Resistance Pro Wrestling (and Johngy) Came Home to the South Side

Friday night’s “Stay Hungry” was a homecoming of sorts for Resistance Pro Wrestling.  South side natives and R Pro owners Jacques and Gabe Baron made their triumphant return by bringing a fantastic night of wrestling to several hundred fans at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park.

JohngysBeat.com Contributor Extraordinaire Matt Parker and I arrived early and were allowed to sit in on the pre-event meeting.  Jacques and Gabe started the meeting by proudly announcing that R Pro wrestler Jay Bradley was heading to TNA Impact Wrestling (one of the two big wrestling companies in the country).  This is a sign of R Pro’s growth and a sign to the rest of the roster that they, too, have a shot at moving up.  The Baron brothers finished by urging everyone to “Stay Hungry” and keep the R Pro momentum going!

The wrestling itself was a bittersweet mix of endings and new beginnings.  R Pro’s Women’s champ Melanie Cruise vacated her title due to a concussion.  With tears in her eyes, Cruise vowed to win back the title which she has had since day one of R Pro.

This lead to a smash-mouth four-way match, won by wrestling superstar Amazing Kong.  Not only will this bring a whole new set of match possibilities, it sets up a highly anticipated match between Kong and Cruise upon her return.

R Pro’s home-grown Eric St. Vaughn made his in-ring debut in a tag team match.  The heel ESV squirmed his way out of most of the bout, but was ultimately pinned by Jesse Corgan.  Despite the loss, ESV continues to show improvement and I look forward to watching his career progress in 2013.

The aforementioned Bradley addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for the support.  Bradley lost a tough match to Jocephus Brody (a mountain of a man), but the crowd gave Bradley a huge ovation sendoff regardless!

The Heavyweight champ “The Ego” Robert Anthony and visiting superstar Matt Hardy put on a highlight reel type match.  The crowd was insanely into this match.  The Ego finally got the well-earned win, but was ultimately laid out by Brody which will undoubtedly set up a future match.

After the show, Matt and I met with Scott Beatty and Chazz Moretti, two other friends there, as the wrestlers took pictures and signed autographs for the fans.  This was also celebration time.  The Baron families stood proud as wrestlers and fans lingered, wanting to keep the feeling going.  There was even a big cake for the departing Bradley.

We broke away from the party for a few moments to interview some of the talent.  Scott talked to Chris Hall, Matt got St. Vaughn and I interviewed Bradley.  Each gave us interesting thoughts and insight.

R Pro's previous event was an anniversary party and ”Stay Hungry” felt like another party.  In fact, all of R Pro’s events feel like giant parties.  Owners, wrestlers, fans and friends gather together to watch great wrestling and then hang out with each other.  I was born and raised very close by on the south side and this was one of the best times I have ever had on my old stomping grounds!