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It may be a show, but don’t call it ‘fake’

7/24/2013

3XWrestling returns for eighth year in Des Moines with a show on Friday, July 26.

3XWrestling returns for eighth year in Des Moines with a show on Friday, July 26.

Let’s face it, violence draws a crowd. Seeing a guy get his face punched in is like watching a car accident: brutal to watch but impossible to look away and far easier to handle if it’s happening to someone else. This applies to everyone, man, woman or child. As a society, we’re terribly interested in the misfortune of others. This is probably because watching allows people to experience the act of fighting vicariously without getting hurt. And what better to watch than “professional” wrestling. As a wise man once said, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

Professional wrestling is the combination of theatrics and athleticism. For some, the predetermined outcome makes any match moot, but for others it’s about seeing a show. Audiences won’t know who will win until the match is over, so why not enjoy the spectacle to find out? Des Moines’ version, 3X Wrestling (3XW) is like Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in the aspect that it runs professional wrestling events featuring professionally trained participants who put on the best matches possible for all of the fans.

“The up close environment provides a much different atmosphere than you will find at a WWE-type event,” said Todd Countryman, co-owner of 3XW. “Our fans get to be right there next to the action. It has a whole different vibe than seeing it at an arena.”

We pride ourselves in the fact that our events are very family friendly and that families with young children do not have to worry about what they might see or hear during one of our events, 3XW released in a statement.

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This year marks the eighth anniversary for 3XW. Started in 2005, it is a company based in central Iowa that provides a family friendly night of athletic entertainment. It will be exactly eight years to the day on June 23 that 3XW held its first professional event. In its first year, 3XW held a mere four pro wrestling shows. This year it will have 15.

Those planning to attend the eighth anniversary event better be prepared for a night of wrestling mayhem: nine matches ranging from the 3XW Heavyweight and Tag Team championships to a women’s match and a Fatal Four Way.

“The eighth anniversary (event) is the culmination of a lot of feuds that have been built throughout the last six months,” Countryman said. “There is a heavyweight title match with Ryan Slade defending against one of the Midwest’s best in Mark Sterling.”

The event will also include a heated women’s match featuring Mia Martinez from Chicago vs. the daughter of Olympian and WWF legend Ken Patera, “Miss Natural” Heather Patera, he said.

This is entertainment for all ages but there is one guideline that can’t be stressed enough: Don’t call this stuff “fake.” Rather, “predetermined” is a more fitting adjective, Countryman advised.

“People call it fake, but (that) is an insult, as these guys and gals are putting their bodies on the line,” said Countryman. “Every fall in the ring hurts, running the ropes hurts, nothing is gentle.” CV

David Rowley is an Iowa native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a master’s in film journalism from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

When: Friday July 26. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for advance ticket holders; 7 p.m. for everyone else. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.
Where: Baratta’s @ Forte, 615 Third St.
Price: Adult front row $19-$21, kids front row $10-$11, adult general admission $13-$16, kids 10 and under $7, kids 3 and under are free.

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