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BOOK DETAILS Perfect Bound: 220 pages Dimensions: 8-1/2 x 11 Publisher: Crowbar Press Photos: 101 b&w Cover: Full color ISBN: 978-0-9745545-9-4 Item #: cbp08-vn Price: $19.95
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Please note: "Wrestling in the Canadian West" is available directly from Crowbar Press. All books will be shipped via Media Mail (U.S.) or International Priority Mail (Canada/overseas).
For more than 40 years, western Canada was best known as the home of Stampede Wrestling, and the region has been the site of great wrestling action for more than a century. It has produced, hosted, and developed, a multitude of top wrestling talent. And yet, until recently, western Canada has been frequently overlooked for its significance in the history of the sport in North America ... until now. WRESTLING IN THE CANADIAN WEST is a celebration of more than 100 years of professional wrestling in western Canada. Recognizing the efforts of promoters and wrestlers alike, the histories of the titles, Canadian wrestling trivia, and stories from the wrestlers who traversed the territory, this book offers a thorough insight into the legacy of the sport in one of the continent’s most oft-forgotten regions.
"Vance Nevada has done as much as anyone in the business as a writer, historian, and as a wrestler. I'd say his contribution is as significant as the Harts or any of the top people in the business in Canada. Having spent a lot of time in that country during my career, it was very interesting to learn some of the history. This book was hard to put down once I started reading it." Over the past sixteen years, Vance Nevada has been one of the most active performers in Canadian wrestling. With appearances from coast to coast, he has stepped in the ring with top names in the business such as Tatanka, Bryan Danielson, Robert Roode, "Maniac" Matt Borne, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, and many more. As one of the most visible headliners, he has laid claim to numerous championships, but perhaps one that has brought him the most professional satisfaction is his recognition as a leading historian of the pro mat game. Away from the glare of the ring lights, Nevada has piggybacked his touring commitments to get into libraries across western Canada, often spending hours scrolling through years of microfilm, researching the history of his business. After several years, and documentation of 18,000 matches later, Nevada has released his book, a comprehensive almanac of professional wrestling in Canada — WRESTLING IN THE CANADIAN WEST.
"Wrestling In The Canadian West accurately describes what it was like for those of us who travelled the roads on a daily basis in this unique and spectacular area of professional wrestling history. The author clearly illustrates how the business over the years has now come around full circle, as he is living it himself, and dealing with the same trials and tribulations wrestling's pioneers faced in this area more than a hundred years ago."
WHAT'S INSIDE? —
Excerpt from "Wrestling in the Canadian West" Copyright © Vance Nevada The following year, Whelan succeeded Harry Miller as the promoter of semi-weekly cards from Vancouver’s Orange Hall. Presenting cards each Wednesday and Saturday night, Whelan’s Vancouver Wrestling Club drew a steady following. Within months, Whelan’s cards started to draw attention when its headline villains spurred riotous conclusions to the night’s action. One card in November 1943 required Whelan, a detective with the Vancouver police force by day, to call upon his fellow "blue jackets" to prevent the fans from exacting revenge on American baddie, Ralph Loeffler. Two months later, the Vancouver Athletic Commission suspended the operation of rival promoter Lew White when a similar melee occurred, with fans getting involved with the action. Whelan appeared to be immune to the Commission’s scrutiny. The popularity of Whelan’s attractions inspired him to add a second night per week of matches – first holding his events at the Orange Hall, then later moving them to the Vancouver Athletic Club gym in 1944. The scene was active at this time, and in addition to the Vancouver Wrestling Club events, Sam Nolan was offering weekly exhibitions with his Pender Wrestling Club and Percy Hicks’ Big Time Wrestling returning to action in the summer of 1944. With the business booming, the Vancouver Athletic Commission weighed in with a proposal that threatened to effectively end Whelan’s promotion in October 1944. The Commission ruled that the city was not large enough to support three promotions. In a move which most benefited Big Time promoter Percy Hicks, the Commission ordered that Hicks would be allowed to promote his weekly attractions on Fridays, while the two "minor" promoters (Nolan/Whelan) would be relegated to promoting cards on alternating Tuesdays. Commission chairman, Charlie Jones defended the decision citing that: "One of our duties is to protect the fans and that’s what we’re going to do."
— VANCE NEVADA — Coming to a town near you! Though busy writing and now promoting a book, Nevada maintains one of the most aggressive schedules on the independents (as reigning All Star Wrestling Trans Canada champion) and will be on the road, making more history in his own right as he connects with fans across the country to celebrate the careers and contributions of those who have gone before him to pave the road. Catch Vance in person and get your copy of the book signed when he appears at the following wrestling events across the west:
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