By Treena Mielke
A rumble in Rimbey is coming up and it promises to be a fun time with lots of exciting wresting action.
Real Canadian Wrestling is coming to Rimbey Aug. 26. Doors open at the Rimbey Community Centre at 7 p.m. and the bell goes at 7:30 p.m.
Mike Rudnik from Rimbey, who is a TCW Tag Team Champion, will be one of the contenders during the evening and he is looking forward to wrestling in his hometown.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “A lot of people have been asking about it. It should be fun.”
Nineteen-year-old Rudnik, known as Bucky Briggs in the ring, began to pursue his ambition to be a professional wrestler after he graduated from Rimbey High School.
“I’ve always been a fan growing up and I wanted to be like them.”
He moved to Calgary and began to train at the Lance Storm Wrestling Academy.
He found the training difficult, but a great opportunity to learn.
After six months of training he began wrestling in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge. He found the experience to be challenging and a bit nerve-wracking.
“I was quite nervous at first, but I got used to it.”
Rudnik, who is an independent professional wrestler and wrestles in the mid-weight class, weighs 200 pounds and is 5’11” tall.
He says size is not as important as how a wrestler uses his size to his advantage.
He believes being quick with the moves makes for a good wrestler.
Being a professional wrestler does involve some cash returns, but Rudnik, who has been wrestling since April, said he has not seen a lot of profit.
“I do not do it for money that is for sure. I’ve pretty much broke even so far.
Although he’s only been wrestling for a few months, Rudnik is enjoying the sport immensely and hopes his career will continue to escalate.
“Someday I would like to be on TV.”