Jun 11th 2024 03:11am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

AWFUL Pro Wrestling Builds Metro OKC Following

AWFUL Pro Wrestling Builds Metro OKC Following

Posted: Jan 30th 2009 By: Charles Martin

Crave the physicality of sports, but just wish you had more opportunity to wear more flamboyant spandex, trash talk fellow athletes and be the superstar you always knew you were in your heart of hearts?

Try professional wrestling on for size. There are a number of small federations across the state on the lookout for the next great superstar.

The Associated Wrestling For a United Legacy, AWFUL for short, debuts Friday and is billed as the athlete's wrestling federation. Andrew Willingham, who is in charge of talent relations and creative development for AWFUL, said he is looking for veterans and newcomers alike who have the look, strength and agility of top-level wrestlers.

"AWFUL has pretty much the best looking roster," Willingham boasted. "The guys we get are in pretty good shape. Some independent wrestling promotions don't have anyone who could make it big time, but we have several that could easily make it on one of the TV shows."

AWFUL is opting to focus more on the athletic wrestlers of the Rey Misterio and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka variety rather than Hulk Hogan types that are all charisma and no technical skills. Willingham wants AWFUL to be a portal for regional wrestlers to get access to bigger opportunities to industry, but to do that they need a roster strong enough to lure talent scouts.

"It is more intense wrestling than what you will get at a lot of federations out there," wrestler Max McGuirk said. "The owners of AWFUL pro wrestling are handpicking the best wrestlers in the state and putting them on their freshest day, Friday."

McGuirk is one of AWFUL's more promising prospects, benefitting from a family legacy in wrestling. His grandfather is one of the great Oklahoma wrestlers, Leroy McGuirk, and his mother is former World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) ring announcer Michelle "Mike" McGuirk. Max grew up as an amateur wrestler and said there is more impact in pro wrestling, as well as a greater need to be aware of everything going on around him.

"You have to try and listen as much as you can, there is so much going on that you really have to pay attention to the other wrestlers you are in there with because otherwise you can easily get injured." McGuirk said. "You have to look good for the crowd; if you are skin and bones, they aren't going to believe you."

Because of the theatrical elements, there is no downtime during a match. Willingham said that wrestlers can't afford to get winded during a match because that would slow down the show. To combat fatigue, AWFUL emphasizes cardio during workouts.

"To be a wrestler, you have to be in able shape, but to be a good wrestler, a successful one you have to be in very athletic shape," Willingham said. "The better shape you are in, the more athletic you will be, the less you will get winded and the more marketable you are as far as your look."

McGuirk recalled a conversation he had with Mike DiBiase, son of "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. He said the younger DiBiase said that , beyond the family legacy and dazzling finishing moves, it was the look and charisma of a wrestler that gave him the chance to move to the next level. McGuirk has been steadily toning his body and sharpening his mat and microphone skills for when he finally gets a tryout at an upper-level federation.

"Mike told me that you only get one first impression, so if you make a fool of yourself, that was your one and only shot," McGuirk said. "Your body and your charisma are the main things that carry a wrestler, if you don't have that, then no one will buy you as a wrestler."

Willingham sees more than just fans trying out for AWFUL, but also football players, amateur wrestlers and other ex-athletes wanting to keep active and take another shot at the big time. There are even some who do it for the love of wrestling, like having an excuse to hit the gym daily and the free reign to declare themselves the "world's greatest" anything on a weekly basis.

But wrestling isn't a sport for everyone, Willingham warned. A mere mortal cannot be chiseled into a superstar without first possessing two key ingredients: intense desire and an abnormal tolerance of pain.

"Wrestling hurts -- it hurts a lot -- and if you have a low tolerance for pain, wrestling is not for you," Willingham said. "You have to really want to be in this sport because nine out of ten times, you won't make any money doing it. You need a lot of drive, a lot of heart and not mind quite a bit of pain and waking up sore in the morning."

 

Tags: AWFUL, Max McGuirk, Leroy McGuirk, WWF, WWE, Mike McGuirk, Ted DiBiase

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
Making History pt 1: Riley Grinn wins the 2024 Ryder Herring Memorial Cup Tournament

Making History pt 1: Riley Grinn wins the 2024 Ryder Herring Memorial Cup Tournament

Sometimes talent surprises you in the ring. The show astonishing accomplishment at y... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS The Rejuvstem Clinic in Mexico posted on Instagram this week that it has been treating WWE Superstars MVP, Big E, and Shotzi at their brand new clin... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
  • 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Champion
  • 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
  • 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 06-09 to Sat: 06-15

  • 06-09 1959 The Golden Giant became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-09 1966 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-09 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) def. Junkyard Dog & Buck Robley for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-09 1989 Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras def. Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 06-09 2017 The Rising (Matt Durden & Riker) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 06-09 2023 Koko became the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-09 2023 The Regime (Derek James & Logan Knight & Merc & Skylar Slice/Sgt. Slice) def. The Roll Modelz (Malik Mayfield & Olivier Vegos) for the CPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-09 2023 Mr. Nasty def. Mascara Purpura for the CPW 918 Champion
  • 06-09 2023 Red James def. Mr. Nasty for the CPW 918 Champion
  • 06-10 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-10 1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-10 2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-10 2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion
  • 06-11 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-11 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Champion
  • 06-11 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-11 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 06-11 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 06-11 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 06-11 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-12 1982 The Spoiler def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-12 2009 El Latino became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-12 2021 Brawler Morrison def. Blade [2nd] for the UWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 1960 Tony Borne def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-13 1969 Chuck Karbo became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-13 1978 Karl Krupp became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-13 1998 The Bad Boys (Splash Jackson & Bull Schmitt) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 06-13 2008 Brent Albright def. Slam Shady for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 06-13 2008 Josh Michaels became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2009 The Canadian Red Devil became the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Seth Angel & Adrian Dell def. Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 06-13 2015 Killista def. Paul Puertorico for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Rolling Thunder def. Michael Duplanti for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Queens Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Michael Wolf def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Jake O'Brien def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion
  • 06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Champion
06-11
  • Magnum T. A. Jun 11th Today!
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th Today!
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th Today!
  • King Parsons Jun 11th Today!
  • Baby Blimp Jun 12th
  • Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
  • Zac Royal Jun 12th
  • Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
  • Steven Dane Jun 12th
  • D'Licious Jun 12th
  • Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
  • Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
  • Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
  • Bill Ash Jun 13th
  • Mikey D Jun 13th
  • John Pfanz Jun 13th
  • Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
  • Geronimo Jun 13th
  • Neo Genesis Jun 13th
  • Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th
  • Jaxon Stone Jun 15th
  • Trey the Bae Jun 15th
  • Lilith Grimm Jun 15th
  • Sean Ryan Jun 15th
  • Brad Armstrong Jun 15th
  • Paul Linam Jun 15th
  • Jef Tiger Jun 16th
  • Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th
  • Paul Jones Jun 16th
  • Brock Landers Jun 16th
  • Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th
  • Ted Arcidi Jun 16th
  • Chuck Hinds Jun 16th
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th
  • Talos Jun 17th
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Don Kent Jun 24th

More Look Back In History

Most Active Members

  • Striker
  • Michael York
  • The Mayne Event
  • cphs_sweethearts
  • Talon

Card Results

1