A body thuds to the canvas in the wrestling ring.  The agonizing screams fill the recreational center as the crowd chants their hero’s name while he’s groveling in pain, refusing to give up.  The fans plead with him to change the course of action.  Meanwhile, his foe, the evil bastard, is cheating behind the referee’s back while blatantly smiling in front of all the crowd, taking advantage of the hero.   When all hope is lost, then the tables are turned.  The hero makes a comeback, and the crowd cheers loudly.  Yes, the hero prevails!

This is before the coronavirus pandemic.  Now, no one is on this emotional rollercoaster ride.  There are no rings in the recreational centers or sports bars.  COVID-19 changed the pastime performed even by Abraham Lincoln as wrestling and other sports were shut down.  Fans were left with no one and nothing to cheer.  The wrestlers had no fans to root them on.

But things are starting to change.  River City Wrestling (RCW) is returning to the ring with the appropriately named show “Recharged”.  The event will be held on June 27 at 5 p.m. at San Antonio’s Grand Event Center.  Tickets for the show can be bought on the company’s website. 

RCW is known for growing and showcasing young wrestling talent.  Current WWE stars Keith Lee and Erik of the Viking Raiders both wrestled for the promotion, as did current AEW stars Sammy Guevara and Ricky Starks.  The WWE legends Jake The Snake Roberts and Jeff Jarrett have wrestled there in the past.  RCW is where young, growing talent could get more fan exposure and learn from working with seasoned wrestlers. 

“We like to use major names with local talent,” said owner and promoter Boom Boom Brandon Oliver.  “It gives local guys some exposure and a chance to mix it up with someone who’s been on a higher level,” he said. “It gives them a chance to network and picks the brains of nationally experienced talent.”

“It also legitimizes the talent in the eyes of the fans,” he said.

John Peterson Jr. has wrestled for the promotion for several years.  Peterson is a 20-year veteran and said he is thankful for his time in RCW.  He’s had the pleasure of stepping in the ring with WWE Hall of Famers Bushwacker Luke, Tatanka and The Godfather.  He’s also wrestled with Hernandez from TNA and Lucha the Underground’s Deathmatch King Masada.

“I’ve learned a lot from them and enjoyed every match with them,” he said. 

Peterson currently aspires to start a wrestling school in Killeen, Texas.  He thinks it is an ideal location due to its proximity to Fort Hood Army Base.  It could lead to a place for military veterans to find a path for their next step after serving the country, he said.

“an Antonio and RCW have always had a great atmosphere, the fans are great, and I’ve wrestled there in sports bars and Retama Park horse racetrack,” he said.

The event will be the company’s first live show since “Young Guns 4 ” in August 2019.  In April 2020, they were scheduled to have “Young Guns 5”, but the show was canceled because of the COVID-19 lockdown. 

After the announcement of the new show, fans responded on River City Wrestling’s social media websites.  

“I am stoked to buy my tickets,” wrote Dustin Baker.

“I will be there,” wrote Luis Esquivel.  “I miss RCW.”

Brandon Oliver prides himself on fan interaction with wrestlers.  When major stars come to town, wrestling fans can meet them.  They get to take a photo, get their autographs and have a conversation with their favorite superstars.

“I love it when I bring down a major talent and see a fan all nervously shaking as they approach them,” Oliver said.  “You get to see them talk about how much they enjoyed watching them wrestle.  Some even tell their favorite stars were their heroes. It’s great seeing the joy on their faces.”

Wrestling fans in Central Texas are familiar with superfan Thomas Wesley.

“I’ve been a fan of River City Wrestling, to be exact, Oct. 22, 2005,” Wesley said.  “The atmosphere is always fun, and I can’t think of one time where I was unhappy with a show.”

“What separates them from other independent promotions in Texas is the level of promotion,” Wesley said. “Texas promotions do their best to put on the best shows they can, but RCW is the best at promoting their shows.” 

Wesley is popular in the area, and wrestlers seek him out to antagonize or gain his support.  “I went from being a casual fan to a well-known fan over time.  I am a constant target for wrestlers who come through the doors,” Wesley said.  “I’m not going to lie, I’ve brought plenty of that on myself, but that is the atmosphere of shows.” 

RCW encourages the fans to get involved.  The fans will get rowdy and loud as a they react to what’s happening in the ring.

Wesley has made a lot of connections through wrestling.  “I met the best man at my wedding though RCW,” he said.  “I have friends I’ve known for 15 years that I trust and count on, and RCW was the gateway to creating those connections.”

Oliver shut down the company due to COVID-19 in 2020 but said he is excited about its return.  The availability of vaccines against the virus made a return possible.  They could have continued having wrestling shows, but Oliver was concerned about the danger of having events while the pandemic numbers rose. 

“I didn’t feel right running live events when major promotions, sporting events or other entertainment avenues aren’t having live events,” Oliver said. “It didn’t feel right; I don’t feel I am better than those industries.”

When the company returns, he said it’s going to continue where it left off. 

“Eventually, we must get back to business,” Oliver said.  “We’ll pick up and be better than ever.