Professional wrestling is experiencing a surge in popularity on Vancouver Island, with local promotions drawing large crowds and attracting new fans.
James Bay is a sleepy, seaside neighbourhood in Victoria. Tonight, however, its tranquillity is punctuated by the roar of a sell-out crowd and music turned up to 11 at a 365 Pro Wrestling match held in the White Eagle Polish Hall. Local, professional wrestling organizations – or “promotions” as they‘re known in the industry – are attracting an expanding audience on Vancouver Island .
Organizers are selling tickets for boisterous matches held in church basements, halls and arenas, while wrestling schools are offering lessons for those who want to learn the craft. “Wrestling is thriving on the island right now,” says Brent Laplant, co-founder of Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling. The popularity of the sport “goes through dips and valleys and peaks, and I think right now it is at one of its peaks.” In 2013, Mr. Laplant – whose wrestling alter ego is BJ Laredo – helped start VIPW, which now hosts events all over the island. More than 2,000 fans showed up to Lak Siddartha is in a tag-team match at Island Rumble, run by Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling. Today’s event is in a United church in Victoria. Pro wrestling is known for its intricate storylines featuring over-the-top heroes and villains, or “heels.” The island’s 365 Pro Wrestling is no exception, with crowd favourites Rad Dad and Eddie Osbourne facing off against baddies Devon Shooter and Lak Siddartha to name a few. Founded in 2001 as the Pure Wrestling Association, it rebranded in 2020 to 365 Pro Wrestling. Owner Mike Becherer attributes the spectacle’s growing popularity to the return to in-person events as pandemic restrictions eased. “They come out here to have an outing. They love seeing our local talent,” says Mr. Becherer. “There’s no guardrails – you can feel the emotion of the wrestlers.” Mr. Becherer wants to expand wrestling’s reach on Vancouver Island. “The goal is to keep running as many shows as we can, in as many communities as we can.” For his part, Mr. Laplant – who has been attending wrestling shows on the island since he was a child – aims to continue the sport’s legacy. “Hopefully I can keep providing this to everybody here.” Inferno and Casey Ferreira each attempt some audience-impressing leaps at All Out War, where, as the night goes on, the ring is littered with prop weapons and fallen opponents. Wrestlers with disabilities are a rarity, but one of them – AJS, at top – is at Island Rumble tonight. He has cerebral palsy, a motor-function disorder affecting about 80,000 Canadians. Dash Dauntless, a non-binary wrestler, learned the ropes at VIPW’s training centre. They’ve competed in about 100 matches so far, either solo or with tag-team partner Garth Wayne. The action moves outside the ring as the Monsters of Mayhem tag-team the West Coast Heavies. Brent Laplant, co-founder of the group that organized this Island Rumble, feels wrestling is ‘at one of its peaks’ on the island and has more events planned for 2025
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING VANCOUVER ISLAND PROMOTIONS POPULARITY EVENTS
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