Riding on the heels of bringing in some world-renowned star power, Thrash Wrestling is planning its biggest show yet.
鈥淏attleground,鈥� as it鈥檚 being called, is coming to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Nov. 18 and there鈥檚 more reason why promoters say it will be a record-setting night.
Unlike Thrash鈥檚 last few appearances in the Peach City 鈥� when it hosted shows at the intimate Luso House and aforementioned convention centre in front of 500 people 鈥� the promotion has booked a larger room this time around and expects close to 700 fans to attend. Never in Thrash鈥檚 history have so many people attended any given show.
The venue is one thing 鈥� who鈥檚 actually going to be using it is another.
Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Austin Aries has been booked to appear on the show and for good reason, too.
Aries, whose more than 20-year career also includes stops at Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honour, will wrestle South Okanagan resident and former Thrash champion Brayden Goss.
鈥淭his is the going to be the big one,鈥� said Nick Szalanski, head of Thrash Wrestling. 鈥淲e plan to succeed all the success we鈥檝e had in Penticton before.鈥�
Aries most recently appeared at WWE in 2017.
His anticipated match with Goss 鈥� who Szalanski describes as the city鈥檚 hometown hero 鈥� will be joined on the card by a tables, ladders and chairs tag-team bout and Thrash Wrestling鈥檚 world title match.
鈥淭his is going to be the battleground for independent wrestling this fall,鈥� Szalanski said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e on our way to stacking the card and proof will be in the pudding.鈥�
The Penticton Trade and Convention hosted Thrash Wrestling for the first time in January 2023.
It was a record night for the Vernon-based promotion, as a steel-cage title match headlined what turned out to be its largest turnout yet.
This November, though, Szalanski expects last winter鈥檚 outing to be surpassed.
鈥淎ustin Aries will be there,鈥� the promoter began. 鈥淓xpect a first-class performance鈥t one point, he was considered the best in the world.鈥�
Tickets for the show can be purchased at One Boardshop in Penticton and at
VIP tickets are $30, with general admission stubs going for $25.
