The excitement in Thompson is at it’s peak as Primos Wrestling is set to come to Winterfest. The event, which is free for all attendees, is the first time in a decade that the wrestling promotion has come to Thompson, and fans are thrilled at the prospect of seeing the action up close.
Graeme, known as "Player One" in the wrestling world, is also the lead promoter behind Primos Wrestling. He has been wrestling professionally for 20 years, and his love for the sport is evident.
When asked what brought him into wrestling, Graeme said, "I never wanted a boring job. I was a kid like anyone else, listening to other parents talking about how much they hated their job! I just never wanted to hate my job. I was never a guy that was big enough to be in the WWE, but you can still make a decent living outside the WWE if you know what you're doing! Like any other child, I wanted to be a professional wrestler. It's just a matter of getting it done! My Dad worked in an office, and he would leave at 6 in the morning and sometimes he would come home at 8 or 9 at night, and it was just a seven day a week grind, and it was just something I never wanted to do!"
Graeme's passion for the sport is contagious, and it's clear that he wants to share that passion with as many people as possible. At the Wabowden wrestling show last June, the event was a complete success, bringing in the whole town. People were calling and asking why they hadn't yet come to Thompson.
Graeme's approach to wrestling is unique. He talks about how they direct negative energy to be positive. Instead of people going to bars and picking fights, they can direct their energy and excitement to a fight night. "It's something fun to do that isn't your standard 'what's available, let's go to the bar' on a Friday night," says Graeme. "Our show is still good for families. Kids 5 and under are free. We're not just wrestling; we bring canteen and merchandise, we have prizes, there's something to do for everybody, and even the wrestling is exciting enough for the adults but nothing that would bother young kids. It's more like watching a Marvel movie but so much more engaging than just watching it on television!"
Graeme is excited to bring Primos Wrestling to Thompson for Winterfest. "If we get enough people to attend, we'll make sure to come back in future years," he says. Fans of the sport are thrilled at the prospect of being able to see the action up close.
The event is also an opportunity for those interested in wrestling to get a taste of what it's all about. Primos Wrestling is currently looking to train new wrestlers at their academy in Winnipeg, and they offer a training seminar for those interested in seeing if wrestling is for them. For those who want to take wrestling more seriously, Primos Wrestling offers a full training school out of Winnipeg.
The excitement around Primos Wrestling coming to Thompson is just one example of the passion people have for the sport. Wrestling has been around for decades, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. People of all ages love the excitement and drama of the sport, and it's clear that there will always be a place for it in the world of entertainment.
As the Primos Wrestling event approaches, people in Thompson are eagerly anticipating the chance to see some of the best wrestlers in the business. Graeme and his team are excited to bring their unique approach to the sport to a new audience, and they're hoping that the event will be a huge success.
For anyone interested in wrestling, the event is an excellent opportunity to see what the sport is all about. And for those who are already fans, it's a chance to see some of their favorite wrestlers up close and personal. With free admission for everyone who attends, there's no reason not to come out and see what Primos Wrestling is all about.
~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
