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Grappling for Respect

Grappling for Respect

Posted: Jan 15th 2007 By: CMBurnham

A mountain of a man made his way down the runway to a wrestling ring with the energy of two dozen spotlights highlighting every curve of his rippling muscles.

A fan in the audience at the Underground Arena took off his hat and placed it over his heart in admiration of the 330-pound giant. Another slipped off his glasses for a quick clean as if to make sure what he was seeing was real.

Children stood on their seats, mesmerized. Some had American flags clinched in their fists. Others held replicas of championship belts over their heads.

No one could match him. He is their hero. He is The Prophet.

"Pro-phet, Pro-phet, Pro-phet" the fans screamed, shaking their fists at the ring. Yips, yahoos and rebel yells blended with their cheers.

Then his opponent, Tommy Smash, made his grand entrance. Jeers, boos and heckles echoed off the walls.

The wrestlers know what riles the crowd: insults against Sooner football, Oklahoma or anything red, white and blue.

"Get him Prophet" yelled 76-year-old Shirley Collins of Tulsa. "Make him hurt."

Collins, who never misses an All American Championship Wrestling show, is the event's official bell ringer. Her 2-year-old great granddaughter, Makyla Roberts, sat on her lap sipping from a toddler cup while the wrestlers wrangled in the big ring a few feet away.

The arena at 227 SW 25 in the Capitol Hill business district was filled with wrestling lovers of all ages January 6th. The wrestlers of All American Championship Wrestling and its promoters had put on the free event in appreciation of the dedicated fans that attend the regularly scheduled wrestling matches every other month.

Brad Garcia, promoter for AACW, said while the theatrics are good and the display of wrestling skill even better, it's the suspenseful struggle between good and evil that pumps up the crowd.

The good guys are called "faces." The bad guys are "heels."

Garcia said even "heels" are loved for their underhanded deeds. Stunts like swiping an opponent across the head with a folding chair, bashing them with light bulbs and hitting below the belt send the crowd into a tizzy.

Aside from the dramatics, wrestling is real, said Christy Feltz, 36, of Owasso.

Feltz said the bruises her wrestler husband, who she referred to only by his stage name, Bernard Funk, has when he leaves the ring don't wash off with soap and water.

"Most people have the wrong idea about wrestling and wrestlers," Feltz said. "They think it's fake and we're white trash."

She said their family is a relatively normal one. To pay the bills, Funk is a debt collector, but not the kind that breaks legs, she said.

Between her husband and two sons, Josh, 14 and Dylan, 11, wrestling around the house is an everyday occurrence. It's never discouraged, but there is one rule.

"Don't get hurt" she said.

What goes on backstage at a wrestling match is as interesting as the show itself.

Wrestling and boxing legend Danny Hodge mingled with wrestlers between the matches. He demonstrated moves and holds and told war stories of his wins throughout his career. The wrestlers worship him and drink his every word like Gatorade after a hard beating.

Hodge is still in top shape and able to crush an apple with his bare hand. Wrestlers more than half his age say they would love the opportunity to wrangle with him, but they're sure they'd lose.

"He paved the way and opened doors for guys my size to wrestle." said 35-year-old Michael Russell of Guthrie. Russell wrestles under the name Michael James in the 160-210 pound weight class.

"Danny Hodge is the Yoda of wrestling." another wrestler said.

The most important part of wrestling, Hodge said, is believing in yourself, training and "paying your dues." That's the only way a wrestler can work their way up in the organization, he said.

Before ever seeing ring time, a wrestler may spend months or even years setting up the ring, picking up litter after matches and manning the concession stand, Hodge said.

Souljar Mills, 26, of Edmond said he paid his dues, and is still paying, to get ring time as The Prophet.

"You can be the biggest, baddest wrestler in the world, but until you earn respect,; you're nothing." Mills said.

Mills is a martial arts instructor and poet. He said the love of wrestling isn't about money. His average match earns him about $20.

"It's about the kids and the fans that come see us." Mills said. "We love them, as much as they love us."

Caleb Carter, 11, of Collinsville said he likes AACW wrestling for the hardcore matches, where a bloody gash on the arm or forehead is routine.

"The more blood, the better." Carter said.

The next All American Championship Wrestling event is 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20. For tickets, call 604-5509.

 

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  • 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
  • 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
  • 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25

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  • 04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
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  • 04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
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  • 04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
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  • 04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
  • 04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
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  • 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
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  • 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
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  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
  • 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
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  • 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
  • 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
  • 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
  • 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
  • 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
  • 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
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  • 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
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  • 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
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