Pro wrestler got his start in city

High Impact Wrestling (HIW) returns to Yorkton Friday, and among the combatants will be Rob Koroluk, an athlete who grew up in the city.

"I am an Alumni of the Yorkton Regional High School and a proud Raider," said Koroluk. "I started my amateur wrestling career at the YRHS. I think I still have an Orange cowboy hat somewhere."

So coming back to Yorkton and performing at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall is a definite thrill.

"It is a dream come true," said Koroluk. "Coming home to perform in front of friends and family is every performer's dream. I get to entertain friends and perfect strangers, all at the same time.

"It's exhilarating.

"The Legion is a perfect venue for a wrestling show. Fans can enjoy the matches in a licensed establishment, and their food and service is amazing. We are really lucky to be there."

Koroluk said his involvement in professional wrestling began as a youngster.

"I have been a fan of pro wrestling for longer than I can remember," he told Yorkton This Week. "One of my earliest memories of enjoying pro wrestling was being allowed to stay up late and watch Saturday Night's Main Event with my dad in the late '80's. I was hooked from the minute I first watched it."

The idea of actually taking part in the ring was one Koroluk said he had, but it took time to get the chance.

"I had always wanted to be a pro wrestler, but life didn't provide the opportunity to really give it a shot," he said. "Then I found HIW, first as a fan. I watched these athletes perform at the same level as the guys on TV. They were just as athletic, just as entertaining. I knew I had to be a part of it."

So Koroluk, who wrestles as Robbie Gamble, took the big step.

"I talked with the owner and introduced myself. We chatted, and I was instantly interested. High Impact's reputation spoke for itself," he said. "They had been entertaining fans for over 15 years, performing in several provinces. Some of their stars have moved on to perform in other companies, like the WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling, just to name a few.

"I started training shortly after the conversation. My first match was under the HIW flag in June of 2010. The rest, they say, is history."

So what was the toughest part of turning an interest into reality?

"I will quote Jesse 'The Body' Ventura and say that the toughest part of pro wrestling is waking up every day with pain," said Koroluk. "The ring is unforgiving, and after a while the slams and the falls catch up to you.

"Being properly trained helps a lot. Proper training prevents you from being consistently injured, but it doesn't stop the slams from hurting. People always ask if wrestling is fake. My answer is always "It is a lot more real for me now than it was two-years ago."

With only two years in HIW, there have still been highlights for Koroluk.

"I would have to say that on July 8th, I entered the Pile of Bones Battle Royal Rumble at number seven, fought my way through 22 other HIW wrestlers and, almost 25 minutes later, was announced the winner. Winning the Battle Royale meant I was the #1 Contender and earned a shot at the HIW Central Canadian Heavyweight Championship. When I eliminated the last man in the battle royal, the sold out crowd erupted. It was deafening, and a moment I will never forget."

Interestingly, while pro wrestling is his hobby, amateur wrestling is part of his real job.

"I am a coach in Regina for a local High School," said Koroluk. "I became a coach when I started my career as a teacher. I have been involved in wrestling in one way or another for 12 years."

That he wrestles in the HIW is something he said his students get a kick out of.

"My athletes love the fact that their coach and teacher is also an entertainment wrestler," said Koroluk. "It shows them a different side of me."

As for Friday's show Koroluk said fans can expect a good effort from his alter ego Robbie Gamble.

"Whoever is unlucky enough to step into the ring with Robbie Gamble will find out quickly what it's like to face the 'Wildcard'," he boasted, adding "What can the HIW fan expect? An entertaining evening filled with exciting characters, fast-paced matches and fun for the whole family."