Tables, ladders and chairs, oh my.
Using those items as weapons will not only be within the rules, it will be encouraged in the main event of the Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling card this Saturday (Sept. 26) in Nanaimo.
In what is being billed as a Canadian first, women wrestlers will be competing in a tables, ladders and chairs match. Port Alberni’s Riea Von Slasher will take on American competitors Krystal Bubbles and Mary Jane Payne in a triple-threat match to determine the first-ever VIPW women’s champion.
Von Slasher doesn’t shy away from violent bouts. The last time she faced Bubbles, it was a casket match and Von Slasher bloodied her opponent’s face by stomping it onto a steel casket.
Von Slasher also wrestled a ladder match this past spring and while she said “there’s more pain involved,” she plans to dish out more than she takes.
“I’m not a huge fan of heights, so I like to throw people onto [the ladder]. It’s great to slam people onto.”
She said when VIPW started, a women’s championship was never in the plans, so “it speaks volumes” about the division that a title is being introduced.
“I think I deserve [the belt], but it doesn’t always work that way. Whoever wants it more will get it,” Von Slasher said. “It would mean a lot to me.”
Promoter Brent LaPlante said Bubbles is more of a high-flyer, Payne is more of a technical wrestler and Von Slasher is a brawler.
“I think all three styles will work well together to put on a great, great match,” LaPlante said.
Von Slasher wants to hit her powerbomb and curb stomp manoeuvres and win, of course, but she also wants the match to be memorable, and she said the women have it in them.
“I’ve never been in a match like this where I haven’t surprised people. The best thing people can do is underestimate me, because it makes my job easier,” she said. “But I absolutely hope that we’re able to pull off things that people go home in awe about.”
Also on the card are two Nanaimo wrestlers, B.J. Laredo and Scott Steel, who will face Tony Baroni and Billy Suede for the tag-team titles. The last time the local team had a title shot, Steel turned on Laredo, but the two settled their differences with a match and have rekindled their friendship.
“We’re back on board and heading in the direction of the tag titles,” Laredo said.
He said it will be a challenge to wrest the belts from Baroni and Suede.
"Those guys, they like to cheat, they like to pull the wool over the ref's eyes and use anything they can to get a win. They're good."
In other action, Bishop will take on Mike Shreddz and Cremator Von Slasher will face Danni Deeds.
The event is being held at the Departure Bay Activity Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a 7 p.m. bell time. Advance tickets are $10, or $15 for ringside, available at Popeye's Nanaimo and That '50s Barbershop. Tickets at the door cost $15 or $20 for ringside.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com