Roster announced, Brawler bond details leaked

ALBANY, NY – In the final update from our Albany HQ before we hit the road north of the border, we’re pleased to bring you a full run-down of the touring roster. We’ve also been leaked details of the unprecedented cost borne by Just Wrestling to bring The Back Alley Brawler to Canada.

Heading up the touring line-up is the Brawler himself (13-2), the current Just Wrestling Champion. Though usually a fearsome proposition, the Brawler’s participation in Canada is shrouded in uncertainty. First, he is presently being incarcerated pending a murder investigation; and second, he’s broken his arm – twice. While we have no details on the Bronx Barbarian’s medical status, we were leaked information on how Just Wrestling is to get the convict across the border into Canada – and it’s coming at a high price for a promotion that can scarcely afford it.

We can exclusively reveal that Jody Monroe has had to put up an unprecedented $100,000 bond to take Joe Balboa out of the prison system and onto the Canadian touring circuit. While the bond is refundable, Just will lose the money if any mishaps prevent the Brawler’s quiescent and timely return at tour’s end – a cost that could put the promotion perilously close to shutdown. It is a risk that Jody Monroe can ill afford, but she may have had no other choice, having seen Balboa finally take the belt after the most dominant winning run in Just Wrestling history. To strip him of it now – and to tour new regions without his revenue-generating name plastered on the posters – could have been professional suicide.

The other big names just below the Brawler’s name on promotional material are Aaron Nothings (23-12), Anathkash Dakari (9-4), Sean Edmunds (6-7) – whose rematch with the Brawler will headline The Celine Dion Show in Baie-Comeau on Friday – and, as we revealed earlier in the week, SCCW’s own Terrence Kingsley (3-1). Together, this group of five will be expected to put on the big matches and fill the seats to the rafters. Other returning tourists include recent championship contender Cade Bane (3-2), veteran “Courageous” Charlie Cusack (2-1), and ALPHA’s Dash Springfield (3-1).

But what would Just Wrestling be without a fresh batch of newcomers looking to break into the upper echelons of the wrestling circuit and attract the TV scouts? We have seven making their first appearances on a Just Wrestling tour. Two are extreme cruiserweights, Jeska and Greg Venom each weighing in well under 150 pounds, which may be an indication of the sorts of matches they will be asked to put on. Jeska’s past is unknown, but Venom is known on the regional circuit, particularly to fans of Simcoe County Championship Wrestling. Another regional promotion is represented by technician Jay Price, who is the reigning Wrestling Championship Federation Elite Champion, and he is joined by fellow technical wrestler Johnny Hopkins, a youngster from Texas. Brent Carruthers is a former Baton Rouge weatherman (we await contact from Aaron Fujita’s lawyers), while CRANK! and The Chameleon join Jeska on our list of mystery new names Google (let alone Jody Monroe) just won’t tell us anything about.

Though rumours had suggested Monroe was struggling to fill a roster, there is a strong core of talent lined up. However, the roster is a little smaller than we’re used to, and a lot will depend on the lesser known of the rookies stepping up. This tour could be as much about Jeska and CRANK! as about Dakari and Edmunds. Or will the story of the tour be Terrence Kingsley avenging his loss in a championship match to Aaron Nothings? Only time will tell.