#FansMakingTowns: Paradigm Pro Wrestling presents Terminal Combat 5/21/2021
by @olskoololfool
Southeastern Wisconsin to almost Louisville, Kentucky is plenty of time to be in a vehicle. It's plenty of time to rock out to 90's punk for multiple albums and hours. It's also a lot of time to ponder what in the world to expect from a show promoted as "the unholy union of shoot style and hardcore wrestling".
Bored out of my skull at my hotel and unable to get a decent nap, I left for the venue super early figuring I'd get the lay of the land. I found the important things in Sellersburg that late afternoon: the Circle K for affordable caffeine, the Waffle House and the American Legion Post #204. After too many cigarettes and multiple Rockstars...the doors opened pretty much on time, which I didn't expect at all.
The building and grounds were pretty nice I thought, the kinda of place where anybody can gather and have a good time: bar and deck for the adults, playground for the young ones, a picnic table-filled shelter and a fairly spacious lower level of the building. That lower level tonight was filled with a wrestling ring, socially distanced chairs and merch tables.
Being my first Paradigm show, I figured I could expect almost anything to happen. They have been extremely willing to experiment in the last year and this was maybe their craziest idea yet. I don't believe it disappointed, please watch the replay on independentwrestling.tv
when you can and draw your own opinions. The only word I've been able to come up with to describe it, even a few days removed from the show, is BONKERS.
The Paradigm fan family seems very tight to me and I think I understand why. It's a very special vibe and a very special wave they are riding on. They have all together: fans, creative, talent, crew, created a captivating and crazy multiverse (UWFi, No Hook, "standard" shows) that is truly a marvel in the current landscape of wrestling.
After all the madness subsided, I was able to talk to a few folks involved with the event at the end of the night. I'm grateful for their engagement, their ears and their time.
500-some miles driven that day. And for what? Joy, magic and memories: the things pro wrestling provides for me. Thank you Paradigm, for what you provide for pro wrestling.