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I just wanted to promo a wrestling show, and I got put in a headlock instead

Our co-op student Ryan Marcotte sits down with Mark 'Tornado' Bartolucci, the man behind Rock Solid Wrestling
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Here's Ryan Marcotte getting a headlock from Rock Solid Wrestling's Mark 'Tornado' Bartolucci. (Arron Pickard / Sudbury.com)

Get ready to rumble on Nov. 24 at Nickel City Knockout. Rock Solid Wrestling is taking over the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School gymnasium and bringing classic old-school wrestling to Sudbury once again. Not only will this event slam you with excitement, but the proceeds are going towards supporting a local cause.

Headlined by a Canadian heavyweight championship bout between champion Cody Deaner, and his challenger Daddy Davis, this card is pulling out all the stops to knock you off your feet. The co-main event features a Canadian Tag Team Championship clash between the team of local hero Mark “Tornado” Bartolucci and Tyler Tirva against The Dirty Vets.

Greater Sudbury's own rising star, Nova, will also be hitting the ring, as she takes part in a women's bout against Krystal Moon. Former title challenger Jake O'Reilley is also set to appear, as he squares off against Scotty the Body in their scheduled bout.

Rock Solid Wrestling shows provide more than just non-stop in ring action. Profits from each show go towards supporting a local charity.

"Every single show that Rock Solid Wrestling does across Canada is affiliated with a specific charity," said Mark Bartolucci, who not only wrestles for Rock Solid Wrestling, he also owns the company.

He said each event supports a different charity. Among the causes for which Rock Solid has raised funds are a women’s shelter and a family who needed to travel to the U.S. to seek medical care for their child.

The Nov. 24 show is no different. Rock Solid is supporting the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School athletics program. Each dollar made from ticket sales, and all proceeds from a pre-event barbecue scheduled for 1 p.m. the day of the show, will go towards supporting athletics at the South End high school. The school is also hosting the show.

The show this Sunday is a bit more of a labour of love for Bartolucci. Not only did he graduate from Lo-Ellen Park, so did his children. He is also a big sports fan who occasionally helps out the school’s football program. What’s more, Bartolucci said he thinks it’s important to encourage today’s youth to be more physically active.

"I'd rather kids be outside or partaking in sports then partaking in a video game,” he said.

Each show is supported by local sponsors, that way Rock Solid is able to make sure every dollar made is able to go to the charity.

"If it costs me X amount of dollars to run the show, I get sponsorship to cover that and then that way all the tickets go to the charity," said Bartolucci.

"We just have good partners and then the winner is the charity, and that's all that matters." 

Along with helping out a good cause, there's plenty you can expect from Rock Solid’s last show of the season.

"Good, classic-style pro wrestling," said Bartolucci. "It is a family event. We want Granny to come out with the kids and mom and dad. And you know they’re good stories, man, we tell good stories in the ring and it's good competition all around."

You can purchase tickets online at rocksolidwrestling.tickit.ca/ as well as at the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School office (705-522-2320).

Tickets are $20 for ringside seats, and $15 for the bleachers. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and bell time is at 3 p.m. A pre-show barbecue starts at 1 p.m.

For more information on Rock Solid and the Nickel City Knockout Show check them out on Facebook and Twitter

Ryan Marcotte is a co-operative education student from Lasalle Secondary School.
 


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