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By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE – Ready to see people get thrown around a squared circle or body slammed into the mat to round out your holiday weekend?

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Amy Dougherty of Houston, TX learns a wrestling hold from WWC's The Executioner, played by Thomas Rumsby, during meet the wrestlers of WWC at an autograph signing held at Ramada Inn in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. Dougherty was passing by the Ramada Inn as the wrestlers were congregating outside prior to the autograph event and stopped to have a friend snap her photo with the Executioner.

Pete G. Wilcox / The Times Leader

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07/02/09-- Robin Davis, 18, of Wilkes-Barre receives an autographed trading card from National Guard racecar driver Carey Giadosh at the the WWC Autograph Signing held at the Ramada Inn on Thursday. (PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER)

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Then don’t miss the wrestling excitement Sunday afternoon at the 109th Field Artillery Armory to help raise money for two local nonprofit agencies that directly assist veterans and their families.

Fans won’t be disappointed as they’ll get tons of action from World Wrestling Coalition stars Tommy Thunder, Ritch “The Banger” Howe and Trent Acid, fundraising organizer Thomas “The Executioner” Rumsby promised.

Two nationally known performers, Raven, formerly of WWE/ECW/NWA and TNA, and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, formerly of WCW/NWO/WWE, also will see action as they demonstrate their wrestling skills that skyrocketed them to the top.

The Veterans Multicare Alliance, which helps veterans get services entitled to them from government entities and informs soldiers of changes in their benefits, will receive all the proceeds from the $15 ticket sales. The Family Readiness Group, a support system for local Pennsylvania National Guardsmen’s family members, will receive funds from all concession items sold.

Rumsby organized the fundraiser as a way to give back to soldiers. He said without the military, Americans wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms they have today.

Mike “The Cannon” Collis, a specialist in the 109th Field Artillery, spent his childhood watching wrestling greats like the Von Erichs, Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. He said it’s a dream come true to participate in his second professional wrestling match while supporting these organizations, especially the Family Readiness Group.

“The group was very instrumental in helping us receive supplies and moral support from back home. Being deployed to Iraq, it meant a lot to us. Anything we can do to pay back and show that we appreciated it while we were over there. It would be a great idea to raise funds for them to support our troops who are currently deployed now,” said Collis, 28, of Wilkes-Barre.

The National Guard held another wrestling benefit fundraiser in early May at the Nanticoke Armory.

Collis will be joined in the ring by two other National Guard soldiers, Sgt. Bob “Shotgun Blast” Dick and Sgt. John Paul “the Howitzer” Karpovich.

Collis, Dick and Karpovich have trained for the last few months with Rumsby, who’s been wrestling for 32 years. Dick and Karpovich are teaming up as the “Guts N Glory” team to battle Team New Era.

Some wrestlers will be available from noon-4 p.m. today to sign autographs during an antique car show on the armory grounds.

If you go

WWC Wrestling: 2 p.m. Sunday at the 109th Field Artillery Armory, 280 Market St., Wilkes-Barre.

Doors open at 1 pm and advance tickets holders get special entrance to the front of the action.

Tickets: All funds go to the Veterans Multicare Alliance

Tickets $15, children under 5 are free

Tickets available at:

• Giadosh Enterprises, 1644 Murray St., Forty Fort, 287-4894

• 109th Field Artillery, 280 Market St., Kingston, 288-6641

• Kelsey’s Restaurant, 1 Main St., Ashley, 819-2733

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.