Snapmares in Salemburg

May 9—It had been seven years since Salemburg had seen pro wrestling. Between the economy and COVID, entertainment dwindled out of the public sphere in this county. The independent circuit has since come alive in recent years as the mainstream bleeds fans. Stir Up Wrestling kicked up dust in Salemburg a couple of weeks back, putting on a show in a standing room only studio.

Children's eyes entranced by the live entertainment before them. A moment of suspension from reality, where the stress of life dissipates and you become encapsulated by the drama of life in the squared circle. The good versus evil. The classic tale of hero overcoming the villain. Reminiscent of a time since past of the local wrestling clubs performing at the circus or local fair. Free entertainment for all to see and enjoy, interactive by nature and the crowd is welcome to heckle the bad guy. A nice reprieve from the life of wage labor.

Tucked between the Salemburg Grill and a barber lays a building and a crew intent on bringing old fashioned entertainment to the neighborhood. Stir Up productions was started back in 2016 after a personal tragedy, a promise to be made. Da Chef, as he is known, opened the gym to try and bring some of that magic back to the community.

You may see their flyers posted out and about the community. A local pro by the name of Travis (a.k.a. Weaver) could be found posting these flyers himself. He had found wrestling early on but after a reality check that took him out of the game for a spell, he found Stir Up by happenstance.

He tells the tale. "Several years back, I started training at a school about an hour away. I worked for them for a bit, but life kicked me in the gut. Then COVID hit and I thought I wasn't going to get back into it."

He smiles when recollecting how he stumble upon the gym. "Roads closed on the way to work and I look over out my car window and I see this small pro-wrestling training sticker in the window. I think 'there's no way.' There is now way there's a wrestling gym just a short jog from my house."

He scoped the place out for a while, unsure if it was open, before finally walking in after seeing some foot traffic through the double doors. From there, a passion was reignited and he has been traveling the circuit since.

Now, Da Chef and him are looking to expand the performance and make them more common. The idea is to bring entertainment to a community that is fun and family friendly. They both in unison said the independent circuit is much better than the mainstream because the interaction with the people. The fact the community can rally behind the character, a kind of live interaction cinema.

Travis wrapped it up with this.

"I'm always way out there. It discourages people because they have to drive an hour or more to see this kind of entertainment. I get it. We want to help bring it here, so people can pack up the family drive fifteen minutes down road, see a family friendly show and be home well before midnight. That's what I like about this place. It's about the local scene. Whenever you're in the ring, I'm spending half the time engaging the crowd. That's what it's about, getting people involved, for better or for worse. I had a moment in the ring where I got low blowed and the crowd mocked me. But that's what I love, because they crowd was just as involved even when they weren't in the ring. That's what it's about." Travis said passionately."

The studio is currently open and seeking new talent. Upon the Sampson's arrival, a little boy had already signed up, inspired by the show he saw. You can find the Stir Up Wrestling gym in Salemburg at 103 W College St, just behind the Salemburg Grill. There is street parking and a small lot across the way.

Da Chef is currently looking for more performers and training is open for all ages. You can reach him at 910-5253541 or via email at [email protected]

Reach Anthony McConnaughey at [email protected] or on Twitter @SampsonSports