Wrestling opportunities brought to Southwest Oklahoma area by promoter
- by Scott Pratt: Staff Writer

Adrenaline is the best way to describe it.

Pure adrenaline.

I’m talking about professional wrestling. A world where men and, sometimes, women show the world what the human body is capable of.

Pain, suffering, hard work and love for the sport go hand in hand with a hard life and the rush of being able to body slam another human being.

On Friday, Jan. 21, at the National Guard Armory in Lawton, a group of men got together and showed the public what they do as professional wrestlers. The group hosting the night’s show calls themselves Impact Zone Wrestling (IZW).

IZW is based out of Lawton. This was their second show in less than a year at the armory. John Zorthos, who is the owner of the IZW group, explained that he had previously been involved with another group that used to work out of Lawton. He said the main reason he is involved is because he has always been a “big time fan” of professional wrestling and wanted to bring the atmosphere and excitement of professional wrestling back to the Lawton area.

Wrestling has a fan base much like NASCAR. The wrestling fan knows that their man may get beat one night, but could make a comeback the next night, which is why the sport is so popular.

Groups like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly the WWF, have existed for years and continuously sell out stadiums across the nation to thousands of fans. Last year, WWE did 297 live shows in the United States, as well as 32 international events.

IZW wrestler Chris “Carnage”, said wrestling used to be a big deal in Lawton.

“When I was a kid, I remember going to packed shows at the Coliseum and watching NWA with the Von Erics and other guys,” he said.

Wrestling is back and on its way up in Lawton. The state of Oklahoma has four groups that work in the independent wrestling circuit. IZW is just one group that travels almost every weekend and works at shows in neighboring states and other cities in Oklahoma.

IZW also brings in other wrestling groups. What fun would it is to see the same guys every weekend? Not much. That’s why Seven, one of the co-founders of IZW, said it pays to work hard.

“You get recommended by other wrestlers and get to go to different events,” he said.

To get recommended, you have to be good and willing to deal with the pain and sacrifice that come with the job. Professional wrestling is a job.

Wrestlers are athletic by nature though it wouldn’t seem it some times. Staying in shape for these guys is a must. Keeping up cardio stamina is just as important as how big the muscles are on your arm.

When the wrestlers are in the ring they subject each other to a variety of moves that require strength, skill and a high degree of athletic ability.

“Guys are coming up with new moves all of the time,” Seven said. “You can never stop learning.”

Seven is a wrestler who participates in hard-core matches where props such as thumbtacks and barbed wire are allowed against his opponent. These types of matches are dangerous, but provide a unique thrill to wrestling fans.

Carnage who has been a wrestling fan since he was a child, like most professional wrestlers, said he used to do backyard wrestling with his friends and now does the hardcore matches in the ring.

Carnage said, “Wrestling is our dream. Most people go to a 9 to 5 job that is not their dream. Every time we go into the ring it is our dream.”

Carnage says he wants to be able to tell his grand kids that he was a pro-wrestler. He says he will keep wrestling until he “just can’t go anymore.”

IZW runs shows out of Lawton and also goes to other company’s events to wrestle. Life on the road makes it tough for many of these guys to hold down full or even part-time jobs. They rely on wrestling and continue to work hard and get better to give the fans a better show.

“I would like to go to Japan and wrestle,” Seven said.

He has been wrestling for more than seven years now. He trains other wrestlers and works to promote his sport.

Everybody in wrestling has to train, especially in pro-wrestling. People like Seven and Aaron “The Real Deal” Neil work with other wrestlers to teach them moves and techniques in the ring. Neil has traveled more than eight hours round trip to train when he started.

Cameron students are involved in the mayhem as well. Adrian “Koolaide” Woods is the emcee for the events and was also a former wrestler.

“I wrestled for about a-year-and-a-half, now I just do the announcing,” Woods said.

Every person who wrestles plays an important role in the event. It is a dream they have worked hard to achieve, and you will probably get your neck broken if you try taking away that rush they get from seeing a smile on a kids face when they drop-kick their opponent.

After all, that adrenaline has to be put to good use.