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Wrestling for a Cause

Wrestling for a Cause

Posted: Aug 8th 2017 By: Max Brian, hotsr.com

A charitable wrestling event will make its way into the Spa City next month.

Wrestle Raise III, an event put on by Championship Wrestling of Arkansas, aims to draw wrestling fans from across the region to Hall D of the Hot Springs Convention Center on Sept. 16. This year's event, which gives 100 percent of its net profit to a disadvantaged individual or family each year, will be the first one held in Hot Springs.

Matt Riviera, one of the featured wrestlers in the event, said that he and other CWA wrestlers created Wrestle Raise to bring live wrestling to their home state and raise money for people in need. The first Wrestle Raise event benefitted a girl with leukemia; the second, a family that had lost their house in a fire.

"It's a win-win," Riviera said. "We get to do what we love to do and entertain people, and raise money for someone who truly needs it."

Wrestle Raise III will benefit Abby McKenzie, a 10-year-old girl from East End with a rare PI3K pathway disease. The event will feature a headlining match between Tim Storm and Jerry "The King" Lawler, as well as matches between CWA wrestlers such as Riviera and Chavo Guerrero Jr.
The initial two Wrestle Raise events were held in the Maumelle Event Center in North Little Rock. Riviera said that the move to Hot Springs was a strategic one.

"We like to take these shows to destination cities," he said. "We have fans that usually attend these things from out of state. Some fans will drive six or seven hours. Well, they can bring their family and make this a complete day of entertainment. They can go do things in the city during the day -- Magic Springs, so forth -- and then they can come to our event at night."

Riviera described the Wrestle Raise events as entertainment that is "fun for the entire family," and serves to promote this concept by not serving alcohol. He also said that Wrestle Raise has grown in popularity due to where their net profits go.

"The fans feel like they're already part of the cause because every ticket that is purchased goes toward raising that money," he said.

Riviera said that he and his fellow wrestlers decided to raise money for McKenzie after a woman approached him and told him about the possibility of supporting her through the event.

"She said, 'Do you guys have someone for your next event, for the funds to go to?' I said, 'No, ma'am, we don't.' She said, 'Well, I know a young lady from East End, Ark., that I think would be perfect,'" Riviera said. "The rest is history."

McKenzie's mother, Michelle, said that her daughter is one of only 36 people in the world with her kind of PI3K pathway disease. She said that the disease keeps her daughter's immune system from producing antibodies or remembering how to fight viruses. She said her lymph nodes grow rapidly under certain conditions, leading to blockage of her respiratory airways.

Because of her disease, Abby McKenzie has had 30 surgeries and is currently unable to attend school.

Michelle McKenzie said that CWA's interest in putting on the event was "completely humbling."
"It was a surprise, to say the least," she said.

Riviera describes Abby McKenzie as a bright girl with a quick wit. He was enthusiastic about raising money for her.

"This little girl has more charisma than most wrestlers I know," he said.

Michelle McKenzie hopes that the event helps acknowledge her daughter and children like her, who have what she called an "invisible illness." She also hopes that her daughter can enjoy the event, as she is unable to attend many like it.

"I hope she just has fun," Michelle McKenzie said. "She doesn't get to go out a whole lot, she doesn't get to meet a lot of people, especially in crowded places, because we take a chance with her getting sick."

Riviera hopes that many others will enjoy Wrestle Raise III, as well. He said that the event will bring excitement not experienced outside of a live setting.

"There's a lot of things nowadays that could keep you at the house, but I assure you that if you leave your home and you come out and you buy this ticket, you will not regret it," he said.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Champion
  • 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
  • 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 09-15 to Sat: 09-21

  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Champion
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Champion
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Champion
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Champion
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Champion
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Champion
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Champion
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Champion
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 09-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Champion
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
09-20
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th Today!
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th Today!
  • Boz Sep 20th Today!
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th Today!
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th Today!
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th Today!
  • Jason Simon Sep 20th Today!
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th Today!
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th Today!
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
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  • Harley D Sep 22nd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
  • BB Sep 26th
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  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
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  • Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
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