By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Headlock for Hospice II raised just over $1,100 for Hospice Cornwall on Saturday.
Despite only selling 100 tickets ($12 each), Mecca Pro Wrestling (MPW) promoter Pat Paquette says there will be a round three.
“Although disappointed with the turnout, we’re still satisfied nonetheless, because of where it’s all going,” said Paquette.
The non-profit organization’s annual operational budget is $1.4 million. Sandy Collette, fundraising coordinator for Carefor Hospice Cornwall, and her team of volunteers must raise $500,000 of it.
Headlock for Hospice II featured MPW talent like Payne (MPW champion), KL Shock & Ray Steele (MPW tag team champs), managed by Cornwall wrestler Randy ‘The Rage’ Berry, The Barbarians (Damien & Myzery), and Ruffy Silverstein.
“It had everything you can wish for in a wrestling show: action, comic relief, drama, and suspense,” said Berry.
There’s no disputing the latter (click here for video proof).
As his opponent laid on the mat, twisting in pain, MPW’s Bearicade attempted a big splash when the top rope gave out.
“He could have died instantly,” said Berry. “He was slightly concussed, but fortunately he’s fine.”
He started Headlock for Hospice in 2013 after his father passed away at the palliative care facility. The TVCogeco televised wrestling charity event took a one-year hiatus before making its recent return to the ring.
The power of funny
Cornwall comedian Mark Vincent delivered some lasting punchlines as the special guest ring announcer.
The owner and operator of Off Your Rocker Productions, an event-promotion business, booked three-time former WWE champ Mankind (AKA Cactus Jack and Dude Love) for his one-man stage show Hardcore Legend: An Evening with Mick Foley, at Ramada Cornwall in October 2014.
His next wrestling-themed event features two WWE legends from the 80s and 90s. The ‘Tales from the Road’ tour with Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts’ featuring ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, takes place at La Maison in Cornwall on Tuesday, August 4. Tickets are $20 (w/ meet & greet $40) and available at the tavern and Floral Expressions. Click here for the event’s Facebook page.
