Meet the Challenger...
From the moment Michael Wardlow showed up to Warrior Wrestling 4, something felt different. In his first appearance with the promotion, he showed up in regular street clothes and shared the spotlight with numerous other local stars from Freelance Wrestling. Now, at Warrior Wrestling 4, Wardlow was wearing a suit and was featured in a big singles competition against Impact Wrestling’s Moose.
Whereas Wardlow mainly became “one of the boys” throughout the evening, at Warrior Wrestling 4 he greeted everyone as they arrived and looked to help other new stars find their way around the Warrior Wrestling backstage area. If one weren’t aware, they’d probably think Wardlow was a representative from the promotion itself.
The hulking heavyweight had reason to feel excited to be at Warrior Wrestling 4. After a standout showing in the Freelance Free For All at Warrior Wrestling 3, Wardlow was coming back for one of the biggest challenges in his life. He was positioned in a feature bout against Impact Wrestling’s Moose in what was billed as a battle of hoss athletes.
To the surprise of some, Wardlow and Moose put on an entertaining bout that featured the expected power moves but showcased the athleticism of both men. The fact that he was able to go out and put on an entertaining scrap with another athletic big man was the perfect building point for Wardlow’s case to receive a title shot.
“For starters, I am so sick of hearing commentators and people say ‘I wonder how much is left in his gas tank,’” Wardlow told Warrior Wrestling. “Do you guys not know who I am? My goodness. I guess I’ll have to keep showing it to everyone. My gas tank is endless. I’ll go all day with anyone. There’s a reason I scream ‘All day!’ right before I go in there and murder someone one.”
Wardlow will have the opportunity to prove that statement once again at Warrior Wrestling 5 when he faces off against current Warrior Wrestling champion, Brian Cage. Warlow came out to stare down the current champ after Cage defeated The Rascalz at Warrior Wrestling 4. The two behemoths squared up to one another as Cage raised the Warrior Wrestling belt. Given the crowd reactions, it was only a matter of time before these two faced one another inside the squared circle.
For Wardlow, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime for numerous reasons. One is the chance to wrestle someone of Cage’s level. Indeed, Cage is something of an anomaly in the pro wrestling industry. He has the size to compete with any heavyweight, and the speed to move with cruiserweights. It’s an opponent Wardlow has been training day and night for.
“He is obviously a physical specimen. He’s a freak of nature,” Wardlow said of wanting to face Cage. “I like to challenge myself. I appreciate the challenge of wrestling Brian Cage. I know he’s a big dude who can move like a cruiserweight and I can appreciate that because that’s exactly what I am. He’s been in the ring with some of the best in the world and I look forward to that challenge.”
The chance at securing another premier title is also a driving point for Wardlow as he heads into Warrior Wrestling 5. Although a relative newcomer to Warrior Wrestling and the Midwestern scene, he’s been tearing it up across the East Coast. Named as the IWC (International Wrestling Cartel) Wrestler of the Year in back-to-back years, Wardlow became just the second man (WWE superstar Elias) to hold the IWC World Heavyweight Championship and the IWC Super Indy Championship at the same time. It’s an impressive achievement that showcases just how talented of a pro wrestler Wardlow is.
“Right now, there’s a championship around my waist and there’s one on my right shoulder,” Wardlow said. “But my left shoulder is a little empty. I’m not going to stop until I look like a mummy and I’m just wrapped head to toe in title belts. You can call me the belt collector or whatever you want, the name is Wardlow and I’m going to dominate this whole wrestling promotion. I’m coming after it all, I’m not playing around.”
Motivated by having titles wrapped around every inch of his impressive physique, having the Warrior Wrestling title in his possession would mean something a little extra to Wardlow.
“That Warrior Wrestling belt is the most unique I’ve ever seen and it’s on an absolute monster,” Wardlow said. “It’s clear the promotion is top notch and to be the top guy for a top-notch company like Warrior Wrestling would mean everything for me… I don’t care about anything in life other than winning wrestling championships. At this point in my life, it’s what I live for. It’s the reason I’m hitting the gym twice a day and busting my ass to make myself better. I’m absolutely obsessed. I’m coming for everything that I’ve always wanted because that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Part of what has helped Wardlow reach the level he’s currently at is undoubtedly due to the love and support of his mother. The fact that he has the chance to defeat one of the best professional wrestlers in the world, capture a prestigious title and do so on Mother’s Day is not lost on the title challenger.
“My mother is amazing. She is a big reason why I want to be so successful,” Wardlow said. “She pretty much raised me single handily. I know it wasn’t easy for her and I have so much that I owe her, and still need to give back to her. It’s a big reason why I’m so motivated and dedicated to being successful in this business. She means the world to me. It would make it that much sweeter to win the title on Mother’s Day.”
Come out to see if Wardlow can topple the seemingly unstoppable machine known as Brian Cage and take the Warrior Wrestling title at Warrior Wrestling 5 on May 12. Tickets can be purchased online at WarriorWrestling.com.
Be sure to follow Wardlow’s journey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Man with War in his Name
Professional wrestling, like many occupations, is all about first impressions. From the moment a wrestler walks in front of a crowd, there are a few precious seconds to make an impact, to win over the crowd by having them cheer or boo. And at Warrior Wrestling 3, Michael Wardlow did exactly that.
In a match filled with some of the most popular stars from local promotion Freelance Wrestling, Wardlow entered during the middle of the match. As he made his way out to the ring, one of the fans ringside could be heard saying, “Wardlow? Who is Wardlow?!”
Almost immediately, Wardlow turned around and responded.
“You’re about to find out,” he yelled.
The hulking heavyweight entered the ring and was almost immediately attacked by everyone in the ring. A few power moves later and the ring had been cleared of any adversaries. It was an impressive showing right out of the gate for the surging wrestler. Despite the showcase of strength, it’s the days before he was crushing opponents in the ring that helped pave the way for his success.
“I was hooked when I was around 4 or 5 years old, when Bret Hart was at the top of his career,” Wardlow said.
Considering his impressive size and physique, it seemed odd that this guy who could pass for a NFL linebacker somehow got hooked on wrestling by Bret Hart. After all, Hart was supposed to be the guy who paved the way for smaller wrestlers to rise to the mountaintop.
“Contrary to what people believe, I wasn’t born 6-foot 3-inches and 260-pounds,” Wardlow said. “I was always the runt until my senior year.”
Once he was hooked, wrestling became more than just something to watch in front of a television. As most young fans do, Wardlow began to practice the moves he saw his idols performing. He may not have been inside a wrestling ring, but Wardlow’s path to be a professional wrestler was already beginning.
“I was practicing wrestling moves and holds on pillows and just about anything I could get my hands on,” he said. “During the first season of Tough Enough, I watched these guys do drills and work out, so I took out a mat and basically began practicing taking bumps just like the people on the show.”
It would take some time before Wardlow would eventually become the heavyweight he is today. As he explained, a growth spurt in his high school junior year combined with weightlifting his senior year helped him go from the runt to the big guy in the room. Wardlow’s time as being the scrappy underdog would eventually help him not only appreciate the progress he’d made in the weight room, but also add another level to his professional wrestling career.
“I believe it was an advantage that I was the runt because I became scrappy,” Wardlow said. “I was mimicking moves Rey Mysterio and other small guys did. Being a smaller guy, I learned how to do aerial and athletic moves. And what’s more dangerous than a big guy? A big guy who can move and has the scrappy mentality of a runt.”
His scrappy mentality comes through in the ring and while talking about his successful run across the indie wrestling scene. Voted as the Wrestler of the Year of the popular IWC (International Wrestling Cartel) promotion in back-to-back years, he made
sure to show some appreciation back to those who’ve supported him.
“At the end of the day, we are nothing without the fans,” Wardlow said. “The amount of support I’ve received is mind blowing. It’s surreal to be given so much love and support.”
Propelled by a strong support system from his family and fans, Wardlow has achieved quite a bit during his young career. Just one day after his Warrior Wrestling 4 appearance, he has the opportunity to be the only person besides WWE’s Elias to ever hold the IWC Super Indy and Heavyweight titles at the same time.
But before he has the chance to make IWC history, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his rare combination of strength, athleticism and charisma when he takes on Impact Wrestling’s Moose. The former professional football player made his in-ring debut in 2014 and like Wardlow, has achieved quite a bit of success in a relatively short amount of time.
“It’s surreal experience to step into the ring with someone I see on tv,” Wardlow said. “He’s a big strong athletic guy. I don’t think
I’ve been in the ring with someone close to my level. He’s the biggest challenge I’ve faced so far.”
Part of overcoming that challenge is exactly what’s driving Wardlow to achieve new levels of success after a great 2018 campaign. Putting on an impressive performance against another giant of a man like Moose will almost certainly gain some extra attention from the larger promotions in the pro-wrestling scene. Whatever comes next, there’s no question that the man simply known as Wardlow is ready for it.
“I was ready for this many years ago,” Wardlow said. “I quit my job so I could train twice a day to put in the work to be where I’m at today. I have size, athleticism and charisma. I have every piece of the puzzle you’d want when putting a professional wrestler together… There’s a reason I use Wardlow as my ring name. It’s because it’s the name on my birth certificate. It’s real. Everything about me is real. Moose and everyone else is in for a shock come March 15 because 2019 is the year of Wardlow!”
Catch the heavyweight class between Moose and Wardlow along with a stacked card at Warrior Wrestling4 on March 15 at Marian Catholic High School. Some of the best professional wrestlers in the game today will be in action and meeting fans at the Fan Fest. Check out the remaining ticket options available and get your ticket to an amazing night of entertainment.
Follow Wardlow on Twitter (https://twitter.com/wardlow_1) , Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wardlow_1) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/warinhisname/)
In a match filled with some of the most popular stars from local promotion Freelance Wrestling, Wardlow entered during the middle of the match. As he made his way out to the ring, one of the fans ringside could be heard saying, “Wardlow? Who is Wardlow?!”
Almost immediately, Wardlow turned around and responded.
“You’re about to find out,” he yelled.
The hulking heavyweight entered the ring and was almost immediately attacked by everyone in the ring. A few power moves later and the ring had been cleared of any adversaries. It was an impressive showing right out of the gate for the surging wrestler. Despite the showcase of strength, it’s the days before he was crushing opponents in the ring that helped pave the way for his success.
“I was hooked when I was around 4 or 5 years old, when Bret Hart was at the top of his career,” Wardlow said.
Considering his impressive size and physique, it seemed odd that this guy who could pass for a NFL linebacker somehow got hooked on wrestling by Bret Hart. After all, Hart was supposed to be the guy who paved the way for smaller wrestlers to rise to the mountaintop.
“Contrary to what people believe, I wasn’t born 6-foot 3-inches and 260-pounds,” Wardlow said. “I was always the runt until my senior year.”
Once he was hooked, wrestling became more than just something to watch in front of a television. As most young fans do, Wardlow began to practice the moves he saw his idols performing. He may not have been inside a wrestling ring, but Wardlow’s path to be a professional wrestler was already beginning.
“I was practicing wrestling moves and holds on pillows and just about anything I could get my hands on,” he said. “During the first season of Tough Enough, I watched these guys do drills and work out, so I took out a mat and basically began practicing taking bumps just like the people on the show.”
It would take some time before Wardlow would eventually become the heavyweight he is today. As he explained, a growth spurt in his high school junior year combined with weightlifting his senior year helped him go from the runt to the big guy in the room. Wardlow’s time as being the scrappy underdog would eventually help him not only appreciate the progress he’d made in the weight room, but also add another level to his professional wrestling career.
“I believe it was an advantage that I was the runt because I became scrappy,” Wardlow said. “I was mimicking moves Rey Mysterio and other small guys did. Being a smaller guy, I learned how to do aerial and athletic moves. And what’s more dangerous than a big guy? A big guy who can move and has the scrappy mentality of a runt.”
His scrappy mentality comes through in the ring and while talking about his successful run across the indie wrestling scene. Voted as the Wrestler of the Year of the popular IWC (International Wrestling Cartel) promotion in back-to-back years, he made
sure to show some appreciation back to those who’ve supported him.
“At the end of the day, we are nothing without the fans,” Wardlow said. “The amount of support I’ve received is mind blowing. It’s surreal to be given so much love and support.”
Propelled by a strong support system from his family and fans, Wardlow has achieved quite a bit during his young career. Just one day after his Warrior Wrestling 4 appearance, he has the opportunity to be the only person besides WWE’s Elias to ever hold the IWC Super Indy and Heavyweight titles at the same time.
But before he has the chance to make IWC history, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his rare combination of strength, athleticism and charisma when he takes on Impact Wrestling’s Moose. The former professional football player made his in-ring debut in 2014 and like Wardlow, has achieved quite a bit of success in a relatively short amount of time.
“It’s surreal experience to step into the ring with someone I see on tv,” Wardlow said. “He’s a big strong athletic guy. I don’t think
I’ve been in the ring with someone close to my level. He’s the biggest challenge I’ve faced so far.”
Part of overcoming that challenge is exactly what’s driving Wardlow to achieve new levels of success after a great 2018 campaign. Putting on an impressive performance against another giant of a man like Moose will almost certainly gain some extra attention from the larger promotions in the pro-wrestling scene. Whatever comes next, there’s no question that the man simply known as Wardlow is ready for it.
“I was ready for this many years ago,” Wardlow said. “I quit my job so I could train twice a day to put in the work to be where I’m at today. I have size, athleticism and charisma. I have every piece of the puzzle you’d want when putting a professional wrestler together… There’s a reason I use Wardlow as my ring name. It’s because it’s the name on my birth certificate. It’s real. Everything about me is real. Moose and everyone else is in for a shock come March 15 because 2019 is the year of Wardlow!”
Catch the heavyweight class between Moose and Wardlow along with a stacked card at Warrior Wrestling4 on March 15 at Marian Catholic High School. Some of the best professional wrestlers in the game today will be in action and meeting fans at the Fan Fest. Check out the remaining ticket options available and get your ticket to an amazing night of entertainment.
Follow Wardlow on Twitter (https://twitter.com/wardlow_1) , Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wardlow_1) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/warinhisname/)
Sammy Guevara
Returns to Warrior Wrestling
Overnight success stories are a rarity in professional wrestling (or sports entertainment) but Sammy Guevera is one that fans will point to. But it didn’t happen overnight, it just felt like it.
Guevera started training to step inside the squared circle in August of 2010 at WWE Hall of Famer Booker T’s academy. After just a couple of months learning the ropes, Guevera was called into Booker’s office.
“I remember getting called into his office and having him ask me if I was ready for my first match,” Guevera said to Warrior Wrestling staff. “You’re never really ready for anything new until you go out there and do it. So I said, ‘hell yeah I’m ready!’ Even though on the inside I was thinking, ‘I don’t know about this.’”
It was the start of a tremendous run that as Guevera’s social bios state, allowed a kid to live his dream.
“As soon as I saw it [pro-wrestling], I was like how do I do this. And that was at like 11 years old,” Guevera said. “I turned on an episode of Smackdown and saw Batista & Rey Mysterio wrestle MNM and my life changed forever. Maybe I could’ve been a doctor? But that wrestling bug got me.”
The Houston-native would work his way through the Indies, wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Major League Wrestling (MLW), Lucha Underground and Lucha Libre AAA. It would be at Triplemania XXVI, the equivalent to Wrestlemania, where Guevera would win the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship after defeating Australian Suicide, ACH and Shane Strickland.
“I feel like every year has been escalating more and more,” Guevera said. “Some people think I’ve only been wrestling for like a year and I’m like ‘if only!’”
Guevera was a trending name in 2018, showcasing an extraordinary amount of athleticism with the charisma to back it up. It’s part of the reason Guevera was brought in to Warrior Wrestling 3 and featured in the War of Attrition Match to crown the first Warrior Wrestling championship. It was a star-studded affair with popular wrestlers such as Rey Mysterio, Brian Cage, Jeff Cobb, Austin Aries, Rich Swann and The Lucha Bothers (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix).
“2018 was super cool. I got to get in the ring with Rey Mysterio again and be a part of that crazy main event match at Warrior Wrestling 2,” Guevera said.
While 2018 was a major success inside the ring, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Guevera.
“I had one of my first major injuries last year but luckily I was only out a month,” Guevera said. “While I was injured, I signed a contract with Aero Lucha but after 4-½ months they cut everyone’s contract. I had signed for 3 years but it’s crazy to think if that hadn’t happened, the AEW opportunity wouldn’t have been possible. It’s crazy how life all kind of works out.”
On February 7, Guevera was announced as the newest addition to the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) roster. The promotion, recently launched by Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, is one that fans believe can become a major force in the world of professional wrestling. Indeed, rumors have been swirling regarding WWE’s fear (or lack thereof) regarding the upstart promotion. Whether they can present themselves to be a real threat to the king of the mountain remains to be seen but one thing is certain, they’re grabbing everyone’s attention.
“I had another contract offer as well but I didn’t really want to sign anywhere but AEW,” Guevera said. “I feel like it could be something big. I wouldn’t want to sign anywhere else right now. I’m more concerned with growing the Sammy Gueverra brand if you will. They have some guys who aren’t as known like me, like Joey Janela and MJF. So, I thought, this seems like the place to be.”
While AEW is the place for Guevera to grow his brand, the place to catch the up and comer in action is at Warrior Wrestling 4 on March 15. In a feature bout, Guevera will be facing a familiar foe in the hometown favorite, DJZ. Although the two will square off inside the ring, Guevera might want to say thanks to his Warrior Wrestling 4.
“Back in 2014, I saw DJZ had a shirt on with a cute looking bear DJ shirt. I was thinking, you’re a bad guy but you have this shirt that people are going to buy because they think it’s cool. I thought he was a genius!”
Using that idea, Guevera went to work on designing something that fans could not only wear proudly but also represent himself. As Guevera puts it, there’s a little bit of him in everything he does and that’s the case with his defacto logo, a panda bear.
“It’s my favorite animal,” Guevera said of his choice. “I honestly don’t know why. They’re a bear, so they could kill you but at the same time, whenever I see them they’re just super chill munching on bamboo.”
Guevera is hoping to channel the “kill you” part of a panda bear as he returns to Warrior Wrestling. The two have squared off before but the fact DJZ will be on his home turf definitely adds an X-factor to the matchup.
“He’s a crazy dude. I’m a crazy dude. I think that it’s going to be something special,” Guevera predicts (spoiler?).
If you’d like to help grow the Sammy Guevara brand, show your support across all of the major social media networks. Twitter - @sammyguevara, Facebook – Sammy Guevara (BestEver), Instagram - @sammyguevara and on YouTube – Sammy Guevara (sammyhighv2).
Tickets are going fast for Warrior Wrestling 4 as the promotion brings another stacked lineup to the Chicagoland area. SCU faces oVe, Eddie Edwards takes on Austin Aries, Brian Cage defends his Warrior Wrestling title against all members of The Rascalz, Britt Baker faces local favorite Kylie Rae, Jordynne Grace returns to take on another local favorite in Lisa Marie Vachon/Victoria and much more!
Guevera started training to step inside the squared circle in August of 2010 at WWE Hall of Famer Booker T’s academy. After just a couple of months learning the ropes, Guevera was called into Booker’s office.
“I remember getting called into his office and having him ask me if I was ready for my first match,” Guevera said to Warrior Wrestling staff. “You’re never really ready for anything new until you go out there and do it. So I said, ‘hell yeah I’m ready!’ Even though on the inside I was thinking, ‘I don’t know about this.’”
It was the start of a tremendous run that as Guevera’s social bios state, allowed a kid to live his dream.
“As soon as I saw it [pro-wrestling], I was like how do I do this. And that was at like 11 years old,” Guevera said. “I turned on an episode of Smackdown and saw Batista & Rey Mysterio wrestle MNM and my life changed forever. Maybe I could’ve been a doctor? But that wrestling bug got me.”
The Houston-native would work his way through the Indies, wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Major League Wrestling (MLW), Lucha Underground and Lucha Libre AAA. It would be at Triplemania XXVI, the equivalent to Wrestlemania, where Guevera would win the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship after defeating Australian Suicide, ACH and Shane Strickland.
“I feel like every year has been escalating more and more,” Guevera said. “Some people think I’ve only been wrestling for like a year and I’m like ‘if only!’”
Guevera was a trending name in 2018, showcasing an extraordinary amount of athleticism with the charisma to back it up. It’s part of the reason Guevera was brought in to Warrior Wrestling 3 and featured in the War of Attrition Match to crown the first Warrior Wrestling championship. It was a star-studded affair with popular wrestlers such as Rey Mysterio, Brian Cage, Jeff Cobb, Austin Aries, Rich Swann and The Lucha Bothers (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix).
“2018 was super cool. I got to get in the ring with Rey Mysterio again and be a part of that crazy main event match at Warrior Wrestling 2,” Guevera said.
While 2018 was a major success inside the ring, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Guevera.
“I had one of my first major injuries last year but luckily I was only out a month,” Guevera said. “While I was injured, I signed a contract with Aero Lucha but after 4-½ months they cut everyone’s contract. I had signed for 3 years but it’s crazy to think if that hadn’t happened, the AEW opportunity wouldn’t have been possible. It’s crazy how life all kind of works out.”
On February 7, Guevera was announced as the newest addition to the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) roster. The promotion, recently launched by Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, is one that fans believe can become a major force in the world of professional wrestling. Indeed, rumors have been swirling regarding WWE’s fear (or lack thereof) regarding the upstart promotion. Whether they can present themselves to be a real threat to the king of the mountain remains to be seen but one thing is certain, they’re grabbing everyone’s attention.
“I had another contract offer as well but I didn’t really want to sign anywhere but AEW,” Guevera said. “I feel like it could be something big. I wouldn’t want to sign anywhere else right now. I’m more concerned with growing the Sammy Gueverra brand if you will. They have some guys who aren’t as known like me, like Joey Janela and MJF. So, I thought, this seems like the place to be.”
While AEW is the place for Guevera to grow his brand, the place to catch the up and comer in action is at Warrior Wrestling 4 on March 15. In a feature bout, Guevera will be facing a familiar foe in the hometown favorite, DJZ. Although the two will square off inside the ring, Guevera might want to say thanks to his Warrior Wrestling 4.
“Back in 2014, I saw DJZ had a shirt on with a cute looking bear DJ shirt. I was thinking, you’re a bad guy but you have this shirt that people are going to buy because they think it’s cool. I thought he was a genius!”
Using that idea, Guevera went to work on designing something that fans could not only wear proudly but also represent himself. As Guevera puts it, there’s a little bit of him in everything he does and that’s the case with his defacto logo, a panda bear.
“It’s my favorite animal,” Guevera said of his choice. “I honestly don’t know why. They’re a bear, so they could kill you but at the same time, whenever I see them they’re just super chill munching on bamboo.”
Guevera is hoping to channel the “kill you” part of a panda bear as he returns to Warrior Wrestling. The two have squared off before but the fact DJZ will be on his home turf definitely adds an X-factor to the matchup.
“He’s a crazy dude. I’m a crazy dude. I think that it’s going to be something special,” Guevera predicts (spoiler?).
If you’d like to help grow the Sammy Guevara brand, show your support across all of the major social media networks. Twitter - @sammyguevara, Facebook – Sammy Guevara (BestEver), Instagram - @sammyguevara and on YouTube – Sammy Guevara (sammyhighv2).
Tickets are going fast for Warrior Wrestling 4 as the promotion brings another stacked lineup to the Chicagoland area. SCU faces oVe, Eddie Edwards takes on Austin Aries, Brian Cage defends his Warrior Wrestling title against all members of The Rascalz, Britt Baker faces local favorite Kylie Rae, Jordynne Grace returns to take on another local favorite in Lisa Marie Vachon/Victoria and much more!