Cashing in on the Stride Cup

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In 2018 the first ever Stride Cup tournament happened. Newcomer (at the time) Wraith dominated and not only took the cup but also became the Legacy Champion. That's because Chris Hargas had to vacate the belt due to injury. 

Now, a year later an even larger crop of competitors will go for the Stride Cup. And as Stride General Manager Sam Hunter announced recently on Facebook, the winner of the tournament will also have a guaranteed shot at the Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Sixteen men will compete in the opening round this Saturday night at 1130 N. Division Street in Carterville.

The Stride Cup finals will happen on Saturday, March 2 at a location TBD. This is also the third anniversary for the company and other announcements about Strideiversary will be happening at this weekend's event. 

There are several new names in the mix for the tournament including War Bound, Will Power and B-Rad. Last year's winner Wraith and his disciple turned-rival Ryzer will be in along with familiar names like "King" Chris Hargas, Farmer Billy Hills, Scott Phoenix and the new Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. Jay Spade and Legacy Champion Cash Borden and the Red Neck World Order are all scheduled to compete as well. 

Who will advance to the finals? And what's next for the vacated heavyweight title? Find out this Saturday night. Bell time is 6:30 p.m.

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AUDIO: In this corner (with Stride Pro Wrestling)

Courtesy: Julie Campbell 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I tried something different on this week's podcast. I set up my equipment in the corner of the locker room of the most recent Stride Pro Wrestling show. Some of the guys stopped by for a quick conversation on indy wrestling.

Check it out here and be sure to join us this Saturday night for the return of the Stride Cup Tournament. We'll see you there. 

 

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Welcome back, Lane

Lane Austin returns
Courtesy: Jamie Woodworth-Myers

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One of the best parts of being involved with Stride Pro Wrestling is the friendships I've made. I met Lane Austin in March 2016 with Stride's first show. We'd met online before that but the first in-person meeting happened at that inaugural show. Lane was Stride's only referee at many shows and we'd always chat before the start of each match to make sure we were both up on what was supposed to be happening next.

We'd often go out to dinner after shows too recapping the evening's action and sharing stories of our favorite Superstars from childhood. His, by the way, is the "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Nearly a year ago Lane, who has type one diabetes, announced his health had taken a turn for the worse. He started dialysis and was put on a transplant list for a new kidney and pancreas. This, of course, took him out of action for a number of months but he returned to ref on a part-time basis on show nights.

Then in November Lane got the call. He got the kidney and pancreas he needed. He's been taking time to recover from the surgery and it's been a while since I've seen him. We tried getting together a few times for a visit but he wasn't up to it. So imagine my surprise Saturday night when I walked into the locker room and he was sitting there with a huge grin on his face. I learned he was going to be the special guest enforcer for a match between Ax Allwardt and "King" Chris Hargas. Hargas' manager J. Wellington Beauregard was the referee in the ring, but Lane was there to make sure the rules were followed.

I'll be honest  I got goosebumps when I introduced my friend's return to the ring. The crowd clearly missed him too as there was a notable pop when he came out. He did exactly what he was tasked to do and when J. Wells continued to ignore the rules, Lane took action and counted the three for Ax to win. 

I don't know what the future holds for Lane as far as being well enough to ref on a regular basis. But I do know it was great to see him back in the stripes and maintaining law and order in Stride. 

Show your Stride Pride
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VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: My broken Hart

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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This week on Go Figure Friday I talk more about my first set of Jakks Pacific figures that I bought in 1996. I have kept most of them in the original packaging for the last 22 years, however today I #scratchthatfigureitch and show them off. But I end up broken Harted in the process.

VIDEO: Chris Jericho's influence on my running streak

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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My running streak started 1,004 days ago. When I knew about six months ago that I would reach 1000 consecutive days of running one mile or more I came up with a plan to end the streak on a unique note. Some suggested going 1,111 or 1,234.

But I looked to Chris Jericho for inspiration. Back in the 90s when feuding with Dean Malenko "The Man of 1,000 Holds", Jericho one-upped his foe claiming the moniker, "Man of 1,004 Holds."

AUDIO: Royal Rumble Roulette

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's a new concept for the podcast and one I hope to do each year. Welcome to the Royal Rumble Roulette. Royal Rumble Superfan Luke Lay is the guest. We break down the 1994 Royal Rumble, coming up with the talking points via a random roll of the Rumble Tumbler. 

Luke and his wife Amy host a Rumble party each year. I've been the last two years and won big. Thank you Braun Strowman and Andrade for doing so well and making it to the final four. 

You can listen to the show here. Also don't forget, Stride Pro Wrestling is in West Frankfort (Central Junior High) this Saturday night and back at the Stride building in Carterville on Saturday, Feb. 9. See you there. 

On the road with Stride Pro Wrestling

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling is venturing out for the first time since finding a new home in Carterville in November. But don't worry, we'll be back at the facility on Division Street on February 9. However, on Saturday, Feb. 2 Stride takes over Central Junior High School. The address is 1500 E. 9th Street in West Frankfort.

The event that night is a fundraiser for the school. Several teachers are getting involved in the action and will be teaming up and fighting for their school. The main event will see the crowning of the Stride Pro Wrestling Champion, as the championship was declared vacant earlier this month. Heath Hatton and Tony Flood will battle it out to determine who gets the gold.

"The King" Chris Hargas faces Ax Allwardt. If Ax wins, he gets a match against his former manager J. Wellington Beauregard. Beauregard, who manages the King, will be the guest referee for the match. However, an enforcer will be on hand too. 

Former friends Wraith and Ryzer will do battle as do Legacy Champion Cash Borden and Jay Spade. The issues between all four men have become extremely personal, especially the battle between Borden and Spade. Whoever wins that match will have a new contender to deal with too, as Jason Tiller takes on Brandon Espinosa and Joey O'Riley in a triple threat match for the number one contendership to the Legacy Title. Tag team champions Farmer Billy Hills and Scott Phoenix put their belts on the line against the hair of Dexter Roswell and Mr. Anthony. That'll be a great one to see how it goes down too. 

It may be cold outside, but the action will be heated on Saturday night. There are still a limited number of meet and greet tickets up for grabs ($20 each). Send a message to here for more details. Bell time is 7 p.m. 

Show your Stride Pride!