Alton wouldn’t be Alton without Anarchy. Friday, November 8 marks the return of the near-monthly Saint Louis Anarchy to Spaulding Hall in Alton. The event, dubbed “No Church In The Wild”, is sure to add yet another chapter to the lore of Anarchy in St. Louis and throughout the wide world of independent professional wrestling. Each match offers excitement. 

Gateway Heritage Championship Match: Jeremy Wyatt (c) vs. Mikey

Like it or not, Anarchy in 2019 starts and ends with The Monarch, Jeremy Wyatt. Wyatt has ascended to a new level since he claimed the Gateway Heritage Championship last May, and hasn’t slowed down one bit. One of the best wrestlers on the mat you’ll find anywhere in the sport of pro wrestling, Wyatt has often implemented “pure wrestling rules” in his title defenses. 

Pure wrestling rules dictate that each combatant has three rope breaks to use to escape submissions/pin attempts. If one uses a rope break they lose it, and if one breaks a rule they lose a rope break as well. Notably, this came into play when Wyatt defended the title against Larry D, who’s meaty fists are his primary weapons in the ring. Without being able to use a closed fist, Larry D had to improvise, but ultimately stuck with his guns in a loss.

One of my favorite St. Louis area wrestling matches of all-time is Wyatt’s Gateway Heritage Championship title defense against Jonathan Gresham, a mat-based counter expert who nearly bested Wyatt at his own game. Wyatt’s critics, ones you’ll hear boo him as he makes his way out to the ring at Spaulding Hall, might say he doesn’t wrestle in a way that “wows” them. He’ll tell you he doesn’t give a damn what those critics say, and his lengthy title defense suggests he’s in the right.

Of course, there’s always a challenger who believes they can usurp The Monarch. Enter Mikey, previously of Roscoe Eat Lisa fame. At the last Anarchy event, Battle of Spaulding, Mikey was one of two wrestlers to make a challenge for Wyatt’s GHC belt, and by way of asking first, is first in line to get his opportunity. 

At Battle of Spaulding, Mikey talked about how he was cleared from injury, and was making a name for himself as a top competitor in Saint Louis Anarchy prior to being hurt. Mikey is a fan favorite, and the crowd largely agreed that it was his turn to take a shot at Jeremy Wyatt. 

Independent Wrestling TV Championship Match: Warhorse (c) vs. Curt Stallion

Few wrestlers around the globe have become the online sensation like Warhorse. As you might have seen on your Twitter feed, Warhorse rules ass, and it’s not just because of his in-your-face ALL CAPS TWEETING or his metal-as-hell promos. In the ring, and in the rows of seats around it for that matter, Warhorse is a commanding presence, whether he’s throwing himself into a crowd of people or suplexing someone through a pile of chairs. 

At September’s Battle of Spaulding, Warhorse survived a war with deathmatch icon Nick Gage, that nearly tore down Spaulding Hall as we know it. The ring was destroyed, chairs were thrown everywhere, there was even a flaming skull for good measure. Since he captured the IWTV title, Warhorse has become a true force to be reckoned with in any ring he steps in. 

Warhorse’s challenger at this edition of Anarchy is the Lonestar, Curt Stallion, who might be getting more recognition lately for his appearances on EVOLVE, but has consistently been a star of independent wrestling for at least the past two years now. Where Warhorse is a headbanger, Stallion is more a headbutter. Stallion’s forehead is potentially his most lethal weapon, and his matches often come to an abrupt halt when he hits one and knocks his opponent’s lights out. Stallion was a late add to September’s Battle of Spaulding card, and reintroduced himself to the Anarchy faithful as he defeated Chip Day in a slobberknocker.

After the contest Stallion demanded a match against one of the Four Pillars of St. Louis Wrestling. He drew the Warhorse, but the other three pillars, Gary Jay, Davey Vega, and Mat Fitchett, are also on alert with the Lonestar’s return to the Anarchy fold.

The Besties In The World vs. The Workhorsemen

After defeating Jake Dirden and Christian Rose last Anarchy, the usually talkative Besties In The World had one simple message: “Fuck The Workhorsemen”. Saying such a thing in the wrestling business means you gotta have a rematch, those are just the rules. The Workhorsemen beat the Besties at Anarchy’s Circus Maximus event, and have since held a bit of bragging rights over the Anarchy favorites. 

As I’ve written before, it’s not Anarchy without the Besties. Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett have become part of the heart of independent wrestling. As stated above, they are two of the Four Pillars of St. Louis Wrestling, a title given to them to honor what they are to the area’s wrestling scene. No longer a secret kept in the midwest however, the Besties are global, but so are the Workhorsemen, who were vying their trade in Germany’s highly regarded WXW promotion less than a month ago. 

Thomas Shire vs. Gary Jay

A rematch of a bout held in Atlanta’s ACTION Wrestling last month, Thomas Shire looks to avenge his October defeat to Gary Jay at No Church In The Wild. Shire might not be the favorite face of the over 200 in attendance at Anarchy, but his grueling fight with Gateway Heritage Champion Jeremy Wyatt at the Battle of Spaulding might have won him some new fans in Alton. While Shire couldn’t dethrone the Monarch, he fought like hell trying to, and I personally always respect a wrestler who pulls the shoulder straps of their singlet down to signify that they mean business. 

Gary Fuckin’ Jay, the Stiff Robo Ginger, the leader of the Gary Jay Movement, is more than at home at Anarchy. He’s spoken in the past about how much Anarchy means to him, and he’s potentially the true fan favorite in Spaulding Hall. Jay’s willingness to put his body on the line keeps the fans chanting his name, showing the Stiff Robo Ginger their respect for his balls-to-the-wall style of professional wrestling. His last Anarchy match might be considered a signature win for the Gary Jay Movement, as he beat Chris Dickinson with a thunderous shot and pinned Dickinson to secure the W.

The Kenway vs. Anthony “Sharkbait” Gutierrez

The now known as “The” Kenway is looking for retribution, even if the crowd doesn’t really want him to. After losing to Everett Connors, who had a little help from his bear, The Kenway needs a statement win in Anarchy to answer his detractors. A victory over Anthony “Sharkbait” Gutierrez would be that statement win. The affectionately nicknamed Sharkbait has become not just an Anarchy regular, but also an EVOLVE regular for much of 2019. Gutierrez, who sports a 12-3 pro mixed martial arts record as well as an impressive wrestling record, is a fierce opponent in any ring. 

Chip Day vs. Aaron WIlliams

Last at Anarchy in a losing bout against the returning Curt Stallion, Chip Day can whack with the best of them. That night, Day took exception to the Anarchy crowd’s seeming disapproval of him, and might have developed a negative attitude towards the Spaulding Hall faithful. Aaron Williams last competed in Anarchy in a losing effort against War Horse at this past May’s Hog Wild event, but is coming off a big win in a three-way battle against Michael Elgin and Jason Kincaid. 

Cole Radrick vs. Jake Dirden

With the previously scheduled Craig Mitchell now missing No Church In The Wild, Cole Radrick steps into singles competition with Jake Dirden. After impressing in a multi-man match at the previous edition of Anarchy, Radrick, repping indie faction IFHY, will look to impress and climb the Anarchy ladder. Dirden comes off a tag team loss to the Besties, but stood strike for strike with the victors and then some. 

Reigel Twins and Ace Perry vs. Evan Gelistico, “Big Beef” Gnarls Garvin and ???

The Reigel Twins are quick, precise, and a bit dastardly. Victorious over the Diamond Dogs at Battle of Spaulding, the twin tag team adds Ace Perry, who’s looking for revenge facing Evan Gelistico, who won the Battle of Spaulding four-way match he was also a part of. Joining Evan Gelistico is “Big Beef” Gnarls Garvin, who’s all beef and knows how to use it. According to Evan Gelistico on Twitter, Everett Connors will not be joining the team, so the two are looking for a third to level the playing field. 

Larry D vs. Christian Rose

Last but certainly not least, the current and three-time IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion Larry D comes back to Anarchy to showcase his fist-oriented brand of wrestling to the Anarchy faithful. In his previous Anarchy appearance, at Circus Maximus, Larry D lost to Craig Mitchell, and looks to rebound. Christian Rose joined Jake Dirden in a losing effort against the Besties In The World, and is in a similar position. Both competitors will be hungry for an Anarchy victory at No Church In The Wild.

All of this exciting grappling action invades Alton’s Spaulding Hall on Friday, November 8. For those outside of the St. Louis area, the event will be live on Independent Wrestling TV.

For those in the area, tickets are available here. 
Spaulding Hall opens its doors at 6:15 pm for the pre-event party, with regular doors opening at 7. The event proper kicks off at 7:30.