Pro wrestling gets up off the mat

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This article was published 25/03/2010 (5657 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Larry Whistler has seen pretty much everything the world of professional wrestling has to offer.

Whistler, who has is better known to wrestling fans as Larry Zbyszko, has been crashing into turnbuckles and pinning opponents for nearly 40 years.

At one time he plied his trade in front of tens of thousands of boisterous fans at the likes of Shea Stadium and the Tokyo Dome.
The crowds are considerably smaller these days, often numbering in the hundreds. Fans are more likely to catch a glimpse of him at a local community club than a 10,000-seat arena.

Still, Whistler’s enthusiasm for the sport hasn’t changed, even though the sport itself has.

“To go from wrestling in huge locations like Shea Stadium and Madison Square Garden to smaller shows, there is a difference, no question,” he says.

“At smaller shows you are closer to the audience and put in touch with the fans with things like meet-and-greets.”
Local wrestling fans will be able to catch Whistler in action as part of a WFX Wrestling card slated for Fri., March 26 at 1111 Chevrier Blvd. in Fort Garry.

Pro wrestling is enjoying something of a renaissance in Winnipeg of late.

Two new circuits — the WFX and Canadian Wrestling Elite — have recently set up shot in the city. The WFX is looking to make a name for itself on the small screen while Canadian Wrestling Elite is planning to tour the country. Both are hoping to make a splash this summer with a series of high-profile events.

Mike Davidson, director of operations for WFX, which held its first card on March 5 at 1111 Chevrier Blvd., says there is still plenty of room for growth on the local wrestling scene.

Davidson says it wasn’t that long ago that pro wrestling became mainstream thanks to the likes of Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Canadian Wrestling Elite general manager Danny Warren says that while pro wrestling may have lost some of it’s appeal because of the recent surge of interest in mixed martial arts, it remains highly popular.

“It is really going back to its roots,” Warren says.

The good news for local wrasslin’ fans is that Winnipeg remains a prime destination for many of the biggest names from yesteryear.

“It is really beneficial. It gets our young guys that opportunity to work with guys who have been to the big dance and pass on their knowledge.”

Davidson notes the city is a destination for many wrestlers.

“Winnipeg should be proud of that, that so many veteran guys make it a point to come up here,” he says.

Whistler, 58, says says his transformation from up-and-comer to elder statesman is something he’s embraced.

“It is kind of cool from my perspective. Guys my age kind of disappeared by the ’90s,” he says. “I got to hit a few generations of fans as well as influence and pass on advice to the up-and-coming wrestlers and guys wanting to break into it.”

Whistler remains a popular attraction among fans to this day.

When he was introduced as an “unannounced attraction” at the WFX card in early March he received a long and loud round of cheers from the faithful. The applause continued even after he insulted members of the audience.

“I couldn’t get them to hate me,” he says, laughing.

North Kildonan wrestler A.J. Larocque, who wrestles as A.J. Sanchez, says getting to work with a ring veteran like Whistler is a fantastic opportunity.

“He offers a perspective on experiences that only three or four guys in the world have ever had,” he says.

Larocque, who started in the business eight years ago when he was 16, says younger wrestlers like himself can’t help but learn by spending time in the presence of an experienced grappler like Whistler.

“Anyone can go into the ring and hit big moves, but the timing and when in the match to use them and when not to affects the emotion of the crowd,” he says.

Canadian Wrestling Elite will hold its next card on April 23 at the Glenwood Community Centre.

For more information check out www.wfxwrestling.com or www.thecwe.ca.

rob.brown@canstarnews.com