We're Still Standing

So many things to be said and not sure where to begin. 

Post show I've been trying to write some recap blogs about the specific matches, put over those who've been making big strides and just generally trying to share to love and positivity that I've frankly re-Found for Pro Wrestling.

On more than a few occasions I've thought I was out. Out of interest. Not wanting to make the effort. Deal with the prima donnas in the "locker rooms". The money launderers, the sex pests, the ego cases ... I mean, yeah, you find those in pretty much any industry. But well, wrestling comes from carny lifestyle so ... by and large that ain't going to completely go away.

But what Billy, and Tony and Diamond (and their very supportive partners of course) have put together with Blaze Pro Wrestling is a truly Family Environment. 

Sure, we got some cussing, bad language and more. Every event features some kind of hardcore match of "questionable family friendly rating." 

But every event, training session and basically every time we get together - you can feel everyone pulling together as a TEAM.

Friday Aug 29th - the last Long Weekend of a beautiful Manitoba Summer we packed over 300 people into the Franco Manitoban Cultural Centre in Winnipeg. Those people came out to see the stars of Blaze Pro Wrestling and no one else. No import talent charging a fortune to tiptoe through matches. No "indy darling" of questionable reputation who was going to dictate the terms for who they'd work and how. No local media group helping us get the word out.

Just One Team of hard working, dedicated people who've busted ass all year, put on consistent, quality events to the enjoyment of our fanbase.

This is how Wrestling Unites people.

The smiles. The kids screaming. The sweat, the effort and more. 

This is Pro Wrestling.

And the best part, we're just getting started.

We all see areas for improvement and we're going to do just that. As the Provincial Champion (excuse me, the Best God Damned Heavyweight Champion in all of Canada) I have the privilege and burden to deliver against top flight opponents. Next up (currently) Mr Manitoba himself, breaking out on his own is "The Beast" Brenden Blake. 275lb of pure athlete. The visual alone of us facing off was enough to get the crowd excited.

This whole roster deserves a standing ovation. And I could go on endlessly.

But for now I just want to say "Thank you" and finally "Now we go to work!"

AK

LINKTREE

Putting Smiles on Faces

In case I haven't said it before, I've been doing the pro wrestling thing for 30 years.

As such it's easy to have periods of time where one feels tired. Even bored. Definitely jaded by the repetitive nature of the industry. Especially when dealing with no name ego maniacs in locker rooms, or worse so-called promoters using their daddy's money to fantasy book events with all their flavour of the week darlings just so they can hang out and feel cool.

Just saying.

Anyways, with all that hanging over my aging back and crusty knees, it's easy to become crabby when going to shows. Pro Wrestling for me is best when it's FUN. Yes, Business. Yes, Job. But if it's not fun, then it's not worth the time or effort.

This past Saturday was more than worth it.

Having the chance to work the Bloodvein Off-Reserve Treaty Days event held at the Sergeant Tommy Prince Centre with the rest of our Blaze Pro Wrestling team was an absolute pleasure. So many kids. So many families. Just a fantastic afternoon of community and culture for all. 

Everywhere you turned there were people smiling, enjoying themselves and their community. Getting to connect and commune just celebrate their shared history. Before we began the graps', there was an amazing Pow Wow featuring local drummers, singers and traditional dancers in full regalia. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never attended one of these before and frankly am the lesser for it. Simply outstanding energy and emotion in those steps.

I'll definitely make time for that again.

As for the wrestling event itself? I mean, what a great time. You can always tell when you're working for people who've likely never seen live wrestling before. Their eyes are wider, their screams are a bit louder and those smiles... damn the smiles on those kids' faces.

That's why we do this, man.

I've been privileged to wrestle with some top flight athletes for some very discerning audiences. I've had the chance to test myself, push myself and really work to win over some "smarty pants pseudo-fans" who think they know better than me what is supposed to happen in that ring.

So it's always refreshing and enlightening to get in front of a new crowd, with new faces and just Make New Fans.

The best feeling. Just the best.

So thank you for the honour of being able to make those kids smile. I hope to have the chance to do it again.

Couple of quick shout outs from the event:

SUPERPLEX - (c) Turnbuckle Pad

- An increasingly rare "first time ever" match happened for me on this event as I got to lock horns with Cory Diamond, a man I've known since he broke in at the tender age of 15 back at the old Chalmers Community Centre. During that time Cory and I have always stayed in touch but never had the booking work out in our favour. More often than not, he's been given some pretty tough assignments in the ring over the years. As such, it's been pretty rewarding seeing him have some of the best performances of his career recently with BPW. As such, having the chance to defend the Provincial Championship against him was a lot of fun. Just a couple of grizzled heavyweights getting to lay into each other for a bit was a damned good time. Thanks brother, lets not wait 25 more years, eh?

- About a year ago an earnest young lady stepped into the BPW Training Centre along with her partner,

Khaos Krossface - (c) Turnbuckle Pad

wanting to take part in the open tryouts. Until recently she wasn't that big of a wrestling fan but had started attending events and - well - caught the bug as it were. Over the last few months the amount of sweat, effort, blood and bruises this lady has endured would easily put most "wannabe wrestlers" to shame. She'll be the first to tell you that she's still got a long way to go, but I'm am going be the first to say that the work she's put in has been exceptional. As such, it was my pleasure to tag with Kandy Khaos (after she courageously saved me from a 2-v-1 beatdown from Diamond and Reggie Gallagher ... fuckers!) in the main event. Seeing the crowd light up after trapping Gallagher in the "Khaos Krossface" and forcing a submission .... man. 

What's next?

So glad that you asked.

BPW: WE'RE STILL STANDING!

1 Year Anniversary Event
Friday, August 29th in Winnipeg
Franco Manitoban Cultural Centre

340 Provenchez Blvd

Advance Tickets $20
VIP tickets $30 (includes early access, meet and greet)
Visit www.blazeprewrestling.com - tickets are moving FAST!

MAIN EVENT
BPW Provincial Championship
"The Pistol Punk" TJ Cannon vs "The Outlaw" Adam Knight

TJ Cannon is no stranger to this venue, becoming a fairly well established star and battling the demons of veterans past much to the crowds delight. This young man has worked hard and travelled across the prairies with several different companies in the pursuit of wrestling success and betterment. A fierce brawler and a hard nosed, stubborn opponent. The kinda kid any father would be proud of. 

Sadly, he's gotta contend with the Best God Damned Heavyweight in Canada.

Bring the fight, son. This Old Man has got lots left in the tank. 

This one won't be pretty. But it'll be Pretty Ugly.

Get your tickets NOW!

AK

LINKTREE

Getting Back on Track

Been a bit since I've done a "War on Dad Blog" post. In fairness, it's been a fairly busy 10 days. Lots of travel, a lovely family event, and the arduous process of moving homes. So it's not like I've been an inactive slob (ish) but time away from the gym does funny things to my brain and sense of self worth. I'd had every intention of staying on pace with the weight room - I'd been on a hell of a streak throughout July.

However. Life gets in the way.

That said, I did learn a few things.

That plan I wrote to reincorporate some heavy basic lifts? The one with some powerlifting / mobility days? 

Abject failures. Not the mobility parts, those have been very useful and stuff I now do before every workout for a bit to thoroughly warm up. 

But the heavier stuff?

Yeah, dude. You're old. None of that shit is good for your joints no matter how careful or smart you think you're being.

So, instead the more hypertrophic lifts and extra core and cardio focus has been very helpful. even on days without lifting, the active rest of hitting a treadmill for an incline walk for 45 minutes has been good. That and the in ring cardio has been good.

Plus, I actually managed to get some proper sleep this last week. So, while I want to kick myself for a lack of "effort" the truth is, I needed a de-load / rest week.

But that's done now. I've got 2 matches this month to defend the BPW Provincial Champion, and as the "True Canadian Heavyweight Champ" I need to focus on being ready.

As such:

Aug 10
Back and Biceps
Warm Up
Hammer Grip PullDown - 200 x 8, 8, 7, 6, 6
TBar Row - 3plt x 10, 8, 6, 6
Bentover Row - 205lb x 8, 8, 8, 8
Complete Barbell Curl - 65lb x 12, 12, 12, 12, 12
DB Curl / Lat PressDown - 30lb / 50 x 15, 15, 15
Hyperextension - BW x 15, 15

Not gonna lie, after that my entire back feels tight as a drum right now. But that's okay. I needed that reset lift to get my system back online. Tried to keep a good pace between sets, shorter rest breaks and really focused on the negatives. Took the weights down a bit lower than I had 2 weeks ago for safety and left a bit in the tank just in case.

Overall. A Good session.

AK

LINKTREE