A Live Professional Wrestling Event
Central Missouri’s professional wrestling scene is largely defined by two standout companies: New Breed Wrestling (NBW), based out of Eldon, and Show-Me State Wrestling (SSW), operating out of Jefferson City. In what I hope is just the beginning of a long-running partnership, both promotions came together for a supershow titled Pride of Missouri – Magic City Madness, held in Moberly, Missouri a couple of weeks ago.
The event took place at the Moberly Area Community College (MACC) Activity Center, a spacious venue that added a level of professionalism and grandeur not often seen at most independent wrestling shows. The setup featured two entranceways, a well-stocked concessions area (with awesome pork tenderloin sandwiches!), ample room for vendors and merch tables, and even a jumbotron/scoreboard above the ring – a rare touch that gave the event a true “big show” feel. I really hope the promoters managed to strike a favorable deal with the venue, because I would gladly make the two-hour drive again to see another event there. The MACC Activity Center has tons of room to grow and could easily accommodate a larger crowd if demand increases.
While a few matches carried the flavor of an NBW vs. SSW showcase, the card also featured major title defenses from each company, along with intriguing inter-promotional team-ups—pairings you wouldn’t normally see outside of an event like this. Both promotions even brought their respective ring announcers: Miss Wendy from SSW and J.J. Kidd from NBW, adding a nice touch of brand representation and personality throughout the night. On top of that, the show featured a promised celebrity appearance (which I’ll get to shortly), and some special attractions – perhaps most impressively, a young boy around nine or ten years old who kicked off the show by playing the U.S. national anthem on his electric guitar. Reportedly self-taught, he absolutely nailed it and set the tone for the night ahead.
Pride of Missouri – Magic City Madness had all the trappings of a super show, and I’m completely on board. Events like this are a great way to strengthen the regional scene and give fans something truly memorable.
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The Card:
New Breed Wrestling / Show Me State Wrestling – The Pride of Missouri Supershow
Moberly, MO @ The MACC Activity Center 6/28/25
- Dr. Isin Wins the Pride of Missouri Championship Ring – Over the top battle royale – match also featured: “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong, “The Silverback” Big Joe Helms, Cornelius J. Poppington (CJP), Cade Maxen, “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter, “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore, “The Outlaw King” Bennett James, Crowson D Calhoun, “The New Age Enigma” Sykawtic, “The Realist” Calvin Aldridge, and Talon Graves.
- Segment – Dr. Isin presented with his ring, attacked by Teter.
- Singles Match – “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong defeated Cade Maxen (w/ “Money” Mike Pettis) by pinfall.
- Tag Team Match for the SSW Tag Team Championships – The Main Attraction (“The Realist” Calvin Aldridge and “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore (C) Defeated the Team of “The New Age Enigma” Sykawtic and , Crowson D Calhoun by pinfall.
- Segment – Faceoff between Mulitalo and El Diablo
- Singles Match – “The Silverback” Big Joe Helms defeated Cornelius J. Poppington (CJP) by pinfall.
- Triple Threat Match for the SSW Frontier Championship – “The Outlaw King” Bennett James defeated Tobias Storm (C) and Talon Graves by pinfall. NEW CHAMP!
- Singles Match – Shooter Shylynn defeated Just Missy by pinfall.
- Segment – Special appearance by Live PD’s James Craigmyle who was guest ring announcer for the next match.
- Moberly Street Fight for the NBW Heavyweight Championship – “Nothing Neater” Derek Teter (w/ “Money” Mike Pettis) (C) defeated Dr. Isin by pinfall.
- MAIN EVENT – Singles Match for the SSW Heavyweight Championship – “Heaven’s Superior Aztec Demon Warrior” El Diablo Defeated “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo (C) by pinfall. NEW CHAMP!
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:
First up for the evening was a massive over-the-top-rope battle royale featuring most of the talent scheduled to appear throughout the night. The stakes? A commemorative “Pride of Missouri” ring, styled like a championship ring one might earn for winning the Super Bowl or World Series—a unique and fitting prize for a super show of this scale. The competitors in the match were: Dr. Isin, “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong, “The Silverback” Big Joe Helms, Cornelius J. Poppington (CJP), Cade Maxen, “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter, “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore, “The Outlaw King” Bennett James, Crowson D. Calhoun, “The New Age Enigma” Sykawtic, “The Realist” Calvin Aldridge, and Talon Graves.
In a nice bit of visual storytelling, both rosters initially lined up on opposite sides of the ring –SSW on one side, NBW on the other – in a symbolic face-off that played into the evening’s inter-promotional theme. But that sense of unity didn’t last long. The moment the bell rang, all hell broke loose, and it quickly devolved into the chaotic free-for-all that battle royales are known for. As the battle royale unfolded, it became clear that some competitors were using the chaos as a strategic opportunity to target their future opponents, likely aiming to weaken them before their official match-ups later in the evening. This was most evident in the exchanges between Dr. Isin and Derek Teter, as well as Atlas Armstrong and Cade Maxen. The latter confrontation escalated to the point of a double elimination, with Armstrong and Maxen continuing their brawl outside the ring and all the way into the NBW backstage area, effectively removing themselves from the match and setting the stage for their upcoming encounter.
Meanwhile, Cornelius J. Poppington (CJP) got himself on a roll, eliminating several competitors, including Crowson D. Calhoun, before his momentum was cut short. In classic fashion, he got a little too caught up in showboating and was promptly dumped over the top rope, ending his impressive run just as quickly as it had heated up. Eventually, the chaos narrowed down to the final two: Dr. Isin and Derek Teter. In a hard-fought exchange, Isin narrowly managed to eliminate the much larger Teter, sending him crashing to the floor and earning the distinction of being the first-ever Pride of Missouri ring winner – an accolade he appeared to take seriously and enjoy thoroughly.
After the match, Scotty Z of NBW presented the commemorative ring to Isin in a celebratory moment shared with Gordon and Jeremy from SSW, representing the unity behind the super show. But that celebration was short-lived. An enraged “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter, flanked by his manager “Money” Mike Pettis, stormed the stage and laid into Dr. Isin with a vicious post-match assault. Both men were set to face off later in the night for the New Breed Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, and if Teter’s goal was to wear down his opponent ahead of time, he may have succeeded. Isin did not look 100% after the ambush – an ominous sign heading into one of the night’s key title matches.
Speaking of rising tensions, the next match on the card served as something of a rematch between “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong and the man he nearly went to war with during the battle royale: “The Imminent” Cade Maxen. While both men are similar in age and experience, their personalities could not be more different. Maxen, a St. Louis native with strong ties to Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling, brings an unfiltered aggression and intensity to the ring, whereas Atlas, who’s become a staple across Kansas City and central Missouri, exudes confidence, poise, and heart. If you were looking for a true clash of rising Missouri talent, this was it.
Maxen didn’t come alone, either. He was accompanied by “Money” Mike Pettis, having apparently joined the System of Brutality ($.O.B.) at a prior show. Normally, that kind of backup would spell disaster for an opponent – but Atlas Armstrong isn’t just some guy. Fresh off a recent run as NBW TV Champion, he came into the match with momentum and experience on his side. Maxen entered the match in what can only be described as a state of pure fury, slapping himself in the face repeatedly, pacing like a caged animal, and radiating hostility. But that same intensity may have been his undoing. Atlas fed off the energy of the Moberly crowd, which helped him endure some early punishment, including brutal submission holds and some rope-assisted choking from Maxen.
Eventually, Atlas turned the tide. Stringing together some of his signature offense, including a blockbuster and an RKO, he managed to put Maxen down for the count. The crowd erupted, and in a particularly heartwarming moment, a young boy nearby shouted, “Atlas, you’re my hero!”, a sentiment that clearly resonated with the victorious Armstrong. It was a hard-fought win and a sweet payoff.
Next up was the first championship bout of the evening, a high-stakes SSW Tag Team Championship match featuring The Main Attraction (“The Realist” Calvin Aldridge and “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore) defending their titles against the unexpected pairing of “The New Age Enigma” Sykawtic and Crowson D. Calhoun. Given The Main Attraction’s reputation for underhanded tactics, and the fact that, to be honest, I’m a few shows behind and strongly suspect they didn’t win those belts entirely by the book, it wasn’t hard to tell where the crowd’s loyalties were. The fans quickly rallied behind the underdog team of Sykawtic and Calhoun, an oddball pairing with a chaotic energy all their own.
From the opening bell, the challengers leaned hard into unorthodox offense. Calhoun, in particular, seemed determined to win by any means necessary, even using his own partner as a weapon, literally launching Sykawtic like a human javelin at their opponents in a wild display of reckless abandon. For a stretch, Sykawtic found himself stuck in the ring while the members of The Main Attraction put a beating on him. With their clear size advantage, you better believe he was hurting. Still, he fought back valiantly with a flurry of brutal chops and kicks, tipping the tide just enough to escape his predicament and make the tag.
Calhoun re-entered with a vengeance, laying waste to both members of The Main Attraction. He set up for a potential match-ender with the classic Devastation Device (or at least I think that’s what it would have been), but the attempt was seemingly cut short, possibly due to the use of a foreign object. I couldn’t quite tell what happened from where I was sitting, but something was clearly off. With Calhoun down, James Moore seized the moment, hitting a huge 450 splash to secure the win. After the bell, the challengers embraced, though Calhoun appeared disoriented, pleading with referees that he’d been struck by something illegal. While this pairing came together only due to a last-minute substitution, I’d love to see Sykawtic and Calhoun team up again – especially to get revenge on two of the slimiest competitors in all of SSW.
Next up was a match featuring a man who’s been sticking in the craw of Show-Me State Wrestling for quite some time now: Cornelius J. Poppington (CJP) vs. “The Silverback” Big Joe Helms. CJP has recently found himself at the center of controversy regarding his officiating duties in SSW, facing allegations of match-fixing and other shady behavior – accusations that, understandably, aren’t the kind of thing anyone wants tied to their name in the wrestling business. In response, CJP has denied everything and stated he’ll be seeking legal counsel to defend his reputation. In the meantime, until things get sorted out, it seems he’s returning to in-ring competition, which brought him to this very match.
From the jump, CJP made it clear he wanted to be the center of attention. He stalled repeatedly, walking in and out of the ring, accusing Big Joe Helms of hiding weapons, and even attempting to call for a timeout moments into the match. The crowd, as you’d expect, was furious with the antics – but CJP couldn’t have cared less. He seemed to be using the match as a way to taunt his critics, no doubt fueled by the online speculation questioning his ethics and integrity.
Helms, however, wasn’t having it. Frustrated by the drawn-out nonsense, he grabbed a banana mid-match and started eating it, because, well, what else would a Silverback do? Then came the damndest thing: Helms tossed the banana peel on the mat, and a charging CJP immediately slipped on it and crashed to the canvas, writhing in cartoonish agony. It was something straight out of Looney Tunes, but somehow, it worked – and the crowd loved it. With the clowning out of the way and CJP nursing both his ego and his tailbone, Joe Helms went to work. A few brutal corner kicks, a massive scoop slam, and then his signature finisher later, and CJP was laid out, staring up at the lights. 1-2-3. Another emphatic win for The Silverback.
Next up was a Triple Threat Match for the SSW Frontier Championship, featuring “The Outlaw King” Bennett James, Tobias Storm, and Talon Graves. I was actually there in Marshall, MO when Tobias Storm won the Frontier Title, and it seems like time has been kind to him – the crowd finally softened on him here in Moberly, and he was greeted with actual cheers this time around. That said, Tobias came into the match laser-focused on Bennett James, almost to a fault – seemingly forgetting that Talon Graves was also in the ring. Sure, Talon may be smaller in stature and hasn’t yet held championship gold in his young career, but he’s no pushover – and if anyone should know that, it’s Tobias Storm, considering their shared history in KCXW. Clearly not one to be disrespected, Talon wasted no time proving a point, coming out with serious fire and dominating the early stages of the match. His speed and determination kept both opponents off balance right from the bell.
Eventually, both James and Storm managed to neutralize Talon, and with him briefly out of the picture, Bennett James pounced, laying into Tobias with heavy offense. James has been turning heads across Kansas and Missouri, steadily building a reputation as one of the toughest rising stars on the scene. Adding the SSW Frontier Championship to his resume would be a big milestone – and he fought like it. Tobias, ever the resilient champ, found a second wind and began to mount a comeback after trading shots with Talon. In a huge display of strength, he even managed to hoist both men up for a double slam, igniting the crowd. With momentum fully on his side, Tobias had the fans in the palm of his hand and looked poised to score the win. But then—just like that—it all fell apart. Bennett James caught Tobias with his signature discus lariat, and that was all she wrote. 1-2-3. “The Outlaw King” Bennett James is your new SSW Frontier Champion.
There was one women’s match at Pride of Missouri, and for me, it was a highly anticipated rematch between “The Punk Rock Ratchet” Just Missy and Shooter Shylynn. Their last encounter took place earlier this year at a New Breed Wrestling show in Sedalia, where Missy managed to get the better of Shylynn, who was just returning from a prolonged injury layoff. Back then, Missy’s lightning-fast offense, her near-liquid ability to slip out of danger, and her sheer refusal to stay down made her the perfect foil to Shylynn’s power-based arsenal. Missy stole the win that night with a surprise finish.
Fast forward to this match, and you could tell both women had done their homework. They each seemed far more prepared and aware of what the other brought to the table. While Shylynn still had the clear size and strength advantage, Missy countered with her trademark unpredictability and some wonderfully unorthodox high-flying attacks – including a moment where she leapt onto Shylynn’s back and yelled “CHICKEN JOCKEY!” in a hilarious reference to the recent Minecraft movie. The kids in the crowd absolutely lost it, and while no popcorn rained from the stands (as has apparently been happening in movie theaters lately), I bet more than a few were tempted.
Missy came close to repeating history, landing a massive DDT that looked like it might finish Shylynn off for good. But instead of staying down, Shylynn seemed to get an adrenaline boost, kicking out and firing up in a big way. She followed up with a brutal surfboard stretch, a torture rack, and then a bridged fisherman’s suplex that finally kept Missy down for the three-count. After the match, Shylynn extended her hand in a show of respect, but Missy wasn’t having it, uncharacteristically storming off without the handshake. The tension between these two is far from settled, and I, for one, hope we get a rubber match soon. There’s clearly unfinished business, and we’re still waiting to find out who the better competitor truly is.
Once positioned as the focus of “Money” Mike Pettis’s 2023 money-making venture, Dr. Isin was the pride of a dominant stable known as Private Practice. But the alliance didn’t last. A perceived dip in Isin’s lasting power – and his supposed “softening” after teaming with fan-favorite Bert Candy, was all Pettis needed to sever ties. In stepped “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter, who quickly took Isin’s place as the leader of a rebranded and far more ruthless faction: System of Brutality (S.O.B.). After that, Dr. Isin vanished from New Breed Wrestling, or did he?There was a shocking reveal towards the end of last year in which the unhinged luchador Fajita Taker had been Isin in disguise all along. It was a long con, a surgical strike in slow motion, and after they became complacent, Isin started to pick apart S.O.B. member by member: Lord Ateu, Kenny Kingston, and others fell one by one. Now, it all leads to this, Isin vs. Teter in a Moberly Street Fight, with a shot to reclaim the championship he once called his own.
This match kicked off with a surprise appearance from reality TV star and celebrity dog expert James Craigmyle. Best known for his time as a veteran law enforcement officer and K‑9 handler on Live PD (Seasons 1–3, 2017–2019), Craigmyle represented the Greene County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office on that show. Naturally, this opened the door for “Money” Mike Pettis to saunter out holding a fake dog, claiming he was the superior trainer – only to promptly rip the stuffed animal to shreds in front of Craigmyle. The stunt clearly got under the reality star’s skin. Dr. Isin then made his entrance, all business and no theatrics, dragging a trash can full of weapons to the ring, ready to end his feud with Derek Teter once and for all. The two wasted no time and began hammering away at each other with intensity, the fight quickly spilling to the outside. Isin didn’t even get his ring jacket off before Teter was swinging a steel chair at him, looking to end things early.
What followed was a wild and brutal brawl. Dr. Isin targeted Teter’s surgically repaired knee with a trash can lid, striking it with cold, calculated precision. But Teter’s size and toughness came into play, allowing him to battle back and land several crushing shots of his own with that same lid. Isin briefly regained the upper hand, placing a trash can over Teter’s head and smashing it with a crutch. But instead of following up, his attention shifted to Pettis on the outside, allowing Teter time to recover and grab another chair. Isin eventually superkicked the chair right out of Teter’s hands and hit a flurry of high risk moves like a top rope elbow drop, seemingly closing in on victory. But Mike Pettis once again inserted himself into the match, prompting Craigmyle, who’d seen enough, to toss Isin the Pride of Missouri Championship ring. Amid the chaos and confusion, Teter took advantage, cracking Isin with a chair and delivering a thunderous chokeslam onto the trash can for the pinfall.
With that, “Nothin’ Neater” Derek Teter retained the New Breed Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. The question now is: can Dr. Isin ever truly overcome the odds that continue to stack against him? Or was this the final chapter in his war with Teter?
Main Event: El Diablo vs. “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo — One Year in the Making – This was the final showdown between reigning SSW Heavyweight Champion “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo and his bitter rival, El Diablo. These two men were the final competitors in the SSW Championship Tournament over a year ago, and the animosity between them has only grown since. Ever since that loss, El Diablo has been hounded by Mulitalo, who never missed an opportunity to gloat, interrupt his matches, or start attacking him without provocation. This was the long-awaited rematch everyone in Show Me State Wrestling had been clamoring for, and the fans in attendance were firmly in El Diablo’s corner, ready to see him humble the arrogant champion. Both men were treated to the full big-match presentation – streamers, confetti, and an electric crowd that made it clear just how high the stakes were.
From the opening bell, this was an evenly matched war. They traded holds, strikes, submissions, and momentum swings, each waiting for the other to make a critical mistake. El Diablo relied on his speed and high-risk aerial assault, while Mulitalo stuck to his methodical game plan – grounding his opponent, using rope placement to his advantage, and wearing him down with precision holds. At one point, Mulitalo hoisted Diablo sky-high for a devastating powerbomb that nearly ended the match, but Diablo battled back, landing his signature variation of the 619 and going for the Swanton.
Mulitalo blocked the Swanton in a desperate bid to retain his title, sending both men crashing to the mat in a brutal fall that nearly led to a double count-out. Somehow, both men beat the referee’s ten-count, but it was clear – neither had much left in the tank. The closing moments of the match were a display of pure heart. Mulitalo again tried to cinch in a sleeper hold to sap the last of Diablo’s energy, but El Diablo fought through it. He escaped, landed another 619, and climbed to the top rope once more. After a reversal, It looked like “Astonishing” Austin Mulitalo was about to end El Diablo’s career with a grisly top-rope maneuver, but thankfully, that moment never came to pass. El Diablo managed to slip down Mulitalo’s back and lock in a sleeper hold of his own, visibly wearing down the champion until Mulitalo collapsed to the mat, dazed and groggy. This time, El Diablo leapt from the ropes, and the Swanton connected. One. Two. Three. El Diablo had done it. He was the new SSW Heavyweight Champion!
As the crowd erupted in chants of “You deserve it!”, El Diablo stood tall, championship held high, signaling the end of a long journey – and the beginning of a brand-new era for Show Me State Wrestling.
Conclusion:
Despite the long drive from Independence to Moberly, MO, this show was absolutely worth it. From top to bottom, it felt like a major supercard, was held at an impressive venue, and had a strong mix of matches, and an exciting premise built around the clash between two standout companies. I especially enjoyed the championship bouts that closed the night, but the card as a whole delivered. While I was already familiar with much of the talent, newcomers (for me) like Cade Maxen and Crowson D. Calhoun left a strong impression, and I hope to see them pop up more frequently across the Midwest scene. Although I was hoping to finally see Dr. Isin overcome Derek Teter, I was thrilled to witness El Diablo finally claim the heavyweight championship that has felt like his destiny for over a year – a moment I’m sure will be celebrated by all his compatriots from the year 3099. Here’s hoping this becomes an annual event and signals a new chapter of collaboration between two of Central Missouri’s premier wrestling promotions.
