Innisfil resident Carla Caceres is on top of the world as she heads to a first-of-its-kind Canadian wrestling competition show later this year. She looks not only to the $5,000 top prize but also to the chance of being spotted by major wrestling companies in the U.S.
Along with the title in each of the three categories — men, women, and tag teams — the event provides the winners with a tryout at the Nightmare Factory, a world-class pro-wrestling training facility in the U.S.
Named in the ring as Cici Galavis, or just Cici (as she prefers), she believes the Wrestling Academy event will be closely watched by the biggest companies in professional wrestling such as WWE and AEW.
“This event is like nothing ever done before anywhere in the world. Canadian Pro Wrestling will be the next big thing," she said.
Formatted as a traditional reality show — similar to shows such as Canadian Idol or So You Think You Can Dance? — the event will feature online voting and celebrity guest judges, including famous wrestler figures. The contestants who score more votes move on in the competition, while the others have to leave.
Speaking of some challenges she will face, Cici noted the women’s division is full of talented wrestlers and is very competitive. To complicate matters, the character she plays is called a “heel wrestler,” a type of villain, which makes her path to the podium even more challenging.
“Hopefully the fans will get past the character, and will recognize my talent!” she said.
Introduced to wrestling by her fiancé, Cici debuted at Jonquiere Championship Wrestling (JCW) in Northern Quebec. Her track record includes wrestling matches for North Shore Pro Wrestling.
(NSPW) and International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) in Canada and The World Famous Monster Factory and Shimmer Wrestling in the U.S.
Like all contenders in the event who are recruited by the Wrestling Academy from all across Canada, Cici dreams to make her way to professional wrestling in the U.S.
“I would love to wrestle for one of the big three companies nowadays. Either WWE, AEW, or Impact Wrestling," she said.
Cici can look for inspiration in famous Canadian wrestling names such as WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Adam “Edge” Copeland, and Impact Wrestling's Josh Alexander.
When it comes to what defines Canadian wrestling, she said it’s very diverse with differences in styles between Quebec and Ontario, and all over the country.
“I think diversity makes Canadian wrestling very unique compared to the rest of the world.”
She believes the event will attract even more attention as COVID restrictions roll back across the country.
“Fans, promoters, and wrestlers alike are ready for Canadian Wrestling to burst back to life," she said.
Cici and her fiancé, both in the military, moved to Alcona following taking up jobs as Instructors in CFB Borden at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering.
Eager to represent Innisfil, she also is enchanted by her new setting.
“When we checked out the area, we fell in love with Innisfil. So, we decided to move to Alcona, where we hope to stay as long as possible.”
