BJ Laredo hopes to see the pro wrestling scene continue to flourish on Vancouver Island with the opening of a Nanaimo based training facility. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

from the top rope

VIDEO: ‘It has been a huge passion of mine:’ pro wrestler opens training centre in Nanaimo

Nov 26, 2021 | 4:53 PM

NANAIMO — A work shop converted into a dedicated training facility is rumbling with the next potential generation of pro wrestlers.

The vision was orchestrated by 36-year-old BJ Laredo, a key architect of the Island’s strengthening pro wrestling scene. The co-owner of Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling (VIPW) recently opened a facility he wish existed when he was starting out in the business.

The born and raised Nanaimo man, who instantly fell in love with pro wrestling as a young boy, is redirecting his attention to the next generation of athletes.

“I don’t have a five year plan to retire from wrestling,” Laredo chuckled, recounting the time and money he has invested into the facility.

Laredo recently opened the VIPW training centre on Metral Dr. to offer a safe place for local aspiring wrestlers to hone their craft four times a week.

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Basic movements like how to fall properly and conditioning are the focus for eleven aspiring male wrestlers before more advanced classes are planned for the new year.

“We develop in baby steps and everybody gets to that point to be able to do everything. It’s a good opportunity for fitness in general,” Laredo said.

His pro wrestling passion deepened while growing up joining his father who worked security for a touring off-island independent promotion

“I came from a family of poverty, so I didn’t get to do a lot of sports when I was younger. When I got the opportunity to do this I jumped at it and spent every single dime I had going over to Vancouver.”

The Lower Mainland has long had a vibrant independent pro wrestling culture, which Laredo said didn’t exist on the Island until VIPW launched in 2013.

VIPW shows are typically staged by-monthly in Nanaimo and Victoria surrounded by often sold out, energetic crowds.

“It’s cool to be a wrestling fan again. You go through an era of wrestling not being very cool, you’re kind of hiding in the closet then all of a sudden everybody is a fan again,” Laredo said, whose been entertaining wrestling fans in the ring since 2004.

After completing one of Laredo’s grueling in-ring training exercises, Brian Bertling said he’s extremely excited to position himself to wrestle in front of paying customers some day soon.

He was inspired by his friend who’s an independent wrestler on the Lower Mainland.

“I got myself in shape because of an injury dirt-biking and then when this came up, being 33, I don’t know how much longer I have that I can do this. I really needed to try for myself,” Bertling said.

More information on the VIPW’s training centre can be found at their Facebook page.

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