Matt Fairlane became the first SPW Heavyweight Champion is 2008, lost the title to MARIUS in 2009 who lost and won it back in 2010 and lost it again in 2011 to Ike Idol. Idol then lost the championship at the beginning of 2012 to La Sombra who lost it to Rob Stardom who lost it on the same night to Jethro Hawg. That’s almost as many title changes in one year as in the last four years!
Chip Fletcher became the very first SPW Hardcore Champion in April and finishes out 2012 as a 3-time champion. The SPW Hardcore Championship single handily revived Chip Fletcher’s singles wrestling career as he was rechristened from Chip “the Kid” Fletcher to “Hardcore Kid” Chip Fletcher. He certainly proved that he’s hardcore!
Sydney Manson saw a huge level of success in 2012 first with a victory over Jerin Rose, then winning the SPW Hardcore Championship and then going toe to toe with WWE Legend Honky Tonk Man. Winning the SPW Hardcore Championship marked Manson’s first ever wrestling championship victory. Did we mention his hardcore battles garnered him more than 20 staples to the back of his head, prompting him to rename himself Scarhead Manson? Yup!
SYKO and Son of Syko dominated the tag team division reigning as champions from September 2011 to Septembe 2012 and quick recapturing the championships in early November. As a team, these two have monopolized the SPW Tag Team Championships for well over a year. Pretty impressive if you ask me!
WWE Legend Honky Tonk Man made several SPW appearances throughout the year including competing in the Kerry Brown Memorial Tournament while former WWE Superstar “Highlander” Robbie McAllister made his SPW debut and went undefeated. Also making a SPW debut was some wild midget wrestling action and the creation of the SPW Women’s Championship for its budding Wild Women of SPW women’s wrestling division.
And who can forget the unique nature of SPW presenting a live event atop the Paddlewheel Queen as it navigated the muddy waters of the Red River! First time ever in history that a pro wrestling show was presented on a paddlewheel boat. Only in SPW, folks!
SteeltownPro was also featured in numerous local news papers, twice in the Winnipeg Sun and was the center of attention during an episode of Global TV’s Focus Manitoba that featured a piece about SPW filmed during the 4th Anniversary Tour. It was one of Focus Manitoba’s most watched episodes and was replayed regularly as a re-run throughout the summer. SPW was also a major part of the independent documentary Bright Lights: Inside Indy Pro Wrestling that featured former SPW Heavyweight Champions MARIUS and La Sombra.
The 2012 live event schedule is over, what a year it has been and another year is right around the corner with SPW officials hard at work in preparation. SPW kicks off the 2013 schedule on January 11th at the old stomping grounds, the Selkirk Memorial Hall. I for one can’t wait!
That's all for now!
John Henry
