‘When is wrestling again?’ Scribe’s niece a new fan of wrestling
My niece, escorted by ‘beat-up uncle’, loved the show
Operating on the premise that every girl deserves a ring, I took my niece to High Impact Wrestling. Erica Steadman, 10, had a blast. I spent as much time watching her as I did the mat mayhem. She was, as always, hilarious.
And, just like that, she was hooked.
For the previous year or two, it had been made clear to me that she would fancy an evening spent at the bouts.
The repeated advisories were not the least bit surprising. I am, after all, the “beat-up uncle” (Erica’s words). She delights in attempting wrestling-like manoeuvres whenever I pay a visit, so it was only natural that she would eventually become an attendee at High Impact Wrestling.
The timing finally worked on Oct. 19. The event: “Monster Brawl V” — HIW’S Halloween show.
From the moment Erica arrived with my sister (who would prefer not to be known as my sister, sources confirm), I knew that the evening would be filled with hilarity.
Erica was part of the show, beginning with the first match, and a grand ol’ time was had by all.
Following one match, Erica commented: “They all need a break, because that was intense.”
She sympathized with HIW stalwart Jeff Tyler, who seemed to be in distress. “I think Astroboy fainted,” Erica noted, using the popular Tyler’s nickname.
(Tyler, by the way, is a virtually precise look-alike of CTV’S Lee Jones. It is uncanny.)
A bout featuring the economy-sized, yet athletic, Cannonball Kelly clearly impressed the great Erica, who wondered: “Do you think there’s any way I can get Cannonball’s autograph?”
An audience with Kelly never materialized, but Erica was able to meet Davey O’doyle during intermission.
O’doyle was meeting and greeting fans during the respite, so Erica — never the timid sort — approached him and asked if a photo could be taken. No problem. The photo, I presume, has been framed by now.
The card soon resumed, to the delight of Erica.
“I love watching grown men try to break each others’ faces,” she confided.
Now, I must admit that none of this is out of the uncles’ manual. And wrestling is not for everyone.
Erica’s sister, Abby Steadman, is the last person you will ever see at an independent wrestling card. She would rather read, or write, a book. Asking her to attend HIW was not even a consideration.
But Erica simply loved it. She would not leave the Regina Hungarian Cultural and Social Club, that wrestling mecca, without purchasing a HIW hoodie.
That was totally fine, except for the fact that, you know, a benevolent, doting uncle was expected to underwrite the cost of said hoodie.
I gave her $20 and resumed chatting with my great friend, Dylan Earis, who is also a devotee of wrestling.
One problem. The $20 was not enough. My sister, who still insists upon anonymity even though her name is Laura Steadman, provided some supplementary financing so that Erica could complete the transaction.
The wrestling having concluded, with purchases having been made, the crowd shuffled out of the Hungarian Club. Erica was simply clamouring for more.
■ “When is wrestling again?”
■ “Can we go to wrestling again?”
■ “That was awesome.”
■ All of this was a welcome departure from other things that she has been known to say, especially in reference to the aforementioned “beat-up uncle.” From the archives ...
■ “You’re a problem-maker who just makes things worser.”
■ “You’re even worse than Donald Trump.”
■ “You’re the smelliest, stinkiest guy ever.” (This was after I visited the Steadman homestead following a jog.)
The latter comment, especially, is suitable for a wrestling card. It would not be surprising to hear a grunting grappler derogate an opponent by referring to a fragrance that may be deemed offensive.
Perhaps such a comment will even be made in one week’s time (Fri., Dec. 14) when the legends of HIW return to the Hungarian Club.
The collisions cannot begin quickly enough, considering the refrain of the past few weeks: “When is wrestling again?”
The stage (or the ring, in this case) is set for “King’s Challenge IX — Lethal Lottery.”
You can bet that Erica will have a ticket for this Lottery. Erica Steadman’s “beat-up uncle” is the Regina Leader-post’s sports co-ordinator.
I love watching grown men try to break each others’ faces. ERICA STEADMAN, 10, above, an ardent fan of High Impact Wrestling