Nov. 9, 2008
Duluth Budgeteer News

Witness a piledriver next week ... in person
By Matt Suoja

Duluth native Dave Sabick is not your typical 20-something businessman.

This 23-year-old owns the company — a unique one at that — Heavy on Wrestling.

HOW’s next event, “Have a Funkin’ Nice Day” will begin at 6 p.m. (autograph session with wrestlers begins at 5 p.m.) Saturday, Nov. 15 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Mertz Mortorelli Gym. (It could begin at 6:30 p.m. depending on how long the autograph and photo session lasts.)

Some of the funds from the event will be donated to the Valley Youth Center in West Duluth.

Sabick, a wrestling fan since ’90s, said he was influenced by a wrestling event fund-raiser a few years ago.

Fast forward to now: He’s a very busy man.

“I started it from the ground up,” he said. “I still do most of the work myself. I don’t hire out for office people. I do graphic design; I do stage set design; I do booking ... I do accounting; I do all that myself.”

Sabick said during the ’70s and ’80s the American Wrestling Association, that featured some huge names in the wrestling world, was a big draw in the area.

“There were huge stars that were part of that company (AWA), including Baron von Raschke, “Mad Dog” Vachon, The Crusher, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Curt Hennig, Verne Gagne, Greg Gagne, Jim Brunzell, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair — they all were a part of this area at one time,” Sabick said.

After the AWA folded, Sabick said a void was left in the area.

“World Wrestling Entertainment runs (through) this area every two to four years, but that’s about it,” he said. “We are happy to bring some great names that have appeared on WWE and World Championship Wrestling.”

Sabick will be wearing one more hat this weekend: he will be part of a tag team.

Heavy D (Sabick) and Cherry, a former WWE Smackdown Diva, will take on Aaron Corbin and Ann Brookstone.

In the main event, Arik “The Anarchist” Cannon will take on Ben “The Professional” Sailer for the heavyweight championship, with special guest referee Mick Foley (also known as Cactus Jack) and special guest enforcer Terry Funk — both of whom are wrestling legends.

Cannon, said he was a fan of Foley and Funk’s growing up, but he doesn’t trust them.

“It’s definitely going to be something special,” Cannon said about Foley and Funk’s appearance. “Truth be told, Mick Foley and Terry Funk were among my favorite wrestlers growing up. But I’m not a kid anymore, and these two geriatrics better stay out of my way. If either of them get in my face, it’s not going to be pretty. I respect my elders, but I will not hesitate to punch either of them in the face.”

So are Cannon and Sailer really friends outside the ring or is it all fluff for the audience? You decide.

“After I’ve had my hand raised in victory, and they put that belt around my waist, everyone will want to be my friend,” Cannon said. “Benjamin Sailer included. People are pathetic like that. Especially the small-minded fools in the Duluth/Superior area!”