REVIEW: New Breed Wrestling in Sedalia, MO 9-21-24

A Live wrestling event

I used to live in Warrensburg, Missouri, and I’m absolutely bummed that I didn’t catch more wrestling shows there or in Sedalia, Missouri (not too far away) when I was younger. Now that I live a bit farther away, it’s not as easy to make it out to Central Missouri. But I always keep an eye on New Breed Wrestling when they head to the Liberty Park Convention Hall. Since Harley Race’s World League Wrestling moved to the St. Louis area, New Breed Wrestling has really stepped up as the premier company in the region. They have a strong roster, put on incredible shows, and have built a fantastic legacy over the years. This show marked my second of the year from them, and it definitely won’t be my last—my son and I always have a blast. New Breed Wrestling brings together the best of both St. Louis and Kansas City talent, all with a vibe that’s entirely its own and unlike any other promotion.

One thing I always enjoy about New Breed Wrestling is the sense of importance each big show carries, thanks to the regular defense of its four championships: the Heavyweight, U.S., TV, and Tag Team titles. Although this event didn’t include a tag team title defense—since Lord Ateu claimed the city’s new Taco Bell was so bad it sent him packing back to whatever rocked he crawled out from—his partner, Kenny Kingston, was still in action, and we did get a different tag match on the card. With three major championships defended, the show still had that high-stakes feel that fans love to see.

What follows is a summary and review of sorts of what happened at this show!

For More about New Breed Wrestling, check out their Facebook Page HERE, their Twitter (or I guess X) page HERE, or YouTube HERE. NBW is also on Cagematch, HERE, although it appears to be slightly out of date.

The Card:

Results of New Breed Wrestling in Sedalia, MO 9-21-24

Liberty Park Convention Hall

“Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo (C) Defeated Fajita Taker by pinfall Retaining his NBW US Championship in a US Championship Open Challenge
“Black Diamond” Luke Langley Defeated The Iceman by DQ via low blow
“The American Outlaw” Tyler Bodine defeated “The Unnatural Disaster” Salum Gust by pinfall
The Team of Slammer and “Hard Luck” Hal Rogers defeated The Wranglers (Bobby Joe Black and Johnnie Jo Black) by pinfall
“The Silverback” Big Joe Helms (w/ Lady Gun) Defeated “The Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston (w/ Money Mike Pettis) by pinfall
“The Natural” Atlas Armstrong Defeated FTG Frodo the Ghost (C) to win the NBW TV Championship by pinfall – Last Man Standing Match w/ Special referee Scotty Z
“Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter (C) (w/ Money Mike Pettis) Defeated Burt Cameron by pinfall – retaining the NBW Heavyweight Championship

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!”

My Thoughts:

This show opened on a bittersweet note as the reigning New Breed Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter, entered the ring with his manager, Money Mike Pettis, for an interview with NBW owner Scotty Z. Teter and Pettis announced that they were struggling to find worthy opponents and that Joe Helms, in particular, wouldn’t be getting a rematch anytime soon. Enter “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo, the current New Breed Wrestling U.S. Champion, who stepped up to challenge for the “big belt.” While Pettis didn’t give a clear answer, he suggested that Mulitalo could eventually get a title shot—assuming he could first run a gauntlet of “warm-up matches.” It’s pretty clear Pettis may be hoping to wear down Austin before he gets his chance, but only time will tell.

After the exchange, Mulitalo stayed to chat with Scotty Z about his future, and that’s when the bittersweet news dropped—Austin has recently come onto WWE’s radar and will finish up his commitments with New Breed (and others) before heading off to train with them in 2025. The crowd seemed torn, sharing in Austin’s mixed emotions as he spoke. Scotty Z gave him a heartfelt pep talk to set the stage for his match that night against none other than the infamous Fajitataker.

Fajitataker, who’s clearly been spending a bit too much time with Shipwreck, came to the ring completely inebriated—not on rum this time, but tequila, as he proudly informed the crowd. There were moments where it looked like the first two rows were in danger of getting doused with luchador vomit, but thankfully it didn’t come to that! Somehow, Fajitataker managed to walk the ropes, even though a straight line was clearly a challenge earlier on. After dueling figure-four leg locks, Mulitalo emerged victorious, holding onto his title for another day. Hopefully, Fajitataker sobered up afterward—he seemed genuinely confused about where he even was!

Fans got a glimmer of the old Iceman at this show—a version of him that has been elusive lately—but as it turned out, it was likely just a tease for the crowd. His opponent, “Black Diamond” Luke Langley, approached the match with a lighthearted touch, even engaging in a friendly “dance-off,” a “pose-off,” and a test of strength. But before long, The Iceman revealed his true intentions, laying into Langley. Recently, The Iceman has talked about why he’s been on a losing streak, admitting he’d been going “soft” by listening to the fans and doing fun crowd-pleasers that weren’t yielding him any wins. To him, cheers and applause don’t pay the bills—not when other wrestlers are taking home the championships. He seemed ready to make a change, something we saw hints of back in July when he decimated the debuting Dragon Ninja. But nothing prepared us for what went down here.

After a solid back-and-forth where both Langley and The Iceman seemed evenly matched, it looked as if Langley was gearing up to land his devastating Brainbuster finisher. That’s when The Iceman resorted to perhaps the most blatant low blow I’ve seen in a while. Naturally, all-star referee Cornelius Poppington caught this, ending the match on the spot. I’m not sure what’s driving The Iceman down this darker path, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is only the beginning of what he’s capable of now.

Long-time readers know—I love a good hoss fight, and honestly, I’m not sure you’ll find a “hossier” match on this entire card than this one (although one more fit this bill a bit). I’m very familiar with Salum Gust from chronicling most of his Trailblazer Championship Wrestling matches in 2023, and if there’s one thing I can say, it’s that this guy is one of the strongest competitors around in terms of sheer raw power. I’ve seen him pick up and hurl men nearly twice his weight with such ease that it’s borderline scary. His opponent for this match, however, was “The American Outlaw” Tyler Bodine, who traveled up from his Texas ranch once again to fight here in the Show-Me State. Dealing with all manner of ranch work has turned him into a beast of a man, so I knew the crowd was in for a gritty, hard-hitting match.

These guys beat the ever-loving hell out of each other, and by the end, I doubt either of them got a good night’s sleep. While Salum landed some solid offense, he eventually succumbed to Bodine’s devastating discus lariat. I’d say one of the deciding factors was definitely Bodine’s connection with the crowd. Everyone in Sedalia was squarely in his corner, and he seemed to feed off their cheers. Even during the toughest part of the match, when Salum had him choking on the ropes with added weight and leverage, Bodine persevered and somehow came out on top. I guess it’s safe to say that folks are built differently in Texas, and “The American Outlaw” Tyler Bodine proved that point tonight. This was actually my first time seeing Bodine live an in-person, and while I want to stay impartial when I can, I’m already a fan!

I’m not sure what it is about Bobby Joe and Johnnie Jo Black when they’re in Central Missouri, but they seem to be developing a cocky streak that’s not doing them any favors. Both men have been bending the rules ever so slightly in recent months, with Johnnie especially showing a hint of unhinged frustration if things don’t go their way. This behavior was on full display in their match against “Hard Luck” Hal Rogers and Slammer, as The Wranglers began to lose the crowd’s support and made a series of mistakes that ultimately led to their downfall. Fans were clearly confused, as The Wranglers had been the underdogs for months, winning over everyone in the area. A bit of recent success, however, seems to have started poisoning that goodwill, and I hope they can pump the brakes on this trajectory.

The pairing of Slammer and Hal Rogers was an interesting one, as both men are seasoned veterans, holding championships all over and very recently in New Breed. They definitely had the experience edge over the younger Wranglers from Turner, Kansas, and used that advantage wisely. Eventually, Slammer “ran wild”, decimating everyone in the ring with leg drops and big boots, leaving The Wranglers in ruins. Bobby and Johnnie spilled to the floor, grieving their loss in a less-than-sportsmanlike manner, lashing out at the crowd. I have a feeling this feud is far from over.

I mentioned earlier that another match might deserve the title of the “hossiest hoss fight of the night,” but this showdown might just require a new term altogether—Behemoth Battle? Clash of Titans? Whatever it is, when “The Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston and “The Silverback” Big Joe Helms went head-to-head, the sheer impact of their moves echoed through the venue. Each time one of these men threw their opponent onto the wooden ring boards, the sound alone was unreal. My son, a massive Joe Helms fan, goes wild whenever Helms steps into the ring—the man’s presence, physique, and raw power give him the aura of a near-demigod.

Despite Kingston’s backup from fellow System of Brutality member “Money” Mike Pettis, Helms and his beautiful protégé Lady Gun took control in a dominant fashion. I can’t even estimate the combined weight of Helms and Kingston, but at one point, a massive second-rope suplex nearly shook the room, and it’s a wonder we didn’t see a repeat of ECW’s iconic Taz-Bam Bam Bigelow ring-breaking moment. If Helms keeps racking up these wins, “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter and Money Mike Pettis will have their hands full trying to keep him out of the title picture, especially with Helms taking down the $.O.B. members one-by-one.

Now, for what I’d consider one of the most anticipated matchups in recent New Breed Wrestling history—the culmination of a nearly year-long feud between Frodo The Ghost (FTG) and “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong for the coveted Television Championship, which FTG had held for an impressive 376 days. FTG is one of those wrestlers who will do whatever it takes to win, a quality he’s used masterfully to maintain his grip on the NBW gold. These two had clashed before, but this encounter carried serious stakes: if Armstrong lost, he’d be unable to challenge for the title for a considerable time. And with “Last Man Standing” rules in place, weapons were fair game. Although Armstrong had the athletic edge, FTG is nothing short of a near-criminal mastermind in Missouri wrestling, making any match against him a serious challenge. Luckily, Scotty Z was there as the special guest referee to keep any potential shenanigans in check.

It didn’t take long for weapons to come into play—starting with a trashcan and later a chair, which FTG used to batter a prone Atlas repeatedly. The action soon spilled outside the ring as the brawl escalated, with FTG going as far as to stack chairs into a brutal, makeshift table. Armstrong narrowly escaped disaster by taking to the top rope, delivering corner strikes with the trashcan, and then countering FTG’s high-risk move attempt with his signature cutter. This turned the tide, leaving FTG unable to answer the ten count and securing Armstrong one of the biggest wins of his career. Hats off to Atlas Armstrong, a standout performer who’s making a strong case for rookie of the year in the region.

Finally, fans were treated to the evening’s main event—a high-stakes showdown between “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter (C), accompanied by manager Money Mike Pettis, and Burt Cameron for the New Breed Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. With the System of Brutality ($.O.B.) headlining, the crowd was clearly divided. Teter and his faction have their share of supporters, and the atmosphere was electric with an unusual 50/50 crowd split. Burt Cameron, known for his classic wrestling style, and his popularity with the kids, seemed poised for a title run. His charisma is undeniable, and while I can easily envision him as champion someday, unfortunately, that day was not September 21, 2024.

With the support of Pettis, Teter launched a powerful offense against Cameron, pummeling him with heavy blows and repeatedly smashing the back of his head on the mat. Cameron struggled to mount a solid defense after that, perhaps in part due to his initial lighthearted approach—though entertaining the crowd is one thing, I wonder what a fully focused Cameron might have accomplished. Eventually, Cameron succumbed to Teter’s sky-high choke slam, a brutal move that only a powerhouse like Teter could deliver. The bell rang, and Teter retained his title, leaving more than half the NBW audience dismayed as the reign of terror from $.O.B. continues.

Conclusion:

This was another outstanding event at what has quickly become one of my absolute favorite wrestling venues in the area. The drive might be a bit long, but it’s always worth it. New Breed Wrestling consistently puts on a fantastic show with unique perks, like front-row tickets that come with a credit for concessions—something I’ve yet to see at any other wrestling event! This card was stacked from start to finish, and I’m already looking forward to catching another show. Unfortunately, I’ll have to miss their next event here on November 16, but you can bet I’ll be back for one in the near future.