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Fire in the Valley II: AFP editor Chris Graham to make in-ring wrestling debut?

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shen valley champ wrestlingShenandoah Valley Championship Wrestling announced today that it is bringing in Chris Graham from Top Rope Pro Wrestling to serve as the guest host for Fire in the Valley II, an Aug. 2 live pro wrestling card at Spotswood High School.

SVCW President Chris Marston, locked up in a battle for control of his company, asked Graham to be a part of the second annual summer blockbuster show to serve as a sort of mediator between the front office and an investor group from a rival promotion in Virginia Beach.

“In venturing out on my own in this pro wrestling endeavor,” said Marston, “I made the mistake of leaving a backdoor open. An investor with deep pockets breached my organization and was able to legally seize control.”

Marston and Graham have a history together in the pro wrestling business, having worked together in Top Rope and in Awesome Wrestling Entertainment.

“I’m glad to be able to help out my old friend and fellow UVA alum,” said Graham, the editor of Augusta Free Press.

As guest host, Graham will climb into the ring to interview talents booked for the loaded Fire in the Valley II card, which features ECW Originals Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney and former WCW star Lodi, and will include a four-way women’s match and a ladder match to determine the first Shenandoah Valley Championship Wrestling TV champ.

Tickets are on sale at Armstrong Auto Sales in Harrisonburg, at Spotswood High School and by calling 540-742-1743.

Advance prices are $5, $8 and $10. Tickets at the door will be $2 more.

In addition to the stars, the women’s match and the ladder match, you can expect some back-and-forth between Marston and his rival group, headed up by the mysterious Robot Robbie, as they battle for control of the emerging promotion.

“We want Chris there to help maintain some sense of order with these guys from Southwest Virginia trying to come up here and stake their claim,” Marston said.

Graham thinks he can help make sure cooler heads prevail.

“I’ve had the fortune to be able to work with both sides with AWE and Top Rope over the years. They’re all consummate professionals, but they just have a difference of opinion over the future of this company,” Graham said.

“My job is to keep them all focused on putting on a good show for the fans, because really, that’s what it’s all about.”

And if things do happen to get out of line?

“I won’t be afraid to bust a few heads if necessary,” Graham joked.

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.