Up until now, the brawling over Chatham’s downtown mall has taken place largely inside the Civic Centre. But on Dec. 6, it spills over inside 100 King.
That’s where the Mall Brawl, put on by Noble Champions Group (NCG) Pro Wrestling, will take place.
Featuring former WWE legend Chris Masters, as well as Chatham’s own Ricky James, the grapplers will square off in eight matches on the evening.
The owners of 100 King – the former Downtown Chatham Centre, have donated the space for NCG’s Mike Joseph to bring in the show.
Rob Myers, one of the 100 King owners, loved the idea when his fellow 100 King developer Don Tetrault came to him with the idea to host wrestling inside the downtown centre.
“It’s a crazy idea. We’re crazy,” Myers said. “We thought, ‘How fun would this be before (Fortis Construction Group) gets into any construction at the Sears building (for the Community Hub), and the development of the library, the museum and city hall?’ It’s a real contrast between building city hall and putting wrestling in our shopping centre.”
Joseph said the show is family friendly.
“It’s entertainment. It’s like going to watch a movie. It’s PG. There’s no blood. This is everyone cheering your good guy and booing your bad guy. It’s theatrical art,” he said.
Myers jokingly invited Mayor Darrin Canniff and Coun. Michael Bondy – who announced earlier this year he will run for mayor in 2026 – to take part.
Tetrault encourages everyone to attend and check out what he, Myers, Jessica Myers and Ron Nydam – the ownership team – are doing at 100 King.
“It’s an invitation to Chatham-Kent to see what we’re doing to the mall, the improvement we’re making to the mall and the future of what it is going to look like,” he said.
Myers added the timing is perfect.
“We’re just starting. We haven’t done that much inside yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, outside, crews have been busy renovating.
When completed, Tetrault anticipates a rejuvenation of retail outlets, restaurants, and perhaps a small grocery store for 100 King.
Joseph said he likes the venue at 100 King, as it features look-down seating on the proceedings from the second floor.
“The venue is unbelievable. It’s a dream come true, especially as a wrestling fan to actually be the one putting on the show inside the mall,” he said. “This is a grateful moment. I think it is the start of something special.”
Joseph hopes to run more shows in Chatham-Kent in the future. The owners of 100 King doubt they’ll be taking place inside their location once construction gets started and certainly not after new retail outlets open.
Tickets are available online at ncgwrestling.com
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the mayhem starts at 6:30 p.m.
Joseph said he started NCG Pro Wrestling last summer. He used to go with his father to Border City Wrestling events in Windsor but they faded. And as a father himself, he wanted to deliver some fun family entertainment.
“My kids came around and I realized it doesn’t happen in our area, so I wondered, ‘How much is a wrestling ring?’” he said. “Let’s bring ’er home.”
NCG runs events in Lasalle, Leamington and in Paw Paw, Mich., and is now bringing his show to Chatham.
“We build a whole vibe. This is something big, something new, coming to the area. Bring the family out,” Joseph said.
