GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Professional wrestling and Minnesota go way back.
"This is where the AWA started. Verne Gagne, Greg Gagne, this was a whole territory. Wrestling was a hot bed," F1rst Wrestling owner Arik Cannon said. "And then AWA turned into WWF, which has then evolved into WWE."
That's right, the Land of 10,000 Lakes could also be called the Land of 1,000 Holds - with all due respect to Dean Malenko.
Minnesota is fertile ground for new wrestling stars to blossom, and you can find a lot of them in F1rst Wrestling.
"There's always been fandom in the area," Cannon said. "It's just been an adventure to continue to capitalize on that existing fandom, while also trying to create new fans."
When he's not grappling in the squared circle as a wrestler himself, Cannon is running shows across the state.
"There's so many promotions out there nowadays, how does your promotion compare to those? Or is there even a comparison?" KARE 11 Sunrise Anchor Jason Hackett asked.
"In my opinion, there is no comparison," Cannon said. "When it comes to independent professional wrestling, F1rst Wrestling is the premiere source for what we do."
Embracing differences and centering quirky colorful characters is what makes F1rst Wrestling so unique. You can see it right in the company's logo, which features a rainbow on the canvas in the ring.
"Professional wrestling has this weird, archaic, misogynistic, straight, white message. And that's not what we do today. That's not what the world is anymore," Cannon said.
F1rst Wrestling uses the logo year-round to show what they stand for.
"Diversity, representation is not a once-a-month click. It's not for likes," Cannon said. "This is a hill we're dying on, and it's important to us."
The company's mix of non-stop, hard-hitting action and inclusion isn't lost on the wrestlers or fans.
As the company grows and gains even more buzz - both in Minnesota and across the country - Cannon said the message will always remain the same.
"We want people to know that they can come to our shows, it's a safe space, everyone is welcome," Cannon said. "Not just our performers, but our audiences, the venue staff and crew that we work with. We really genuinely mean it is for everyone."
F1rst Wrestling is holding its show "Hot Streak" on Saturday at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Doors open at 6pm, the show starts at 7pm. Tickets are still available at this link.
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