A Live Professional Wrestling Event
I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to make it to Tri States Wrestling – St. Joe Showdown due to the weather. For any of my readers not from around here (though most of you probably are by now), we got hit with a massive snowstorm about a week and a half before the show. My workplace even shut down for the first time in a long while, which rarely happens. Fortunately, by the time show day rolled around, things had warmed up a bit, the snow had melted some, and it wasn’t quite as cold. So, we made the 45-minute trek north to see one of my favorite wrestling promotions in the area, and it was absolutely worth it.
There were two big stories going into this show that I was most excited to see. Number one had to be the fear surrounding The Outlaw King of Missouri Bennett James and the dangerous level of control he now holds over his matches in 2025 after winning the King of Missouri Tournament. With his victory, James was granted the right to dictate match stipulations, leaving fans and TSW officials worried about how far he might take it. Would he force his way into a confrontation with The Iceman? Only time would tell. Number two was the return of Shooter Shylynn. After being out for nearly a year, she was poised to make a name for herself yet again, and this show was a perfect opportunity to put everyone on notice. With those announcements down, and many more matches to come, St. Joe Showdown was looking like it was about to be a great show!
Keep reading to find out what happened!
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The Card:
Tri States Westling – St. Joe Showdown
Time Out Entertainment Center – 1/19/2025
- King’s Rules Match – “The Missouri Outlaw King” Bennett James Defeated Talon Graves by pinfall – (James’ opponents can only win by Pin or submission, so he can do things that would have resulted in a DQ)
- Open Challenge – King’s Rules Match – “The Missouri Outlaw King” Bennett James Defeated “The Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston by pinfall
- Intergender Singles Match – American Ninja Defeated “Shooter” Shylynn by pinfall
- TSW Heavyweight Championship Match – Triple Threat – The Iceman (C) defeated “The Diamond” Marco Hendrixxx and “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong
- Intergender singles match – The Math Magician defeated Frank Dunbar by pinfall
- Singles Match – “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore defeated “Sexy” Wrex Amadeus by pinfall
- TSW Tag Team Championship match – “Sexy” Wrex Amadeus (C) and “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt (C) defeated “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore and “The Realist” Calvin Aldridge by pinfall – retaining the titles. The title would have changed hands on DQ as punishment for attack earlier in night.
TSW Will Return to St. Joseph on Friday April 11, 2025
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:
The reign of the Outlaw King of Missouri officially began on January 18, 2025, with Bennett James asserting his new authority over Tri States Wrestling. After his coronation at the November King of Missouri Tournament, fans were left wondering how James would wield his newfound power. As King of Missouri, James had the privilege of setting the stipulations for his 2025 matches – a dangerous proposition considering his actions in previous bouts. Many feared he would create wild match types or immediately insert himself into the title picture. However, TSW officials had other plans. After reviewing his controversial tournament victories, which included two wins thanks to brass knuckles, they imposed a condition: James must earn his title shot through a series of matches.
His first test? A match against rising star Talon Graves, a high-flyer known for his speed and resilience, who has been making waves across the state and looking to prove himself in Northern Missouri. The match would be under “King’s Rules,” James’ apparent signature stipulation. In a King’s Rules match, pinfall or submission is the only way to win for James’ opponents – no disqualifications, no count-outs, and no failed rope breaks will trigger a win for his competitors. In short, James could cheat without consequences, stacking the deck heavily in his favor.
Graves came out swinging, relying on his aerial offense to stay one step ahead of the Outlaw King. His strategy worked early on, but James quickly adapted, using the King’s Rules to his advantage. Whenever Graves reached the ropes, James refused to release holds, wearing down his opponent and dragging him through the ringer. After slamming Graves and teasing a potential pinfall, James arrogantly pulled him up at two, relishing the chance to toy with his opponent and send a message. Moments later, he sealed the match with a devastating running discus lariat, securing an inevitable victory.
Post-match, James grabbed the mic and issued an open challenge, demanding a match with The Iceman. But instead of The Iceman, someone else answered the call…
Weighing in at a staggering 340+ pounds, the “Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston stormed out to a chorus of barking chants from the crowd. Known for his sheer power, incredible stature, and bulldozing style, Kingston wasted no time taking advantage of James’ weakened state. Whipping James into the ropes and flattening him with thunderous splashes that must have felt like getting hit by a freight train, Kingston had the crowd on their feet, sensing a possible win. The Iron Pitbull followed up with a series of brutal slams, each one shaking the ring and pushing James to his limit.
For a moment, it looked like Kingston was about to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent Tri States Wrestling history. But James, living up to his reputation, found a way out. Seizing control with a brutal choke that lasted more than five seconds, normally an illegal move but perfectly fine under King’s Rules, James turned the tide. With Kingston gasping for air, James delivered another devastating running discus lariat, putting the big man down for good. One more pinfall later, the Outlaw King had secured yet another victory on his road to the TSW Heavyweight Championship.
After the match, it was officially announced that James would finally get his long-awaited showdown with The Iceman in Jameson, Missouri. With the TSW Heavyweight Championship on the line, all eyes are on the champion. Having already fallen victim to James’ devious tactics once before, The Iceman can’t afford another misstep. The reign of the Outlaw King of Missouri is only just beginning, and Bennett James has no intention of slowing down.
Finally making her long-awaited return to the TSW ring was none other than Shooter Shylynn, one of the area’s hottest rising stars in women’s wrestling. Determined to re-establish her dominance in the TSW women’s division, Shylynn carried an air of focus and intensity, ready to start her 2025 out on the right foot. There was something different about Shylynn since the last time fans saw her – perhaps her year on the shelf humbled her, but it was clear she had a lot to prove.
Her opponent for the evening was American Ninja, a notorious martial artist known for his pinpoint precision and cold, calculating approach to matches. He’s not one to play to the crowd, and his only focus is winning quickly and efficiently. From the moment the bell rang, Shylynn had the fans solidly in her corner, but that support didn’t faze the Ninja in the slightest. He immediately targeted her biggest weakness – the knee brace now part of her ring gear – launching a series of brutal kicks that left her writhing on the mat.
Despite the setback, Shylynn’s size advantage came into play several times during the match, giving her flashes of hope. She even managed to muscle American Ninja into a fireman’s carry at one point, showing the power and grit that makes her a fan favorite, no matter her temperament. But it wasn’t enough. American Ninja stayed relentless, focusing on the weakened knee until Shylynn simply couldn’t fight back. After a final barrage of attacks, he secured the pinfall and left the crowd in stunned silence.
As the boos rained down, American Ninja showed no emotion – he got the job done and spoiled Shylynn’s triumphant return without a second thought. For Shooter Shylynn, it’s clear her path back to the top is going to be far from easy.
Something unfortunate has happened to “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong since his near brush with becoming the number one contender back in August at Mayhem in Mooresville 3. Watching The Iceman swoop in during a gauntlet match that Armstrong had been dominating, “steal the victory” (in his opinion), and then go on to defeat the nefarious Dr. Isin in Chillicothe, Missouri must have left a bitter taste. Armstrong has been stewing over it for months, making it very clear that he feels robbed. In his eyes, The Iceman has cozied up to TSW management in a way that always ensures him the prime matches and repeated title shots – opportunities that Atlas believes should have been his. Even during The Iceman’s career low throughout much of 2024, he still got championship opportunities over Atlas, and now The Natural has had enough.
There was a noticeable change in Atlas Armstrong during this match – a simmering anger not just at The Iceman, but at TSW management and even the TSW fans who once embraced him. Joining him for this match was “The Diamond” Marco Hendrixxx, an incredible athlete with all the swagger and charisma you’d expect from a top-tier performer. Hendrixxx was a late addition to the match due to his growing reputation alone, though it was clear that he might also be a secret weapon for Armstrong. The two seemed to share a common goal – take out The Iceman – and for a while, it looked like this would end up as a two-on-one beatdown.
When The Iceman made his entrance, brimming with confidence, he must have realized the size of the target on his back, and he was definitely prepared. Armstrong and Hendrixxx immediately took turns targeting him, wearing down the champion with ruthless efficiency. Hendrixxx strutted around the ring, even walking across the downed champion before dropping Atlas onto him like a sack of bricks. For a moment, it looked like Hendrixxx might steal the win early on. However, alliances in wrestling are always fleeting, and soon Armstrong and Hendrixxx’s mutual frustrations boiled over, leading to them turning on each other.
This breakdown gave The Iceman the opening he needed. With the experience and resilience of a true champion, he seized the moment, hitting his signature moves and securing the hard-fought victory. The winner and still reigning TSW Heavyweight Champion: The Iceman. After the match, I asked Atlas Armstrong for a statement, and here’s what he had to say:
“Atlas Armstrong would like to reiterate that he SHOULD BE Tri States Wrestling Champion if it wasn’t for Iceman’s blatant cheating that TSW and the fans choose to ignore cause of their weird hatred for me.”
It’s clear Atlas isn’t done with The Iceman, or the fans, anytime soon.
Just when I thought we’d finally get a break from “The Classic” Warren Adams, he showed up in St. Joseph, Missouri, once again delighting himself by belittling the crowd. This time, he set his sights on the 75-inch HDTV raffle, mocking the fans by suggesting they were too poor to own a TV, or maybe they didn’t even know what one was. You know, classic Warren Adams behavior. To his credit, the raffle went off without a hitch, just with a lot more condescension than necessary.
Next up was Frank Dunbar, a man perpetually stuck at level 10 on the anger scale. He stormed into the ring in an especially foul mood, yelling at the crowd and taking verbal jabs at anyone in sight. But then, out from the back came The Math Magician, a fan-favorite we haven’t seen in some time. They were apparently there on a noble mission – to help Frank manage his anger… with math!
As you’d expect, Frank wasn’t having it. He tried to attack The Math Magician, only to get whacked with, you guessed it, a math book! Warren Adams tried to jump in and assist Dunbar, but The Math Magician wasn’t having any of that either. What followed was the most entertaining use of a math book I’ve ever witnessed, as The Math Magician sent both men packing.
Originally, there was supposed to be no tag team championship match at this show. Tobias Storm, one half of the number one contenders alongside “The Realist” Calvin Aldridge, was unavailable (and the circumstances point to foul play by a certain mustachioed individual), leaving Amadeus and Jeremy Wyatt set for singles action. Wyatt was scheduled to face Aldridge, while Amadeus was set to take on a returning “Copperhead” Duke Cornell. But in wrestling, the card is always subject to change, and Cornell also couldn’t make it.
Stepping up in his place was “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite high-flyers in the KC scene. Wrex entered with his mentor “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt in tow, making it clear that Moore was essentially walking into a two-on-one situation. Wrex had the size advantage and Wyatt at ringside, but Moore held his own thanks to his experience and fearless high-flying offense. The match was competitive for a while, until it wasn’t. Things took a turn when Wrex tried his own high-risk move, only for Moore to outmaneuver him. And just like that, Wrex Amadeus ate his first loss in quite a while in TSW. That seemed to light a fuse in Wyatt, who jumped in, leading to a vicious beatdown of Moore by both men. The assault only stopped when Calvin Aldridge rushed out to even the odds and make the save.
That’s when Vito, TSW’s senior official, had enough. He grabbed a mic and announced that he wouldn’t tolerate the tag champs attacking people at will, declaring that the belts were going on the line right now in a match between Wyatt & Amadeus vs. Moore & Aldridge. Initially, the champions refused – until Vito added the kicker: if they got disqualified or counted out, they’d lose the titles anyway. Suddenly forced to defend their belts under these conditions, Wyatt and Amadeus were not happy.
Now forced to defend their titles on short notice, Wrex Amadeus and Jeremy Wyatt both found themselves on the back foot. With Amadeus coming off an embarrassing loss to James Moore just moments prior, he had plenty to prove – especially given who had taken him under their wing and helped guide him to championship gold. After an initial flurry of fast-paced offense from Moore and his partner Aldridge, the match slowed down as the tag champs isolated Moore, turning the bout into a brutal 2-on-1 beatdown. Every time it looked like Moore might reach Aldridge for the tag, Wyatt and Amadeus yanked him back into enemy territory. With frequent distractions of referee Vito and plenty of cheap shots, it became clear the champs were determined to walk away with their titles at any cost.
Finally, Moore made the hot tag to Aldridge, and things quickly shifted. Aldridge came in like a man possessed, clearing the ring with high-impact moves. For a moment, it looked like the challengers were about to secure the win when Moore hit a big move and went for the pin. The crowd erupted in anticipation… and 1-2-3 THEY GOT IT!! New champ……wait…It was brought to Vito’s attention that Wrex Amadeus “had his foot on the rope” (he actually did not! Wyatt put it there!), forcing the match to restart. The action only intensified from there, with the challengers pulling out every move in their arsenal. However, in the end, Wrex Amadeus managed to catch Moore in his move “Bad Medicine” to steal the victory, retaining the titles once again. The crowd was absolutely furious, but the champs went into beatdown mode again, apparently injuring Aldridge’s leg in the process. Boos filled the Timeout Event Center, nearly drowning out Miss Wendy as she made her final announcements.
Conclusion:
The Timeout Event Center has truly become one of the principal homes for Tri States Wrestling. With how many fans TSW consistently packs into the venue, it’s clear that St. Joseph, Missouri still holds strong as a professional wrestling city – so much so that TNA Wrestling is heading there soon. The crowd was buzzing, and I noticed several times throughout the night that TSW staff had to bring out additional chairs to accommodate the growing crowd. It’s always great to see that kind of turnout, especially in the strained economy we’re still navigating.
Overall, this show was solid from top to bottom, featuring a great mix of classic Kansas City wrestling mainstays from the past two decades and rising stars hungry to make a name for themselves on the scene. TSW St. Joe Showdown was a fantastic start to the year for the company, and I’m already looking forward to heading back to St. Joe for the next event.
