2008 MainStream wrestling season kicks off, Windsor show among first stops

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

It’s been a long, cold winter in Hants County, but things are set to heat up with live pro wrestling action in Windsor.

MainStream Wrestling Entertainment (MSW) owner and promoter Devin Chittick, who wrestles as “X-Ray” Kyle Kruze, says the 2008 season is set to get underway. It kicks off with a live show in Dartmouth Thursday night, Feb. 21 and the second stop is the Windsor War Memorial Community Centre Friday evening, Feb. 22. The doors will open around 7 p.m. with the opening bell expected around 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.

Chittick said all the performers have been staying in the gym, eating right and studying their craft over the winter months. Some guys are putting in a little time in the ring now and then, getting ready for their next big match

“Although there is some down time during the winter months, it’s very important to maintain that wrestling mentality during that layoff,” he said. “The spring season comes along very quickly so there’s not much chance to rest. It’s good though, we don’t like to stay idle for too long.”

Chittick said, without giving away too much, that the fans in Windsor could expect to see a specialty stipulation match and the return of one of the most exciting stars in the promotion, “The Bug Man” Fire Fly.

Different Fire Fly

It’s been over four years since Fire Fly has performed in Windsor and Chittick promises it will be a much different Fire Fly than fans remember. He has a new look and now scales the turnbuckles and breathes fire during his ring entrance, much like the legendary Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat used to do.

“He’ll actually be doing it for the very first time in front of a wrestling audience beginning with the Windsor event,” Chittick said.

Long-time Maritime main-eventer “Kowboy” Mike Hughes, a national TV star on The Fight Network, newcomer Super Bee and many more rising stars of the independent pro wrestling scene will be in action.

Chittick said this wrestling season seems to be shaping up very well. There is new staff behind the scenes and new performers who are expected to elevate the promotion. A larger tour for April is in the planning stages and Chittick said fans in Windsor Feb. 22 might get a hint of what is coming to town later this year.

He said he might come out for an in-ring interview with long-time ring announcer and Hants County native “Captain” Kirk Starratt if enough details of upcoming events could be finalized by the date of the Windsor show.

“As the year progresses, there are several new faces lined up waiting to make a splash in MainStream, including some female competitors,” Chittick noted.

Fans turning out

MainStream visited Windsor only a couple times in the last year and a half due to scheduling issues, but also because of greater demand in other cities and towns throughout Nova Scotia and Newfoundland where fans were turning out in huge numbers.

Chittick said if the fan support is there in Windsor Feb. 22 like he hopes it will be, you’ll see many more appearances by MSW in 2008. He said he loves Windsor and it’s always been one of his favourite stops on the tour.

He said he feeds off the energy of the fans and it fuels him as a performer, genuinely elevating him to do his best in the ring, and this is a testament to all the excellent matches he has had in Windsor.

“We’re there to entertain you and make you smile, or, in some cases, make you angry,” he said. “The emotions you show us as fans just add to the show and you become part of that experience.”

Fans 19 or older are invited to visit Dooly’s after the show to get to know some of the wrestlers up close and personal. Chittick said they love meeting the fans.



• It should be noted that the video that accompanies this story is of a graphic and violent nature. All wrestlers appearing have years of highly specialized training and are performing in the spirit of entertaining fans, not in the spirit of violence or irresponsibility. Nothing shown here should be mimicked or re-enacted by anyone who is not a trained professional wrestler. Viewer discretion is advised.