Mentallo on Lucha Libre USA Masked Warriors

I was watching the August 28th episode of Lucha Libre USA on Mtv2 this past past weekend when I saw a familiar masked warrior, Mentallo. It was at an XJAM card in Minot, ND in January 2006 were I first met the masked man from Canada. That's one of the joys of being a ring side photographer at independent pro wrestling shows. One day you see a wrestler at a bar/armory in a small Midwest town and a few years later that same wrestler can be seen on national TV.
The first time I saw Mentallo he was a fan favorite when he wrestled against Arik Cannon at the Udder Palace in Minot, ND. On Lucha Libre USA Mentallo is a rudo, the lucha libre term for bad guy. It was made clear that he was a rude when he was shown pick pocketing some lady on the streets of Las Vegas in a clip on Lucha Libre USA before his match with Azteco.

2010 PWI 500

The 20th annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 hit news stands a couple of weeks ago. Former TNA champion AJ Styles was named the #1 for the grading period of June 1st, 2009 through May 31st 2010. This was the first time that a TNA wrestler was named #1 in the PWI 500. The photo here was taken back in January 2004 when he came to Midwest Pro Wrestling to face Shifty.

Ranked #3 on the list is CM Punk. In the photo Punk is with Colt Cabana (#101) after they won the ROH tag team titles in Chicago Ridge, Il in April 2004. A little bit of a role reversal as Punk is showing his less serious side. Cabana recently started a podcast called "Art of Wrestling" that can be found at welovecolt.com and on itunes. So far he has done 4 episodes that have featured Shawn Daivari, Punk, Chad Collyer and Bull Pain. I've listened to all 4 shows an really enjoyed them. They are funny and informative. If you are a fan of pro wrestling then you really should listen to Art of Wrestling. Then email him and tell him I told you to listen to his podcast.

I have four photos in the PWI 500, Randy Orton, Jack Swagger, Cody Rhodes and Chris Masters. Go out and buy an copy now. If you can't find the 2010 PWI 500 on news stands you can now order it on line at the PWI blog.

3XW Des Moines, IA 8/6/2010

For the first time since October 2007 I made my way down to Des Moines, Iowa for a 3XW card. Int the three years the 3XW roster has not changed much as many of the same guys were since the last time. One thing that has changed is the location for their events. 3XW now runs out of the Des Moines Social Club in down town Des Moines. This card was the second annual King of Des Moines tournament that featured 8 of 3XW's best wrestlers and two title matches.
There was a pre show match between Brady A. Dezire and Jon West. West was one of only two on this card that I had never seen before. Dezire won the match with a super kick.

The the first tournament match Zach Thompson defeated Nate Bash. Both men are fan favorties but Thompson was voted most popular 3XW wrestler 2009.

In the second first round match Brain Ash w/ Todd Countryman defeated Maddog McDowell. This match featured the two biggest men in 3XW.

Jeremy Wyatt defeated Benjamin Sailer in another first round match. Wyatt hit Sailer in the jimmy and rolled him up for the three count.

In the final first round match Mark Sterling defeated Devin Carter. Sterling made Carter tap out to his version of the sharp shooter.

Jeremy Wyatt advanced to the finals by defeating Zach Thompson. Thompson tapped out to Wyatt's cross face submission hold.

Mark Sterling pinned Brain Ash with Todd Countryman. Ash tried using a foriegn objest that was handed to him by Countryman but Sterling still got the win to advance to the finals.

3XW Unified Pure Wrestling Champion Jimmy Rockwell retained his belts in a six man scramble match. The other five men in the match were Casanova, Sir Bradley Charles, Hunter Matthews, Aaron Masterson and Ryan Slade.

Rory Fox sucessfully defended the 3XW Heavyweight championship against Ricky Kwong with Chad Mylan. Fox was featured in Mtv's True Life: I'm a pro wrestler show a few years back.

In the King of Des Moines finals Mark Sterling defeated Jeremy Wyatt in a 30 minute plus match.

Mark Sterling, 2010 King of Des Moines. He now gets all his extra value meals super sized at any fast food resturant in Des Moines and a really big trophy.

8 Stupid Questions with Arik Cannon

Name: Arik Cannon

height: 5'8"

Weight: 215 lbs

Years pro: 9+

Home town: Wyoming, MN

1. Why did you want to become a pro wrestler? When I was just a little Arik Cannon, wrestling took priority over Saturday morning cartoons. I watched it as much as I could, rented all the VHS tapes from the local video store whenever Mama Cannon would let me. This was a trend that continued, and just never quit. As I grew older, I continued to collect wrestling videos from all over the world. It was just something I always wanted to do.The Characters, the physicality, the good vs. evil, all of it...I just couldn't get enough of it. (Cannon vs Skayde 9/20/03 MPW)

2. You were on a short lived MTV promotion Wrestling Society X. I thought the show would have lasted for more then one season if MTV would have promoted it by putting some of the wrestlers on other MTV shows. Which show would you pick to be on had you been given the choice? Room Raiders, Pimp My Ride or Next? I agree. There was little to no promotion done by MTV, and I definitely think that played a big part in WSX only lasting one season.That, and 'The Hills'. I blame 'The Hills'. Have you seen the chicks on that show? That said, had you listed 'The Hills' as I'd have totally picked that. But, you didn't. So I'll go with...Next! (Cannon vs Christy Hemme 8/01/09 HOW)

3. Do you like cops? Total coin flip. Some cops are pretty cool. While others... They just aren't. Sheriff's though, now that is another story! (Cannon with sheriff Johnny Emerald 1/23/05 MPW)

4. What is the best pro wrestling video game ever? Great question. I'm having trouble deciding between Fire Pro Wrestling D for the Dreamcast and Virtual Pro Wrestling for the N64. Both are top shelf goodness. Each game is so different, yet so awesome. Ca we say it's a tie? (Cannon vs Darin Corbin 1/14/06 3XW)

5. On May 28th, 2010 F1rst Wrestling co-promoted an event with Wrestlicious. If there were a male version of Wrestlicoious which stereo type character would you be? (There are no Anarchist in Wrestlicious.) Ummm... I guess I'd have to go with the male version of Felony. The jailbird. It's the closest thing to an Anarchist, right? (Cannon vs Danny Daniels 9/29/07 AAW)

6. Are you a good dancer? I've been told I am, butt...I'm not so sure that's the case. I can do the worm. (Cannon vs Rob James 6/9/07 NIW)
7. Where is the weirdest/oddest place you've ever wrestled at? Weirdest... Oddest... As in the Men's Room at the First Avenue Nightclub? (Cannon vs Horace the Psychopath 6/20/08 F1rst Wrestling)

8. Do you like beer? I like beer. Mich. Golden Light, Coors light, Miller lite, ect. -Pint Glass, and I kindly ask the bartender to toss a couple olives into it. (Cannon vs Rob James 2/3/06 NIW)

FLWA South Haven, MN 7/24/2010

This past Saturday night French Lake Wrestling Association was one of the attractions for South Haven Day. There was a little rain just before bell time but it stayed away for the rest of the night.
In the opening contest Billy Blaze defeated Cooter.

In a special attraction ladies match Allison Wonderland defeated Mystik Sexton with a manager who's name I forgot. I think it might have been Vanesa.

In tag team action Johnny Parks & Brody Hoofer won by DQ over Sammy Savard & High Roller STX w/ Mago. The DQ came when Mitch Paradise came out to attack Hoofer & Parks. During this 3 on 2 beat down the ring broke. Former WWE superstar Rikishi came out to even the sides at 3 and he asked FLWA acting commishener Heavy D to make the main event a 6 man tag. Heavy D said it would happen.

Horace the Psychopath defeated Chadwick Wentworth III (The Black Stallion) to become the new FLWA champion. At some point this match became a hard core match and a golf club, lawn chair, hammer and garbage can were used.

Rikishi, Brody Hoofer & Johnny Parks defeated Sammy Savard, STX & Mitch Paradise in a six man tag match. After the match High Roller Mago got the stink face from Rikishi.

Tragos/Thesz 2010 Hall of Fame Waterloo, IA 7/10/2010

On Saturday July 10, 2010 The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum inducted 5 wrestlers into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame. The museum in located in downtown Waterloo, Iowa and they had their first class of Hall of Fame members inducted in 1999. The majority of the museum is dedicated to armature wrestling but one of the rooms is filled with some of the most interesting items from pro wrestling past. On display are many ring jackets including some worn by Larry Hennig, Mr Wrestling and Bret Hart as well as title belts worn by Ted DiBiase and Lou Thesz.

The class of 2010 included Terry Funk, Paul Vachon, Warren Bockwinkel, George Gordienko and Stanislaus Zbyszko. Funk and Vachon were present to accept their HoF plaques at the ceremony.

Mick Foley received the Frank Gotch award from Kent Sesker of the museum.

J Michael Kenyon received the Jim Melby award for excellence in pro wrestling journalism. He was presented the award by melby's daughter.
Rene Goulet received the Lou Thesz award for his charity work. Thesz's widow Charlie was there to present the award to Goulet.

Danny Hodge was at this years ceremony to accept Warren Bockwinkel's HoF award as Bockwinkel's son Nick was unable to attend. If you have the chance to meet the man that Jim Ross says is the best pro wrestler alive do not ask him to put you in a headlock. He may be almost 80 years old but he still knows how to make it hurt.

IPW Waterloo, IA 7/9/2010

This past weekend I drove down to Waterloo, Iowa for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz 2010 Hall of Fame inductions at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. On Friday night Impact Pro Wrestling presented a card at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center as part of the HoF weekend festivities. Before the card there was a Q & A with Mick Foley and Terry Funk and then a Fan Fest with many of the HoF members and award winners. This was my first time at an IPW event so there were many wrestlers who I had not seen before.
In the opening match James Jefferies defeated Sparrow w/Kiandra. Jefferies got the win while holding on to the ropes but ref Billy J was out of position to see the rule braking. Sparrow attacked Jefferies after the match.

IPW tag team champions Justin Decent & Ugly defeated Marshall Scott & Montoya X to retain their belts.

ROH champion Tyler Black defeated AJ Smooth.

Harley Jackson pinned Anthony Drake in less then 2 minutes. Drake looked a little like Beautiful Bobby from the Half Pint Brawlers TV show on Spike. Drake sure looked like a midget compared to the much larger Jackson.

IPW heavyweight champion Tony Sly defeated Matty Star to retain the belt.Sly got the pin after his manager hit Star with the title belt.

Nicky Free pinned former 2 time ROH champion Austin Aries.

The main event for the night was a 20 man over the top rope battle royal with the winner recieving $5,00 and a shot at the heavyweight title. Matty Star won the match when he eliminated Tony Sly.

George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

Mick Foley and Terry Funk will be in Waterloo, Iowa this weekend for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz professional Wrestling hall of Fame class of 2010 inductions. Funk will be inducted into the HoF and Foley will receive the Frank Gotch award. Both men will take part in a Q & A on Friday night before the IPW card. Check out the web site for more details. Dan Gabel International Wrestling Institute and Museum

PWA South St. Paul, MN 6/26/2010

For the second Saturday in a row Pro Wrestling America had one of their annual shows. This week it was at Kaposia Days in South St. Paul, MN in the VFW parking lot. Once again it was a beautiful day for outdoor wrestling.
In the opening match Contrast defeated Udo in the battle of the masked men.

Horace the Psychopath defeated The Brauler in the second match.

Tommy "Spiderbaby" Saturday defeated rookie Denis "The Menace" Michael.

Mystik pinned Heather Zumhofe.

Billy Blaze pinned Buck "Rock N Roll" Zumhofe with some help from Lenny Lane. After the match Zumhofe challenged Lane to a weasel suit match at an up coming show. Zumhofe first had his weasel suit match against Bobby "The Brain/Weasel" Heenan probably over 20 years ago.

JB Trask & Rob Ivy w/ Kimberly & April Allure defeated Shimdog & Lenny Lane when Ivy pinned Shimdog.

PWA champion Mitch Paradise w/ The Professor retained his belt when he beat Arya Daivari. This was a switch from last weeks card as Paradise was the bad guy and Daivari was the good guy. I think this was the first time I've ever seen Daivari getting cheers from the fans.