Oct 28, 2016

Photos and text by Barbara Haddock Taylor

: In the casket match, where the winner has to stuff the loser into the casket and keep the lid closed for several seconds, wrestler T.J. Sykes tries to flip opponent “Brutal” Bob Evans over the ropes into the casket at the EWA (Eastern Wrestling Association) “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Fans, dressed in Halloween costumes left to right: Jaden Holly, 11, Corie Fields, 10, and Phil Thompson, all of Owings Mills, watch the “Last Rites” EWA professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. Jaden is Phil’s son. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler Simon Ryme hams it up on his way into the ring at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler Hampden Hammer, right, greets young fans on his way to the ring at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: #Pat Anthony, left, sees a punch coming from Desert Storm, right, during their match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Violet, who is the social media ambassador for wrestler #Pat Anthony, reacts with theatrical dismay during his match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler #Pat Anthony looks out from the ring during his match at the EWA professional wrestling “Last Rites” match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler #Pat Athony, right, raises his arms in victory along with Violet, left, his social media ambassador, at the EWA (Eastern Wrestling Association) “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Fans react to one of the matches at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Jason Drake, top, and opponent Ray Burn wrestle at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Chris Burns (top) and Jai Kole wrestle in the opening match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Chris Burns stands on the ropes as he is introduced for his match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Brandon Crites, right, a 14 year old fan, cheers during a match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Fans, dressed in Halloween costumes left to right front row: Jaden Holly, 11, Corie Fields, 10, and Phil Thompson, all of Owings Mills, watch the “Last Rites” EWA professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. Jaden is Phil’s son. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Ivan Ali, left, and Joey Badami wrestle near the ropes in their match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler Jason Drake, left, gets a check-up from Dr. Ron Miller of Mt. Airy before his match at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Simon Ryme, left, and Hampden Hammer fight in the ring at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestlers TMHK (center) and Grizzly O, right, make their entrance at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler “Blood” taunts his opponent from outside the ring at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler Wes Mercer raises his arms in victory at the EWA (Eastern Wrestling Association) “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestlers Ivan Ali, left, and Joey Badami, right, face off in their match at the EWA (Eastern Wrestling Association) “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: A boy looks through wrestling action figures available for sale at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: Wrestler Wes Mercer stands on the ropes and raises his arms in victory at the EWA “Last Rites” professional wrestling match that was held at Tall Cedars Hall. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

The hard-hitting, body-slamming, pile-driving professional wrestlers from the Eastern Wrestling Association held a “Last Rites” match at Parkville’s Tall Cedars Hall last Saturday.

The Halloween-themed event featured costumed champions and their challengers and an energetic crowd of all ages enthusiastically voicing their support or disdain for the fighters.

“Your socks don’t match!” screamed one fan. “Put it back on! Please!” yelled another when one of the heavyweights took off his jacket.

Wrestlers gave it all back, and then some, leaping out of the ring with threatening gestures and taunts, much to the delight of the youngest fans. But they saved the best moves for the ring – with eye rakes, power bombs, figure four leg locks, sleeper holds and many other devastating moves throughout the night.

The evening culminated in the event’s highlight: the casket match. After an epic struggle, Brutal Bob Evans managed to stuff his opponent, T.J. Sykes, into the casket. After his victory lap, the lights went up. A bruising good time was had by all.

EWA’s Last Rites Match: A Bruising Good Time

Leave a Reply Cancel