COPLAY, Pa. - Lehigh Valley residents hoping to get some exercise, have fun and show off their pro-wrestling moves may have found an outlet in Coplay.
A man who only goes by "Chad DeKroeger — the Nickelback of Cats" walked into a warehouse between the borough cemetery and sports field complex. He wore a bright red, classic wrestling mask with cat ears, and holes for his eyes, nose and mouth. The rest of his outfit was sweatpants and an old T-shirt.
- Pro Wrestling Workout happens every Sunday from 12-2 in Coplay
- It's open to all skill levels
- Some choose to wear wrestling costumes and remain in character the whole time
- The first class is free, and more information is available on their Facebook page
Inside the old building, heavy metal music blasted out of a stereo that looked like it was from the 1990s.
Other wrestlers climbed over the ropes of the square wrestling ring and did some guided stretches. They wore tall, laced up wrestling boots. Some had old World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. [WWE] T-shirts on with the sleeves ripped off.
DeKroeger taunted fellow wrestlers and acted like a pro wrestler would during WWE interviews on prime-time television.
"This is the real deal, there ain't no pretending," DeKroeger shouted. "You're talking to the excellent professional wrestling champion right here."
DeKroeger wore a trophy belt he had previously won from Excellence Professional Wrestling — a Pennsylvania wrestling league that took a hiatus during COVID-19, which is now starting back up. Some people at the Pro Wrestling Workout are involved in that league, which is a separate organization.
After a warmup, participants begin wrestling drills that ramp up in difficulty.
In the first exercise participants run from one corner of the ring to another, performing barrel rolls between corners. Then they jump up and slam themselves to the ground onto their backs. The group leader shared special instructions on how to fall safely — like landing on arched shoulders, instead of the lower back or head.
Whenever someone slams onto the surface of the ring, it made a loud banging sound. Some of the participants exaggerated this for entertainment effect.
Staying in character
Some wrestlers remain in character the entire time, which doesn't appear to phase the other participants.
"Sometimes, wrestlers who have been wrestling before, will come to our workout, and bring their personas with them," organizer Danny Rowe said with a laugh. "It's hard for them to turn off the off switch while they're here. But you know what? It's appreciated. We like when they come here. The class really likes it, and it really makes the pro wrestling workout an experience."
"Sometimes, wrestlers who have been wrestling before, will come to our workout, and bring their personas with them. It's hard for them to turn off the off switch while they're here."Danny Rowe, Pro Wrestling Workout organizer
"DeKroeger," the man in the red cat mask, is French-Canadian, spent some time living in Toronto and has been wrestling for about a decade. But he shared few other details, besides taunts directed at his "enemies," and some complaints about previous COVID-19 restrictions.
He said he is friends with another wrestler who goes by "Butt Gunderson." It was unclear how much of this information was factual, and how much of it was his character's fictional backstory.
Inclusivity in the ring
Rowe said he wants everyone to feel comfortable at his workout.
"Wrestling has always been this kind of niche thing," Rowe explained. "I think a lot of people think they can't break into it. But what we'd like to bring here is just a sense of inclusivity. We want everyone to feel welcome here."
Rowe said he's been injured in his wrestling career but there have not been any injuries at his workouts.
During the Sunday workout, two wrestlers appeared to accidentally head-butt each other, with an audible, "Ow!" But they were up and back to action after Rowe made sure everybody was OK. He shared some tips on how to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The group is mostly men, but Jennifer Dowd was one of the women in attendance. She started her involvement as a photographer but then decided to learn the sport.
"I grew up watching wrestling, so don't find it too macho," she said with a chuckle.
Rowe said he had advice for anyone on the fence about trying the wrestling workout.
"This is for everyone. Don't be intimidated, don't be scared. We will work with you," he said. "It is a lot of fun, we have a blast here — and come out because your first class is free."
Rowe's Pro Wrestling Workout happens every Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at 155 N 9th St. in Coplay.
More information is available on their Facebook page.
