Nanaimo's Centennial Building will be the site of VIPW's next show in Nanaimo on Saturday, Jan 20. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

ready to rumble

Large arena shows marks next chapter for independent wrestling promotion

Jan 8, 2024 | 5:20 AM

NANAIMO — Architects behind a passion project are taking a leap from the top rope with the largest event in Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling (VIPW) history.

With an increasing fan base built up over VIPW’s 10-year history attending regular shows in smaller venues, VIPW’s first large arena show happens Friday June 14 at Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena.

It’s a risk/reward proposition VIPW co-owner BJ Laredo said should pay off.

He’s convinced Vancouver Island Wrestlefest will be a huge success.

“We are putting together what I believe is going to be one of the most spectacular events that I can remember for indie wrestling. We’ve hired a product crew with video screens and professional lighting to give this a real large event feel.”

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Laredo said this will likely be the biggest independent wrestling show in western Canada in many years.

Multiple well known professional wrestlers are expected to participate, including a former WWE superstar, who will be revealed later this month.

Built from a company many felt was destined to fail, VIPW has developed a strong niche following throughout the mid and south Vancouver Island since debuting in 2013.

Attendances have increased, culminating to well over 500 people in attendance at the promotion’s tenth anniversary show at Nanaimo’s Centennial Building this past September.

VIPW co-owner Cody Washington of Port Alberni, who wrestles as beloved grappler Doctor Cremator, launched the promotion alongside Laredo.

Washington said hard work behind the scenes for many years has not gone unnoticed.

“With the announcement of this big show coming up on June 14^th, I’ve seen an increase in the number of wrestlers interacted with VIPW. It definitely has sparked a lot of people’s interest in coming and working with us,” Washington told NanaimoNewsNOW.

In addition to a strong, ever-evolving roster of talent, Washington said gone are the days when offering a ring in the middle of a hall surrounded by chairs was enough to satisfy their fans.

Washington said supportive elements like lights, smoke, a formal entrance to the ring, guardrails and a quality sound system all add up to providing an entertaining night out.

“It comes off like a small WWE show, as opposed to coming off as kind of a rinky-dink wrestling show put on by a bunch of amateurs,” Washington said.

More info on the VIPW, including ticketing information for upcoming shows, can be found here.

The Next VIPW show in Nanaimo happens on Saturday, Jan 20 at Beban Park’s Centennial Building at 7 p.m.

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes