A live professional wrestling event held on February 3, 2024, in Gardner KS

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It’s a new year, and Trailblazer Championship Wrestling certainly kicked off their 2024 slate of shows with a bang. Trails to the Gold was perhaps Trailblazer’s biggest show EVER for several reasons: not only did it seemingly draw the largest attendance I’ve seen from them, but it also introduced a stunning new championship belt and new staff members who may be familiar to those who follow Kansas City news. The Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship alone sets the stage for their upcoming slate of shows.

The King Family invested significant funds into new lighting, a video scaffold, new ring aprons, a snazzy podium, and other enhancements that might go unnoticed by most fans. However, through these gradual improvements, they have been steadily building their fanbase and elevating their quality to become one of the most formidable wrestling companies in all of Kansas. You can see what the next steps they will likely be taking are, and it’s definitely exciting.

Once again, this show took place at the Trailblazer Arena in the Johnson County fairgrounds in Gardner, Kansas. While the shows in Ottawa, Kansas, at the Armory, were enjoyable, the Trailblazer Arena provides ample space for expansion and boasts a great location that naturally attracts crowds. From what I understand, this venue will likely host numerous shows moving forward. Despite the rainy weather on February 3, 2024, which would typically deter casual fans from attending due to dreary dampness, Trails to the Gold managed to sell out—an impressive feat indeed!

Going into this show, nobody was really sure what was happening, aside from the unveiling of a mysterious new belt and a number of announced matches. After Wendy and Marcus came out to reveal the belt, there was a surprise announcement, and everyone was excited to learn that the first round of a tournament to crown an all-new champion in May would be starting that very night. Four of the announced matches were actually tournament spots, and fans would get to see most of it then.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of cancellations before the show, as is typical with most wrestling events, so a few things got shaken up a bit. However, despite these changes, Trailblazer Championship Wrestling still delivered what I believe most longtime fans would say was their best show yet, marking a great start to their 2024!

If you were unable to make it, or if you just want to relive a solid professional wrestling show, here is my review / summary of Trailblazer Championship Wrestling Trails to the Gold.

For More about Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, check out their website HERE, Facebook Page HERE, their Twitter page HERE, or YouTube HERE. For a list of my Trailblazer coverage, click HERE, and HERE for all of my wrestling coverage, local and national. Don’t forget to also check them out on Cagematch, HERE. If you are a fan, make sure to drop likes, and reviews, or join their social media pages!

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The Card:

Trailblazer Championship Wrestling Trails to the Gold Results – Held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Gardner KS 2-3-24

• Introduction of the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship tournament w/ Wendy and Marcus
• Luke Anthony Defeated Van “Bam” Winkle – Wild Card Elimination match – winner will be added to the Tournament for a chance at the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship
• “Madman” Max Sterling Defeated The Iceman – First round match for the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship
• “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo Defeated Rocco The Barbarian w/ Dekin Cane – First round match for the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship
• The Wranglers (Bobby Joe Black and Johnnie Jo Black) Defeated The Top Guns (Brandon Barretta & Joe Vinetti) w/ Nixi XS
• Jared Thumb Defeated “Miracle” Mike James – First round match for the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship – Match was restarted by Vito after it was discovered that Mike James had his feet on the ropes during his pin.
• SBC gets thrown out of the building by Marcus
• Luke Anthony defeated The Yogamonster Mike Sydal – First round match for the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship

Here are the match cards, as always card was subject to change at any time:

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DISCLAIMER:

I make it a point to cover most, if not all, of the matches and provide reports on what happened, along with any significance they may have to ongoing feuds. You might think some of my opinions are dumb, or the way I review things is dumb, and that’s OK! Diversity in preferences is what makes wrestling so great. I strive to maintain a positive outlook because there’s already enough negativity in the wrestling community (in my view), and we can all contribute to making it better. However, it doesn’t mean I won’t offer opinions or criticisms when warranted. Let’s cut the B.S. and, as the old saying goes, “Just enjoy Wrestling!”

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My Thoughts:

Note: I was given permission to include some gorgeous pictures taken by Jamie Brown from Trailblazer management. These will be marked and will be at the bottom of each section as a slideshow. To see more, please visit her Facebook Page HERE.

Fans were treated to five tournament matches during the show, featuring one elimination wild card match and four announced first-round matches. The stipulation was that any competitor had to have wrestled at least two matches in Trailblazer Championship Wrestling in 2023. Additionally, the brackets were single elimination, meaning a loss would eliminate the competitor from the initial running. By the end of Trails to the Gold, we now know the four competitors who will compete in the two second-round matches. However, the matchups for these matches have yet to be determined. As it stands, each of the four men has a 25% chance of winning, unless there are any changes to the arrangement. Considering one thing that happened at the show, that is NOT out of the question.

Below are images of the unveiling of the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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Before either Wendy or Marcus could fully explain the tournament, and before any full mention of a “Wild Card” elimination round was uttered, the shockingly catchy sounds of the song “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy filled the Trailblazer Arena, signaling the arrival of none other than Van “Bam” Winkle. Sporting his signature purple turtleneck sweatshirt and crisp white jeans, Winkle was dressed to impress as always. Winkle was seen holding a box of chocolates and one of his roses, an item he often carries to seemingly harass women. His target once again was Wendy, as he agressively suggested they should go on a date after the show. However, after being turned down, the hopeless romantic Winkle threw a giant tantrum, eventually leading to Marcus having to defend Wendy’s honor. After executing an “RKO Outta Nowhere,” Marcus stood tall over the sufficiently silenced Van “Bam” Winkle. But the night wasn’t over for our mulleted would-be Romeo.

Next to the ring was Luke Anthony, who faced Van for a chance to enter the bracket for a shot at the Trailblazer Heavyweight Championship. The match was a “blink and you missed it affair,” with Anthony decimating the turtlenecked heartthrob with a running shooting star press and securing a quick “Wild Card” win. Better luck next time for Van “Bam” Winkle, both romantically and professionally, as he seems to need a lot of help in both regards! While nothing close to a great wrestling exhibition, this match was hilarious and cemented Van “Bam” Winkle as one of my favorite Trailblazer personalities, a man that you gotta love to hate.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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Next up was an intriguing match-up between two veterans of the Kansas City wrestling scene: The Iceman and “Madman” Max Sterling. Both men have enjoyed long, dominant careers filled with championships and numerous accolades. However, “Madman” Max Sterling is known for his willingness to do whatever it takes to maim his opponents. This aspect makes any match involving Sterling particularly unpredictable and potentially dangerous, as he is not afraid to win at any cost or even risk destroying the ring itself if things aren’t going his way. I was surprised that Sterling didn’t have any henchmen accompanying him to the ring this time, as he typically relies on henchmen to “cheer him on during matches”. Instead, he employed mind games, such as sitting in the audience during The Iceman’s entrance, wasting time by entering and exiting the ring numerous times, and prolonging the downtimes during the match considerably, running down the clock.

While these tactics understandably frustrated the live audience, they proved effective in throwing off The Iceman and ultimately leading to his downfall due to his anger taking over. Although The Iceman displayed impressive bursts of offense, nearly securing a submission victory at one point, Sterling managed to apply a deadly Sharpshooter, ultimately securing the win and advancing further in the bracket. I was genuinely impressed that “Madman” Max Sterling didn’t resort to cheating or interference during the match. It was also interesting that he seemed to generate anger in his opponent instead of relying on his own rage taking over. “Madman” Max Sterling is some sort of anger-based wizard in the ring, channeling and controlling emotions in a way you rarely see. Any tournament finals with such a volatile competitor involved are bound to be captivating. It’s shaping up to be an intense showdown in May.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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Rocco the Barbarian and Dekin Cane have been putting in relentless effort to stake their claim for the championship belt, even taking the unconventional step of relocating Rocco from his more naturalistic environment to more immerse himself in the world of professional wrestling. TOne can observe a significant change in his competitive edge as well, as Rocco was quite dominant in this match, tossing his opponent around like a ragdoll at times. However, the only obstacle preventing Rocco from securing that coveted second-round spot wasn’t his own skill or assistance from his manager; it was the formidable challenge posed by “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo, a competitor with an abundance of heart and pure will. Despite Rocco’s dominance, Mulitalo’s resilience proved to be a formidable factor in the match’s outcome.

Mulitalo has consistently demonstrated his ability to endure and triumph, notably surviving and standing firm during the 2023 attempted company takeover orchestrated by “Madman” Max Sterling and his cronies. I believe Austin has a strong chance at securing the championship unless unforeseen events from later in the show cast a shadow over his prospects. Hopefully, Rocco the Barbarian can maintain focus and prepare for his upcoming opportunity at the belt. I sense the reign of Barbarians may make its mark on Kansas sooner rather than later.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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One of my most anticipated matches of the night was the clash between The Wranglers (Bobby Joe Black and Johnnie Jo Black) and The Top Guns (Brandon Barretta & Joe Vinetti). The tension between both teams escalated with a fiery exchange on social media prior to Trails to the Gold, where The Wranglers were unjustly labeled as mere backroads farmhands that didn’t have any business in a wrestling ring. Any casual Trailblazer fan can tell you that underestimating the boys from Turner, Kansas, is a serious mistake. Despite getting laughed at on Facebook for pointing this out (by the Top Guns and their fans), I was ultimately vindicated.

The Top Guns made their entrance with the support of fellow St. Louis mainstay Nixi XS, who showed up in Kansas without her scheduled opponent for the evening, Madi Monarch. Speculations arose about a possible altercation between the two, leaving fans curious about the details – hoping that Madi Monarch is okay.

The focus of the match was to send a message to Johnnie Jo Black, who found himself cornered and relentlessly attacked by The Top Guns. Clearly targeting his perceived inexperience and lack of wins in the company, the opponents had the audience on the edge of their seats, some even pleading with the referee for mercy as Johnnie endured the assault. In a display of resilience reminiscent of the famous ECW Sandman versus Tommy Dreamer moment, Johnnie Jo Black proved he had what it takes to stand in any ring. The crowd erupted when he managed to make the hot tag to his brother.

Seizing the opportunity, Bobby Joe Black capitalized on The Top Guns’ arrogance and secured a significant victory, marked by the ecstatic cheers and the thumping beats of “Cotton Eye Joe.” Unfortunately, the celebratory atmosphere took a somber turn when The Top Guns and Nixi initiated a post-match assault on The Wranglers. Luke Anthony, Jared Thumb, and Austin Mulitalo, among others, rushed out to even the odds. However, amidst the chaos, tragedy struck as Jared Thumb was tossed into the backs of Austin’s knees, causing him immediate pain. Officials helped Austin to the back, but tensions lingered, with Austin seemingly displeased and not entirely receptive to Jared’s attempts to apologize. Despite the potential tragedy overshadowing their big win, I can’t help but feel excited for The Wranglers.

Last year, I conducted an interview with Johnnie Joe Black and he had this to say when asked about what his biggest win was:

“Honestly, my biggest win is, not giving up and keeping on going. I’ve not received a win as of yet in my career. However, if I can knock down the monster Curt, I may be able to knock down others.”

And look at him now! 2024 is going to be the year when The Wranglers hit their stride.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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Shaken by what had just transpired, Jared Thumb entered the ring for his first-round bout against “Miracle” Mike James after intermission. It was evident that his head was not in the game, and Mike James easily capitalized early on. An interesting note was Mike James’ seemingly more amiable demeanor at this show, occasionally high-fiving fans and even sitting in the crowd at one point. Whether this was just playful banter or indicative of a shift in his character remains uncertain.

Despite the friendlier facade, Mike James was not above “bending the rules a bit,” resulting in what appeared to be one of the most significant upset wins in Trailblazer history. Leading up to this match, Jared Thumb had attended every single Trailblazer show and remained undefeated in every match type, except for “The Suplex Cyclone” Curt Gannon who has a better singles record due to Thumb’s participation in numerous tag team matches. However, with Mike’s feet on the ropes, the referee counted 1-2-3, marking what seemed to be Jared Thumb’s first loss.

Fortunately, Senior Official Vito intervened, reprimanding the junior referee, restarting the match, and giving Thumb an opportunity to regroup and secure the win. Thumb attempted to extend a sportsmanlike handshake to “The Miracle,” only to receive a beatdown and a top-rope double-stomp in return. While Jared Thumb maintains a 3-0 record against Mike James, enduring a bodyweight-crunching maneuver to the ribs leaves a lasting impression and could potentially hinder his chances in future matches.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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Next up was what many would consider an unfortunate “waste of time” for the show as Canada’s own SBC made an unexplained appearance. To add to the confusion, he body-checked post-stomp Jared Thumb on his way in, fueling suspicions that he has indeed been targeting Jared for some reason, something I have been reporting on for months now. I anticipate more details on this in the future.

Originally slated to manage “The Legacy” Leland Race that night, SBC was informed that wasn’t happening due to Leland having only participated in a single Trailblazer match in 2023, while the rules specified “at least two.” Without any clients present and without wrestling gear, it seemed SBC was there merely to express grievances, which likely irked backstage officials. Marcus, the new front-facing authority figure, came out to address the situation. Confirming that SBC had no clients, wasn’t there to wrestle, and was simply venting, he was promptly ejected from the building. With a more-visible authority figure now present, clashes between Marcus and SBC seem inevitable, especially since SBC used to relay what we assume were management’s directives at times all by himself. Expect more head-butting between these two moving forward.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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The main event for the evening delivered an incredible clash of pure athleticism between “The Yogamonster” Mike Sydal and Luke Anthony, serving as a true ring classic and an awesome conclusion to the entire event. Notably, Luke Anthony had already wrestled earlier in the night, dominating Van “Bam” Winkle in a wild card match, which stacked the odds against him. Given Sydal being fresh and likely helped by pre-match yoga stretches and relaxation, the smart money would have been on Sydal.

However, Luke Anthony proved to be no slouch, showcasing significant improvement since I witnessed one of his early matches in 2022 for World League Wrestling. His growth to an astonishing level is almost unbelievable. The fact that Anthony can stand toe-to-toe with such an accomplished veteran is crazy. Although the crowd initially wasn’t sure how to react to a competitive match between two almost evenly matched athletes adhering to the rules, once they hit their stride, it was evident that everyone could have watched them wrestle for hours.

In a surprising twist, Luke Anthony defied the odds and secured an amazing win, earning a reluctant handshake from Sydal in a display of mutual respect. The main event left the audience thoroughly impressed with the athleticism and skill displayed by both competitors.

Below are additional images of this match provided by Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, images by Jamie Brown Studios. (slideshow)

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Video:

This uses photos that I took at the event

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In Closing:

Overall, this was undoubtedly the best show that Trailblazer Championship Wrestling has put on since I started attending their events. While some might have considered Trailblazer the “best-kept secret in Kansas wrestling”, the sold-out crowd and overwhelming support from the citizens of Gardner, Kansas, make it clear that the secret is out!

Without a doubt, Trailblazer stands out for its ability to build characters and craft long-running storylines. None of these tournament matches seems random and all of them told a story and are leading to more things down the road – something I wish more indy companies would do. This isn’t a slight to other wrestling companies in the area, but many tend to focus on infrequent exhibition-style matches with a rotating roster of talent from other states. In contrast, Trailblazer is more self-contained and has truly evolved into something special over the past year and a half.

For those who might have slept on Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, it’s time to wake up and come out to their next show in May. I guarantee you’ll have a blast experiencing the unique blend of athleticism, storytelling, and community spirit that Trailblazer Championship Wrestling brings to the ring.

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