ROCKINGHAM — Charlotte-based Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling will bring a “battle” to the Richmond Senior High School gymnasium this spring featuring several big-name stars to raise money for Richmond County Crime Stoppers.

The Battle At The Rock will be the largest fundraiser for Crime Stoppers since its primary promotional event, a golf tournament, was discontinued about five years ago. The Battle is sponsored by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, along with a host of Chamber of Commerce businesses.

“It’s a family-oriented, kid-friendly event,” said Rik Nelson, promoter for Mid Atlantic. “We’re going to bring a lot of the big stars here that you don’t normally see unless you watch on TV. We’re going to make it affordable and fun and we hope to make this such a big event that we can try to do an annual event to where the sheriff’s department can depend on us for a fundraiser to raise money for whatever they need.”

Wrestling, Nelson added, is also “a lot more fun than a golf tournament.”

There are three stars committed to wrestling in the event: Buff “The Stuff” Bagwell, Scott Steiner a.k.a. Big Poppa Pump, and Billy Gunn, according to Nelson. There will also be younger talent, as well as female wrestlers. There will be no nudity or profanity, Nelson said.

Mid Atlantic’s events center around supporting local law enforcement across the state, according to Nelson. Though Nelson wrestled in Richmond County early in his career, this is Mid Atlantic’s first Richmond County event.

The RSHS gym doors will open at 7 p.m. on May 9, with the first bell around 8 p.m.

“I’ll have Rik pinned by 8:05,” joked Sheriff James Clemmons, who was adamant that he would not, in fact, be getting in the ring under any circumstances.

“It’s something new to bring to Richmond County and trust me, there are plenty of people that follow wrestling and who are into wrestling and we expect a good crowd,” Clemmons said. “We thought it would be fitting that our money and whatever donations we get would go towards Crime Stoppers to help the community in an attempt to make Richmond County safe.”

Chuck Cobb of Crime Stoppers said the organization “can’t say enough” about how much they appreciate the effort to put on the Battle to benefit them.

“Crime Stoppers’ mission is 100% to be a tool for law enforcement,” Cobb explained. “A lot of times, people are reluctant to give information because they don’t want to get involved, they don’t want to go to court, or they fear retaliation from (those they’re informing on). Crime Stoppers allows them an opportunity to do that and not get involved and get a cash reward if the information they give leads to an arrest.

“The national conviction rate for Crime Stoppers tips is 95%, so it’s a program that works,” Cobb continued.

Richmond County Schools will keep all revenue from parking and concessions, according to Captain Ricky Campbell. Campbell and Clemmons said the event would not be possible without the support of the Associate Superintendent Dennis Quick and Superintendent Jeff Maples.

“Our working relationship with the entire Richmond County school system has been awesome for many years,” Clemmons said.

Clemmons said that an added benefit of the wrestling event over the golf tournaments in years past is that wrestling is more of a “spectator” event.

“The difference between this and golf is golf, for fundraisers, is not a spectator event. It’s an event for individuals to just go out, play golf, have a good time and go home,” he said. “This right here is an opportunity to bring your grandkids, your nieces, your nephews, your grandma — this is just a family-oriented program and I think this is what Richmond County needs. It brings a positive light on what we do and gives those folks in the community an opportunity to bring their children and family to an event and have an all-out good time.”

Crime Stoppers is looking for more board members and support. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Chuck Cobb at 910-895-2751 or Jeff Avant at 910-995-5674. To send a tip to Crime Stoppers, call 910-997-5454.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/web1_Steiner1-5.jpeg

Gavin Stone | Daily Journal From left, Deputy Scott Waters, Mid Atlantic Promoter Rik Nelson, Chuck Cobb of Richmond County Crime Stoppers, Sheriff James Clemmons and Captain Ricky Campbell met Wednesday to discuss The Battle At The Rock event this spring.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/web1_IMG_9362-5.jpgGavin Stone | Daily Journal From left, Deputy Scott Waters, Mid Atlantic Promoter Rik Nelson, Chuck Cobb of Richmond County Crime Stoppers, Sheriff James Clemmons and Captain Ricky Campbell met Wednesday to discuss The Battle At The Rock event this spring.

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Big-name stars to compete in RSHS gym

Gavin Stone

News Editor

Reach Gavin Stone at 910-817-2673 or [email protected].