NIW 7/26/2008

Northern Impact Wrestling held some wrestling matches at Lonetti's Lounge as part of the Rice St. Festival in St. Paul, MN this last Saturday night. This was an outdoor free show and it was a hot day so I didn't take photos of every match.
In the second match of the card Benjamin Sailer beat Arik Cannon. These two did some great mat wrestling to start things off but then took there match to the streets. They battled through Lonetti's Lounge first then they stopped traffic on Rice Street. They even battled in front of a police officer in his squad car. As Cannon and Sailer fought each other in the street and on coming cars would stop it reminded me of a scene in U2's Rattle and Hum. Good thing no arrest were made. The match made back to the ring where Sailer rolled up Cannon with a La Majistral cradle.
The Black Stallion pinned Arya Daivari after a power slam. Through the whole match Arya spoke only in his native tongue. You can learn more about Daivari by picking up the current issue of The Wrestler/Inside Wrestler where inside The Wrestler part of the mag there is an Introducing article on Daivari. Both photos from the article were taken by me.
Pete Huge defeated Ryan Cruz. This match, much like the Cannon/Sailer match, went to the streets and around the block.
Kamikaze Klecker and Nate Bash battled for the beer belt which was is named 'start drinking at noon and get drunk at some bar on the East side of Saint Paul middle weight title'. I believe that this match and title were not sanctioned by NIW. Nate Bash won this match and he retired the belt after the match because he needed the belt to keep his pants up. I want to point out that Ref Rob Page wore shorts for this event.

RWF Savage, MN 7/25/2008

There is a new promotion in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and it is called Renegade Wrestling Federation. The RWF held it's first card at Niesons bar and grill in Savage, MN this last Friday night.

The first match of the night was The Brauler vs Jesse Chan. This was the first time I've seen either of these wrestlers. Chan won the match.

The next match featured some lucha action as Black Boy took on Apostle 13. The winner of the match was Apostle 13.

Midwest Ground & Air defeated the team of the Asylum & Zero Kincade. Benjamin Sailer got the pin on Kincade as Nate Bash dove out side the ring on to the Asylum.

Ann Brookstone defeated Allison Wonderland.

Thoruf Marius w/ Sheikh Adnon defeated Skylar Steel.
In the main event Lenny Lane defeated James Alexander twice. He beat him the first time by DQ when the ref caught Alexander with a foreign object in his hand. Lane won the second time after commissioner Kenny Yates restarted the match by using the foreign object on Alexander.

Train to be a pro wrestler

If you want to be a pro wrestler and live near the Minneapolis area or are willing to move then give Terry Fox a call as he and Austin Aries are running a training camp right now. Through the summer the ring is set up out side but I believe that they are looking for a new location once it starts to get cold out side. You can reach Terry at 763-785-1924

Austin Aries giving instructions to trainee Jeff.

This was taken from austinaries.com-

"THE FOUNDATION"-PRO-WRESTLING TRAINING CAMP CLASSES NOW IN SESSION !!!***Anybody who wants to enter the world of professional wrestling the right way needs "The Foundation".******Former ROH World Champion and head trainer to their school, Austin Aries has teamed up with Terry Fox who brings over 20 years of professional wrestling experience and a proven track record as a trainer. Together they have opened up "The Foundation" Professional Wrestling Camp. Located just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, "The Foundation" will provide anybody interested in the world of professional wrestling the knowledge and technique, both in and out of the ring, to build a successful wrestling career. If you've never been in the ring before, or you want to step out of the untrained, unpaid, backyard scene then the "The Foundation" is for you. Classes are ongoing now! For more information contact Austin Aries at: mailto:austin@austinaries.com?subject= or AustinAries@hotmail.com***

Trainer of champions Terry Fox watching on as Ausitn Aries trains hands on.

NLW St. Paul, MN 7/12/2008

Northern Lights Wrestling held their monthly card at the Eagles Club in St. Paul, Mn this past Saturday night.

In the opening match Zero Kincade defeated Jake Taylor.

Craven Knyte defeated Johnny Riddlin.

Aaron Corbin beat Mike Stanley. Corbin was scheduled to wrestle Corey O'Neill but O'Neill was unable to make it.

The NLW Midwest champion Darrel Hall retained his belt by pinning Rico Havana.

NLW Heavy weight champion The Black Stallion defeated John Johnson to retain his title.

NLW tag team champions Glam Slam beat James Alexander & Jonny Goldengate.

Up to the big leagues with bad names

One of the great things about photographing independent pro wrestling is seeing some of the men and women make it up to the 'big leagues', WWE or TNA. In the last month or two I've seen two wrestlers who I first saw 4-5 years ago wrestling in high school gyms or national guard armory's.
Back in April of 2004 I was at ring side in St. Paul, MN when Matt Sydal made his ROH debut against Delirious. The photos here are from the next night in Chicago Ridge, IL. On June 3rd, 2008 Matt made his WWE debut now wrestling as Evan Bourne.
The name change is a little goofy. Sydal was more unique then Bourne. Go ahead and do a search of both those names. The top searches for Bourne are from the Matt Damon movies.
Mickie Knuckles wrestled in the first round of the Ted Petty Invitational back in 2003. There was a spot open because someone had to cancel and Knuckles wanted that spot. The spot she took was the one with Ian Rotten, her trainer, as the opponent. Knuckles didn't make it past the first round but she put up one hell of a fight.
The second night of the tournament Knuckles wrestled Rain. She won that match. A few weeks ago Knuckles debuted with TNA but with a new first name, Moose. It was brought to my attention that a moose knuckle is the male version of a camel toe. Once again, another stupid name choice by those who give out names.