Wrestlefest shines independent pro wrestling spotlight on Nanaimo

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‘The Class Act’ Ty Cordova received a well-earned beating from Mat Maverik at last year’s Wrestlefest. (Image Credit: Dylan Phillips Photography)

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Wrestlefest shines independent pro wrestling spotlight on Nanaimo

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Ten matches, including a pair of VIP bouts, will entertain crowds expected to surpass 2,000.

Typical indie wrestling shows draw between dozens to a few hundred spectators in much smaller venues, however considerably more effort, including financial resources, have been poured into Wrestlefest 3.

Favourable viewing sightlines, a big screen, enhanced lighting effects and sound will transform Frank Crane Arena far beyond the experience of prototypical indie wrestling shows.

“We’re aiming to put us in the ranks with the top independent companies around the world with this event,” Laredo said. “We’ve got the biggest production, we’ve got some world-class wrestlers coming in: the talent, the fans, the atmosphere — you feel like you’re at ‘the big show.'”

In addition to its own VIPW roster, Wrestlefest 3 is leaning on talent from numerous independent wrestling companies.

Mance Warner, who holds titles with two independent promotions, will be at the Nanaimo show.

Gisele Shaw, one of Canada’s top women’s professional wrestlers representing Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, is also on the card.

Laredo and Scott Steel are teamed up to compete in a unique three-way tables, ladders and chairs main event with the VIPW, Primetime Wrestling and Can-Am Wrestling tag team championships hanging above the ring.

Not only is Wrestlefest 3 a great opportunity to further grow VIPW’s brand, Laredo also said amplifying wrestlers from other promotions strengthens independent wrestling as a whole.

“We tried to reach out to have that broad spectrum to have as many companies as we could.”

While pro wrestling buffs will be in their element, Laredo said Wrestlefest also fits with their non-core audience.

“You don’t have to be a wrestling fan to get a great feeling out of our event.”

VIPW has been in existence since 2013, which primarily stages events in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Duncan and Victoria, as well as specialty events such as VIEx at Beban Park.

Evan Ashford

While he’s only 21-years-old, Evan Ashford already has just over four years of VIPW experience and has the light heavyweight championship belt around his waist.

Ashford’s first taste as a VIPW competitor came during his senior year of high school at John Barsby Secondary School.

He’s competing in his second consecutive Wrestlefest on Friday night, where his title will be on the line against fellow VIPW veteran, Dash Dauntless.

Evan Ashford hopes to get the better of Dash Dauntless to retain his VIPW light heavyweight belt Friday night. (Image Credit: Dylan Phillips Photography)

Wrestlefest is “an incredibly important night” for VIPW, other independent promotions, as well as individuals to get noticed, Ashford said.

“It’s a huge deal to push it forward and make it bigger than last time. It’s a good atmosphere all the way around, everyone’s super happy to be there. It’s really good for the workers to get extra exposure from some of the names that come in.”

Ashford said an expected large crowd and highly viewed quality livestream provides a potential breakthrough to advance a wrestler’s career.

“If someone from a bigger promotion like AEW or WWE watches, they can see how you perform in front of a big crowd and how you keep them invested.”

Ashford balances his work schedule to be able to train and attend shows within VIPW and other promotions in the Lower Mainland in order to perform regularly.

Known in the ring as a toxic, egotistical figure who blames others for his problems, Ashford said the VIPW roster is tightly aligned beyond in-ring battles.

“I’ve met some people that I wouldn’t necessarily hang out with, but they’re still people that I hold dear because we’re all in this business together, we’re all a part of this journey, we all want to succeed; it’s just a great community from what I’ve experienced.

Tickets to Wrestlefest are available online and at the door.

The event will be livestreamed and archived on YouTube.

Nanaimo’s Evan Ashford will be one of several Nanaimo-based performers in action at Wrestlefest 3 in front of friends and family on Friday, June 19 at Frank Crane Arena.

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