By Taylor Boyd
National Independent Championship Wrestling (NICW) will host its third annual Halloween Mayhem event on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Stuart Rotary Memorial Building. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the first match begins at 7 p.m.
Scott Rutter, of Rutter’s Martial Arts, said six matches are scheduled, including four championship bouts.
NICW World Heavyweight Champion “The Lariat” Eric Steel will defend his title against “The Hangman” Larry Cooter.
“It’s actually the first time we’ve had our champion in Stuart in a while because he’s been defending the title in places like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee,” Rutter said.
Rutter noted that local fans are familiar with Cooter, who’s “pretty popular in the area.”
Another highlight will be the NICW Mid-Atlantic Heritage Championship match, with “The Ragin’ Rebel” Robert Stanley defending against “Lionheart” Chase Bennett.
“Chase was on our last show, and the fans really took to him, so he’s a pretty big favorite there,” Rutter said.
The NICW World Tag Team Championship will also be on the line as “Team USA” Scott Lee and Tony Ray defend against the “Mid Atlantic Aces,” Joe Brody and Tony Perdue, a new team from West Virginia.
Kasper Lee will defend the NICW Cruiserweight Championship against Scorpion Jr.
In a special attraction, “Renegade Cowboy” Daniel Craig of Ridgeway will face “The Outlaw” Josh Tart in a Texas Bull Rope match.
“They’ll have a bull rope tied to their arms so they can’t get out of the ring or run away. It’s something new that the fans haven’t seen in Stuart yet,” Rutter said.
Other wrestlers scheduled to appear include Hillbilly Joe, Ace Englund, Shanghai Pierce Jr., and Douglas J. Wentworth III, Esquire.
“We have a few newcomers making their debut. One of them, Hillbilly Joe, is a really good character that I know the fans in Stuart will love,” Rutter said.
Rutter said between 150 and 200 people typically attend the Stuart shows.
“It just kind of depends on the day and the show,” he said.
Because it’s a Halloween-themed event, fans are encouraged to wear costumes.
Proceeds from the show will benefit the Patrick County High School Beta clubs.
Sponsors include Rutter’s Martial Arts, Lawless Welding & Fabrication Inc., and Impressive Prints & Designs.
Advance tickets are $10 for children ages 6–13 and $12 for adults. At the door, tickets are $12 for children and $15 for adults. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
Advance tickets can be purchased at Little Caesars, Stagecoach on Main in Stuart, and at Rutter’s Martial Arts locations.
For more information, visit Facebook.com/NationalIndependentChampionshipWrestling.
