This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Red River Rumble event and its marquee match of the same name. From the very beginning the Red River Rumble has been one of the biggest events of SteeltownPro's calendar year. The 2008 and 2009 editions were held at the Selkirk Memorial Hall until evolving into an annual outdoor extravaganza in 2010 when SPW teamed with the City of Selkirk to present the Red River Rumble at the Selkirk Waterfront. On its first year as an outdoor event SPW set its all-time attendance record when more than 700 people surrounded the ringside area for an action packed evening under the sun.
Traditionally, the winner of the Red River Rumble match is named the No.1 Contender to the SPW Heavyweight Championship and is awarded a title match at a later date.
2008 Winner: Matt Fairlane
When SPW launched in April 2008, it also began the road to the SPW Heavyweight Championship to be decided in September of the same year. As wrestlers did battle in a variety of matches to qualify into a one-night, single elimination tournament, called the Battle for the Belt, a returning wrestler and fan favorite quietly began his rise to the main event.
Returning after a long absence from the squared circle, Matt Fairlane slowly began his rise through the ranks by defeating several high caliber opponents. For Matt Fairlane the moment of truth came in August 2008 when he entered into the first annual Red Rive Rumble that featured more than 30 wrestlers including current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries.
Matt Fairlane emerged the winner of the first Red River Rumble match, qualified for the Battle for the Belt tournament in September and went on to become the inaugural SPW Heavyweight Champion! As the first ever SPW Champion, Matt Fairlane reigned for 374 days, a record that stands nearly 5 years later!
2009 Winner: Rob Stardom
Often referred to as the No.2 guy behind Matt Fairlane, Rob Stardom won the 2009 Red River Rumble. As he mentored his apprentice, MARIUS, Rob Stardom manipulated his Rumble win to parlay his success onto his apprentice. Bidding his time, Stardom requested his championship opportunity be awarded in a 6-way Steeltown Showdown that would feature Stardom, Chi Chi Cruz, Sgt. Tom Steele, MARIUS, Jerin Rose and SPW Heavyweight Champion Matt Fairlane.
In what resembled a game of chess, Stardom was integral in molding MARIUS into the next SPW Heavyweight Champion. Through means of misdirection, outside interference by SYKO and a piledrive on a steelchair, Stardom helped his apprentice dethrone the face of SPW. In one of the most shocking moments in SPW history, the 2009 Red River Rumble Winner manipulated his way into making his apprentice, MARIUS, the new SPW Heavyweight Champion, dethroning long standing champion Matt Fairlane.
2010 Winner: Matt Fairlane
For the second time in three years, Matt Fairlane ascended to the top of SPW becoming the No.1 Contender to the SPW Heavyweight Championship by winning the 2010 Red River Rumble that also featured WWE Legend Bushwhacker Luke. In front of 700+ people, Fairlane reignited the hunt for MARIUS who dethroned him as champion 10 months earlier. His win in the 2010 Red River Rumble would mark the beginning of an all out war between he and MARIUS that included the likes of former WWE Superstar Gangrel and would endure until June 2011 when they had their final encounter.
2011 Winner: La Sombra
Has anyone had a more successful weekend than the 2011 Red River Rumble winner, La Sombra? After winning the 2011 Red River Rumble, La Sombra went on to defeat former TNA X-Division Champion Johnny Devine in the finals of the 2nd annual Kerry Brown Memorial Tournament the very next night.
As the new No.1 Contender to the SPW Heavyweight Championshion, La Sombra would go on to have a series of hard fought matches against reigning champion "Iron" Ike Idol. In January 2012, La Sombra accomplished his goals and his dreams when he defeated Idol and became the new SPW Heavyweight Champion!
One year after winning the 2011 Red River Rumble, La Sombra arrives at the 5th annual edition as the reigning SPW Heavyweight Champion!
2012 Winner: ??????
SPW officials and fans alike are excited for August 25th, the night when SteeltownPro celebrated the 5th annual Red River Rumble. Who will win the 5th annual Red River Rumble match? Who will become the new No.1 Contender to the SPW Heavyweight Championship? Will they challenge current champion La Sombra or will a new champion be crowned during the 2012 Red River Rumble Tour?
This years Red River Rumble is already set to feature a who's who of Steeltown ProStars including "Iron" Ike Idol, Mr. Nasty, "Really Crazy" Rob Stardom, SYKO, Jethro Hawg, MARIUSm "Misfit" Mike Mission, James Beaver, "Big Rig" Shawn Northstar, Chip Fletcher, Sydney Manson and even former WWE Superstar "Highlander" Robbie McAllister!
If that wasn't enough the event will also feature two stars from Hulk Hogan's Micro Championship Wrestling and an yet-to-be-named international superstar that will be announced later in the week. The 2012 Red River Rumble is an event, and a tour, that you do not want to miss! This may become the biggest weekend in Steeltown Pro Wrestling history.