St Barnabas parishioner and member of the Antioch community Elliot Thomas talks about his leap into the world of Professional Wrestling.

Since Covid-19 made its impact on our lives, we have all had to get used to doing some things a little differently, learnt some new skills and even taken up some new hobbies. One of our Young Adults Elliot Thomas began his 2021 doing something completely different, Professional Wrestling! Some of you may remember the TV show On the Mat which aired from 1975-1984 with characters such as The Bushwhackers and Robert Bruce. It appears that Pro Wrestling is still going strong in NZ.

I quizzed Elliot about his journey into Pro Wrestling.

How did you get into it? Some friends knew someone who was involved, and I made some enquiries and was told the day and time to show up. Which I did in January of this year and so began my professional journey. I trained for a month and was in a match where I could be guided by those more experienced. I have always been a bit of an athlete, I used to be a swimmer, then I became an Amateur wrestler at aged 15, eventually retiring from completion 7 years later at 21 with 9 medals. I finally gave it up completely at age 28 so having 13 years’ experience behind me, has helped with going into the Professional Wrestling arena.

What is Pro Wrestling? Pro Wrestling is athletic theatre with the “good guys” taking on the “bad guys” In some ways it’s like a soap opera. Being a professional wrestler means you have to be able to think creatively. There are various match types. Singles 1 versus 1 Tag team. Teams of 2 verses 2. There are many other various types of matches, which don’t always happen at every show, but are usually used to finish feuds between the wrestlers.

Why do you enjoy it so much? I enjoy this sport because it has given me my health back. Once I stopped my amateur wrestling, I did pile on some kilos, and I wasn’t happy. I haven’t always found it easy in the world of sports and doing this meant I am able to have some creativity again. I am a huge fan of theatre. I love getting in that ring in front of 300+ people every second month as my alter ego; Elliot Samuels is a privilege. I get to live the dream I have had since I was 14!

What is involved in it and what do you get out of it? I train up to 3 times a week to learn something new to make matches more interesting for the audience. It’s the best feeling hearing your entrance music and the crowd roaring you as you step out from behind the curtain and head to the ring. Having the crowd cheering for you as you walk past them is exhilarating! I love looking out from the ring and seeing the audience clapping, shouting, and cheering. You see kids in the front row with their Mum and Dad they’ve saved their pocket money to get a ticket to the show, in the hope that they can get a high five from you as you walk past them, or a photo after the show, and seeing they have your merchandise, those moments are great! It’s great to think that you have made someone’s day! The audience participation is so important for the wrestlers, and it is important that as wrestlers we take the audience on a roller coaster ride; will the “good guy” win or will the “bad guy” win?! Those who come deserve to see the wrestlers give 100%, people spend their hard-earned money on coming to see us perform and it's important that we give them a good show. Especially in these days of so much stress and anxiety, a couple of hours of great entertainment is the least we can do. I certainly get as much fun and pleasure as I hope the audience do.

When is your next show? I’d love you to come and see my alter ego Elliot Samuels in the ring for the final time this year. The last show of the year is of course called Wrestlemas on Sat 4th Dec at the Kaiapoi Club. Doors open between 5-5.30pm, show begins at 6pm. Tickets are $20 an adult, $10 a child or $45 for a family pass ( 2 adults, 2 children) Tickets are available online here https://championshipwrestling.co.nz/