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Cody Deaner on Wrestling in Alberta, Visiting the Hart House

by Spencer Love
written by Spencer Love

Independent pro wrestlers are some of the most well-travelled individuals on the face of the planet. By design, the job requires hundreds of hours on the road on a near-daily basis in order to make ends meet.

That’s something that current IMPACT Wrestling star Cody Deaner is more than familiar with. Over the course of his twenty-year career, Deaner has found himself on the road more often than not, recently having a string of 19 straight days of travel cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, independent scenes from town-to-town can differ wildly, nonetheless when talking about promotions and fan bases thousands of kilometres away. It was something that Deaner and I discussed when he joined me for an upcoming interview and specifically chatted about the differences in wrestling scenes across Canada.

“I think the one thing that I noticed about being out in Alberta is – I don’t know if it was just my mind telling me this, or if it was actually true, but I felt like the Alberta fans are a little more of an old school fan, because of the history of the Hart family and those things.” Deaner began. “Maybe it was because I actually went and visited the Hart House while I was there in Alberta because I’m a huge – obviously, as a Canadian, Bret Hart is like the man.

So, I went out and I just had that on my mind.”

Deaner continued.

“Just wrestling in front of those Alberta fans, I mean, it just felt like this old school feel, and some of the crowds in Ontario like that, but not all of them,” he explained. “But, every single time I’ve wrestled in Alberta, it’s just like this old school mentality. I guess maybe what I mean by that is there’s not a fan that’s in the audience that’s trying to bring attention to themselves. They just appreciate watching what’s in the ring, and they just want to have a good time, no matter what kind of wrestling is happening in front of them. They are there to have a good time, and support the guys they like, and boo the guys they don’t, which is usually support the guy they’re supposed to cheer and boo the guy they’re supposed to boo, and they just want to have fun.

“

“That’s my kind of wrestling, man, and that’s the kind of fans are in Alberta. And that’s – I noticed that right away when I was out there.”

Please credit Spencer Love/Love Wrestling with any transcriptions used.

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NXT New Year’s Evil Predictions

by Staff
written by Staff

Over the last couple of months, NXT has been, for my money, the best wrestling that is happening on TV from start to finish. On Wednesday, January 6th, several storylines will culminate at NXT: New Year’s Evil. New Year’s Evil is a special episode, virtually a PPV-quality card on network TV, and includes several championships and stipulation matches. Last week, the complete match card was revealed by the event’s host, Dexter Lumis.

Regardless of the outcomes, the evening will undoubtedly be thrilling. However, it’s not fun to sit back and enjoy the show. No. I am a wrestling fan, dammit! And I have thoughts and opinions and a platform from which to spew them, so let’s predict the winners of New Year’s Evil!

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match

Santos Escobar v Gran Metalik

Winner: Santos Escobar – Via shenanigans

Of all the matches on this card, this one probably is the least interesting as far as storytelling. If you missed it, last week Legado del Fantasma essentially said that they represented the best that Lucha libre wrestling had to offer. Well, wouldn’t you know it, Lucha House Party had some thoughts about that. Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado came out and a brawl erupted, which led to a match between Lucha House Part and Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde (such is tradition in wrestling). Lucha House Party won the match by pinfall. After the match, Metalik was doing the discount double-check in the ring, which is apparently grounds for an NXT title opportunity, so here we are.

All cynicism aside, this should be a good match. Legado del Fantasma – and more specifically, Santos Escobar – has a can’t-miss quality aura about them. Conversely, Gran Metalik is as talented as they come. While I think Escobar will win the match, the most significant variable is Lince Dorado. If he can prevent Mendoza and Wilde from interfering in this match successfully, Metalik might be able to pull off an upset (if you could call it that).

Last Woman Standing Match

Ribley v González - WWE.com

Winner: Raquel González

Honestly … I don’t know who wins this one. This is probably the only one in which I think it’s right down the middle. These two giants have been feuding for a while now, and finally, FINALLY, these best-friend-turned-enemies will battle in a Last Woman Standing Match. Last week, NXT aired a memorable match vignette that explored their history and the betrayal that led to this point. Chilling is the best word to describe it. There is a main-event match feel to this feud, and it really could be the first chapter in a long-storied rivalry.

Ultimately, I think González picks up the victory, and she ultimately moves on to dethrone Io Shirai. Maybe at that point, Ripley could then become the babyface in pursuit of a vendetta and championship. Regardless it’s going to be a great, physical match.

Fight Pit Match

Ciampa vs Thatcher - WWE.com

Winner: Timothy Thatcher

One recent development that I have thoroughly enjoyed in NXT is specific match types associated with individual wrestlers. The Undisputed Era has War Games, Dexter Lumis has the Strap Match, and Timothy Thatcher has the Fight Pit. The Fight Fit is similar to a cage match, but the only way to win is via tap out or KO. The rivalry between Tomaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher has been brewing ever since Ciampa took exception to Thatcher “taking liberties” with his trainees. They have been harassing each other ever since. Their last match at NXT: War Games was a bloody mess, but ultimately Ciampa proved to be victorious. Thatcher may have been defeated, but he wasn’t done. And now they will face off again, this time the match is firmly in favor of Thatcher. In his last Fight Pit match, Thatcher defeated Riddle via tap out.

I am going to be honest here: neither of these guys do anything for me. Thatcher is a great technical wrestler in a promotion that is absolutely stacked with them. And Ciampa is only now starting to grow on me. The IWC overhyped his whole NXT title run I thought, I just never got the appeal. Regardless, I enjoyed their last match, and I think that the added stipulation will enhance the viewing experience (and maybe bloodshed).

Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest

Kross vs Priest - WWE.com

Winner: Karrion Kross

There is no way that Priest wins this match. He’s basically DOA. But that’s okay. It’s still going to be an excellent match between two big guys that can go. Kross is returning from injury after relinquishing his title due to injury a few months back. Now that he’s returned, I don’t think there’s anyone that can stop him from becoming a 2x NXT Champion. Priest is little more than a tune-up match for Kross’s eventual championship match. Don’t get me wrong, I like Priest.

But ya know, when you’re the toughest guy in a small town and then you move to the big city and pick a fight with the toughest guy in the big city? Priest is the small town tough guy, and Kross is about to give him some perspective. (I personally don’t have any firsthand experience with being a tough guy, hence “JobberRobb.”) All that aside, Priest showed that he could hang with Kross for at least a little bit. Last week, the two of them brawled all around the ring before collapsing on some tables by the technical area.

NXT Championship Match

Balor v O'Reilly - WWE.com

Winner: Finn Balor

I know I said that González vs. Ripley was right down the middle, but the NXT title match is another one that feels very closely contested. Kyle O’Reilly earned the “privilege” of facing off against Finn Balor once again by defeating Pete Dunne a few weeks back. A lot has been said about KOR and Balor’s first meeting at War Games. Not so much by Balor because his jaw by a knee strike that landed just a bit too snug.

However, the injury only adds more intrigue and fuel to this rivalry. Honestly, I want to see KOR capture the title. Mainly because I want to see him come out and do the guitar strumming on the NXT title, I also think it would be kind of interesting to see how Undisputed Era would handle having a former and current world champion in the ranks. Cole has been rather selfless in saying that there is no leader in the UE. However, the viewers at home can tell that’s not true. Regardless of who wins, they will have a tall task in fending off the inevitable wrath of Karrion Kross.

Other Surprises?

While there are only five matches on the card for New Year’s Evil, there are some noticeable absences, mainly the NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai. It seems like Toni Storm or Mercedes Martinez are next in line for a title shot after both staked their claim a few weeks ago. We also won’t see NXT Tag Team champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch defend their titles. The tag division is kind of in a state of rebuilding, but Killian Dain and Drake Maverick seem to be poised for an opportunity. Maybe we could see a match or two made the night of? Regardless, it should be an exciting night of wrestling. What are your predictions for New Year’s Evil? Leave your comment below!

Follow me on Twitter: @JobberRobb

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Gentleman Jervis on Maintaining Mental Health and Changing the Culture of Pro Wrestling

by Spencer Love
written by Spencer Love

Gentleman Jervis Cottonbelly is perhaps as well-known for his outspokenness on mental health issues as he is for his daring in-ring exploits. His social media account is full of positive messages and affirmations to inspire his fans to be open in addressing their mental health situations and is a firm advocate for mental health awareness.

In many ways, his voice reminds fans that strength isn’t just measured in wins or championships, but in the courage to face life’s toughest battles outside the ring. For those struggling, knowing they’re not alone is vital—and it’s why resources like All In Solutions play such an important role. By offering compassionate care and comprehensive treatment for both mental health and addiction, they provide a safe path toward healing, proving that recovery is not only possible but worth fighting for.

That same message of courage and openness extends into how mental health care continues to evolve, blending compassion with clinical research to meet people where they are. For individuals whose depression, anxiety, or trauma have not responded to traditional approaches, evidence-based ketamine treatments are gaining recognition for their ability to address symptoms at a deeper neurological level under careful medical supervision.

In this context, Avesta Ketamine Wellness reflects a commitment to combining science with empathy, offering structured care that respects the complexity of each person’s experience. By acknowledging that healing is not one-size-fits-all, these advances reinforce the idea that seeking help is an act of strength, and that recovery, like any meaningful fight, is grounded in persistence, support, and hope.

In a recent interview, Jervis described his steps towards maintaining his own mental health in the pro wrestling environment, as well as some of the individuals he considers positive influences in the industry. He also discussed the changing culture of pro wrestling and his impact on it.

“I think the first step for me is to surround myself with honest people and good people who will help me stay accountable,” Jervis begins, “because a lot of the time you’re not just, you know, they say character’s how you behave when no one’s watching. A lot of the time, what inspires my character is my standing within my community.”

“Now, the professional wrestling community, it’s physical and digital,” he continues. “You know, we gather together for shows, but we also gather together on social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter. We listen to podcasts like this one here, which is so special, and we have this community and at times in my career, I have been less than – I’ve behaved in less than an exemplary fashion.

What I’ve learned is that – do my actions help the community or do they hurt them? That’s a question I have to take with me everywhere I go.

And putting that in my brain of ‘does this help our wrestling community, or does it harm our wrestling community?’ That’s helped me to show better character, you know, when no one’s watching, or in, for me, I mean, I take different counseling courses and especially now that we’re pretty much quarantined still, you know, I watched and read a lot of self-help books and things to learn about the – I have two mental disorders that kind of compound one another and I try to learn as much as I can about them because often they get the best of me and I’m not the exemplary person, I’m not a leader by example, which is what I want to be. And when I’m at my healthiest, I do believe I’m a good leader and I believe I lead by a positive example.”

Jervis gave a few examples of individuals that he feels are strong ambassadors for a positive culture in professional wrestling.

“So, what I’m trying to do now is continue to preach that message of positivity. Even if I can’t be the leader, well, then someone like Danhausen or Warhorse, they take that flag of positivity, they give it a different voice, and their own unique interpretation of community, and friendship amongst the wrestling community. They take that flag and they run with it when I can’t. And, you know, for a moment I felt like Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor, they said, ‘hey, Jervey, here, take this flag a bit, and I got to wave it for a while and say, ‘hey, look at how much fun we’re having!

‘ And, you know, it’s like you pass it around. A lot of times, the best times is when we all wave the flag at the same time. But as somebody who, again, it takes work to be to stay positive, I can’t say that I’m always flying the flag of positivity. But I can say that I always want to and that I’m trying my best.”

Cottonbelly agreed with the need for more positive ambassadors in professional wrestling, but explained that a change in culture is more in how wrestlers and fans directly interact.

“Well, I think more is – I think, yes, partly it’s the need for more of those, but I think more than the positivity, it’s about opening your heart and your mind. There used to be more of a one direction, one-way mind as it pertained to the audience of a professional wrestling show. There was performers here, audience there, money goes this way, energy and performance goes that way. That’s the exchange. Now, it’s much more intricate. I, personally, I don’t even ever tell people that I have fans. I don’t call them fans. Sometimes I say supporters and well-wishers. Most of the time I say friends. Now we’re not all best friends and we’re not all close friends. But, we’re more than acquaintances because we share pain and heartache and excitement and anger. You know, everything that we feel when we’re at a wrestling show together, we feel collectively. We feel that together. So, sharing those emotions, again, being a part of the community, me opening my ears and listening not just to the other wrestlers and promoters, but listening to the audience and what they want and what they connect with. That, to me is just – that’s important. That’s how we make small, little, you know, incremental change that’s sustainable.”

Please credit Spencer Love/Love Wrestling with any transcriptions.

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