Chinlock Wrestling held its “Chinlock For Charity” event at the Cigar Chief and Lacrosse Box in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on Saturday.
The combined meet and greet and pro wrestling fundraiser helped to raise funds for Indigenous services.
Aa announced at the pro wrestling show, the funds are going to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Food Bank.
Owner of Chinlock Wrestling, Jan Murphy, says he is proud of how both the meet and greet and the wrestling show came together.
“(It was) an absolute monster success,” Murphy tells Quinte News.
“The place was packed this morning at Cigar Chief for the meet and greet. We had some hiccups with Mickie (James) and Nick (Aldis) getting stuck in Toronto, but we got them here this afternoon. They fulfilled their meet and greet obligations. Everybody was happy this morning. The legends were so good with the fans and then we just had a killer wrestling show with some really cool matches.”
Among the legends in attendance were Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Tatanka, Earl Hebner and Tommy Dreamer.
Mickie James and Kon of IMPACT Wrestling, as well as former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis, were also in attendance. James and Aldis were delayed due to a travel issue.
At the meet and greet, fans got to have their wrestling merchandise signed as well as take a photo with their favourite wrestling legend.
Fans also had the option of purchasing different memorabilia and t-shirts.
Earl Hebner signing a chair used at WWE’s Survivor Series 1997, an event infamous for the “Montreal Screwjob.” September 16, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News
Chief R. Don Maracle made a stop to thank the fans and Chinlock for organizing the event. Brutus Beefcake gifted Chief Maracle with a copy of his book.
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake providing a copy of his book to Chief R. Don Maracle at a meet and greet at Cigar Chief in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. September 16, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
After the meet and greet, wrestling fans descended onto the Lacrosse Box to take in an afternoon of professional wrestling.
Those who were unable to get the meet and greet with Mickie James and Nick Aldis at the Cigar Chief were able to get it at the wrestling show.
IMPACT Wrestling’s Mickie James and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis signing autographs at “Chinlock for Charity.” September 16, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
The show kicked off with an opening ceremony performed by Jonathan Maracle, then the matches took place.
The night saw the Chinlock Rumble match, a variation of the WWE’s Royal Rumble, new Chinlock Tag Team Champions in Freak Nation, a four-way match for the Chinlock Heavyweight Championship, Nick Aldis wrestling Nick Sullivan in a singles match and Tommy Dreamer taking on Kon in an Extreme Rules/Hardcore match for the IMPACT Digital Media Championship in the main event. Earl Hebner was the special guest referee.
IMPACT Wrestling’s Kon and ECW Legend Tommy Dreamer squaring off before their main event match at Chinlock for Charity in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. September 16, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Murphy says the venue helped to elevate the atmosphere of the show.
“This facility is amazing,” Murphy said.
“I’m afraid now a bunch of other wrestling companies are gonna try and zero in and run shows here, right? Because people see it’s a great venue. It’s a great community and we were really thrilled to be here.”
Murphy says the final tally for the amount raised is expected to be announced within the next week.
He says he is looking to return with another show of a similar format next year.
“We’re in the early planning stages of seeing what we could do next year so maybe a return here, maybe back to Kingston, it really depends on the venue, the sponsorships, things like that.”
