Local wrestler brings revenge to Reporoa

HEADLOCK: Reporoa's Stix The Rumbling Rocker, pictured holding an opponent in a headlock, will headline a show in his hometown next month. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Pro wrestling is coming to Reporoa possibly for the first time according to local wrestler Stix The Rumbling Rocker.

Stix, who lives in the rural community, will headline a six-fight event on March 5 at Reporoa College.

Pro wrestling is the dramatised version of wrestling and has a huge following all over the world with televised shows like WWE.

While this event is being run by a much smaller organisation, Professional Wrestling Entertainment (PWE) from Morrinsville, Stix said it would be very entertaining none-the-less.

The 41-year-old explained he got into the sport six years ago after watching a show in New Zealand while working security. He has been hooked ever since.

"I was working on security and got completely dragged into the show," he said. "I was into bands and drumming, thus the name Stix, but it got to a point where it was difficult with having kids and going out late to play gigs all the time, and I used to love judo so I thought I could do this."

He said it was a great buzz performing in front of crowds in the ring, and it took him about a year to train up for his first fight.

"It is a very athletic sport. I was surprised to come out of wrestling training more sore than judo training when I first started."

PWE Wrestling, who are organising the Reporoa show, have been around for about a year and will hold their third show in Reporoa.

"They train out of Morrinsville. At their first show they had a big over the top rumble for the heavyweight title and I managed to hold on," he said.

"I'm wrestling Charlie Roberts this time around [for the heavyweight title], an old foe from Wellington, and I'm looking for a bit of payback there."

He said there was also a few new titles up for grabs.

"There will be a women's title that will be fought for, for the first time, and an Anzac title."

Stix's son will also be fighting for the first time at the event.

-The Rampage in Reporoa show begins at 6pm on Saturday, March 5. All proceeds will go to a local school. Tickets are adults $15, child (under-16) $10, family passes $40 and can be purchased at the door.