Wrestling event entertains while raising money for a cause
The three boys sitting on the front row at “Wrestling for Wreaths” were animated for most of the night, cheering and booing loudly. They were deeply invested in the action happening in the ring before them Saturday night at the Randolph Riverfront Center.
“They’re having the time of their lives,” laughed Nicholas Ohrt, who brought his sons Patrick Ohrt, 5, and William Ohrt, 8, and their cousin Henry Walker, 10. But especially Patrick. This was the first wrestling match he has seen in person.
“I liked the chain guy,” William said of one of the tag-team members who carried a chain into the ring.
“It’s amazing,” Henry said.
They liked the match featuring the wrestler known as Dragon who wore a red mask over his head. And they thought the “tag-team guys” were pretty good. And they liked seeing Xavier Storms, the lightweight heavyweight champion from Alexandria.
They were among the 1,000 people who attended the fundraiser for the Cenla Chapter of Wreaths Across America. The chapter would like to place a wreath on each of the 8,000 graves at the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville on Wreaths Across America Day, set for Dec. 17.
“I think the reactions have been really good,” said Randy James, director of marketing and promotion for the Alexandria-based United Wrestling Entertainment, with some of the crowd really getting into the action while a few others preferred to sit in their seats and watch.
There were superfans in the crowd who were followers of Cowboy Cliff Rogers, James pointed out, and they were really into the show and excited.
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This was the first big professional event held in Alexandria in three years, he added.
The idea for Wrestling for Wreaths came from James, who contacted Rose Waguespack Hayes, wreaths coordinator for the local chapter.
"I was so relieved for them to reach out to help me," said Hayes. "Last year we had to do about six events to raise the money for 1,800 wreaths."
James told the crowd that seeing the truck carrying the wreaths being escorted into town by law enforcement and pulling onto Shamrock Street, where the Alexandria National Cemetery is located, is an emotional sight to see.
“I’ve got a lot of family that’s been in the military and to be a part of that is a blessing,” said Rika Wildlee, “The Barker of the Bizarre,” who said he was honored to be part of this event.
Wildlee, of Jena, has been wrestling for two years and has been a fan since he was about 8 years old.
“And watching the old-school wrestlers, like some of the legends we have here tonight, really drew me to the sport,” he said.
Among them were Global & NWA legend Dapper Dan and Mid South & WCCW star Black Bart.
What Wildlee said he wanted the audience to do at the show was to “absorb the story, get involved and be loud.”
“And most definitely, come back,” he added.
James said the next UWE show is scheduled for Sept. 17 in Jena.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Wrestling for Wreaths entertains while raising money for good cause
