Residents can learn the best way to perform a headlock, or how to get out of an arm bar thanks to Lakeland Pro Wrestling (LLPW).
At the end of last year, the group started offering classes at the Hi-Energy Fitness Studio. This was following feedback they received after their first wrestling show: Chapter One.
“It went really well... I was expecting a little bit less, but it went better than expected,” recalled LLPW promoter, Scott Leslie. “It was really fun, really great, with lots of people, and lots of kids that really loved it.”
While he always hoped to offer classes, the positive responses he heard from attendees encouraged him to organize the sessions.
“I was already thinking of doing a wrestling school, and with people coming (and asking) ‘hey, can I join?’ That was something that pushed it even more to start up, and do more steps into opening it up,” he explained.
Leslie noted that the holiday season has slowed the response down, but hopes to have more trainees in the new year.
As a fan of the sport, Jacob Duncan has been participating since the classes were offered back in December.
“It’s a lot of fun. I’m learning a lot of new stuff, and it’s really nice to have a little insight into what I’m watching. With wrestling, it’s always been a lot of people who look at it and say ‘why do you watch it?’ It’s entertainment value, so it’s always good to learn how to entertain people,” he detailed.
For many participants, the weekly lessons are a chance for beginners to get a grasp of everything that goes into a match.
“(You learn) how to fall properly, how to protect yourself and your opponent, basic techniques, and everything you need to learn to step into the ring,” Leslie explained.
It wasn’t only the lack of current wrestling schools in the area that had Leslie gearing up to teach. He also saw it as an opportunity to keep kids off of the streets and active.
With all of the success LLPW has seen, they decided to host another event called Chapter Two: Retributon on Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Beaver River Fish and Game Building.
“There was lots of response after the first show... I heard a lot of feedback, asking if there was going to be another one,” Leslie expressed.
Along with single and tag-team matches, this time around there will be a Royal Rumble with the winner going on to face Pride in the ring.
Leslie explained, “(A Royal Rumble) is everybody in the ring at the same time... It’s over-the-top elimination, and both feet have to touch the floor (to be eliminated).”
Leslie hopes to continue expanding what LLPW has to offer, and wants to find a place to call home for the organization.
“With these shows, I’m aiming to putting the money toward a ring so I can actually buy my own and not rent it from Edmonton every show. To actually rent... a bigger space to leave the ring up, to practice in it, and do shows in the ring all at the same spots, too,” expressed Leslie.
For more information about the upcoming event or the school, visit LLPW on social media.
