This year, 20 of the region’s muscle-bound and match-hardened wrestlers vie for the chance to win the 20-man Royal Rumble and go on for a shot at next year’s RWE heavyweight title.
Organised by Youth Force Tairawhiti, the event is expected to draw a crowd of 1500 spectators eager to watch their favourite wrestlers pull out the latest moves on their opponents.
Series four will feature a tag team match and a no- disqualification bout.
The theme behind the 2011 series is supporting families who are wrestling against drugs, alcohol abuse and family violence.
Youth Force Charitable Trust chairman, Pastor Scott Cowan, says using wrestling is an effective metaphor to encourage families to channel their energy and aggression toward wrestling against anything that might rob them of a better future.
In 2010, the theme was champion of champions, which was about inspiring dads to step up and become their kid’s hero by putting in the hard yards with their families.
“This year we want to help families fight against the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, as these are important issues in our community.”
The House of Breakthrough youth pastor says this year’s group of 21 wrestlers train for three months leading up to the event — so they are match-fit and hungry for the challenge on the night.
We Wrestle, first held in 2008, has drawn sell-out crowds that have grown every year, largely because of the dedication of people who volunteer their time to make it all happen.
This year a group of about 50 college students have put up their hands to help with all aspects of production from filming the series to re-building and erecting the ring.
House of Breakthrough Church helps fund and support the event and this year Gisborne’s Equippers Church is also involved.
Pastor Scott says profits from merchandising, door sales and the new collectable wrestling card sets will go back into services for youth in Tairawhiti.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the event can check the House of Breakthrough and Youth Force websites or the Facebook page set up to promote the event under the name We Wrestle.
Earlybird tickets, at $5 each, are available from Blooms on Gladstone Florist on the corner of Derby and Gladstone Roads from Monday.