Professional wrestling is coming to Pontiac’s VFW post on June 9th to support a young woman’s battle with cancer. “Fighting Back” is a wrestling event that’s being organized by Nick Melvin, who’s a promoter for the event as well as a competitor. Melvin says he’s been wrestling for 9 years, and describes it as “a showcase of everything—entertainment intertwined with a little soap opera here and there.”
Melvin says the event is going to be the area’s biggest wrestling event to date. “We’re bringing in four hours of action…we’re bringing in 3 guys from television.” Melvin says Kongo Kong of Impact wrestling is making an appearance and long-time wrestling star Cowboy Bob Orton is going to be part of the evening as well. Orton and Kong will participate in a “Royal Rumble” style match to end the evening.
The event is a fund-raising effort for Elizabeth Maya, who’s fighting cancer. Melvin says she’s expected to attend the event if her health permits, and he says money raised will be presented to her on the night of the match. Melvin says everyone is welcome and the action will be fast and furious and family-friendly. He says there won’t be any profanity and no bloodshed unless there’s an accident. “We’ve attempted to get all the characters we could, all the entertainment we could get to get the kids enthralled in the event.”
Tickets are $10 for adults, 4 to 10 are $5, and under four get in free. Melvin says anyone wanting to donate to the cause and call (815) 848-6681. You can also search for “Fighting Back” on Facebook.com. You can hear WJEZ’s complete interview with Melvin here.
By Todd Wineburner
