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

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