Is it a sport or is it entertainment?
Barrie Wrestling recently celebrated its eighth anniversary in November, and this past summer fans and those unaware an organization such as this existed in the city were treated to an outdoor extravaganza of athletes giving it their all in the ring on Canada Day and at Kempenfest.
"It's called sports entertainment for a reason," says Diamond Jim Lowe, a fixture when it comes to announcing sporting events in Barrie. "It's a lot like having the Barrie Colts in town and meeting the players, but it's also got a lot of Hollywood in the presentation."
Buoyed by a loyal fan base that is growing, Lowe says they pull in wrestlers from the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and as far away as Buffalo.
"A lot of Indy wrestling organizations will bring in one or two stars, either from television programs and people come out because they know the name," Lowe explains. "We tend to look at talent which is building their careers."
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An example is 24-year-old Corbin Joslin of Orillia, who wrestles under the name Van Landon.
"It started off for me just as a little kid with a dream," he says. "As young as I can remember, I have been a fan of professional wrestling, and I witnessed it for the first time through my father who had it on the television for his own enjoyment."
Joslin says he was attracted to the "larger-than-life" personas who were colliding in the ring.
"I was like this is something I would like to be a part of," says Joslin. "These guys are being cheered by thousands of people, getting their names on video games, action figures, and all things like that."
Joslin is a well-spoken young man and athlete who felt wrestling would be fun and challenging.
A number of professional wrestlers found their legs, so to speak, growing up on Barrie Wrestling.
Vaughan Vertigo and Gabriel Fuerza are two names Lowe mentions who are now international stars.
Barrie Wrestling tries to run monthly shows at the Ferris Lane Community Church at 49 Ferris Lane, and the next event is on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Saturday, Dec. 10
— Barrie Wrestling (@BarrieWrestling) December 6, 2022
Christmas Slamily Reunion
49 Ferris Lane
Doors open 4:30pm
Bell time 5pm
Tickets available now at OMG Games and Doug Laurie Sports and Auctions or by contacting Barrie Wrestling! #BarrieWrestling#Barrie #SlamilyReunion #TIDsLastRide pic.twitter.com/mQyvzTk0Tg
Joslin says wrestlers are superheroes that are real in person, something Lowe agrees with.
"It is really quite amazing and rewarding at one of our shows to see how the younger fans in particular react to a character like Van Landon because he is right there, and they can meet him at intermission and get an 8-by-10 that he is going to sign in front of them, and they can get their parents to a take a picture of him."
Growing up, Joslin says his superhero wrestlers were Owen and Bret Hart.
"They are two Canadian brothers who are Canadian legends," he adds.
For Lowe, there is none other than "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
Asked if he has a special wrestling move, Joslin smiles and says he is known for his airplane spin.
"It's called the aviation," he says. "It's when I pick people up and spin them around and try to make them throw up, but it hasn't happened yet."
As for his image in the ring, Joslin says it is no different from when he is outside the ring -- a friendly individual.
"I like to be the good guy," he says.
Banner image: Diamond Jim Lowe (L)/Corbin Joslin
