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November 3, 1999 Wrestling once brought to mind images of beer-swiggin' white trash amusing themselves with "fake" sports entertainment. Today, however wrestling has a new image - one with an edge. Wrestling is rapidly becoming one of America's biggest money-making trends. Wrestlers are appearing in comercials for everything from milk to Chef Boyardee to motor oil. Pay Per Views are being sponsored by such companies as Noka, M&M's candy, and the U.S. Coast Guard. According to Nielson Ratings Report, the World Wrestling Federation is recieving some of the highest ratings in sports entertainment ever. And the hype doesn't stop there. Wrestling is making its way inot the Arkansas scene. A local wrestling organization, Capitol City Wrestling, held and event Oct. 23 in the Rose City Community Center. CCW showcases up and coming talent from Arkansas, as well as surrounding states. Most of the participants are once-a-week wreslers. "It's a hobby," the Madd Chef, the most amiable wrestler at the event, said. "We're weekend warriors." The CCW works as a proving ground where local wrestlers can practice and refine their craft. However, unlike the uncensored havoc of the WWF, CCW chosses to leave out blatant sexual references and obscene words. "Our goal is to make wrestling family entertainment," the Madd Chef said. "Parents can bring their kids and not worry about explaining four letter words when they get home." Attendees of the Rose City event included young kids, PTA moms, and dads, a few appalled old ladies, and one lone grandpa sporting a "T STORM" wrestling T-shirt. The concession stand, ran by volunteers, provided cheap eats for the crowd. Senior Julie Cobble participates in the CCW, portraying Babette, a French maid and valet for the Madd Chef, whose gimmick invloves wearing a chef's hat and speaking in a French accent while the crowd taunts him with cries of "DOUGH BOY." At the event the pair played the villains of the match against the younger crowd's favorite wrestler, T-Storm. Cobble, who was one of the most convincing characters at the event, would sneak in cheap shots at T-Storm when the referee's back was turned. This incited all the enraged children to riot and scream "Cheater!" while hurling wadded up pieces of paper in her direction. Paper is not the only thing thrown at wrestling matches. Sometimes unruly crowds and wresting stunts can actually be dangerous. Another CCW wrestler and UCA student, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had once seen a match where an audience memeber threw a lit cigarette at a wrestler. Another wrestler, the Rude Dawg, a surly, bleached-blonde overweight wrestler, was thrown into coils of barbed wire during his match. When asked about the pain he bitterly replied, "It's real sports entertainment at its best." The Rude Dawg has been wrestling for over 11 years and has lost nine teeth. Although the intent is not to harm the wrestlers, it ocasionally happens. Injuries sometimes occur when performing involves getting hit with chairs, baking sheets, and garbage cans. Cobble said she is optimistic about the prospect of getting thrown around in the wrestling ring. "This has been a great experience for me," she said. "I am continually being chalenged both emotionally and physically, especially physicaly." Cobble practices every week and is training to be not just a valet but an actual wrestler. "Since I am the only girl," she said, "I am constantly proving myself, not just to the other wrestlers, but to myself as well."
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