MWR 100

Missouri Wrestling Revival Presents:

The MWR 100
Plus Half-Year Awards

Missouri Wrestling Revival's answer to Pro Wrestling Illustrated's PWI 500 makes its debut! Here, MWR looks at success, talent, exposure to the Midwest indy scene, potential, and "it" factor to determine the top 100 professional wrestlers in the MWR coverage area.

As with any list, this list is open to debate. In fact, we welcome it. This is not meant to slight any individual that did not make the list. No business relationships or finances played a part in the rankings.

Agree? Disagree? Go to the MWR Message Board and discuss!

This month, there will be no monthly awards. Instead, July and August will be combined at the beginning of September. Let me know if you like this.

ALL INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AS OF JUNE 1, 2008!

Without any further ado, we'll start at #1 and make our way to #100!




1. Tyler Black

Booking: www.myspace.com/t_black
Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YJLdhwDfT6M

An original from the Midwest, hailing from Iowa... got his start in Scott County Wrestling, located in Davenport, IA, where he has been the Heavyweight Champion twice... recently lost his second SCW Heavyweight Title to Shane Hollister (April 2008)... quite possibly the most traveled Midwest wrestler not currently in TNA or WWE... has held championship gold in Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, All American Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance and IWA Mid South... recently became the AAW Heavyweight Champion... athletically gifted and exceptionally charismatic.



2. Dingo

Booking: www.myspace.com/dingo138
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=308DoBTUL64

IWA-Mid-South, LWA, FIST, NWA-CSW, ROH
IWA-Mid South Champion; NWA-CSW Champion—just won a hard fought battle against Jeremy Wyatt in their first ever encouter to retain the title


3. MsChif

Booking: bookings@mschif.net

MsChif was trained by Johnny Greenpeace and Jack Adonis, Debuting on July 19 2001... her finishing maneuvers are the Desecrater (leg assisted DDT) and Obliteration (pile driver off the 2nd turnbuckle)... has competed in NWA Midwest, IWA Mid South, Ring Of Honor, World League Wrestling , Lethal Wrestling Alliance and SHIMMER... was recently profiled in a Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) article about how important it would be for either WWE or TNA to sign her first... defeated Sara Del Rey for the Shimmer title then regained the NWA World Women's title from Amazing Kong the very next night at a NWA Central States event in Cape Girardeau, MO... also owns the NWA Midwest Women's title... voted "Best Female Wrestler of St. Louis" in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007... voted Missouri Wrestling Revival "Female Wrestler of the Month" for January and April of this year... has wrestled in NEO (Japan), Real Quality Wrestling (England), All Pro Wrestling (California) and Anarchy Championship Wrestling (Texas).


4. Jerry Lynn

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XSyY2m9xug

Lynn participated in the East Coast Wrestling Association's 11th-annual Super 8 Tournament, which he won, defeating Sonjay Dutt in the finals on November 10, 2007 in Newark, Delaware... defeated Shawn Shultz on February 21, 2008 to become the UWA Heavyweight Champion in Seymour, TN... wrestled in Next Era Wrestling in Rochester, NY on March 29, 2008... defeated Jason Gory, Shiima Xion, and Davey Richards on April 24, 2008 to win the Super Indy VII Tournament that is held by International Wrestling Cartel... is the current longest running AAW Heavyweight Champion... has made an appearance for Ring of Honor, where he wrestled Nigel McGuinness for the ROH World Title... McGuinness managed to defeat him to retain the belt... wrestled in ROH's sister promotion Full Impact Pro on two occasions, wrestling Austin Aries and Roderick Strong in a Three Way Dance, before taking on Austin Aries the next night in a singles match.


5. "Dangerous" Derek McQuinn

Booking: eldonfamilyfitness@yahoo.com

Holder of quite possibly the most prestigious title in the MWR Coverage area, the WLW Heavyweight Title... began his career in September 2001... was a member of the Gold Exchange until 2002... with "Superstar" Steve Fender, wrestled Hawk and Animal (The Road Warriors) in 2002... returned to wrestling in March 2007 after a 2 year layoff due to a shoulder injury... considers his greatest accomplishment to be defeating then WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch for his first WLW World Title at the Hall of Fame show in Waterloo, IA in July 2007... lost belt to Keith Walker in October 2007, only to regain it in March 2007 from former WWE Superstar Chris Masters... has successfully defended the title in High Impact Wrestling (Louisiana and Mississippi)... wrestled on WWE TV twice, once against the Basham Brothers on WWE Velocity and on against Snitsky on WWE Heat... worked a match at a house show for TNA in 2007.


6. Shane Hollister

Booking: www.myspace.com/shugyhollister
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oyyGWtjSxQ

Hollister is really gaining steam in 2008, with victories over Tyler Black and Egotistico Fantastico, among others, plus appearances for wrestling organizations such as Ring of Honor... won the Scott County Wrestling heavyweight Championship from Tyler Black after a long and violent feud in April 2008... is the NWA Iowa Champion, as well as one-half of the AAW Tag Team Champions along with Bryce Benjamin.


7. "Superstar" Steve Fender

Booking: superstarsteve2000@yahoo.com
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUZadDFZEqc

Fender has a physical style that is impossible not to like... won the World League Wrestling Tag Team Titles with Darin Waid before losing them earlier in the year... will be touring Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH in October... one half of Project Aggression with Michael Strider, and could possibly be reunited as a tag team in WLW... one of the most promising wrestlers in the Midwest... will only get better after another tour of Japan.



8. Mark Sterling

Booking: www.myspace.com/marksterling123 (or mptaz450@yahoo.com)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkYaF6xWgPw

The best pure wrestler in the MWR coverage area... won the Pro Wrestling Phoenix Tag Team Titles with Darrien Sanders in February 2008... held the 3XWrestling Pure Championship through 2008 until July, losing it to 3XW Heavyweight Champion "Delicious" Devin Carter... secured a pinfall victory over former Total Nonstop Action wrestler Chase Stevens in May... worked for 13 promotions in 8 states, wrestling every single weekend since January 1, 2008... one of the most active wrestlers, as well, wrestling 47 matches in the first 29 weeks of the year.


9. Michael Strider

Booking: www.myspace.com/michaelstrider (or michaelstrider@hotmail.com)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4UdiOfAV60

"Strider Nation" has been growing, as Michael Strider wrestles more in Missouri for World League Wrestling... appeared on WWE Raw, breaking up a brawl between Triple H and Umaga... held and defended the NWA Central States Title for over a year... involved in an early candidate for Match of the Year in February, defending his Central States Title against Jeremy Wyatt in a no rope barbed wire match.


10. Go Shiozaki

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaVEwYOnxpM

Go has brought more prestige to his name in recent months, facing Ring of Honor's Heavyweight Champion and wrestling to a standing ovation at the Cauliflower Alley Club's convention show in June... learning American style wrestling under the tutelage of all-time great Harley Race in Eldon, MO... eager to learn and willing to teach... has a bright future, and hopefully will remain in the Midwest for years to come.


11. Ares

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2dddEJU2-Q

Ares is the tough-to-beat Pro Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Champion... wrestles in the Chicago, IL area... faces all challengers... has yet to find somebody who can take his title away from him.

12. "Serial Thriller" Shane Rich

Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8474575678172224751&ei=PQSfSPKcJYuS4wKMmPwb&q=%22Serial+Thriller%22%22Shane+Rich%22&hl=en

Shane Rich is one of the youngest rising stars in the Midwest... is a student of the game, very athletic and able to use his quickness and high flying to get the edge on his opponents... after 6 months of chasing the title, "Serial Thriller" forced"Homicidal" Steven Davis to tap out to a Texas Cloverleaf to win the All American Pro Wrestling Championship on February 9... lost the belt in May after Davis was able to hit a vicious spear in a match that was nominate for match of the month...


13. Abu Colossus

Booking: www.myspace.com/abucolossus

Abu Colossus gets his name from the enormous and metal-covered mutant from the X-Men comic books... has got the size and power to match his namesake... recently defeated three others to become Pro Wrestling Phoenix Heavyweight Champion... defeated former PWP Heavyweight Champion Tony Cortez to legitimize his reign as champ... should continue to expand his role in pro wrestling across the Midwest as the year nears 2009...

[Photo Credit: Gary Giaffoglione for Pro Wrestling Phoenix.]


14. "The Future" Donovan Ruddick

Booking: www.myspace.com/futureprevails, future_prevails@hotmail.com, (314) 603-9071, or
(314) 355-1891 [FAX].
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAP4G8ufwac

His moniker "The Future" says it all... still considered a green wrestler, Ruddick has been changing minds by dominating the Lethal Wrestling Alliance heavyweight title scene for months... defeated Shorty Biggs for the LWA Heavyweight Championship earlier this year, then followed it up with title defenses over Evan Gelistico, Gary the Barn Owl, Jordan Lacey and Shorty Biggs (rematch).


15. "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters

Booking: bookings@reselamarinova.com
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQSfL_dt_mc

At 6'5" and 270 pounds, this former amateur bodybuilder quickly caught the eye of WWE... nicknamed "The Masterpiece"... famous for his version of the full nelson, dubbed the "Master Lock"... "Master Lock Challenges" were presented often, as he offered $1,000 to any fan who could break it... eventually made the challenge for wrestlers instead of fans... defeated Keith Walker on February 9, 2008 in Fordland, MO to become the WLW Heavywight Champ... lost the belt in April to current WLW Champ "Dangerous" Derek McQuinn.


16. Kevin X

The MMWA-SICW Heavyweight Champion nearly wrestled for the NWA Missouri Title versus Dingo, but the match was called off... defeated Jerome Cody for the MMWA-SICW title earlier this year... held the GCW Heavyweight Title for seven months in 2001 and was always in contention for the belt during Gateway's existence... is now a two-time MMWA-SICW Heavyweight Champion with title wins over Gary Jackson and Jerome Cody.


17. Jerome Cody

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCKK5195Bks

Jerome Cody wrestles exclusively for MMWA-SICW. The former battle royal champion is one-third of The Connection with Phil E. Blunt and “The Main Attraction” Tommy Knight. He has held the tag team titles on occasion, as well as the MMWA-SICW Heavyweight Title. Cody lives by his mantra of “My southern ways keep me laid and paid,” as he uses his conniving wit to aid The Connection in their battles against authority.


18. "Homicidal" Steven Davis

Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8474575678172224751&hl=en

The reigning AAPW Heavyweight Champion, lost the title to Shane Rich in 2007 but won it back a few months ago... has wrestled primarily for NWC, AAPW and the newly formed USCW of late but has competed in Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky.


19. Brandon Thomaselli

Booking: www.myspace.com/brandont484
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXjxOvlNxQM

Brandon Thomaselli is a cornerstone of Elite pro Wrestling in the Chicago area... currently the EPW TV Champ, defeating J.D. Hughes on July 25, 2008... was the first ever EPW TV Champion, holding the title for three months... is definitely "one to watch" for the rest of this year and on into 2009.


20. Egotistico Fantastico

Booking: www.myspace.com/ego12

Ego signed a WWE developmental contract in 2006 and wrestled for Deep South Wrestling through 2007... continues to wrestle throughout the Midwest, making a name for himself along the way... is the NWA Midwest X Division Champ... has wrestled in 3XW, ROH and AAW... is more than capable of taking it to the next level in any of the larger promotions out there.









21. Austin Aries

Booking: austin@austinaries.com

Aries is a veteran of both ROH and TNA... trained in 2000 by Eddie Sharkey and Terry Fox in Minneapolis, MN... brings an arsenal of moves with him to his matches, including the 450 splash... has wrestled the best in the business today... became Ring of Honor Champion at Final Battle 2004, defeating Samoa Joe before losing it to CM Punk... wrestled at TNA's Lockdown in St. Louis vs Senshi (Low Ki) with former WWE Champion Bob Backland as the special guest referee... came back to the St. Louis area for LWA and lost in a tough matchup to Adam Raw... throughout the year has wrestled with AAW and in February defeated Arik Cannon when he hit a brainbuster/submission combo that left Cannon unconscious... came back in March to AAW;s Final Four 2008 along with Jerry Lynn, Josh Abercrombie and Silas Young... currently resides in Minneapolis, MN where he and Fox run The Foundation Training Camp... has a website that is located at http://www.austinaries.com/.


22. Corporal Robinson

Booking: http://www.myspace.com/corporalrobinson
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4kAbtDTQAo

The King of the Deathmatch... currently tearing it up on tour in Juggalo Championship Wrestling... is the Elite Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion...


23. Davey Richards

Booking: www.myspace.com/davey015
Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=19003630

Davey Richards has been working overtime in the Midwest as of late... along with Dingo is a head trainer of NWA-sanctioned Dynamo Pro Gym, a training facility for young pro wrestling prospects... had a big match with "Anarchist" Arik Cannon in 3XW recently... Has wrestled in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor among other organizations... the sky is the limit for this talented professional wrestler.


24. Gage Octane

Booking: www.myspace.com/gageoctane
Video:

The former 3XW Heavyweight Champion is ready to take back the title... defeated Arik Cannon in his last defense of the belt before losing it to "Delicious" Devin Carter... along with Todd Countryman and Mark Sterling, makes up "The Gentleman's Club"... competes in Central Empire Wrestling... trained by Harley Race.



25. "Hot Body" Shawn Davis
Booking: http://www.myspace.com/hotbodshawn

Davis has a lot going for him these days at only 24 years of age... holds the Pro Championship Wrestling Midwest Championship, with no signs of letting it go...







26. "Delicious" Devin Carter

Booking: www.myspace.com/deliciousdevincarter

Few are as talented and entertaining as the "Delicious" one... held the AWA Pro Wrestling RUSH YouTube Television title before losing it in November 2007... lost the 3XWrestling Heavyweight Title in November, but won it back from Gage Octane in June 2008... won 3XW's Pure Wrestling title in July by defeating Mark Sterling... later vacated the 3XW Pure Title due to defending the Heavyweight Championship.


27. Jeremy Wyatt

Booking: www.myspace.com/jeremy_wyatt (or therebeljrw@yahoo.com)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl0uNMgtpAw

Unlike James Dean, Jeremy Wyatt is a rebel with a cause. He is approaching his 7th year in the wrestling business and has competed for a multitude of promotions including 3XW, LWA, PWP, FIST and ICW. Wyatt’s travels have also taken him to Mexico where he has had matches for AAA and FMLL. Two years ago, Wyatt had the opportunity to wrestle his dream match against “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels and emerged victorious. One match that Wyatt considers a highlight is his vicious battle against Michael Strider back in February. “The Rebel” is the current holder of the LWA Medallion—which he defeated Tyler Cook for on May 24 in St. Peters—and the Iowa Championship Wrestling (ICW) Heavyweight Title, for which he defeated Jerry Lynn.


28. "Playboy" Damon Windsor

Booking: www.myspace.com/damonwindsor

Oklahoma's resident "Playboy" doesn't have as much to smile about these days, losing his Sooner World Class Wrestling Heavyweight Championship to 3rd Rail... could see his stock drop if he is unable to recapture the title or bounce back in another organization... is a top talent coming from Oklahoma, regardless, and one to watch for!

29. Eric Ruffington

Booking: www.myspace.com/ericruffington
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg3JxI5CM-c

Ruffington was all over Illinois in the beginning of 2008... held numerous singles and tag titles... losing the New Midwest Wrestling Tag Team Title could be what the doctor ordered for his singles career... was voted MWR 2008 Wrestler of the 1st Quarter... let's see what he can do with the 3rd and 4th Quarter of the year...


30. Mississippi Madman

Booking: http://www.myspace.com/53_madman (or [217] 679-2063)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3V96Bf0-nE

Madman made his pro debut in 2002... faced TNA monster Abyss in a popular Midwest matchup... defeated TNA Superstar Petey Williams... is a former Scott County Wrestling and Next Generation Wrestling Tag Team Champion... has been causing havoc in All American Pro Wrestling, New Midwest Wrestling and Next Generation Wrestling in recent months.


31. Eric Priest

Booking: RETIRED DUE TO KNEE INJURY (July 2008)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS9L4ccZ0rw

Known as the "Gold Standard", competed all over the upper Midwest and made a few appearances in WWE and TNA. Had his final match in AAW in Berwyn, IL.


32. Brett Young

Booking: www.myspace.com/no1brettyoung

Brett Young put together two very important wins earlier this year on the same night for Central States Wrestling, capping the evening off by defeating Mark Sterling for the vacant NWA Kansas Championship... both wins helped him earn MWR 2008 March Wrestler of the Month honors... now spending more time wrestling for Pro Wrestling Phoenix in Council Bluffs, IA... a showdown with the intimidating PWP Heavyweight Champion Abu Colossus could be just around the corner.


33. "The Spotlight" Spencer Powers

Booking: www.myspace.com/spencerpowers
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z-exkMt-2s

Although he doesn't currently hold the belt, Powers once possessed the New Midwest Wrestling Heavyweight Title... has also held the NMW Tag Team Title and Central Illinois Championship... has an entire event named after him when New Midwest Wrestling returns to action on August 23, 2008... could be holding heavyweight gold again very soon.






34. "Anarchist" Arik Cannon

Booking: www.myspace.com/arikcannon (or TheAnarchistAC@hotmail.com)
Video:

Arik Cannon is known around the world, but originated in the Midwest... stock rose tremendously when he won the CHIKARA Young Lions Cup... toured Japan with Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling... wrestled for VKF: Wrestle Naniwa in Osaka, Japan... made return to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla recently... returned to CHIKARA for 2008 King Of Trios.


35. Justin Sane

Justin Sane sealed his entrance into the first ever MWR 100 with a victory in Fusion Tradition Wrestling that made him the first ever Tradition Champion... the match was an extreme bunkhouse stampede match, further legitimizing Sane's claim as champion... should receive more bookings in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri to improve his standings in next year's MWR 100.


36. Silas Young

Booking: www.myspace.com/silasyoung123

Silas Young is as exciting and brash as a professional wrestler can possibly be... also backs up his brashness with unparalleled talent and ability inside the squared circle... wrestles for AAW in Berwyn, IL... has a WWE developmental contract this year but was released... there is no doubt that he'll eventually be in one of the national wrestling promotions some day very soon.




37. Stacey O'Brien

Booking: www.myspace.com/irishstacey0 (or Staceyobrien@hotmail.com)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_LKfa7rBuM

Stacey O’ Brien, the blonde brawler who professes that she is the best women’s wrestler today, has the resume to back up that statement. During her short time in the ring, O’ Brien has already captured the MMWA-SICW Women’s Title, as well as the WLW Women’s title. The luck of the Irish was on her side, as she defeated Ms. Natural to earn her first title in Lebanon, MO. At the WLW Legends show from Waterloo, Iowa, O’ Brien retained her WLW title against the current SHIMMER Champion and NWA Women’s Champion, MsChif. Throughout her time in MMWA-SICW, O’ Brien has had vicious battles with both “Dynamite” Jennifer Starr and Alexis Lightfoot.



38. Keith Walker

Keith Walker was a three-sport college athlete, competing in football, baseball, and wrestling before entering the world of professional wrestling... was trained by Eric Priest... had a wild feud in WLW with Wade Chism for the Heavyweight title, winning the title twice before heading off to a WWE developmental deal... has now returned and has wrestled with AAW and SCW... recently returned to WLW in a three way with Marc Godeker and former WWE Superstar Eugene to take on Michael Strider, Dangerous Derek McQuinn and Dinn T Moore in the co-main event at a show in Eldon, MO... is a true powerhouse and when focused could very well hold any belt he chooses.


39. Chuck Valentine

Booking: scott.kelly92@yahoo.com

Chuck Valentine is the heavyweight champion for the upstart Metro East Championship Wrestling in Wood River, IL... could easily be booked in more organizations, but seems happy defeating all comers in MECW.


40. "Babyface" Tony Cortez

Booking: www.myspace.com/babyfacestb
Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=6324593

Cortez packs a lot of wrestling knowledge and skill into an inconspicuous package... was the longest reigning Pro Wrestling Phoenix Heavyweight Champ (20 months), defeating Sonjay Dutt, Jeremey Wyatt, and Michael Strider among others... was involved in the first no rope barbwire match in the Council Bluffs area versus Hype Gotti.

41. Josh Abercrombie

Booking: www.myspace.com/joshabercrombie
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYn-m8-uNRM

Abercrombie knows how to pack plenty of entertainment value in a small package... wrestled for the short lived Wrestling Society X... recently won a tournament in AAW that guaranteed him a shot at the AAW Heavyweight Title... could wrestle more in the MWR coverage area as his reputation continues to grow... was a runner up for MWR Wrestler of the Month honors... recently changed his name to Josh Raymond.


42. Kenny Campbell

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aan9YmEADY

Kenny Campbell is definitely a wrestler who should be booked more in the MWR coverage area... wrestles for Impact Zone Wrestling, and is currently the Impact Zone Wrestling Impact Division Champion... defeated Mitch Carter, Jermaine Johnson, Dustin Heritage and Seth Allen for the IZW Impact Division Title in Oklahoma City, OK on June 14, 2008...


43. J.D. Hughes

Hughes was defeated this past month by Brandon Thomaselli for the Elite Pro Wrestling TV Title, but is always impressive... a rematch with Thomaselli could easily go the other way.


44. Alex Shelley

Booking: AlexShelley83@hotmail.com

No introduction is needed for this TNA Tag Team Superstar... as one half of TNA's Motor City Machine Guns, Shelley thrills audiences with his high flying moves and lightning-like speed... wrestles in AAW with Chris Sabin as the Murder City Machine Guns, capturing the AAW Tag Team Titles... has also wrestled for Lethal Wrestling Alliance.


45. Jaysin Strife

Booking: www.myspace.com/jaysinstrife
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4UdiOfAV60

Strife is an ultra-talented and respected wrestler in the Midwest... runs Magnum Pro Wrestling... recently returned to Central States Wrestling to join forces with Tyler Cook and Payday Patterson as part of "The In Crowd"... wrestles for Pro Wrestling Phoenix, where he trains prospective wrestlers in various training seminars on the day of PWP wrestling events.


46. Curtis Payne

Video: http://www.megavideo.com/?v=4679NVE0

Known as the Shooter, Payne is the current Full Throttle Wrestling Heavyweight Champion... has wrestled as far away as Tennessee and Michigan... held a number of singles and tag titles.Full Throttle Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.


47. Chris Sabin

No introduction is needed for this TNA Tag Team Superstar... as one half of TNA's Motor City Machine Guns, Sabin thrills audiences with his high flying moves and lightning-like speed... wrestles in AAW with Alex Shelley as the Murder City Machine Guns, capturing the AAW Tag Team Titles... has also wrestled for Lethal Wrestling Alliance.


48. Adam Raw

Booking: www.myspace.com/adamraw

Adam Raw is considered a cornerstone of Lethal Wrestling Alliance... trains in mixed martial arts... wrestled Nick Tyson in Tyson's retirement match in 2008... had greatly talked about matches with Michael Strider in 2007... was given the opportunity to wrestle Austin Aries this year, pulling off the victory and earning even more respect in the process... deserves a title shot in any promotion he wants to wrestle in...



49. Marek Brave

Booking: www.myspace.com/marekbrave
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nif8N9shx4

Brave has had many hard-fought battles in some of the most high profile wrestling promotions in the Midwest... currently the Scott County Wrestling (based out of Davenport, IA) Heavyweight Champion... frequently in the main events at AAW in Chicago, IL.


50. Tracy Smothers

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR_BGdq3MU0

There is nobody out there who can rile up a crowd the way this Southern Boy can... had a brutal but entertaining match with Michael Strider last year for Central States wrestling... wrestled in the main event of the FIST Combat show against "Serial Thriller" Shane Rich in what should be considered an early favorite for match of the month... usually wrestles further south, but should be booked more often here in the Midwest.


51. Tyler Cook

Booking: twc_@hotmail.com (or [913] 961-4642)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFEfaeY3noU

Cook is quite possibly the most promising wrestler to compete in the MWR coverage area... wrestles for Lethal Wrestling Alliance and Central States Wrestling (both Kansas and Missouri), but is also coming into his own in Harley Race's World League Wrestling... defeated Brian Breaker recently in WLW... was part of the security detail on the October 10, 2007 edition of WWE's Monday Night Raw, breaking up a brawl between Umaga and current World Heavyweight Champion Triple H.


52. "Wild" Wade Chism

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRT6bwjEQcU

Chism has plenty of confidence in his wrestling ability, as well he should... is a respected wrestler in World League Wrestling and Central States Wrestling...


53. Brett Gakiya

Booking: www.myspace.com/gakiya309
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1bfYFFKvHc%5C

This Next Generation Wrestling Heavyweight Champion has also made a name for himself as part of a tag team with CJ Esparza called "Zero Gravity"... currently feuding with his tag team partner in New midwest Wrestling due to the Central Illinois Title he holds around his waist.


54. Cecil Cerveza

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_-xLRGObyY

Cerveza has really come into his own this year... won the Great American Wrestling Central Illinois Championship by defeating Blake Steel and Eric Ruffington in February 2008... won the Peggy Cooper Invitational Tournament in GAW this year as well.


55. Casanova

Booking: www.myspace.com/sleeper_hold (or pinto4me@hotmail.com)

The sexiest cruiserweight in the MWR coverage area... held the 3XW Cruiserweight Title for the entire 12 months prior to the June cutoff for the MWR 100... was half of the first ever Central Empire Wrestling Tag Team Champions with Donnie Peppercricket... wrestled "Cowboy" Gator Magraw in his last match before retiring last summer... also wrestled for AWA Pro Wrestling Rush and F1RST Wrestling.


56. CJ Esparza

Booking: www.myspace.com/cjesparza
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_LKfa7rBuM

CJ Esparza is well-regarded as one-half of the tag team "Zero Gravity" with Brett Gakiya... use the Death Nail, Sudden Emergency and Shooting Star Press as finishing maneuvers... has held the NGW Tag Titles, NGW Triple Threat Championship, and the New Midwest Wrestling Central Illinois Championship... currently feuding with Gakiya in NGW.


57. Danny Daniels

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ake1WHJGNVI

Former ECW personality in the waning days of its prior incarnation... is a former IWA-MS Heavyweight Champion and trains a number of people in the Quad Cities and Chicago areas... wrestles primarily for AAW and Scott County Wrestling.


58. Hype Gotti

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8-Z3aGhAw


59. Darin Waid

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B63eHz_lpp0

Wrestles for Harley Race's WLW.


60. Dysfunction

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYCvmgColNw


61. Jason Hades

Video: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/jason-hades-vs-chuck-taylor-2/578253585

The current IWA-MS Light Heavyweight Champion.


62. Jimmy Jacobs

Booking: www.myspace.com/jimmyjacobs
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak4UyM-d_5o

Jimmy Jacobs began his career nearly 10 years ago, at the age of 15. Jacobs has been in and out of tag teams, with one of them being DIFH (Doin’ It For Her) where he teamed up with Tyler Black for Wrestling Society X. For the past five years, Jacobs has been working for ROH, and in during his time with the company, he has already captured the ROH tag team titles on four separate occassions, with two partners in the form of BJ Whitmore (2) and Tyler Black (2). Other accomplishments consist of IWA-Mid South Junior Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion, NWA-Indiana Heavyweight Championship, NWA-Iowa Heavyweight Championship and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship with Tyler Black.


63. Kraig Keesaman

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu7JH_QFeCE

Keesaman continues to develop as a wrestler... once considered merely a "up and comer", but has slowly progressed into a respected and trustworthy veteran... competes for 3XW often, and has even earned a shot at the 3XW Heavyweight Championship in the past... works for World League Wrestling thesew days, too, and could be competing for the WLW Tag Team Titles soon.


64. Krotch

Booking: www.myspace.com/krrrotch

Krotch is the underdog in almost every aspect of professional wrestling, yet the little guy has managed to carve a name for himself across the Midwest... teams with Mad Dog McDowell in 3XW... currently the AAW Heritage Champion.




65. Mad Dog McDowell

Booking: www.myspace.com/bigmcd75 (or mmcdowell75@hotmail.com)

Large and in charge, Mad Dog is a force to be reckoned with, particularly in Iowa and Illinois... won the 3XW Newcomer of the Year award... was the 3XW Pure Wrestling Champion from July 2007 to January 2008... MECW Tag Team Champion along with "Creole Kid" Aaron Masterson as the Bayou Outlaws (July '08 to current)... also worked for NWA No Limits, Central Empire Wrestling and Magnum Pro Wrestling.


66. Ms. Natural

Booking: www.myspace.com/msnatural

Ms. Natural has 8 years of wrestling experience... trained by Ken Patera and Harley Race... has been the World League Wrestling Ladies Champion numerous times, but recently lost it to Stacey O’ Brien... is a tremendous female athlete... won MWR Woman of the Month twice thus far in 2008.






67. Pierre Abernathy

Booking: www.myspace.com/pierreabernathy (or euro-matt@hotmail.com)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOvMe9819Rk

Pierre Abernathy has been actively wrestling for going on four years. He has wrestled for over 30 companies, including Lethal Wrestling Alliance (LWA), IWA-Texas and all three Central States organizations. Abernathy’s journey has also led him to promotions in Indiana, Arkansas and Ohio. In May of this year, the man who is one-fourth of the Submission Squad—which also includes Dingo, Johnny Vinyl and Davey Vega—faced off against Ring of Honor (ROH) star Delirious. However, what Abernathy considers his greatest accomplishment thus far is the series of matches that Nick Tyson and himself had with Gary the Barn Owl and Dingo in Texas.


68. Jaxson Pride

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y7uyItQP4I

Jaxson Pride is the current Great American Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.


69. Nick Tyson

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnbmkj6CQ38

Retired in July 2008 from active wrestling.


70. Rasche Brown

Video: www.youtube.com/?v=HGe4qCMTm-o

Brown recently earned a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment, but returned to AAW where he has always been a monster of a man... could easily hold any belt in the Midwest for heavyweights...


71. Sal Thomaselli


72. Benz

New Midwest Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.


73. Shorty Biggs

Booking: www.myspace.com/shortybiggs314

Biggs was the Lethal Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Champion before he was defeated by "The Future" Donovan Ruddick... attempted to reclaim the title a short time later but was unsuccessful... competes regularly for Central States Wrestling where he has been very successful... had a highly competitive series of matches against Jeremy Wyatt... known as the "Don Mega".




74. Alexis Lightfoot

Lightfoot just completed her quest to reclaim the MMWA-SICW Women's Championship by finally defeating Stacey O'Brien for the title...


75. Brandon Espinosa

Booking: www.myspace.com/theespyv1, Bjen7d@umsl.edu, or (314) 619-9629
Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=25708925

Throughout his nearly three years wrestling, Brandon Espinosa has already worked for 23 promotions in the Midwest, including companies such as NWA-CSW, NMW, LWA, FIST Combat and SLW. Espinosa’s career began at the St. Louis based South Broadway Athletic Club (MMWA-SICW Promotion). His debut came after only two months of training when he faced off against Jeremy Lightfoot. Since that time, Espinosa has captured the MMWA-SICW Junior Heavyweight Title as well as the OSWA Light Heavyweight Championship. He recently aligned himself with Brandon Aarons to form a tag team known as B.A.B.E. WATCH.


76. Evan Gelistico

Booking: www.myspace.com/evangelistic (or jakeishavoc@hotmail.com )
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgyl_fnqLmk

“Where’s the street-wise Hercules to fight the rising odds?” The answer to the aforementioned question can be found in none other than Evan Gelistico. With just under five years wrestling to his name, Gelistico has the accolades of being a two-time LWA Medallion Holder, GCW Tag Team Champion with Pierre Abernathy and AWA-PPW Tag Team Champion with Gary the Barn Owl. The only member of the Bearded Men from Space Station Eleven to not have a beard has walked the streets in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana and even Texas. Despite his travels, Gelistico calls LWA his home promotion.


77. Damian Blade


78. Edmund "Livewire" McGuire

Booking: www.myspace.com/livewire_mcguire
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMElXJMDHRA


79. KC Karrington

Booking: kckarrington@yahoo.com

Young and ultra-charismatic... utilizes his talents in the ring and on the mic to maximum effect... has really come into his own in the Lethal Wrestling Alliance, while branching out to the other indy promotions throughout the Midwest... has a bright future and seems to be growing as a wrestler by leaps and bounds.


80. Kyle Rich

Kyle Rich is well-regarded in the Midwest wrestling community and has had some extremely entertaining matches... is currently the Next Generation Wrestling People's Choice Champion.


81. Kyle King

Booking: tricks2nd@gmail.com
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LFIeh2Z2yA

If you want a guy with an attitude that can incite a riot in the crowd, then Kyle King is your man... has wrestled for the ill-fated International Wrestling Conference, Whiplash Wrestling, and Full Throttle Wrestling among others... runs the "Road Often Traveled" Internet radio show which is a very thinly veiled attempt at self-promotion... could be the bad guy everybody is talking about in 2009, but don't tell him that as he believes everybody is talking about him today.


82. Gary the Barn Owl

Booking: www.myspace.com/owljay
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkDsHMg8JUM

Gary the Barn Owl flew the coop approximately four years ago to begin his long flight towards stardom. His voyage has made stops in LWA, NWA-CSW in both Kansas and Missouri, IWA-Texas, PWI-Texas, PPW-Indiana, EFW-Indiana and SLW-Illinois, among others. At Yuletide Terror in 2006, Gary won the LWA Championship—his first championship—from Adam Raw. Since that time, he has had many battles, but his most recent was that in which he and Evan Gelistico joined forces with the Ego Express (K.C. Karrington and “Spoiled” Steven Kennedy) to take on the Submission Squad (Pierre Abernathy, Dingo, “Blackheart” Johnny Vinyl and “Spitfire” Davey Vega).


83. Jay Jensen

Booking: www.myspace.com/jayjensen78

Jensen is a talented wrestler and business owner from Chicago, IL... co-owns Elite Pro Wrestling... opened the Elite Pro Dojo in September 2006 (New Lenox, IL)... also wrestles in Elite Pro, where he has been successful... has built coopeartive efforts with a few wrestling promotions in the area, including CHIKARA and IWA Mid South.






84. Vito Thomaselli


85. Toga Steve

A former New midwest Wrestling Central Illinois Champion, Toga Steve has what it takes to capture championship gold... currently focusing his pro wrestling attention on New Midwest Wrestling, but should be given a shot outside the organization.


86. Benjamin Sailer

Booking: www.myspace.com/benjaminsailer

Sailer (spelled with an E-R at the end, folks!) is just beginning to break into the MWR coverage area's wrestling scene along with tag team partner Nate Bash... together, Bash and Sailer make up the tag team "Midwest Ground and Air"... is one of the most serious wrestlers in the nation when it comes to training and focus.




[Photo Credit: http://www.jessiesphotography.com/.]


87. Darin Corbin

Booking: www.myspace.com/darincorbin (or darincorbin@aim.com)

Corbin is most known for his work as one-half of Northstar Express with Ryan Cruz... wrestled Scotty 2 Hotty recently, raising his stock as a singles wrestler... was a competitor in CHIKARA's Young Lion's Cup 4 and King of Trios 2008 (as part of Team F1RST)... with Ryan Cruz, defeated the Murder City Machine Guns for the All American Wrestling Tag Team titles... has been a 3XWrestling Tag Champ with Ryan Cruz for the past 18 months.


88. Davey Vega

Booking: www.myspace.com/daveyvega (or DaveyVega@gmail.com)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Z_SANm55A

“Spitfire” Davey Vega debuted on the Midwest wrestling scene in December 2006. He trains under Dingo, as well as with CHIKARA Pro, based out of Philadelphia. Vega has worked for various promotions in the area including LWA, FIST, NGW and JCW. One of his most notable moments came on the April 5 LWA show in Granite City, IL when he slapped the Ego Express’s (K.C. Karrington and “Spoiled” Steven Kennedy) manager, Tiffany Lafane, which lit a fire under the Egos and fueled their fued, which took a drastic turn at Circus Maximus on July 12. At that event, Lafane turned on K.C. Karrington and aligned herself with Vega.


89. Lord Frost

Booking: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=98534619

There is something to be said for an interesting (some might say downright frightening) look... works for Fusion Tradition Wrestling, which is one of the best kept secrets of the independent scene... could delve deeper into the MWR coverage area if given the opportunity.




90. Hunter Matthews

Booking: www.myspace.com/huntermatthews

Hunter Matthews is the Metro East Championship Wrestling Independent Champion... wrestles in 3XW, SCW and AAW, making him one of the more high profile wrestlers overall in the MWR coverage area... scheduled to wrestle for the LWA on September 13, 2008... a star that is slowly rising... should place higher in next year's edition of the MWR 100.


91. Donnie Peppercricket

Peppercricket is a very strange soul... wrestles in Iowa and Nebraska, especially Central Empire Wrestling based around Muscatine, IA.


92. Iceman

Booking: www.myspace.com/theicemanforever

The ten year wrestling veteran was taking a break before the International Wrestling Conference came calling... Iceman answered, quickly establishing himself as a top talent and becoming the IWC No Limits Champion... was instrumental in the success of IWC/TNF's supershow in Chillicothe, MO, promoting the show in the surrounding area... worked with ODB from Total Nonstop Action (TNA) and competed in the main event of the July 12, 2008 show... worked for Central States Wrestling as part of Girthy Management Group... worked 2 shows for NWA Oklahoma.

93. Jeremy Travis


94. "Feature Presentation" Johnny Mac


95. Johnny Vinyl

Booking: www.myspace.com/bncjohnnyvinyl or bncjohnnyvinyl@yahoo.com

The man formerly known as “The Brand New Classic” has rechristened himself as “Blackheart” Johnny Vinyl. In addition to his training with Dingo at the now-defunct GCW Dojo, Vinyl honed his craft by participating in seminars hosted by Samoa Joe, Nigel McGuinness, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Mike Quackenbush. His skills have allowed him work for LWA, UWA, LAW (Arkansas) and TLCW (Tennessee). One noteworthy accomplishment of sorts for Vinyl was when Mike Quackenbush name-dropped him on a CHIKARA podcast. The most significant matches of his career thus far have been the 8-man elimination street fight from Circus Maximus and when he teamed up with MsChif to take on Jordan Lacey and Daziee Haze, which is linked below. Within the next two years, “Blackheart” hopes to be wrestling for CHIKARA.


96. Mephisto

Booking: www.myspace.com/mephistowwa
Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=31760906

Mephisto is more than just a hardcore wrestler, and recently proved it during a booking for the LWA...


97. Mike Sydal

Booking: http://www.myspace.com/mjkd2f

The brother of WWE superstar "Evan Bourne" has a similar work ethic and a great upside... has been booked across the Midwest in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and more... had a big match at International Wrestling Conference's last show in June against Kyle King.


98. Nate Bash

Booking: www.myspace.com/450bash

The other half of Midwest Ground and Air is as highly regarded and hard working as his counterpart... should be booked in more matches across the area... based in Minniapolis, MN... has wrestled around Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North Dakota... has an unorthodox wrestling style, but it gets the job done in the ring.






99. Prince Ali

Booking: www.myspace.com/princealiwrestling
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9TdLt2hVwc

A muslim wrestler that loves God and pro wrestling... wrestles all over the place as a part of NWA Midwest and other wrestling organizations, but is from Bolingbrook, IL... should be much higher on the list in years to come, as his star is quickly gaining brightness...


100. Ryan Cruz

Booking: www.myspace.com/v2ryancruz

The other half of the Northstar Express is equally as important as Darin Corbin... being the intergalactic interplanetarysomethingorother (name is approximate) champions can't hurt, either.