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Wrestling comes to Bonnyville

The first show for a new professional wrestling group was one for the books. Lakeland Pro Wrestling (LLPW) hosted their first show, Chapter One, on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Beaver River Fish and Game Association building.
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Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski, also known as Mean Gene, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to start the event.

The first show for a new professional wrestling group was one for the books.


Lakeland Pro Wrestling (LLPW) hosted their first show, Chapter One, on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Beaver River Fish and Game Association building.


“It’s Chapter One for LLPW, the first show of, what we hope, will be many more to come,” expressed promoter Scott Leslie.


The event included a triple-threat, title defence, and a women’s match-up.


“There was a lot of tension backstage with all of the big names from around Alberta, and no egos managed to pour into the ring,” Leslie said.


The show was well attended, offering a new and exciting activity to the area.


Serge Coullette was one of the first fans through the doors. He was excited to see what the wrestlers had to offer.


“I was surprised. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of it,” he expressed, adding that it was a family show for fans of all ages.


Mayor Gene Sobolewski, also known as Mean Gene, started the evening off with a rope cutting, which was interrupted by wrestler Pride. He put his belt on the line during the main event.


“It’s entertainment that’s not standard for Bonnyville. You don’t see this, and it’s fun. It’s fun for the kids and it’s fun for the adults,” Sobolewski recalled.


Red Deer-native Jude Dawkins was excited to be featured in LLPW’s first show.


“Seeing a place like this from the ground up is super exciting. You get to run into people that you haven’t seen before, entertain new fans, and it’s kind of organic. You’ve got to really try and see what works with these fans, and what doesn’t,” Dawkins detailed.


The shorter drive for Dawkins was a relief, as he has been all over to participate in shows.


He said, “We travel far and wide to go to shows... The travel is one of the biggest wares on the body, that and killing yourself out there. Being able to have a hop, skip, and jump away was nice.”


Ever since he announced the show, Leslie has been grateful for the positive reaction from the Lakeland.


“The more support we get, the more shows we can put on and the better we can put them on,” he noted.


Sobolewski added, “I’m hoping that it grows, that word gets out that this is a good time, it’s fun, and the next show is bigger and it keeps growing.”

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