Various News – Steve Maclin Named US Veteran Of The Day, BLK Jeez Battling Cancer, Powerrr
Impact Wrestling World Champion Steve Maclin (real name Stephen Kupryk) has been named the US Veteran Affairs Department’s Veteran of the Day (May 2).
You can check out the full announcement below:
#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Stephen Kupryk
Stephen Kupryk was born on May 26, 1987, in New Jersey. After personally witnessing the events of September 11, 2001, from a parking lot in New Jersey as a freshman in high school, he vowed to serve his country. In 2007, he joined the Marine Corps and served as a machine gunner on two deployments to Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment.
After completing his enlistment in 2011, Kupryk pursued a passion for wrestling, seeking training at the Monster Factory in New Jersey, where notable wrestlers such as “The Big Show” and “Sheamus” and many others trained. He gained national recognition in the wrestling world as “Steve Cutler” in WWE, where he was a member of the faction, “The Forgotten Sons.” That’s also when he got involved with Hire Our Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization that helps Veterans find employment after their military service.
Kupryk later joined Impact, where he wrestled under the name “Steve Maclin,” and won the Impact Heavyweight Championship on March 2023. Kupryk’s wife, Deonna Purrazzo, also a wrestler, won the Impact Knockouts World Championship on the same night.
NWA wrestler BLK Jeez has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is a type of cancer that forms in plasma cells in the bone marrow and multiplies, damaging bones, the immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count.
A GoFundme has been launched for Jeez that you can check out here. The campaign has raised $6,725 of its $15,000 goal thus far, and is described as follows:
“Some people in life just have the natural ability to bring out the positive in every situation. They are fighters that never tap out no matter the opponent. Darnell Kittrell (with the ring persona BLK Jeez) is that person. Whether being the first person customers see at his day job or putting on an intensely entertaining performance as BLK Jeez for NWA, he is a presence to be recognized and appreciated.
Over the past few months, Darnell began experiencing back strain. Something he assumed was minor and could be fixed with a visit to the Dr. As time progressed the pain intensified and he needed to go to the ER. It was there through bloodwork that he was told he had multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells.
Most times this condition goes undetected until the correct bloodwork is done. At the time of Darnell’s diagnosis, he already had multiple back fractures. He went from being a very active and physically conditioned person to having to wear a back brace and use an assisted walker. His back has thus healed, and he is back to walking unassisted, however, the road and process will be a difficult one.
Multiple myeloma usually can’t be cured, which means additional treatment is needed when the cancer comes back. Darnell and his family have a long road ahead of them (he has a beautiful supportive fiance Leanne, and a precocious little princess Jordyn who will turn 5 this year).
This cancer may be aggressive but Darnell is a fighter that looks at a challenge with steel in his eyes. He will fight this and we as a community need to not only cheer him on but show him that we stand with him and support him. Please consider donating to help not just with medical expenses but the loss of wages as he continues to get treatment. We all want to see him at the front desk again at Honor or Ringside at his friend’s matches soon.
Continue to say prayers for Darnell and send him well wishes and positive energy! Thank you for your help, please spread the word.”
This week’s episode of NWA Powerrr is online. You can check out the livestream below, which is described as follows:
“First up, we’ve got a championship match as EC3 defends his NWA National Heavyweight Championship against Carnage, accompanied by Aron Stevens!
Next, the NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions, Madi & Missa Kate of M95, are putting their titles on the line against the debuting Hollywood Blondes, Ray Lyn and Heather Monroe.
Then, we have Chris Adonis taking on Cyon, accompanied by his father Austin Idol! Both wrestlers are coming off of losses at NWA 312, and with so much to prove, this match promises to be a clinic!
And in our main event, NWA World Women’s Champion Kamille faces off against Natalia Markova in a non-title match! This is an opportunity for Markova to prove herself against the “one-time” champion and possibly earn a future title shot!
Plus, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Tyrus will finally reveal his partner for the 2023 Crockett Cup Tag Team Tournament! The anticipation has been building, and we can’t wait to see who he chooses to team up with!”
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.