Invasion on the island
East Coast Pro Wrestling returns to Sydney Mines for long weekend show
Wrestling fans on the Northside will be in for a treat this long weekend when East Coast Pro Wrestling kicks off its 2018 season with an event in Sydney Mines.
Wrestlers from across Canada will be in the ring for Island Invasion 2018, taking place on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Sydney Mines and District Community Centre.
The event will mark the local wrestling company’s second show in as many years on the Northside since its return in 2017.
“With our show you’re going to see a lot of different veterans and up and comers as well,” said promoter Sheldon MacLean. “There has been a huge response to it (the show), and last year we had close to 450 people in the building — I’m expecting a good turnout this year.”
The show will feature 16 professional wrestlers, including champion Kowboy Mike Hughes, Markus Burke, The Answer, Riddick Stone, Charlie Winston as well as Northside’s own Duke MacIssac, who made his return to the ring in 2017.
“People love wrestling here,” said MacLean. “It’s something that’s always been a fixture in Cape Breton dating back to the 1970s with Grand Prix Wrestling. It kind of died down a bit in the 1990s, but it’s on the upswing again.
“I get emails all the time from wrestlers all over Canada and the United States looking to come (to Cape Breton) for work, so I guess our company’s name is good and we feel we have a good quality show lined up each time we put one on.”
MacLean said his company use to bring in World Wrestling Entertainment stars as part of their shows, however he doesn’t rely on those performers anymore.
“I find now with all the talent in the Maritimes, they’re just as good,” he said. “Every now and then you will see a star from WWE come in, but usually we keep that as a surprise for the fans.”
MacLean has received positive feedback from his shows over the years, noting wrestling fans from as far away as Quebec have come to Cape Breton for shows, which last about two and a half hours.
“It’s a family show and you have a chance to get up close and personal with these great performers,” said MacLean. “We’ve never had a complaint in terms of people not liking it or finding it boring; people always come back and they’re always asking me when I’m going to put on another show. It’s great to hear.”
Tickets for Sunday’s event are $15 per person in advance and are available at Alexandra’s Family Restaurant in North Sydney or by contacting MacLean at 902-565-7030. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door for $20 per person. VIP tickets recently sold out.