The third annual National Independent Championship Wrestling (NICW) Mardi Gras Brawl will take place on Saturday, March 29, at the Stuart Rotary Building. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the first match beginning at 7 p.m.
Scott Rutter, of Rutter’s Martial Arts, said the event is held each year in memory of Kenny Pack, who wrestled for years as “The Machine” Ken Steel on the independent circuit.
“He was an assistant football coach at Patrick County High School (PCHS), so we always do this as a memorial show for him, an annual event every year for his memory,” he said.
Rutter said NICW prides itself on keeping the shows family-friendly—something Pack valued when he started with the organization.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the PCHS girls’ basketball team.
“Every time we do a show, we try to give back to one of the athletic departments, the band, or whatever is in need at PCHS. This time, we’re doing it for the girls’ basketball team,” he said.
The show will feature seven matches, including a battle royal open to any wrestler who wants to participate.
“We may have 15 to 20, something like that. Whoever wins the battle royal will get an opportunity to challenge for a championship of their choosing within the organization,” Rutter said.
Scheduled matches include:
NICW Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship: Larry Cooter vs. Robert Stanley vs. Bobby Yela
Daniel Craig vs. Anthony Cooley
Chase Bennett vs. Kadillac Jackson
Other wrestlers scheduled to appear include Kasper O’Neal, Ace Englund, Scorpion Jr., Daniel Ocean, and The Black Scorpion.
The main event will be a title-on-a-pole match for the vacant NICW World Tag Team Championship, featuring USA Tony Ray and “The Dragon” Scott Lee vs. “The Axis of Evil” Viktor Kraus and Ivan Romanov.
“So, the titles will go up on a pole, and whoever can climb and get the belts will be the new champions because the titles are vacant—there’s not a champion right now,” Rutter said.
During the event, referee Ric Petty, better known locally as Joel Cockram, will be inducted into the NICW Hall of Fame.
“He’s very well-known, mainly out of Floyd. He refereed on our independent circuit for over 25 years, so he’s very well-known in wrestling. He passed away about a month or so ago, and we’re recognizing him. His family will be there, and we’ll be inducting him into our Hall of Fame,” Rutter said.
Rutter expects attendance to reach 200 to 250 people, though he hopes for a sellout.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door for adults: $10 in advance, $12 at the door for children under 12. Children under 5 are admitted for free.
Advance tickets are available at Stagecoach on Main and Little Caesars.
The event is sponsored by Rutter’s Martial Arts, Lawless Welding, and Impressive Prints & Designs.
For more information, visit Facebook.com/NationalIndependentChampionshipWrestling.
