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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

  • 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Champion
  • 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 05-26 to Sat: 06-01

  • 05-26 1989 Eric Embry def. Super Zodiac for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2007 Matt Garza def. Mitch W. Carter for the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 MVP def. Jack Swagger for the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Alex Royal def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 1970 Luke Brown & Danny Hodge def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-27 1977 Jimmy Snuka def. El Gran Goliath for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2003 Chris Matthews became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2017 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the IWR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1964 Louie Tillet def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-28 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1973 Dennis Stamp & Dewey Robertson def. Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1974 Red Bastien def. The Great Mephisto for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Dale Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Tommy D def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Angel Williams became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 The Forsaken (Faith & Halo) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Buster Cherry for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-28 2019 Elias def. R-Truth for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2019 R-Truth def. Elias for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tego def. Adrian Vega for the EPW Internet Television Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tyler Watts def. Sweet Cakes for the EPW International Champion
  • 05-28 2022 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Entitled (Justin Grey & Father Padge) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Change (Drake Gallows & Muerte Silencio) for the AIWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Maddox Jones became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Logan Knight def. Striker for the EPW All-American Champion
  • 05-29 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-29 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-29 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-29 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1955 Ali Bey def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1970 Killer Kowalski def. The Spoiler for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-30 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & Angel [1st] for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 1983 The Mongol def. King Parsons for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-30 1986 Terry Gordy became the UWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2008 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-30 2015 Aaron Neil def. Jordan Jacobs for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. The Jet-Jitsu Dojo (J. J. Hefley & Jimmy Lorenzo) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Maddox Jones became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Warren Powers & Karnage def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Warren Powers for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 El Greengo Loco def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Elijah Sparks def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Bobby Joe Bristow def. Elijah Sparks for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Bobby Joe Bristow for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Giganto def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-31 1954 Tor Yamato def. Rocco Perez for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1968 Grizzly Smith def. Spoiler #1 for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1971 Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 1981 The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) def. Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 2003 Anthony Jackson def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Slam Shady became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Brent Albright became the NWA-OK Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Xavior def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 3rd Rail def. Damon Windsor for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Lady Venom def. Dominique LaReaux for the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Cody Burns def. Sam Stackouse for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Matt Majestic def. MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) for the SRPW Champion
  • 05-31 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. The Sexy Camachos (Vinnie Camacho & Roberto Camacho) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2014 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-01 1953 Billy Raborn def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1979 Jose Lothario & El Halcon def. The Spoiler & Mark Lewin for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1981 Mike George def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Jef Tiger became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2008 Bad Boy became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 06-01 2012 Tim Rockwell def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. The Birds of Prey (Phoenix & Falcon) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
05-29
  • Psycho Mike May 29th Today!
  • Samu May 29th Today!
  • Max McGuirk May 29th Today!
  • Jimmy Kane May 29th Today!
  • Jesse Storm May 30th
  • Jake Roberts May 30th
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
  • Fuel May 31st
  • Mascara Purpura May 31st
  • Bobby Burns Jun 1st
  • James Storm Jun 1st
  • Ross Von Erich Jun 1st
  • Anna Jackson Jun 1st
  • Violet Payne Jun 1st
  • Brandon Groom Jun 2nd
  • Leo Voss Jun 2nd
  • Killista Jun 2nd
  • A. J. Styles Jun 2nd
  • Tornado Gomez Jun 2nd
  • Jeff Exotic Jun 3rd
  • Thomas Knight Jun 3rd
  • Duke Clemons Jun 4th
  • Tarzan Baxter Jun 4th
  • Danny Miller Jun 5th
  • Shawn Shields Jun 5th
  • Igor Putski Jun 5th
  • Rip Hawk Jun 6th
  • Mitch Onyx Jun 6th
  • Travis 12 Gage Jun 6th
  • O. D. B. Jun 6th
  • Rick Sweetan Jun 6th
  • That Handsome Devil Jun 6th
  • Tony Rocco Jun 6th
  • Larry Booker Jun 6th
  • Eddie Sullivan Jun 7th
  • Stevie Caballero Jun 7th
  • Mick Foley Jun 7th
  • Morgan Levay Jun 7th
  • Steve Hartley Jun 7th
  • Gideon Vane Jun 7th
  • Michele Leone Jun 8th
  • Mustafa Bin Akbar Jun 8th
  • Rick Vyper Jun 8th
  • Mark Wilson Jun 9th
  • Jeff Wolfenbarger Jun 9th
  • Jamie Jun 9th
  • Jim Barnett Jun 9th
  • Dutch Savage Jun 9th
  • Dick Listener Jun 9th
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  • Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th
  • King Parsons Jun 11th
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