Anarchy’s back, baby. It’s been one year since the rebirth of Saint Louis Anarchy, and each show they’ve ran in that time has served as a reminder of just what makes Anarchy so special.

“What makes everything work and what makes everything so special is the atmosphere and the people.” Said Gary Jay, who’s a favorite wrestler among the Saint Louis Anarchy faithful. “It’s like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. When you put people in that room it’s like magic.”

Spaulding Hall in Alton, Illinois, the home of Saint Louis Anarchy, is a magical place when it’s full of ravenous wrestling fans. Whenever independent wrestling legend Nick Gage came to Anarchy earlier this year to fight Gary Jay, Spaulding Hall was electric. Not a single person in the crowd sat down during that match. Hell, I still have a piece of the ceiling tile that Nick Gage broke over Gary’s head. A great wrestling souvenir.

When I asked Gary Jay for his favorite match that he’s wrestled at Spaulding Hall, he brought up that night.

“You want to talk about a crazy, ‘big fight feeling’ atmosphere, that’s exactly what that night was. That was a very special night for Anarchy.”

Gary Jay, on facing Nick Gage at “Anarchy vs. Everybody”

When thinking of a favorite match that he wasn’t in, Gary chose one of my personal favorite Saint Louis Anarchy matches. “My favorite match that I wasn’t involved in would be Jeremy Wyatt vs. Jonathan Gresham in a Pure Wrestling Rules match. Two of the best wrestlers in the world going at it in that building” You can watch this contest on YouTube for free here and get a taste of why fans and wrestlers alike love Saint Louis Anarchy.

Looking ahead to the next Anarchy show, this Friday night’s Circus Maximus is the de facto one-year anniversary of the return of Saint Louis Anarchy, after almost two years inactive while owner Matt Jackson worked with the National Wrasslin League.

The Circus Maximus card is jammed with great matches and great talent. Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett, better known as The Besties In The World, square off against a hard hitting duo in The WorkHorsemen. The Besties have blossomed, from local darlings to worldwide indie wrestling favorites.

As Gateway Heritage Champion, Jeremy Wyatt has often opted for the use of the “Pure Wrestling Rules” match, as he did in the match against Jonathan Gresham mentioned earlier, and Friday at Circus Maximus he squares off against the War Horse. War Horse always has command of the crowd and puts everything, including his body, on the line each time he steps in the ring, all the makings of another legendary championship match.

In other action on the card, Everett Connors faces Chuck Mambo, who’s fought in British promotions PROGRESS and International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom. Craig Mitchell dukes it out with Larry D, which has the looks of a big brawl full of big shots.

Matt Kenway and Evan Gelistico look to settle their score in a dog collar match. For the uninitated, this means that each wrestler will have a dog collar around their neck, and those collars will be connected with one chain, so the competitors are never more than five feet from one another. This looks to be one of the most intense matches of the evening.

“Every match on this card could steal the show and I expect everyone on the roster to go out there and give it everything they have. To me, people should be on the lookout for each match to give them something special.”

Gary Jay, on Circus Maximus

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t preview Gary Jay’s match vs. Jigsaw. Jigsaw has plied his trade in great promotions all over for a long time. Winning Chikara’s Young Lions Cup in 2004, fighting in Ring of Honor, Impact, and several other great promotions over the years.

“I definitely approach things differently.” Gary Jay explains, asked about if he changes his approach when facing such experienced talent. “Jigsaw has been wrestling all around the world and I consider him to be one of the best there is. Fact is I have to bring my ‘A’ game, and I have to dig deep to see what I am really made of.” Gary notes that this isn’t an opportunity that comes around every day, either. “Jigsaw does not travel much anymore, so the fact that he’s coming to Anarchy is a big deal.”

Gary is coming off a brutal victory against Thomas Shire at Anarchy’s Hog Wild event last month, and looks to keep his momentum going this Friday when Jigsaw comes to town.

You (yes you!) can experience Saint Louis Anarchy this Friday, July 19, at the infamous Spaulding Hall (405 E 4th St) in Alton, Illinois.

Doors are at 7pm, with bell time at 7:30.

Tickets are available online here: https://cm19.bpt.me/ and also at the door.

Follow @stlanarchy on Twitter and Instagram for more information!