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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2015-07-15, Page 9Wednesday, July 15, 2015 • News Record 9 Pro wrestling returning to Clinton this weekend Dave Flaherty Postmedia Network The body slamming, clotheslining, piledriving action of Pure Wrestling Association (PWA) will arrive at the Clinton Royal Canadian Legion this weekend. The show will kick off at 2:30 p.m., with doors open- ing to VIP ticket holders at 1 p.m. and to general ticket holders at 2 p.m. This year is the 10th anni- versary of the first PWA show, which was held in Goderich at the MacKay Centre. PWA returns to Clinton for its third time, following up on a successful show held in April 2014. It was in 2005 when Goderich natives Jeff Black and Joe Hallam, along with their friend Mike Becherer created PWA. Since then both Black and Hallam have stepped away from the daily opera- tions of the organization but continue to perform and will be at the Clinton show, Black with his in -ring persona HardKore Hick and Hallam as a ring announcer. Hallam said growing up he always had an interest in wrestling. "It had these crazy look- ing guys who were doing fantastic and athletic things in the ring," he said. While most wrestling fans will never get the chance to be involved with the business, Hallam and Black were determined to get their foot in the door somehow. They would attend inde- pendent shows across Ontario, and eventually were able to help set up the rings. Then in 2005, they achieved their dream by creating PWA. Hallam said while he dreamed of being an in - ring performer, he admit- ted it wasn't for him. "It was something I just didn't want to be bad at. It was the fear of being terri- ble at it and having my ambitions crushed." Instead, Hallam has found his niche as a ring announcer, colour com- mentator and manager. When serving as a man- ager, Hallam will be on the outside of the ring to dis- tract the referee or help get the crowd into the match. "I play a rodeo -clown type of character. That's how I would dress up eve- ryday if could," he quipped. Hallam said he will use tactics such as pounding the mat or using his signa- ture duck call to get the fans hyped up. "It's a safer role. It's a lot more fun than getting suplexed," he said. When PWA started, Hal- lam admitted they were not sure how it would go over in Goderich. "We were very excited but nervous because we didn't know how Huron County was going react," Hallam said. "We didn't know if we would have 20 people show or if people would walk out. It was a roll of the dice." The first show in Goder- ich was very successful and the organization has been growing since. Hallam said they are happy to come back to PLEAS E wri) RECYCLE {GiODERICH LIONS ARENA BINGO - EVERY WEDNESDAY 7 -PM TV BINGO ON MONDAY will be back September 14 LIC. #M717467 Clinton. "We love the atmosphere in the Legion and they are very accommodating," he said. For him, the charm of wrestling's independent circuit is the ambiance it offers fans, as opposed to the frontrunner in the industry - World Wrestling Entertainment. "To see it on TV is one thing - with independent shows it is crazy how close the fans get," he said. Hallam said there are many fans that have turned away from the business in its state today but will still come to their shows. "I think there are a lot of casual fans that are not nec- essarily the people who watch it on TV but will come to our shows," he said. Becherer said PWA focuses on producing a "family -friendly" show. They shy away from swearing, sexual gestures and over -the -top violence such as blood. "It's pure wrestling and very interactive with the fans," he said. "People want something lighthearted but still competitive:' The last two shows at the Clinton Legion have drawn about 120 people, which Becherer said were "pretty good turnouts." Up until the mid-1980s, wrestling had been a very territorial business with successful organizations in almost every region across the U.S. and Canada. SAVE A TREE! Please Recycle Your Paper! WHO PUNCHED DALE IN THE FACE? If you know please respond to: Clinton News Record Attn: Dale Box 39 Clinton ON NOM 1L0 However, the efforts of the WWE (then WWF) and later on World Champion- ship Wrestling, which folded in 2001, to be come global companies changed the business forever. Many small independent wrestling companies went out of business in the early 2000s, but have seen a revival in the past few years. "I think it's climbing. All the independent shows are starting to get better," Becherer said. One of the draws for organizations such as PWA is featuring wrestlers who have performed for WWE in the past, which Becherer said helps to draw in some fans who may not watch the current product. "It gives us a bit more credibility," he said. This weekend's show will feature Bushwhacker Luke, who had a successful run with his partner Bush- whacker Butch in the WWE in the late 80s to mid 90s. He is one of the wrestlers that Hallam, Black and Becherer watched growing up. Hallam said meeting and working with these legends is very surreal. "He's someone who has blazed a trail in the busi- ness," Hallam said. "He's been very supportive and is very excited be in Ontario and see some of these small towns." Bushwhacker Luke will be facing Black, in his HardKore Hick persona, in FALHAVEN FARM ANNUAL DAYLILY & LILY OPEN HOUSE July 18th & 19th July 25th & 26th 10:00 am-5:OOpm OPEN WEEKDAYS DURING BLOOM SEASON 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 79217 Orchard Line RR#2, Goderich 519-525-2281 the main event. Also appearing will be Gangrel, who was a popular character during the "Atti- tude Era" of the late 90s to early 2000s in WWE, a period which some see as the most successful time for the company. Many fans will remember his signature ring entrance where he rose up from the ramp in a ring of fire. Tickets for the show are $30 for front row seats, $20 for general seats and youth general seats are $15. For an extra $15, fans can purchase a VIP pass, which includes a meet and greet and photo opportunity with Gangrel and Bushwhacker Luke, an 8 x 10 event poster and early entry. Tickets are available at Stella's Burger Barn in Clin- ton or online at www.pwa- canda.com. NG� TOWNF11D ES■� loth Anniversary Celebration July 17-18, 2015 soote \des Door Prizes Cf//I/eve Stop Bigfoot In Action Car Crushing Shows 3 p.m. Friday & Saturday Guess the weight of f he fire Pelt. .40 Couiley Castle Admission: Donation to Ronald McDonald House ' 40356 Londesboro Rd. 5 19-523-4742 J '1 f