Pixie Francis says that when she was growing up in Hawaii, only two things on television could reel in kids from their outdoor cavorting: "Checkers & Pogo" and "50th State Big Time Wrestling."
According to her father, wrestling promoter "Gentleman Ed" Francis, a sugar mill on Kauai would even shut down whenever wrestling aired so workers could watch.
The all-ages popularity of pro wrestling in Hawaii experienced its heyday in the 1960s and ’70s. Attempts since then to revive the sport have sputtered.
For more than seven years, though, one promoter has persisted in trying to rekindle fan interest in pro wrestling.
Action Zone Wrestling, founded in 2005 by Daryl Bonilla, maintains a healthy roster of wrestlers and in recent years has been reeling in more marquee names from out of state.
In addition to monthly shows and special appearances, AZW relies on social media and taped broadcasts of past shows, airing on ‘Olelo Channel 55, to help build a following.
On Dec. 16, AZW will close the year with a bittersweet bang.
Its "Battleclash VIII" will feature several visiting wrestlers but also marks the farewell appearance of "Mr. Athletic" Jeff Cobb, who will depart Hawaii later this month for California.
An instant crowd favorite when he debuted in 2009, thanks to his dashing looks and eye-popping technical skills (he competed in freestyle wrestling for Guam at the 2004 Olympics), Cobb will work with two West Coast promoters — All Pro Wrestling and the Sacramento Wrestling Federation — as he pursues bigger opportunities in the ring.
Cobb hopes to take the AZW heavyweight belt with him, as he will face off against defending champion Kaimana and the imposing Ativalu in a three-way title match in "Battleclash VIII." The card’s six other matches (subject to change) include a tag-team championship match, a six-man battle and a no-holds-barred brawl.
AZW continues its streak of attracting top independent talent with the return of the International Wrestling Cartel’s Super Hentai, who will clash with Robbie E, a Total Nonstop Action Impact Wrestling star and former champion, in his Hawaii debut. And TNA Knockout Miss Tessmacher will make an appearance as a special guest on Bonilla’s in-ring interview segment, "The Danger Zone."
"Battleclash VIII" starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at New Hope Leeward in the Waipahu Town Center, 94-050 Farrington Highway. Advance tickets are $9 through today, then $20 for adults and $12 for children. For tickets and more information, go to www.actionzone wrestling.com. AZW is also on Facebook and on Twitter @AZWHawaii.
