REVIEW: Central States Wrestling - Legacy (2025)

A Live Professional Wrestling Show

Central States Wrestling went on a year-and-a-half hiatus following their final 2024 show, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore, leaving many fans fearing the worst. Longtime supporters held out hope that the company would eventually return and that the product they loved would not be drastically different from what came before. Those fears began to ease bit by bit as plans for a comeback slowly came into focus. In 2025, CSW finally made its triumphant return, not only to Overland Park, Kansas, but also to a familiar venue steeped in local wrestling history: the Abdallah Shriners Temple, which had previously played host to Metro Pro Wrestling, a direct predecessor to CSW.

Many familiar faces returned for the relaunch, with several storylines from 2024 continuing right where they left off. This wasn’t a reboot or rebranding, but rather a refresh and a new beginning for the year ahead. Moonshine Mantell, who captured the CSW Heavyweight Championship in a shocking win that shook the foundations of Kansas City wrestling, was set for his first major title defense. Fan-favorite tag teams like The Besties were back, along with not-so-favorites like The Premier, and a women’s match was announced to round out the card. CSW Legacy was shaping up to be a stacked event, highlighted by a tribute presentation for Michael Strider, who appeared to be hanging up his boots once and for all.

The show opened with a thank you from Central States Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Moonshine Mantell, welcoming fans back after the hiatus and introducing two of the company’s new partners going forward. The first was the Valhalla Vikings Motorcycle Club, a veteran and first responder charity group that fundraises for worthy causes, including helping sick and homeless children. The second was Dream Factory, an organization much like the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which provides dream experiences for children facing health struggles and their families to bring light into otherwise difficult times. Moonshine also discussed his commitment to Kansas City professional wrestling and his goal of helping it thrive. Despite being from Texas, he emphasized that he considers Kansas City his home. Now it was time for CSW to return!

Now let’s take a look at what happened on the main card from the show, and while you’re here, let me know what you liked in the comments of on social media!

REVIEW: Central States Wrestling – We’re Not in Kansas Anymore (2024)

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The Card:

7/26/25 at the Abdallah Shriner’s Temple, Overland Park, Kansas

Segment – CSW Champion Moonshine Mantell introduces the Valhalla Vikings Motorcycle Club and Dream Factory Charities who have a big presence at the show. Moonshine addresses the crowd.
Open Challenge – Triple threat match – “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt defeated Rey De La Muerte and “The Natural” Cade Fite by pinfall.
Tag Team Match – The Besties in the World (Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett) defeated The Premier (“Superstar” Campbell Myers and “Dat Boi” SK Bishop) by pinfall.
Singles Match – “The Mile High Magnum” Dak Draper defeated Mo Sweetness by pinfall.
Singles Match – “Handsome” Scott Hansen defeated “Black Diamond” Luke Langley by pinfall.
Segment – Michael Strider Retirement celebration – Ben Miller awards Strider a commemorative belt and a tribute video. The Besties in the World come out to say “thank you” only to attack Strider – Jeremy Wyatt comes in for the save. Strider can be seen saying “one more match”.
Singles Match – Sexy Wrexy (w/ Roscoe Leech) defeated “The Uncut Gem” Austin Lee by pinfall.
Singles Match – Blair Onyx defeated Izzy B. By pinfall.
Singles Match – For the Central States Wrestling Championship – Moonshine Mantell (With Greg Jovi) Defeated “Warhorse” Jake Parnell by pinfall.
A brawl ensues involving The Foundation and The Besties in the World, after Mantell wins, Dak Draper attacks Moonshine challenging him in October for the championship.

Next Show October 4th

DISCLAIMER:

I try to go through most, if not all, of the matches and report on what happened and if the match had any significance to any ongoing feuds. You might think some of my opinions are dumb, or the way I review things is dumb, and that’s OK! We can all like different things, that’s what makes something like wrestling so great! I honestly try to stay positive because there is too much negativity in the overall wrestling community (in my opinion) and we can all do better. That isn’t to say I won’t offer opinions or criticisms, but that will apply when warranted. Remember, cut the B.S. and as the old saying goes, “Just enjoy Wrestling!”

My Thoughts:

CSW Legacy opened with an open challenge from “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt, who found himself without an opponent after Anaya Howlett pulled out in the weeks leading up to the show. Instead of one challenger, Wyatt got two, as Rey De La Muerte and “The Natural” Cade Fite both stepped up. For most wrestlers, the clash of styles, Rey’s high-flying lucha offense and Fite’s technical approach, might have been overwhelming, but Wyatt has been the King of Kansas City for at least a decade now, and knows how to handle adversity. One thing I will point out, Rey De La Muerte, who has been popping up everywhere and impressing everyone as of late, was VERY popular in this match. The crowd, likely not sure what to make of Wyatt still, latched onto Rey and really championed him.

Wyatt immediately grounded Rey, taking away his aerial game by keeping him away from the ropes. Fite, meanwhile, held back for stretches, letting Wyatt and Rey wear each other down before attacking with European uppercuts, kicks, and strikes that had an MMA flavor. Much of his offense focused on Wyatt’s heavily braced shoulder. Rey eventually fought his way back, taking down Fite and nearly stealing momentum. but Wyatt knocked him down, and caught Fite in a crossface that looked like it would end the match. Rey broke up another submission attempt, but Wyatt capitalized by pinning him, securing the victory.

The next match was a much-anticipated clash that many expected to happen during the 2024 Tag Team Tournament but never did – The Premier (SK Bishop and Campbell Myers) versus The Besties in the World (Mat Fitchett and Davey Vega, formerly known to CSW fans as The Grindhouse). The Besties made their entrance to “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden, immediately setting themselves apart and making it clear they wanted this opening match to stand out. The fans however, seemed like they wanted a way to potentially mute the played-out song, which was pretty funny.

Right from the bell, the action got wild as The Besties both dove onto The Premier, sparking a massive brawl on the outside. Once order was restored, The Premier took control, isolating Davey Vega in the corner. Referee Nick Chinn appeared oblivious to their tactics, repeatedly cutting off Mat Fitchett from getting in, which only allowed Bishop and Myers to pile on more punishment.

Momentum eventually shifted when The Besties strung together some of their trademark double-team offense, including a top rope assisted Death Valley Driver. Even then, The Premier refused to stay down, countering pin attempts and fighting back hard. After a grueling back-and-forth, Fitchett and Vega finally broke through, wearing down Bishop and Myers long enough to score the decisive victory. This was either good or bad news depending on who asks, because it meant the fans were once again subjected to one of Savage Garden’s greatest hits.

Dak Draper, by all accounts, has had a terrible year and made sure to let the Kansas City crowd know all about it at CSW Legacy. Not only did he lose the CSW Heavyweight Championship in record time by foolishly throwing out an open challenge to anyone in the back after he basically stole the belt from Gil Rogers, but Moonshine Mantell came out and has had the championship ever since. After showing a gnarly scar on his side, Draper explained that he was stabbed at some point in the summer of 2024, and he personally blames each and every person in the area for this. Kansas City wrestling fans somehow drove Dak Draper to have this misfortune.

If that sounds stupid to you, you can join in with the fans in the Abdallah Shriners Temple, as they all called BS on this and let him know exactly how they felt. This was a different Dak Draper, hardened by his perceived grievances. He’s bigger, he has a mustache, and he’s meaner than ever before. Unfortunately for Mo’ Sweetness, this was the opponent he’d be facing for the night, and Draper’s goal was to make Sweetness an example.

Mo’ initially succeeded with some mind games, ducking Draper, heading to the outside, and trying to run down his stamina by running around the ring. Draper, however, was not a fan of this and was able to catch up and put a stop to what he likely perceived as silliness. After a one-sided beatdown, Draper eventually went for what I assume was going to be a Razor’s Edge, but Mo’ was somehow able to counter. A few more solid shots later, Draper got his hooks into Mo’ for his Doctor Bomb and scored the 1-2-3. Of course, Dak got back on the mic and threw another fit about Moonshine Mantell, basically declaring war on his status as the CSW Heavyweight Champion.

“Black Diamond” Luke Langley has been one of the biggest and most deserving breakout stars in Central States Wrestling for years. After suffering through a nearly year-long losing streak in 2022 and part of 2023, Langley built himself back up and began dominating the company. He embarked on what I dubbed his “revenge tour,” taking on everyone who had previously beaten him that year, well – everyone except Dak Draper, and settling those scores. By the end, Langley had positioned himself as a potential number one contender, only to lose out to Gil Rogers, who went on to win the CSW Heavyweight Championship at the close of 2023. One better believe that 2025 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for Langley, as he fights to reclaim his place near the top of the pecking order. On this night, though, it was all about how he got it done.

His opponent was “Handsome” Scott Hansen, who has grown tremendously since his last CSW appearance in the tag team tournament alongside Dred Roberts. In the relatively short time since, Hansen has won championships down south and nearly upset “The King of Kansas City,” “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt, on two separate occasions. The stage was set for a tough contest, and it had all the trimmings of a Luke Langley match. The “Black Diamond” used his cold, almost surgical precision to counter Hansen’s athleticism, looking to put him away for good while also “playing with his food.” He worked submissions, kept Hansen grounded, and seemed to enjoy relentlessly kicking him apart in front of the crowd. But Hansen showed his resiliency, fighting back with high-flying offense, dodging multiple brainbuster attempts, and putting Langley on the back foot.

Eventually, Langley landed the brainbuster, but Hansen shocked the crowd by kicking out at two. Frustration, Langley’s biggest weakness, started to boil over, and Hansen seized the moment, catching him in a roll-up and stealing the win. As you can imagine, Langley was none too happy about it.

The next segment of the show was a tribute to Central States Wrestling’s Michael Strider, which felt very much like his retirement. A video package aired, and Strider was presented with a commemorative belt by “The Voice of CSW” Ben Miller in an emotional send-off. With a career spanning more than 28 years, Strider has been one of the cornerstones of Kansas City professional wrestling, and many wrestlers were in attendance to pay their respects, including The Iceman. Even Major Baisden, the former owner of the National Wrasslin’ League, was in the crowd to honor him.

Several wrestlers eventually were planned to come out to congratulate Strider, including The Besties in the World, Mat Fitchett and Davey Vega, who embraced him and helped fasten his new belt in a heartwarming, tearful moment. Then, just as it seemed like the night was closing on a high note, Strider was suddenly sucker-punched with a low blow. The Besties made it crystal clear how they really felt, launching a vicious attack until Strider’s longtime ally “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt stormed out for the save. Something tells me Strider might have one last match in him, if only to wipe the smug grins off the treacherous faces of The Besties.

Next was a match-up between one of CSW’s newest stars, “The Uncut Gem” Austin Lee, and “Sexy Wrexy” Wrex Amadeus. Clad in a colorful shawl and dripping with sickeningly sweet-smelling body oil, “Sexy Wrexy” was clearly there to make a name for himself. He did just that by announcing his new manager, the returning Roscoe Leech. Roscoe was last seen on CSW’s socials losing a battle with a ham sandwich, seemingly choking and winding up on the floor. As we learned, Roscoe was saved that very same day by Amadeus himself, forging a new alliance out of that unlikely moment. This partnership looks strong, and signals a new chapter for Roscoe, who is always looking to add to his LTA Talent Agency and collect as much gold as he can.

Early on, Austin Lee had the upper hand, yanking at Wrexy’s oily chest hair and pulling his mustache – cheap but effective moves. His momentum didn’t last long, though, as Roscoe quickly dipped his toe back into his old bag of tricks, keeping the referee distracted while Wrexy took every shortcut possible. The crowd rallied hard for Lee, but it wasn’t enough. A massive DDT, a big elbow drop, and a conveniently timed low blow completely shut down any hope for Lee to land his Olympic Slam. In the end, “Sexy Wrexy” Wrex Amadeus picked up the victory, putting the entire locker room on notice. Love him or hate them, Kansas City is about to get a whole lot more “Sexy” with this unholy duo running through the ranks.

CSW Legacy was the night Kansas City was introduced to the unsettling presence of Blair Onyx, a wrestler who doesn’t just step into the ring- she arrives as a messenger of something darker. Sent on a mission from “The Source,” Blair’s goal was simple: defeat Izzy B. and continue her slow, spider-like climb through the Midwest wrestling scene. A regular in Chicago, the western Appalachians, and St. Louis’ Glory Pro, Blair brings with her an aura that makes crowds uncomfortable before she even locks up. Draped in demonic claws, moving with a fluid, unnatural grace, and whispering to an unseen benefactor only she can hear, she radiates the sense that she’s not alone in the ring. All she wants is to do The Source’s bidding – and perhaps convince the rest of us to kneel to its will as well.

For Izzy B., “The Ultimate Diva,” the whole scene was a nightmare come to life. The claws, the muttering to an invisible master, the spider imagery – it was all too much. Before the bell even rang, Izzy looked disgusted, mouthing “ew” and even trying to step away. But Blair wasn’t about to let her escape.

Once the match began, it was clear this was going to be a battle of styles and psyches. Izzy would strike and try to her usual “mean girl” tactics, but every time Blair hit the mat, she’d twist her body into a grotesque, arachnid-like crawl, advancing in ways that shook Izzy’s confidence. Blair used that aura to her advantage, wearing Izzy down until the end came, sudden and decisive, with her brutal variation of The Neutralizer. With the victory, Blair Onyx once again proved her loyalty to The Source. In return, The Source continues to empower her. What’s truly chilling is not just that she won, but the looming sense that this was only the beginning. If CSW’s women’s division isn’t ready, Blair’s return in the coming months could mark the start of something far darker taking root in Kansas City wrestling.

Last but certainly not least was the main event of the evening, with “Warhorse” Jake Parnell challenging CSW Heavyweight Champion Moonshine Mantell for the title. Warhorse opened the match with mind games, slowing the pace, bailing out of the ring constantly, and running down the clock as much as possible. With Moonshine accompanied by his manager Greg Jovi, Warhorse leaned into Jovi’s reputation for shady tactics, accusing him of cheating even when he surprisingly wasn’t, and constantly tattling on him to the referee. This all seemed to enrage Mantell, which likely took him off his A-game, precisely what Parnell wanted. By the way, cheering for Greg Jovi of all people felt strange and almost illicit throughout this match!

The fight quickly spilled to ringside, with both men throwing each other into guardrails and wearing each other down before returning to the ring. Inside, Warhorse tried sneak pins and roll-ups, growing more and more frustrated when they failed. The referee went down, leaving Moonshine unable to capitalize on what looked like a sure victory. That’s when chaos erupted: The Besties in the World stormed in, attacking Moonshine and parading around with his belt. This triggered Michael Strider and Jeremy Wyatt to rush out, igniting a massive ringside brawl. When the dust settled, Moonshine finally planted Parnell and the referee was able to count the three. Still your CSW Heavyweight Champion: Moonshine Mantell.

Moonshine barely had time to celebrate before Magnum Dak Draper, still fuming from earlier in the night, charged the ring and laid him out, tossing the title belt at him in disgust. The message was clear – Mantell may have survived tonight, but his days as champion may be numbered.

Conclusion:

CSW Legacy was a strong refresh for the Central States Wrestling brand. While not everything from We’re Not in Kansas Anymore carried over (at least not yet), the foundation is clearly in place to begin a new chapter in the company’s history while keeping longtime fans invested. The card was solid, the venue was a great choice, and the only real drawback was the familiar challenge of summer wrestling shows, hundreds of bodies packed in, making things a bit toasty. October’s return should make for a far more comfortable experience.