Wrestlers to grapple this weekend in Kelowna, Vernon
Mike Rizzo is a media executive, father of five and diligent volunteer at his kids’ schools.
But this weekend, as he does on several occasions each year, he drops his first name and becomes the fearsome and loathed wrestler “Rizzo.”
“When the lights go down and the music hits and my wrestling persona takes over, I’m probably the most hated guy in the building, as I’ve shown show after show after show,” Rizzo said Tuesday, promoting this weekend’s Invasion Championship Wrestling matches in Kelowna and Vernon.
“Rizzo” is such a bad dude in the ring that Mayor Colin Basran recently felt justified in smacking him in the back with a martial arts stick, which drew many whoops of support from those in attendance.
This weekend’s wrestling matches, the proceeds of which go toward non-profit groups such as the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA of the Okanagan, also features longtime American wrestler Tommy Dreamer, midget wrestlers like Short Sleeve Sampson, and several local wrestlers like the Cougar Meat Kid, hoping to make it onto the bigger circuits.
Since Invasion Wrestling was created by Rizzo and Mike Chisholm in 2013, its wrestling matches have raised about $200,000 for various charities. The wrestlers are paid and their travel expenses covered, but everyone else associated with the events is a volunteer and involved because of their love of wrestling.
Long ago, a reporter was foolish enough to ask a wrestler if the sport was real or staged. He ended up on the floor.
The same question put to Rizzo on Tuesday drew this non-violent response: “It’s sports entertainment. There are a lot of aspects of the show that are somewhat predetermined and choreographed,” he said. “But when you’re in the ring and you’re colliding with a 200-, 300or a 400-pound guy like we’ll have here this weekend, you can’t fake that.”
Doors to Friday’s show at Rutland Centennial Hall open at 6:30 p.m., with bell time at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 or four for $50.
The Saturday show in Vernon is at the Recreation Centre, with the same times but a lower cost of $10.