This Friday, two Eastern Iowa wrestling shows on the same night!

This Friday, July 10, promises to be the kickoff to a big weekend here in Eastern Iowa. The Wrestling Museum Hall of Fame ceremonies hit on Saturday with folks like Kurt Angle, B. Brian Blair, Beth Phoenix and Jim Ross in attendance. But the night before the big festivities, Impact Pro Wrestling puts on one of their biggest shows ever as part of the celebration.

The show features a stacked card, headlined by a first time ever contest between Bob "Hardcore" Holly and Colt Cabana. New Hall of Famer B. Brian Blair teams with James Jeffries and UGLY to battle Aaron Von Baron, Matty Star and Sparrow. Former Aces & 8s members Wes Brisco finds himself in a Legends Lumberjack match against local standout AJ Smooth. U-Gene Dinsmore makes his way to Iowa as well, teaming with Iowa's top luchador Latin Thunder to battle Nathan Redwing and rising Midwest star Jake Dirden. The sixth annual Legends Battle Royal rounds out what looks to be the biggest Hall of Fame show ever. 

SCW also makes its return to action on the same night from the Walcott Coliseum in Walcott, Iowa. I'm not sure if I understand the wisdom of running against the Hall of Fame show here. While the shows are two hours apart, I know I'm far from the only person to travel a bit to get to these shows.

Much like last month's show, Red White & Bruised doesn't have much for pre-announced matches. Marek Brave did challenge Nevin Knoxville for the SCW title last month and some kind of Team Sean Morris versus Team Mark Storm battle will happen for control of the company. SCW also seemed to be building towards a tag match with Eli Machete and Conner Braxton defending against Adrian Alexander and Bodie Van Zandt, but it remains to be seen whether that will come on July 10 or not.

Sadly, I won't be able to make it to either event. Personal back pain issues have been diagnosed as a severely herniated disc. I will join in the grand tradition of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Lita, Edge and Kurt Angle as I will head in for spinal fusion surgery on Friday afternoon.

But no need to worry wrestling fans as I will be building a nice stockpile of articles for the next week on the site to keep everything up to date. Meanwhile, if you're in Eastern Iowa make sure you get out there and check out the Hall of Fame induction and one of these great wrestling shows! 

Dan Gable Wrestling Museum events set for July!

One of the highlights of being an Iowa wrestling fan is the annual induction ceremonies at the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum and George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Every summer a new class comes into the Hall of Fame and every year it comes with some great fun for wrestling fans both new and old.

This year the show actually starts on Thursday night instead of the usual Friday with a reception for the folks that splurged on the all access pass and the inductees. It is a chance to get up close and personal with inductees, see a new Rob Schamberger painting unveiled and hear a new audio tour voiced by Jim Ross.

The next day starts with an open tour for pass holders, a wrestling evaluation put on by IPW with Jim Ross and Gerald Brisco in attendance and a reception for Kurt Angle's arrival. (Angle famously missed the event during his induction a couple years back.)

Friday is capped off with an Impact Pro Wrestling event (an Iowa based promotion) that features some interesting guests. Here's the list of announced matches:

• In a very interesting and first time ever main event, Colt Cabana returns to the Hall of Fame show to take on former WWE star Bob Holly.
• New Hall of Famer B. Brian Blair joins forces with James Jeffries and UGLY to take on Aaron Von Baron and the IPW Tag Team Champions Matty Star and Sparrow.
• With his dad in attendance, former Aces & Eights member Wes Brisco takes on local favorite AJ Smooth in the Third Annual Legends Lumberjack match.
• Plus the sixth annual Legends Battle Royal takes place which always features a surprise or two. 

Saturday is all about the induction ceremony. With a ton of events leading up to it, including a Brisco Brothers retrospective, a banquet and a meet-and-greet. That all leads up to the induction of B. Brian Blair, Wade Keller, Beth Phoenix, famed MMA coach Matt Lindland, the late Jim Londos and Midwest legend Greg "The Great Wojo" Wojciechowski. Plus Kurt Angle will finally get to personally accept his own induction with a speech.

The weekend seems to be shaping up to be a great one. If you're in the Iowa area the weekend of July 9th through the 11th, go check it out.

All access passes are available for $100 by contacting the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.