Professional wrestling makes its way to Greene County
By Paul Wilcoxen, Sports Editor
Don't be too quick to judge it.
Professional wrestling is loved by millions of fans throughout the world, and it's not just the World Wrestling Entertainment that gets all the publicity.
Independent wrestling has become a hot commodity throughout the United States, as it provides a close up environment to wrestling in small towns that perhaps aren't fortunate enough to draw the names from the WWE.
Wrestling in Greene County is beginning to take off thanks to local Greene County resident Ollie Tharp.
Tharp, who is the promoter for the Classic Championship Wrestling, also doubles as one of the top referees in the Midwest.
Being in the business many year, Tharp knows and understands the importance of independent wrestling in towns such as Linton.
Last Saturday, CCW held an event at the Linton National Guard Armory. What made this, and all events showcased by Tharp and CCW, the money went straight to charity.
Wrestling returns to Linton about every three months according to Tharp. The CCW event last Saturday helped bring in money to support the Boys and Girls Club in Linton. Tharp noted that 100 percent of the profits generated from the show was given to representative of the club and that the wrestlers, ring, and many other elements were all donated.
"Wrestling has been around for a long time," noted Tharp. "Everybody can come out and watch it. I remember coming out to watch it when I was a kid. The stuff they offer on TV is just not family oriented. I just wanted to bring back families to wrestling by doing a family oriented show.
CCW has done two shows to assist Riley's Children Hospital, a previous show for the Boys and Girls Club, and the company is working on a show for the Elks Lodge for Saint Jude. The events at the Armory are averaging 300 people.
"I think we are doing a good thing," said Tharp. "This is really something that people want to see. A lot of people can't afford a $30.00 to $40.00 ticket to go watch WWE, not to mention having to drive to all these big cities just to see it. We offer good prices and offer just about the same thing only without the sex and pyro."
The first CCW show for the Boys and Girls Club brought in over $1,000 to help the club with renovations needed. Tharp believes that people in the community are more willing to donate their money for the event knowing it's going to stay in the local community.
"No matter who we do shows for, we always have a representative from that place and we give the money directly to them" said Tharp. "We don't sent them a check or take it to them."
Tharp admits he wants to expand wrestling throughout the county by bringing events to different locations.
"My big goal is to get into some of the high schools," said Tharp. "We are wanting to do some stuff for band boosters, graduation, prom, stuff like that. I would love to do some stuff like that.
"They would have to approach us. When you approach the schools they want to put everything in front of the school board. When you go to talk to the school board all they remember is what's on TV.
"They just think of the sex and they don't want to be involved with that.
"Hopefully people will come out here and see what we have to offer and change their minds."
Tharp lives in Linton, so it's important to him to give back to the community.
"This is not about me," noted Tharp. "All the money, all 110 percent goes to whoever we are doing the show for. I don't get a dime for this. Everything you see in this building was donated."
Knowing your audience is important in Wrestling. When you watch Monday Night Raw from the WWE, one should know the show is being targeted for males 18-35 and that some segments may not be appropriate for children
In the case of CCW, their events are toned down and presentable for the entire family.
"We pride ourselves in running a show the whole family can enjoy," said Tharp. "We don't offer all the sex and language that you may see on TV. With us, there is hardly ever really any hardcore violence with tonight being an exception in the cage. I don't bring in anyone that will do anything obscene, and if they do they know they'll be out-of-here. Everyone knows how I feel about that stuff."
A top independent draw can bring in three to four figures on one appearance. For most of the guys in the locker room in CCW, they're fortunate enough to make gas money to hit the road for the next show.
So why exactly do they continue to put their bodies on the line each and every night for practically no money?
" For the love," said Tharp in a definitive and proud tone. "Everybody in the WWE, WCW (World Championship Wrestling), and ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) all started out working as an independent. For any of them to tell you that they didn't, they'd be lying to you.
"You have to love this business and a love for this business will keep you in this business.
"It all boils down to the love. Anybody who's anybody in this business and in the big time, which is WWE now, started out in little gymnasiums and bingo halls."
From the time a show is organized to the actual date of the event can be months. Tharp admits there's loads of work that needs to be done to promote and organize a wrestling event, but also acknowledges it's worth it once the finished product is in the can.
"We promote shows every three months," said Tharp. "Once we are finished with this show I'll be starting to work on the next show. It's a lot of hard work, but when you have a bunch of people in the audience it makes everything worth it.
"When you are able to make that money for the benefit that you're doing and than you hand them, $700., $800., even $1,000 for that show and see their faces; it makes it worth it."
So when you see a flyer for professional wrestling in the Linton or Greene County area, don't be quick to pass judgment.
Professional wrestling can be a positive tool to help raise funds for needy and good causes.
The time of the wrestlers and everything is donated. All they need is an audience to entertain.
credit:
http://www.dailycitizen.com/articles/2004/08/02/sports/wrec.txt
