Nanaimo wrestlers have a tall task in front of them.
B.J. Laredo and Scott Steel, Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling tag-team champions, defend their belts this Saturday (Oct. 1) in a tables match against the two biggest wrestlers on the Island, Cremator Von Slasher and Lak Siddartha.
The challengers, who bill themselves as the Monsters of Mayhem, have been wreaking havoc on VIPW of late. They slammed Laredo and Steel through a table at the last show in Nanaimo, which led to this Saturday’s tables match.
“They’re big dudes,” Laredo said. “So Scott’s going to have to be as quick as possible and I’m going to have to be as strong as possible.”
Also on the card, Eddie Osbourne will defend his VIPW championship against Bishop in a bullrope match.
Riea Von Slasher, Krofton and others will also be in action.
The show is at 7 p.m. at the Departure Bay Activity Centre. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance at That ’50s Barbershop and Centre Court Collectibles.
Wrestler coming off a cool experience
Laredo will be ring-ready this Saturday, as he had a closely contested match just last weekend against a well-known star.
Carlito Caribbean Cool, formerly of the WWE, beat Laredo last Friday at a Pure Wrestling Association show in Parksville.
“It was pretty unreal. It was pretty neat,” Laredo said. “I didn’t win, but I definitely gave him a proper Island welcome and beat him up a bit.”
The Nanaimo wrestler was faring well in the match until Carlito used a signature tactic, spitting a bite of apple in Laredo’s face and taking advantage of the distraction to hit a backstabber finishing manoeuvre.
Laredo said the match was an “achieving moment for myself,” as he’s seen some of his colleagues wrestle big-name guys over the years and was grateful to get his chance.
“PWA gave me the opportunity to wrestle Carlito; I can’t thank them enough,” Laredo said. “I can’t thank the people enough – it’s funny, because when I was out there with Carlito, the people weren’t cheering for Carlito, that’s for sure. It was unreal the support that the people gave me when I was out there with a star of his calibre.”
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
