Crossville’s own Andrew Thomas, the current Resolute Wrestling Undisputed Champion, will defend his title Feb. 23 against Pit Bull Bret Ison in the main event of the organization’s Homecoming Celelbration at the National Guard Armory at 144 Sparta Hwy.
“For anyone that would like to come out for a fun event, we encourage you to come check us out,” said Resolute boss Caleb Rains. “You will spend less than if you went to the movies. Also, attending the wrestling matches supports local small businesses. It is has everything you are looking for – action, drama, comedy. It is good family-friendly fun.”
Doors will open at the armory at 6 p.m. with the first match slated to begin at 7.
General admission tickets will be $10 with front-row seats available at $12. Children 5 and younger will get in free.
The idea of Resolute Wrestling started because of a dream Rains had when he was growing up.
He loved wrestling and spent hours, like many children he knew at the time, watching wrestling on television.
He even attended local shows where he grew up.
“When I was 15 years old I actually went to a wrestling school to become a wrestler,” said Rains.
“I moved to Tennessee when I was 16 and started wrestling professionally. We traveled around the state, and one day I got a wild hair to buy a ring, mainly to help me keep training.
“However, we started putting on shows and we’ve been doing shows probably twice a month for a long time.
“And it has worked out. There is really no competition in the area. I don’t believe there is an organization in Cookeville or Knoxville.”
Resolute Wrestling has been in operation for nine years.
Some of the other highlighted matches set for Friday include the Tag Team Championship.
The Wolves are currently the champions, and they will be putting their belts on the line against Jackson Black and Jeff Klepper.
One of the other big matches is called the “Six-way Scramble.” Rob Killjoy will be battling Cousin Coundry, Andy Optimal, Dallas Troy, the Ugly Duckling and Tyler Foshie.
Rains said he’s always open to growing Resolute Wrestling and expanding its reach. He’s been considering the possible broadcasting of shows on a streaming service or to local-access television.
For right now, he’s focusing on putting the best show possible each and every week. And finding wrestlers.
“The roster changes all the time,” Rains said. “We have 10-12 constants that are regularly available. Otherwise, we try to work around their schedules. Some have jobs and some make wrestling their job.
“You just can’t take someone off the street and make them a wrestler. It is definitely a physical and mental game, and it takes time. In this business, you’ve got to pay your dues.”