WGW card set for July 4 in Keewatin

HIBBING—After a year’s hiatus, Wrestling Gone Wild is coming back with a vengeance.

WGW promoter Tom Burdick is putting on a show called WGW presents Independence Mania on July 4, beginning at 4 p.m. in Keewatin.

Burdick will have wrestlers from Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota in the show, which is his first presentation in one long, arduous year.

“It was horrible, but it was relaxing to get everything back together, to get on the road and get shows for fairs, auditoriums and helping high school sports organizations,” Burdick said.

Burdick has been putting on shows since 2001. It might be a lot of work, but he enjoys each and every minute of it.

“It’s a love of the business,” Burdick said. “My brother was in the business for many years, wrestling all over the world. I wrestled from 1992 to 2001, and I still get in the ring every once in a while.

“I miss that part of it the most, but I love the people and the kids. It’s a family-orientated, outside show.”

Scheduled to appear on the card will be The Brauler, Colt Iron, Sinister Salem, Jason Rage, Levi Lanigen, Bullet Bronson, The Angry Dragon, AJ Steel, Isaiah the Enforcer and John Boy.

“It’s going to be an explosive card, with all title matches,” Burdick said. “The WGW United States title is on the line; the WGW World Title is on the line; the WGW Cruiserweight title is on the line; and the Hardcore title is on the line.

“The main event will be an explosive, hardcore match with Sinister Salem and Jason Rage.”

Cocky Tommy 2 Tone will be there as well, along with Heather Love, who will be sitting at the table.

“The talent that is coming up here is phenomenal,” Burdick said. “We’ve got wrestlers from the Ken Anderson Academy in the WWE, and we have guys from the OVW, which is a WWE developmental center in Ohio.”

The show, which will last two hours, will feature a WGW merchandise table, with autographed collectables for sale and WGW t-shirts.

Raffle tickets for wrestling collectibles will be sold at $2 for one ticket and $5 for three tickets.

At the intermission, all of the wrestlers will be available for autographs and photos.

It’s going to be one heck of a night.

“I enjoy seeing the people’s faces,” Burdick said. “I’m bringing back some older wrestlers, who have been around a long time, and we’re bringing in a lot of new talent.”

Burdick can’t do this alone. He had a lot of help in setting this show up.

“I’d like to thank the City of Keewatin for having this free event,” Burdick said. “I want to thank everybody who helped out with the event. Look for more WGW shows in Virginia, Duluth and Hibbing this winter.”