‘Cattle Country Smackdown’ wrestling coming to Stavely this Saturday

By Rob Vogt

It’s a homecoming for Otto Gentile.
About 20 years ago he came to Claresholm, addicted to opioids, and entered the Lander Treatment Centre.
Not only did he beat that addiction, but has been clean and sober ever since.
Now, he wants to show all those people who helped him out just what he does.
So this Saturday, July 26, Gentile, who is a professional wrestler by trade, is bringing his CanAm Wrestling “Stavely Cattle Country Smackdown” to the Stavely Arena.
It will feature seven matches, culminating in an over-the-top battle royal for the “Stavely Cattle Country Smackdown” championship belt.
Gentile first came to this area about 20 years ago.
He had recently been in a match with the seven-foot monster “Kergen” who choke slammed him.
Gentile felt a twinge in his lower back, that worsened through the night. In fact, when he tried to get up, he did a face plant on the floor.
A friend took him to the hospital, where he was given Tylenol, but it did not help.
He was then prescribed Percocet.
“The pain was outrageous,” Gentile said.
So he was given shots of Demerol and Morphine, as he spent weeks in the hospital with a pinched sciatic nerve that never let go.
Gentile was ultimately prescribed four different opioids for the pain.
“My body became opioid dependent,” he said, adding he was just trying to function.
Then he realized he needed help.
“So I went to seek help,” he said.
That’s when he connected with the Lander Treatment Centre in Claresholm.
“Thank God for Claresholm,” Gentile said.
That’s where he learned about addiction, and how to beat it.
“I am so grateful for all the people there,” he said.
The biggest thing for him was his daughters, and he could now take care of them.
He also surrounded himself with the right people.
“”I’ve come out a survivor,” Gentile said.
There was also another huge benefit.
“I’m able to work again,” he said.
Gentile first stepped into the wrestling ring in 1988, trained by Steve Gillespie who in turn had been trained by Stampede Wrestling of Calgary.
He has worn every hat in the business, and is now bringing CanAm Wrestling to Stavely.
There will be seven matches.
CanAm World Tag Team Champions “The Handsome Devils”, Handsome Cam Hanson and Devilish Deven Devlin go up against “The Cheetahbear” Jude Dawkins and CanAm Community Chaos Champion “Bigg Daddy” Dean Holstein from Okotoks.
The CanAm World Junior Heavyweight Championship will be on the line as Challenger Edward Wild III, “The Heart of the North” goes after Champion “The Runaway Rebel” Aron Sixx.
A Mexican mini-wrestling match will feature Yoruba versus La Parkita.
Gentile warns there could also be a surprise.
The Mexifest Men’s World Heavyweight Champion will be on the line as Challenger “God of Thunder” Andy Anderson takes on Champion Ciclon Ramirez Jr.
CanAm World Heritage Heavyweight Champion “Mr. Beefy Goodness” Vance Nevada takes on the challenge of “Crude Oil” Cody Mac.
A women’s match will see Vicky Vicious, “The one your mother warned you about”, take on CanAM Original Sexy Samantha Slides for the CanAM Women’s Championship.
The evening will culminate with everyone climbing in the ring for the Battle Royal.
At stake is the newly-created “Stavely Cattle Country Smackdown” championship belt.
Gentile explained the wrestlers have been sponsored by various local businesses.
Three spots are still open and will be auctioned off on the night of the match.
The business who sponsored the winning wrestler will then have the opportunity to hang the championship belt in their business until the next “Stavely Cattle Country Smackdown”.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Stavely Agricultural Society to be invested back into the Stavely Arena.
Gentile invites everyone to come out.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “We sell you the whole seat, but you’re only going to need the edge.”
There is also that personal connection for Gentile.
“It’s a homecoming to me,” he said. “It’s nice to come back for a full circle moment.
“It’s going to be awesome.”
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first match hits the ring at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available by visiting canamwrestling.ca or phoning 1-403-369-3677.