Blaze Pro Wrestling this Friday; What to Expect

THIS FRIDAY

But before I break down the card, I will annoy people with my "War on dad Blog" Updates for the last few days:

Feb 24 - Triceps w/Chest and Shoulders
Close Grip Bench - 135lbs x 12, 12, 12, 12, 12 (1 set brutal on joints but better as sets progressed, shorter rest breaks, really focus on eccentric motion and stretch-to-explosion - this is no longer a Power Movement for me)
Peck Deck - 175 x 12, 12, 12 (great pump, nice full stretch and sweep, final set Brutal Hard)
DB Side Lat Raise - 30lb x 12, 12, 12, 12 (added 4th set to really burn em out)
OH Cable Press - 65 x 15, 15, 12 (a real struggle for final set)
Rev Grip Cable Pressdown - 65 x 15, 15, 15
Hyperextension - 15, 15
Treadmill 30 minutes 4% 2.7mph (slow advance to incline / speed)

Feb 26 - Legs and Core
5 Min Bike Warm up (must do this again)
Hip Adductors - 205 x 20, 20, 20 (now that I do these regularly, I feel much more stability in general movements)
Seated Quad Extension - 85 x 12, 12, 12 (next week add a set, knees still hate this)
Seated Leg Curl - 115 x  15, 15, 15 (same, add a set before increasing weight)
Seated Leg Press Mach - 210 x 12, 230 x 12, 250 x 12, 270 x 12, 290 x 12 (start at 230 next time, slow progress to max out - still prefer this machine to a loaded weight press)
DB RDLs - Nope
Mach Crunches - Rack x 15, 15
Leg Raises - 15, 15 (harder today than usual, weird)
Treadmill 30 minutes 4% 2.7mph (slow and steady before increase intensity

Pretty much where I'm at on that. My calorie deficit hasn't been as strict the last few days. Of course, my rest and recovery has been the literal shits this entire week as my body is adjusting (poorly) to flip flopping nights to days and back again as I work to keep the lights on and my daughter fed (okay, don't be so melodramatic Big Fella). That said I'm keeping my step count around 10K which isn't too bad, my last blood test came back strong as usual so overall once I adjust to my schedule again I will be right as rain.

Now, to wrestling:

Blaze Pro Wrestling presents NO REGRETS This Friday, Feb 28th 440 Tissot Ave at the St Louis Centre near the heart of  St. Boniface. This event is significant for a number of reasons.

1) Pro Wrestling is not only alive and well at the biggest stages (hello WWE, AEW and abroad) that popularity boom and interest has filtered down to the independent stages across the world. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing friends and co-workers regularly performing in front of sold out houses, and Blaze Pro is no different. Their last show in December was  complete sell out and the crowd got to see a very entertaining show

2) With that popularity boom comes new faces (and old faces) out to see what is happening and having a chance to "learn the ropes" , to work out some kinks and rust (uh, hi - it's me, I'm talking about me) and have the opportunity to be a part of the bigger wrestling community.

It's that second part more than anything else that brings me the most fulfillment at this point in my career. Having the opportunity and privilege to share my (shudders) 30 years of knowledge and experience with this group of up and comers is frankly exciting. This alone keeps me feeling young and energized when it comes to pro wrestling.

Let's face it. I have nothing left to prove.

But I've got lots to share.

This Friday at Blaze Pro there will be a few fresh faces making their debut. Once upon a time, people in that position would've been thrown to the wolves, challenged to defend themselves and not been terribly well supported. Well, here's hoping that after Feb 28th the rookies making their debuts will be able to look back on this day fondly and feel like they were given enough tools to be able to represent themselves adequately.

Don't get me wrong. The lessons don't end after the debut. I'm a grey-bearded old man, and I'm still learning new shit every time I get into the ring. But I feel good about this crew. So please, welcome them. They're so excited to "pop that cherry."

Speaking of, here are a few matches you all can look forward to:

MENTALLO

The BPW Provincial Champion MENTALLO will bring every ounce of his world travelled expertise to the ring this Friday as he goes face to face with the loudmouthed but pugnacious "TANGO" TYLER ROSE. The Thug from Toronto will be making his 2nd appearance for BPW but has been making noise out in Saskatchewan with RINGSIDE Wrestling of late. Expect the champion to be thoroughly tested.

COLLINS vs BLANCO

In a true veteran vs rookie match  we have the longest tenured light heavyweight grappler in Central Canada BOBBY COLLINS facing off with the high flying, fleet footed EL DIABLO BLANCO. The masked luchadore has been impressive in his early in ring showcases but he will be challenged by the experienced, grizzled brawler. 




CORY DIAMOND has been dealing with some confidence challenges of late. A perpetual mid-card grappler with a long pedigree in Manitoba and abroad, his recent winless streak has been clearly plaguing this competitor. As such when he steps into the ring with the fan favorite MUSTACHIO on Feb 28th, Diamond has repeatedly declared this a "must win" match for him. Keep your eyes on this one.

BIG FIGHT FEEL

As for me? Well, much like a bad cold I can't seem to shake the 400lb BIG CLIFF CORLEONE and his MASKED MENACE. Last time out in December I faced the 2 of them (and their giant sized ringside enforcer) and came out the victor, though I paid the price after the match as they wore me out with a steel chair. Thankfully BILLY BLAZE came to my aid to face down his old tag partner. So, This Friday, we'll even the odds. I wouldn't expect a lot of scientific grappling in this one folks. I've got a feeling my Lariat Arm is gonna be leaving more bruises.

CARB SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The rest of the card should be exciting as well. Like I said, a few debuts. A few surprises. and apparently it'll be standing room only as we're down to the last of our advance tickets. Like I said, Pro Wrestling is alive and well.

COMFY SHIRT

Oh and please consider grabbing one of my 30Th Anniversary Shirts or a Copy of my Debut Novel COWBOY ENDING either in person at the show on online via my LINKTREE. I promise both a comfy fit and a good read.

GOOD READ

Thanks all. Until next time.

AK

The Importance of Hockey in Canada, Plus the War on Dad Blog

Lets get the Workout Review out of the Way - Short and Sweet:

Biceps w/Back - Feb 22, 2025
Close Grip Pull Down - 180 x 12, 12, 10, 9 (getting stronger, feels decent, good stretch reps)
EZ Bar Curl - 80lb x 12, 12, 12, 12 (I can totally go heavier but I really like the burn / pump by set 4)
DB Curls - 30lb x 15, 15, 15,15 (final set was HARD in the best way, excellent pump)
Lat Pressdown / FacePull Superset - 50 x 15, 15, 15 (simple auxiliary work, remains functions, rear delts really respond to this)
Mach Preacher - 1 arm 65 x 10, 10 ; 2 Arm 125 x 8, 8 (just toast by now)
Cardio - Multiple dog walks, My knee was aching from yesterdays activity

There. That's done. My sleep schedule over the weekends are all messed up as I transition from nights to days and back to nights within 48 hours. It's the shits, to put it plainly. But, I'm grateful for the work as I make strides to better myself and expand my reach online to hopefully draw a wider audience outside of the perimeter.

Fingers crossed.

So obviously the biggest sports story of the week seemed to be the culmination of the 4 Nations Face Off, put forth by the NHL and the NHLPA in hopes of having some form of "best on best hockey" once again for the public. I will admit first and foremost - I was skeptical of this idea because since pulling players out of the Olympic programs in 2010, any attempt to have this kind of spectacle was met with  lackluster effort at best and bloated tickets prices for frankly worthless games.

Also, in complete honesty - I was terrified to have some of the best players from my home Winnipeg Jets club take part in this tournament and risk getting injured before returning to play for the club team. No matter what the talking heads on TSN or SPORTSNET won't tell you, the Jets are the Best Team in the NHL this season and remain on a hot streak (9 wins in a row, franchise record baby!!) So the prospect of sending out the Best Goalie playing today, our Norris Candidate D-Man and one of the top scorers in the league to play in - what I perceived to be - a nothing tournament gave me all kinds of "No Thanks" vibes.

But then a funny thing happened.

Turns out, these players showed up with chips on their shoulders and a desire to prove themselves.

Was this strictly a matter of professional pride? Of work ethic? Ego?

Almost certainly yes to all 3 of those things.

But also, the state of the world since January the 20th has been volatile to say the least. And feeling the energy and vitriol from the Tangerine Palpatine and his henchman Lord of the Pale, DOGE Vader has caused all kinds of uproar, anger and resentment.

And that's just amongst the redcap wearing people who VOTED for this clown... Twice.

So with all the snark and animosity around ridiculous tariffs, threats (yes, THREATS) about becoming a "51st State" there were some pretty high tensions going into these important Games.

Which is when a funny started to happen.

For the first time in a long time, there has been an swell of National Pride and Unity amongst Canadians.

While nothing is perfect and our different provinces and regions still have a lot of shit to work out as we fight our own internal battle with rising fascist tendencies and the desire for easy solution to complex problems being promised by career politicians who only want to cut programs from people who need them: It has been nice to see EVERYONE Rallying behind the Maple Leaf as we entered into Thursday nights' CANADA vs USA hockey game.

Word on the street from people I know who were in attendance at TD Gardens in Boston (shout out to you @Husterama) was that animosity was thick in the air. The Canadians in attendance were being bombarded with more than a gentle, playful sense of friendly competition lets just say.

So when the Overtime period began and Connor By God McDavid scored the series winner you could FEEL the elation from across our great nation. Tears flowed,  beers were poured, maple syrup was spilled everywhere, cobra chickens took flight  … but most importantly, Canada was United for a purpose.

And that's IMPORTANT. Unity in something we love and are so damned passionate about means that there truly is more that brings us Together than the differences of opinion that separate us.

There's still a long way to go. Some well-intentioned shit disturbers (Honk, Honk) have to be called to task and some well-intentioned lovers of science and reason (yeah, I'm one of these) have to turn on our listening ears so that we can do what those player draped in the Red and White did last Thursday night.

Come Together as the true North, Strong and Free.

Yeah. This Blog is gonna get political now and again. I have thoughts and feelings and they're gonna piss people off sometimes. So just "Get in the Comments" and vent away. Or don't read. That's your prerogative as well.

Okay. Enough for now.

O, Canada.

AK

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War on Dad Blog: Legs and Cardio

Honestly, it's not any more exciting than that. My sleep pattern is all messed up due to the graveyard shifts at work, so even on my days off I'm sleeping in 3-4 hour blocks (in fact once I'm done this quick recap I will be laying my Big Fella butt down for a nap). So after being up at like 430am and selling around the place, tidying up, having coffee, listening to recaps of the Can/USA Hockey game - i finally got my stuff together and went out to the gym.

Props to Goodlife Garden City. Not my usual location but a nice change of pace. And amazingly enough, it was very quiet and not overly busy at 830am when I got there.

Wanted to push my legs just a bit more than I have recently. Again, paying attention to my knees and hips and lower back, especially as I'm getting into the ring to train a bit more regularly, recovery and joint protection are a must for me these days. Even still, only slightly more workload than before (and nowhere NEAR what I was doing even 3 months ago).

Legs, Core and Cardio - Feb 21, 2025
Hip Adductors - "205" x 20, 20, 20 (really good squeeze)
Seated Leg Curl - "115" x 12, 12, 12 (Seated definitely feels better than Laying / standing single legs -  a real difference)
Seated Quad Extentions - "85" x 12, 12, 12 (Happy with how my knees felt, this is always the exercise that is worst for me so staying at this weight makes sense - might add another set / reps next time)
Seated Leg Press Machine - 150 x 12, 170 x 12, 190 x 12, 210 x 12, 230 x 12 (Stopped here even though I could keep going, focusing on stretch at the bottom)
DB RDLs - 55lb x 12, 12 12, 12 (easy, slow reps, lots of stretch)
Hyper Extension / Knee Lifts / Machine Crunches - 2 sets of 15 each
Treadmill - 60 mins, 2.6 mph, 4% incline

Overall a good, safe workout. Nothing wild or crazy. It's tough on the ole ego to do the seated leg press machine after years of heavy plate loaded Leg Presses and attempts at squats. But, I like the way this feels on my legs better. Maybe I'll switch back at some point, but not right now.

Naptime shortly. I've had a chicken wrap and some protein, but recovery includes rest. So, siesta it is.

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AK