiBiase is still MOC and for a special reason. Take a look at the video posted below.

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Should auld acquaintance be forgot

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's a new year but old feuds are simmering here in Stride Pro Wrestling. New rivalries are starting to heat up too. Everything comes to a head this Saturday night (Jan. 5) at the Stride Pro Wrestling facility at 1130 North Division Street in Carterville.

Heath Hatton and Tony Flood have seemingly been at each other's throats since the inception of Stride back in March 2016. The two unsuccessfully competed for the Heavyweight Title in a fatal four-way match. Now Hatton is the champ, having beaten Flood for the gold. The title will be on the line this weekend.

Another old rivalry pits Ax Allwardt against "The King" Chris Hargas. These two have no love lost, mostly stemming from Hargas' partnership with Allwardt's former manager J. Wellington Beauregard. The two are hellbent on beating the crap out of each other. They'll do just that Saturday.

Farmer Billy Hills and Scott Phoenix are a relatively new duo and the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions. They'll face a couple thorns in their sides in Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. The revamped DR Party looks to unseat the champions after a brutal attack last month.

Two other new feuds featuring auld (old) acquaintances will also be a part of Saturday's show. New Legacy Champion Cash Borden teams up with Wraith to battle Jay Spade and Ryzer. Borden and Spade were friends and partners and Ryzer at one time did much of Wraith's dirty work. Those friendships have been tossed out like last month's Christmas tree. This will be a great grudge match, to say the least.

Be sure to join us Saturday night. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Doors open at 6, bell time is 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there. 

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VIDEO: Remembering 'Mean' Gene Okerlund

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The wrestling world is mourning another death. This time the legendary "Mean" Gene Okerlund has died at the age of 76. He had a profound impact on pro wrestling fans and those who are in the business. I consider myself lucky having had a chance to meet "Mean" Gene in Atlanta in 2016. RIP.

AUDIO: The 2018 Centy Awards

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's the end of another year and to celebrate Chad and I are back with the Centy Awards. We didn't do as many categories this year, but we did talk about our favorite performers and moments from 2018. Give the show a listen here and let us know your thoughts on the year of wrestling. 

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My favorite Stride Pro Wrestling moments of 2018

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's the end of the year and I'm taking a few minutes to reflect on 2018 in Stride Pro Wrestling. The company had plenty of highlights for sure and I'm looking forward to 2019. As I share these memories, keep in mind they are from the shows I was a part of. I missed two shows in 2018, one due to a family commitment and the other because I was in Las Vegas for the Impact Wrestling tryout. 

Wraith & Ryzer

Wraith dominates the Stride Cup/Legacy Championship Tournament. Wraith was a dark, mysterious figure who showed up in Stride in January. He destroyed everyone in his way and eventually won the tournament and introduced us to his Disciple Ryzer. Unfortunately that same night, JD Wilk got injured and had to retire from the ring. That night in March stands out to me for both of those moments.

Tony Flood and Jay Spade swap the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Both of these guys spent years in the ring. I have a great deal of respect for their work ethic and what they're able to do in the ring. Watching these former friends trade the greatest prize in Stride over the course of several months was thrilling. Despite their years of experience in the ring, the future is still bright for both of them. I look forward to what they'll do in 2019.

This One is for Lane. In April the entire Stride Pro Wrestling roster came together to support one of our own. Referee Lane Austin, who is a diabetic, had to go on dialysis and eventually ended up on the transplant list for a new kidney and pancreas. The show of love for our friend that night was amazing. It's just one of the many shows Stride helped raise money for in 2018. 

Heath Hatton and Ax Allwardt win gold. Bitter enemies in the ring for years, Hatton and Allwardt put their differences aside and teamed up to win the Stride Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles from the DR Party. Dexter Roswell, Scott Phoenix and J. Wellington Beauregard were a constant thorn in the sides of Allwardt and Hatton. 

My return to the ring. I never, ever dreamed I'd have a chance to step through the ropes and wrestle. It happened the first time in 2012. Then again in May of this year. My opponent this time was Roger Matheus. I can't thank he and Tyler Hatton for having enough faith in me to do this. I'm a 45-year-old with a dad bod and limited skills in the ring. Roger made me look and feel like a million bucks. Of course keeping with the story, thanks as well to Cash Borden and Tom Harness for saving my ass.

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