Kari Williams, Alestle Reporter
by Kari Williams, Alestle Reporter
Once a month, I am going to take a step back from the crazy world known as WWE and showcase a local wrestling company in the area. This month, I’m taking a look at one of the up and coming promotions in the Midwest, Independent Hardcore Wrestling.
At the company’s latest show, “Spoiled” Steven Kennedy nearly caused the fans to riot with his heelish antics and pure hatred for anything other than himself, while Brandon Aarons had every fan in attendance rooting for him to beat Kennedy to win the IHW championship.
That night was also a tribute show for Zachary “Napalm” Porter. Porter was a wrestler in the area who was recently murdered. Through a silent auction other fundraising, raised $600 for Porter’s children.
IHW had its first show in 2007 then fell off the map until June 2009. Since its resurgence, they have consistently had a jam packed crowd in the Dupo, Ill. VFW Hall.
The owner of the promotion, Mephisto, has brought in WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Mickey Knuckles and Ian Rotten. Current Shimmer and NWA Women’s Champion MsChif was on the promotion’s first card back in 2007. Additionally, he features many wrestlers from various promotions across the area, giving young, fresh talent opportunities they otherwise might not have received.
Some of the most heated feuds in the Midwest have stomped through IHW. The Submission Squad, consisting of Pierre Abernathy, Gary the NightOwl and Evan Gelistico waged its heated battle against the Hooligans, Devin, Mason and Neil “Diamond” Cutter. They tore through the crowd, and—living up to the promotions name—got hardcore in their attempts to brutalize each other the greatest extent possible.
Most recently, the team of B.A.B.E.WATCH, Brandon Aarons and Brandon Espinosa, has begun to fall apart. Egos and cockiness split the two in nearly every promotion they work for, and IHW was no exception.
Not every match is perfect, and some wrestlers do put on better matches than others, but that is to be expected at any show on the local level. Having been to quite a few local promotions, I can honestly say that regardless of if you love or hate the wrestlers, at IHW, they will force a reaction out of you.
September IHW Highlight Reel
October IHW Highlight Reel
AlestleLive Sports Blog 