Councillors put their hair on the line

Councillor Quinn Haider loves playing a wrestling villain.

Haider, the principal at St. Paul’s School, has been telling his students he’ll do whatever it takes to win his big match this Friday. He’s all too happy to tell his opponent, fellow councillor Darcy Zaharia, that he’ll be walking home with a bald head. Haider’s having a blast being bad.

“I’ve had a lot of fun at my school telling the kids that I’m going to be the bad guy,” he said.

Haider has been a lifelong professional wrestling fan. He enjoys the larger-than-life characters and the electric personalities such as Chris Jericho and The Rock.

“My favourites have always been the dynamic speakers,” he said.

On Oct. 26, Haider and Zaharia will live out their wrestling dreams as they put their hair on the line for a good cause.

This Friday, Canadian Wrestling Elite (CWE) is returning to Yorkton as part of its “Strutting and Cutting” tour. Haider and Zaharia are part of one of the main attractions: A hair vs. hair match.

“Darcy is going to lose his hair,” Haider said. “[I’m] 100 per cent confident.”

“I like my chances,” Zaharia countered.

Haider and Zaharia won’t actually be lacing up their boots and battling in the squared circle; instead, they’ll be managing tag teams. Haider will be managing  “The Crazed Cowboy” Jacob Creed  and “The Boston Bruiser” Kevin O’Doyle, while Zaharia will be in the corner of Bull Bodnar and Kevin Lee Davidson. The manager of the losing team will have their head shaved bald.

Zaharia wants his team to fight fair while Haider is ready to cheat to secure victory.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this match,” he said.

The match is raising money for a good cause. Haider and Zaharia have promoted the bout by fundraising for Close Cuts for Cancer. So far they’ve collected over $1100.

“We’ve met our goal and then some,” Haider said.

The loser’s head will be in good hands, as wrestling legend Brutus “the Barber” Beefcake will be personally shaving them.

“When I was a young man, Brutus made his living in the WWE by shaving his opponents’ hair,” Haider said.

Beefcake (real name Edward Leslie) has wrestled for several companies under dozens of personas in his 40-year career, but he loves playing the Barber.

“There’s nothing better than chopping off somebody’s hair,” he said. “The fans love it.”

Beefcake has shaved countless people’s heads over the years. He aims to keep things light and safe.

“No one’s ever been injured [while I shave them],” he said. “I pride myself on that fact.”

CWE general manager Danny Warren reached out to Beefcake to join the tour, the biggest in company history. They’re putting on 32 shows in 32 days, visiting Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Warren knows it’ll be a demanding tour for his crew, but he thinks they’re up for the challenge.

“We want to keep expanding,” he said.

Beefcake is looking forward to hitting the road and meeting his Canadian fans.

“It’s relaxing,” he said. “Airports are a hassle.”

Haider is thrilled to be a part of the show.

“[CWE] is great family fun,” he said.

The show will be held at Yorkdale Central School this Friday (Oct. 26). Doors open at 6 p.m. for a meet and greet with a 7 p.m. official start time. Advance tickets are available at Dig N Dre’s, Pumphouse Athletic Club, PC Place LTD,  Yorkton Hobbies and Collectibles, and online at cwetickets.com.