The Millennial Rebel’s Colton Kelly is a rare breed among Albertan professional wrestlers.

In an era of wrestling dominated by high-flying stunt wrestlers and in-ring technicians, Kelly’s niche has always been found in the ruthless brutality of hardcore wrestling. As both one of the longest-tenured roster members of the Prairie Wrestling Alliance, and one of the youngest, Kelly penchant for violence has established him as one of the most imposing figures in the province’s independent wrestling scene.

It’s a love that was fostered early, says Kelly.

“Hardcore wrestling always seemed to be the coolest, most inventive form of wrestling to me,” he comments. “Growing up and watching wrestling in the tail end of the ’90s, the most interesting matches always seemed to involve more hardcore wrestling. It can have the same purity to me that a 5-star technical classic can have to another person.

”

“The potential drama and tension that a well thought out hardcore match can have can make or break the legacy of any wrestler,” he continues. “From (Mick) Foley going off the side of the Hell in a Cell to Abdullah the Butcher sticking a fork in the head of his opponent, hardcore wrestling can push the very brink of reality to a point that makes this world as unbelievable as it can be.”

While best known for his brash in-ring style, however, 2019 has seen the emergence of a new Colton Kelly. While his in-ring brutality remains unmatched, a more calculated Kelly has emerged; look no further than the brutal attack facilitated by he and his Millennial Rebels co-founder Kenneth Anthony on Michael Richard Blais.

“My focus is no longer on (being) petty,” he comments, “(but) to move on to infiltrating the main event scene and positioning myself as a top guy.”

It’s a transition that’s been a long time coming.

Like Father, Like Son

Both physically and proverbially, there are few more imposing figures in the history of Alberta independent wrestling than Tex Gaines. Billed at 6’2 and over 300 pounds, the monster is highly regarded not only for his in-ring storytelling but his penchant for brutality. Throughout a 20-year career, Gaines gained a reputation as not only one of the most respected workers in Alberta but the most violent.

“I don’t have a first memory of my dad wrestling,” comments Kelly on his legendary father. “It always just was. There are moments that stick out further in my head than others, like the time he had his eyebrow burst to the point in hung past his eye, or when he power bombed “LiveWire” Matt Richards through a table in the inaugural Mayhem title tournament. There are a lot of moments that stick in my mind.”

In 2001, Gaines co-founded the Prairie Wrestling Alliance with Hercules Ayala and current PWA CEO Kurt Sorochan. It wasn’t long before Kelly’s own eyes started to turn towards the world of professional wrestling.

Becoming Colton Kelly

However, Kelly’s wrestling career wasn’t something that Gaines was initially supportive of.

“(Wrestling) was always left up to my own decision,” Kelly explains. “Essentially, (Gaines) told me no for fourteen years until I looked it up myself. It was quite the opposite of pressure.”

“Once I found my own trainers and started to prove myself, he was on board.”

From the beginning, Kelly strived to separate himself from his famous father’s legacy. While proud of his lineage, he states emphatically, it was important to build his own legacy.

“I get compared to my dad a lot in-ring and in real life. I get told a lot that I move like him and that I can have a tendency to behave similarly.

I’ve crafted my move set to have little homages to him but I do my own thing in the ring. We share tendencies but I’ve always strived to do my own thing.”

“I had to earn my own respect as my own individual,” he continues. “Nothing’s ever been handed to me because of who I am by birth.

That’s a big thing for me; making sure any credit I get is credit I’ve earned and deserved. I don’t ever want to hang my shoulders on someone else’s legacy.”

“Obviously, the influence from my father is there, but really, I’m just a hardcore kid.”

A Reputation for Violence

“My job is not to make people happy,” says the co-founder of the Millennial Rebels. “It’s to go in, win matches, tear peoples’ limbs apart, and make some children cry.”

It’s a role that Kelly’s excelled in since making his debut in the Prairie Wrestling Alliance. Over the course of his career, the bruiser has put on some of the most violent matches in the promotion’s history. Battles with the likes of the Slammer, Aiden Adams et al have earned Kelly his reputation as one of the top young talents in Albertan wrestling today.

“I like doing things that I probably shouldn’t do to myself,” he continues. “I like hurting people. Nothing’s pretty about what I do; even my high-risk stuff, there’s nothing graceful or glorious about it. It’s just impactful.”

However, it was a match against blood rival “The Thickness” Reid Matthews that, in Kelly’s words, set the stage for the transition Albertan wrestling fans are currently witnessing.

“I feel like I proved myself in the Last Man Standing match against Reid Matthews,” Kelly espouses. “We had what I feel is one of the purest Mayhem matches in the last little while. I was incredibly focused on becoming the Mayhem Champion last year before I broke my ankle and I continued to focus on that title when I came back. What I learned coming out of that brutal feud is that my focus should be higher.”

The Growth of Colton Kelly

It’s a statement Kelly obviously took to heart. Since March 23rd’s 18th-Anniversary show, the Millennial Rebel has shown a renewed focus on not only being one of the top stars in the PWA but the top star. While violence is still an essential part of his repertoire, Kelly comments, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to establish himself as the top dog in the Prairie Wrestling Alliance – even if it means giving an unwanted haircut in the case of Michael Richard Blais.

“While I’m not one who will ever shy away from taking things to a more extreme extent,” he says on his recent change in attitude, “it no longer feels necessary to pursue being a strictly hardcore wrestler.”

It’s been a transition, he says, but one well worth making.

“At first, I did feel a sense of urgency to carry on and pursue more hardcore wrestling,” Kelly admits. “However, my ceiling is becoming higher and higher. I think the fact that I can’t be boxed in will continue to push the boundaries of what people expect out of me.”

Just don’t expect too much to change.

“I think that at the end of the day, the essence in which I wrestle will always stay the same.”

Success = Money.

It’s a simple mantra, but a mantra that Dirty Mike Jones is the definition of. Jones is the current manager and business liaison of Dirty, Inc, an ever-evolving faction currently dominating the Albertan independent wrestling scene. While the group is well-decorated – current RCW Women’s Champion Angelica recently joined the fray – Dirty, Inc’s goal has always been one thing: Money.

Since breaking onto the scene in 2017, Jones has developed a reputation as the most pragmatic manager in Albertan wrestling. Dirty, Inc is a murderers row of current champions, premier prospects, and in-ring technicians. Each member of the faction brings something unique to the table, and all under the watchful eye of Dirty Mike Jones.

So, how did he do it?

A Taste of Success

Jones first burst onto the Albertan independent wrestling scene accompanying Danno Burns in early 2017. It was a partnership that provided Jones with the opportunity to make his first foray into managing and gave him his first taste of success in professional wrestling.

“(Danno’s) a vicious veteran, and definitely one of the best workers in the locker room,” says Jones on his inaugural client. “It was an easy decision to partner with him.”

The pairing experienced significant early returns; Burns won the RCW Social Media Championship early in their tenure together, and it looked as though the duo was primed for a rapid ascent up the RCW card.

However, by early 2018, the partnership had begun to fall apart. Tensions began developing between the manager and his client, coming to a head following a match in April of 2018.

Following a mat classic between Burns and Albertan talent Jordan Aries, the two foes shook hands seemingly in a show of respect.

It was something that didn’t sit well with Jones.

After confronting Burns in the ring, the usually-collected manager slapped his client across the face, resulting in a devastating superkick to Jones himself. In a surprising move, Jones was carried from ringside by both Cameron Stevens and Sweet Daddy Soul, setting the stage for what was to come.

While the pain was temporary, both the kick and the pair of Stevens and Soul left a lasting impression on Jones. Rather than build one asset, he espoused, why not build multiple?

“The goal is always financial,” Jones states cooly, “and I realized when Danno showed his true colours, I needed a team, not just one person.”

With Sweet Daddy Soul and Cameron Stevens on board and Jones at the helm, the foundation of Dirty, Inc was born.

Growing Numbers

In November 2018, Jones was looking to expand his empire. The high early returns of the alliance with Stevens and Sweet Daddy Soul had Jones scouring the province for new recruits to build the Dirty, Inc brand.

He found them in Cody Chimera and Real Estate Nate.

“Both Cody and Nate were hand-selected from a talented group of Storm grads,” Jones comments. “Bringing them into the Dirty, Inc fold was a priority. It was a calculated decision to recruit them both; their potential is endless.”

“I joined Dirty Inc because it was a mutually beneficial partnership,” adds Chimera. “Mike Jones saw that I would be someone who would help elevate Dirty Inc to the top of the wrestling scene in Alberta, and I saw that he was the only one who was willing to do what it took to get to there as fast as possible.”

However, the new additions weren’t the only turnover within the ranks of Dirty, Inc that evening. In Jones’ words, Sweet Daddy Soul – one of the founding members of the faction – was forgetting who was truly in charge.

“For whatever reason, (Sweet Daddy Soul) began calling himself the leader of Dirty, Inc,” Jones explains. “We don’t consider anyone the leader; it’s the key to our strategy. I may have the game plan, but it’s our strength in numbers and our team that makes us strong.

”

“I realized that we needed to eliminate any issues quickly as we continued to grow,” he continues cooly. “We did what we had to do to eliminate our weakest link.”

In a vicious attack, Jones’ new recruits and Cameron Stevens brutalized Sweet Daddy Soul, removing him from the group and bringing about a new era for Dirty, Inc.

Major Acquisitions

Since the formative days of Dirty, Inc, “The Universe” Zach Mercury had been a perpetual thorn in the group’s side. A thorn, Jones muses, that needed to be taken care of.

Enter Sydney Steele.

“How do you describe Sydney Steele?” Jones exclaims. “He’s not just a student of the game, but someone with a masters degree in it.”

“I joined Dirty Inc. for two reasons,” Steele espouses. “The first is that I was looking to take my career to the next level, and Mike Jones is the best man for the job. I’m not an entertainer, I could give a damn if fans have a good time and I certainly don’t care about being the ‘best wrestler in Alberta’, I care about getting paid.”

It’s a mindset that fit in perfectly with Jones and the rest of Dirty, Inc. In an effort to remove the Universe once and for all, Jones worked out a financial agreement: all Steele needed to do was betray Mercury in a tag team match.

It was a decision that was all too easy for Steele.

“(Mike) is constantly working to help find ways to make me more money,” says Steele, “and that’s what this is all about – making money.”

“The second reason,” he continues, “was that I saw a group of hungry, talented but inexperienced guys that Mike Jones was surrounding himself with, and I knew that these guys are the future.”

The Universe, unfortunately, was able to exact his revenge on the faction a few short months ago, taking out Real Estate Nate and sidelining the rookie for the foreseeable future. While the injury was an unfortunate turn of events for the group, it ended up being a blessing in disguise.

Latest Additions

“In almost ten years in the business, Maverick Jack has it all,” says Jones of Dirty, Inc’s latest male recruit. “Yes, he has size, and he has strength, but most importantly his attitude immediately fit Dirty, Inc. We knew we had to have him.”

April 5th was a monumental day in the history of Dirty, Inc. With the faction reduced to a foursome due to the unfortunately-timed injury of Real Estate Nate, Jones was left reeling. Could the faction sustain the loss of yet another long-term member?

Not only could it survive, Jones says, but thrive.

An early evening Lumberjack Match set the stage for a statement night from Dirty, Inc. Assistance from Maverick Jack ensured that the injured Real Estate Nate would have a more-than-adequate replacement. However, the true coup came later in the evening during an RCW Women’s Championship match between Envy and “The Bombshell” Angelica. At the height of the match, Sydney Steele made an unannounced appearance at ringside and shockingly interfered in the match on Angelica’s behalf. A short three-count later, and the Bombshell was not only the new RCW Women’s Champion but the new Queen of Dirty, Inc.

“Ah yes, Angelica. Alberta’s greatest women’s wrestler,” says Jones. “I had wanted a female wrestler in Dirty, Inc for a long, long time and she was always my number one choice. She’s the best in terms of both in-ring work and beauty. After lengthy negotiations, she finally came to our side.”

Dirty, Inc was complete.

The Future is Dirty

While the goal of the faction has always been financial, says Jones, the faction is cognizant of the value a championship brings to the table.

In fact, he says, that’s become one of the fundamental goals of Dirty, Inc.

“The only reason someone like Sydney Steele doesn’t have gold around his waist is the bias of RCW management.”

The statement seems to spark a fire in Steele.

“Whether it’s Steven Styles or The Irishman, they need to get the hell out of their own way and let that happen,” he fumes. “We just had Matt Taven and Gangrel come through RCW. A legitimate legend, who Cameron Stevens got the opportunity to challenge, and an internationally recognized World Heavyweight Champion. And who got a shot at the ROH World Title? Jordan Aries! The definition of “vanilla midget”. Another in a long line of fragile, breakable junior heavyweights who can’t hold up and he gets a shot at one of the most coveted Heavyweight Championships on the planet!”

At this point, Steele collects himself. Taking a breath, he continues.

“It’s time for RCW management to realize that Dirty Inc. is where the money’s at, Dirty Inc. is who’s going to be running this entire industry in Alberta in another year or two, and let us take over,” Steele concludes.

“Because if they don’t, they’re going to wind up in the dirt.”

TagStruggle is back.

It’s been a smooth transition to Real Canadian Wrestling for both Chris Perish and Meniac since debuting for the promotion in January. Since leaving their long-term promotion of Monster Pro Wrestling, the multi-time champions have found new life with RCW since their debuts.

“One word – opportunity,” said Perish when asked about the move in a recent interview with the WCSN. “We’ve got the opportunity to do some more tag wrestling, with some fresh matchups.”

“RCW means a fresh start, new tag teams, and another chance to prove we are the best” echoes Meniac.

Since making the jump just under four months ago, tagSTRUGGLE have looked revitalized – both figuratively and literally. Both Perish and Meniac simply look happier with their new promotion, with a large part of that attributed to the ability to wrestle together once again.

Frankly, for one of the most dominant tag teams in Albertan wrestling history, it was long overdue.

Early Days

The origins of tagSTRUGGLE are well-documented in Albertan wrestling lore. Initially consisting of both Perish and current Dirty, Inc member Sydney Steele, the now-legendary faction ran roughshod over MPW and Pure Power Wrestling through the early parts of 2015. Only months into their tenure, the pair recruited Meniac, and the rest is history.

“I joined the oWe back in 2015, and Perish and I started tagging from that,” said Meniac.

While the faction did eventually disband, the chemistry between Perish and Meniac was palpable, and the two-man unit of tagSTRUGGLE was born.

It was a move that paid immediate dividends.

Frankly, the pairing was nothing short of dominant. Within months, Perish and Meniac had firmly established themselves as not only one of the most influential teams in not only Monster Pro Wrestling, but the entirety of Alberta.
The duo wasn’t reinventing the wheel, they explain, but that’s one of the major reasons for their success.

“tagSTRUGGLE isn’t unique,” states Perish. “(In wrestling), it’s not unique to see two people come together and essentially become brothers.

What makes us stand out is our chemistry together.”

“We are a TAG(STRUGGLE) TEAM,” says Meniac bluntly. “There are very few who would rather tag than do singles matches, but we are them. We pride ourselves in our tag prowess and ring psychology. In my humble opinion, we are unmatched. We are sports AND entertainment.”

“We are from the people, by the people, for the people… and we look like the people.”

“Again, it isn’t unique, but it’s relatable and entertaining,” finishes Perish. “It’s something that allows us to remain active – regardless of how many times we have tag matches.”

Unfortunately, Perish’s words would prove eerily prophetic. Despite the duo’s success, it wasn’t long before the two found themselves placed in singles competition more often than not. tagSTRUGGLE soon found themselves relegated to the sidelines in the tag division, despite the team neither breaking up nor wanting to.

Singles…Glory?

“In short? Yes, I wish there were more than one 8-man tagSTRUGGLE match and one 6-man tagSTRUGGLE match in 2018.”

Meniac’s words were a common sentiment among Albertan wrestling fans last year. While both members of tagSTRUGGLE found solo success, the pair failed to wrestle together more than once in a traditional tag-team matchup throughout 2018. It’s something that both admit was frustrating, both personally and as a team.

“With MPW, yes, there was disappointment with not tagging,” states Perish. “Yes, we did have individual success – which was great – but in an era where tag wrestling isn’t getting the exposure and appreciation (it deserves), we’re two people who want to not only tag but change that stigma moving forward.”

Despite their frustration, neither Perish nor Meniac let it show in the ring. Meniac became a two-time MPW Heavyweight Championship, with Perish winning the Leo Burke Cup and the MPW Provincial Championship. Perish also appeared on the PWI500 each year as one of the top professional wrestlers worldwide. Despite the accolades, states Meniac, it’s something the pair would have gladly traded for the opportunity to wrestle together once again.

“I like wrestling singles,” he explains, “but I’m a tag(STRUGGLE) guy. It’s my passion, and while having the recognition of a singles title – THE singles title at that – is humbling and an honour, to me the harder titles to defend are always the tag(STRUGGLE) titles.”

Unfortunately, despite a number of opportunities, a true tagSTRUGGLE reunion never came to pass in Monster Pro Wrestling.

Meniac finishes: “As fun as it was to have two separate runs as a Heavyweight champion, I would have traded that second one in for more tag(STRUGGLE) matches.”

A Change of Scenery

The first sign of a potential move came on January 11th, 2019. In the midst of a match between Michael Richard Blais and Pride, Perish shockingly appeared out of the crowd and attacked both men. It was the first appearance in RCW for the former MPW Provincial Champion, and shortly after speculation started flying about not only his future with the promotion but a potential tagSTRUGGLE reunion.

Those rumours were all but confirmed in late January when Meniac made his official debut for RCW. With Perish announced to have signed with the company in early February, it all but ensured that tagSTRUGGLE was back.

On February 9th, the team wrestled their first traditional tag match in over a year. The response, to be blunt, was overwhelming.

“I think it’s validation that we’re doing it right,” Meniac says of the pair’s well-received move to RCW.

Ironically, both Meniac and Perish have found themselves embroiled in a feud with former friend Sydney Steele and his stablemates in Dirty, Inc. Tonight, the duo becomes a trio once again with the addition of Kayla Jaye. Could this be the first sign of tag(EXPANSION)?

“In almost a year”, mused Meniac “we’ve spoken about adding people before, and if we find the right person, I don’t see why not.”

Whatever tagSTRUGGLE’s next move may be, it’s only a matter of time before they reclaim their rightful place back on top.

Michael Richard Blais and Brandon Van Danielson are no strangers to speculation. The duo best known as the Western Lions have earned their reputations as the two top talents on the Albertan independent scene today, both as singles competitors and as their formidable tag team. The pair has held every championship across the Prairie Wrestling Alliance; truly, it’s a matter of when, not if, the Western Lions will be making their way to the major promotion of their choice.

Frankly, something along those lines was what many expected when Blais announced he’d be given free rein to speak his mind at PWA Hysteria on Saturday, April 20th. However, with Van Danielson absent, “God’s Gift to Wrestling” took to the ring far more sombre than his usual charismatic self. After exchanging a handshake with long-time rival Marky, Blais was handed the mic.

The emotion that filled Blais was obvious from the onset. A hush fell over the Northgate Lions Centre, with seemingly every fan on the edge of their seat as they prepared for the Western Lions’ announcement.

However, no one could have expected the series of events that Blais words would trigger.

As the former champion measuredly spoke, the PWA faithful hung on to every word. Beginning his promo by thanking the fans, “God’s Gift to Wrestling” spoke at length about the Western Lion’s journey to the top of the Alberta independent scene. Despite the havoc the duo has caused, Blais said, the support from the fans have caused the two to reflect on their actions of the previous years.

That’s where the bombshell was dropped.

While not officially decided upon, Blais declared that the Western Lions could be taking a break from the PWA, with the exception of June’s PWA Night of Champions.

“Honestly, we legit aren’t 100% sure what we are doing in PWA right now, other than my match with Ted (Hart) being on for sure,” said Blais in a quote obtained by the WCSN. “All the fan support lately despite failing to get the PWA Title kind of making us question our actions the last couple years to kinda step aside a bit see if some of the guys (in the locker room) could step up maybe.”

Unfortunately, stepping up is exactly what Kenneth Anthony and Colton Kelly of the Millennial Rebels had planned.

Ever the opportunists, the pair entered the ring with Anthony taking exception to Blais’ words. The Millennial Rebels verbally lambasted God’s Gift to Wrestling, calling not only he but Van Danielson as well a pair of “broken down 30-year-old failures.” It wasn’t long before a match was set for later in the evening, with Blais set to take on Anthony.

“Once Kenneth interrupted me and said what he said, (respect) kinda went out the window,” Blais commented. “Don’t disrespect us – we’ll remind you that you still aren’t on our level.”

It’s said often, but there’s a reason Blais is considered one of, if not the, best wrestlers in Western Canada; however, Anthony has quietly worked his way up the ranks over the past number of years to become one of the savviest wrestlers on the independent scene today. Where years ago this may have been considered an easy victory for Blais, it was Anthony who dominated the majority of the match. While a pre-match attack during Blais’ entrance was responsible for a portion of Anthony’s dominance, it was still jarring to see MRB dominated as thoroughly as he was from the onset of the match.

However, as is so often the case, Blais was able to find a way to win. His trademark kick combo followed by a Code Red seemingly out of nowhere led to the Western Lions’ hand being raised in victory.

It wasn’t the match that had people talking, however, but the gutless post-match attack from the Millennial Rebels.

Immediately following the Blais/Anthony tilt, the Rebels launched their assault, with both Kelly and Anthony ruthlessly beating down their exhausted opponent. While Blais valiantly fought, he was unable to overcome the numbers advantage of the duo at hand. An audible gasp was heard from the crowd as Anthony procured a pair of scissors and stared menacingly at a prone MRB, his intentions immediately clear. Grabbing Blais by the hair, Anthony cut off a formidable piece of Blais signature blonde locks.

At Hysteria, The Millennial Rebels crossed the line in a big way. What is the mindset of @GodsGiftMRB? Where do we go from here? #YEG #Wrestling #PWA #Edmonton pic.twitter.com/onNzddyq41

— PWA Wrestling (@PWAwrestlingca) April 22, 2019

It’s been years since this sentence was said in Albertan wrestling, but as his assailants walked away, Blais was left laying in the middle of the ring. There was no Brandon Van Danielson charging in to save the day. Unfortunately, the numbers advantage fell in the favour of the Millennial Rebels this time.

For the first time in recent memory, the Western Lions were broken.

Less than 24 hours after the brutal post-match assault, Blais broke his silence on Twitter.

My head won’t stop spinning, my mind is a mess. I’m broken. I’m angry. I’m defeated. I want revenge. I want to forget. I want to fight. I’m done.

I really don’t know what comes next… @PWAwrestlingca thank you for the support… pic.twitter.com/328HI1wyhG

— Michael R. Blais (@GodsGiftMRB) April 22, 2019

Thus far, Van Danielson has been unavailable for comment.

With a broken Blais and an absent BVD, the landscape of the Prairie Wrestling Alliance has truly shifted. Even with Blais confirmed to return in June, speculation has run rampant around the future of the Lions. Will we see Brandon Van Danielson in a PWA ring again? How will MRB respond to the heinous attack at the hands of the Rebels?

Could this truly be the end of the most dominant duo in PWA history?

“BVD and I are back to square one,” stated Blais. “On one hand, we want to just walk away if this is how it’s gonna be. On the other hand, we’ve never been about giving in. Part of our talks has been wanting revenge. Part of them has been that it’s not worth it at this point.”

“We really don’t know.”