I did these tours for 5 years. Every Winter. I always had a lot of fun. I'm from Pukatawagan, MB. I'm a pro wrestler for 12 years now. I love these times. A lot of memories are made and a lot of youth are smiling. ohhhhhh man. I miss these tours. I'd still be doing tours if we weren't on the on-going pandemic. This is amazing. Thank you for uploading and sharing this wrestling documentary. have a good day. ekosi.
hey thanks for the reply... share with your buds... i did the tour 2x once in either 1999 or 2000 and the 2003 tour... Massive Damage, Chi Chi, Vance, Frenchy Lamonte were on the first tour with me... then the folks in this one
Retired Texas indy worker here. I remember reading this on Edge's biography growing up and hearing Lance Storm, Don Callis and Chris Jericho on interviews tell stories about these tours. I wished when I started training 2005 that, I had this kind of experience of paying dues and learning how to work in these environments. These are the kind of humbling origins when debuted in 2007 working in small crowds, almost empty arenas and a group of guys and gals that were learning how to work. I think I would've appreciated it alot more looking back going to Mexican bazaars and flea markets to, do these really shifty lucha shows mixed with very little good talent. Thanks for sharing this documentary and I hear that Chris Jericho is executive producers in another upcoming Death Tour documentary, with Tony Condello. I can't wait to get my hands on a whole North American release since it's currently being shown in theaters in Canada.
This was really cool. I live in Alabama, and I guess we have something that might be kind of similar, except the weather is the opposite. Little towns like Dothan and Anniston. Of course, Canada is a hell of a lot bigger than Alabama too. It's just interesting to see how things like professional wrestling, and other forms of art, transcend through cultures and generations.
This is a great documentary. Thank you. What a rough and also enjoyable experience these guys shared together. Over 80 hours traveled on the frozen roads of Canada. It's a beautiful thing.
thank you , Andrew! I saw this on TV back in the day and regretted not taping it , I've been looking for it for so long. Great work , love this doc. Could easily be a 90 min doc so much to tell. Wonder how everybody is doing nowadays , I looked up couple of them like Roberto is healthy and still active with the same ring name Asesino. RIP Kerry Brown. I grew up watching him in Stampede.
The original cut was closer to 2 hours... I pitched doing six 22 minute episodes. But this was before reality TV... or at its dawning and nothing like that had been done before. The original cut focussed much more on Tony Condello and was much bloodier and grittier. The Network was afraid people would change the channel and we had to start from scratch. Leatherface such a great human... would never allow his face on air. I said stay close to me when I am filming (myself and the great Keith Eidse did camera). Leather turned into such great company on the trip... just one of the most interesting people you could ever imagine... the WILDEST stories just seemed everyday to him.
@@andrewlee8667 ahh man , the original 2 hour cut would be unreal to see! Too bad the network didn't give you guys the green light for the original cut , as you hinted with reality shows and wrestling docs trending nowadays , it would easily crush it as a series or 2 hr doc today. I hope some day the 2 hours directors cut gets shown. on a side note I thought Leatherface was Kerry Brown playing two characters lol I had no idea that was an individual on his own. So good.
@@gordthegeek Condello saw it... and the Jackal said it was by far the better story.... (no voice over). Just wrestlers telling the story. But back then it was cut low rez... 1tb of space was $1500 and money was tight... There is no copy of it other than what I gave Tony years ago
@@andrewlee8667 oh yeah , Im old enough to remember how expensive server space was back then. Your doc was right before the RU-vid era. I totally respect Don Callis' opinion. oh lord , Tony has the holy grail lol
That is why these guys deserve so much credit. Unlike the pampered major leaguers with guaranteed money who will miss a month with an ingrown toenail, it's work or don't get paid for these guys. All the respect in the world to guys like Roberto. On the other hand a little disappointed that some of these guys felt like he needs to go on even if it is a career threatening injury.
Wow, this was from 2003. I wish I knew how these guys are doing now in 2021. All very likeable people I could relate to. I hope they're all happy and healthy in their lives.
@@citizenbeeswax7985 80hours of driving... a lot of quiet conversations... listening to Chi Chi's music... and long long convos with leatherface... He ended up being the guy i hung out with the most... Never wanted his face on camera. I told him stay close to me... and you won't be on camera... but lots of great convos as we drove through the night.
@@citizenbeeswax7985 one of my coworkers was his tag team partner for many years, he tells me stories about him all the time, sounded like a hell of a man to hang around with. Took leatherface super seriously
I live in Cross Lake. One the places Tony comes for the Northern Death Tour. Been going to every show, every year since I was 6. I’m now 24. Use to only come in the winters, but recently he started coming in the summer also which means we get two shows a year, which is awesome. I’ve been going so much, Tony knows me by name already, and usually asks me if I want to go help set up the ring. And also for about 4 straight shows, got me to ref some of the events. Awesome being in there, but it would feel better to be actually wrestling in there. Keeps telling me to get trained every time after I turned 17, and I want to, but I’m too poor to get out of here to find a place to train.
Sarah Stock ended up being the TNA Champ... I was a little shy to interview here as she was Chi Chi's girlfriend. He was the alpha dog of that trip... so how he went ... went the crew. I did not know till close to the end of the tour that she had wanted to be interviewed. I drove with her probably close to 70 hours in our SUV and she was great... Getting tips from Leatherface and connections I think that is how she ended up in Mexico for so long... was Leather's connections.
Roberto is a good kid. He's got a big heart. Unfortunately I don't know how that will go with the cutthroat industry he's trying so hard to be a part of. Most of the promoters etc are not as kind as Tony. Most of the wrestlers are not as genuine as Roberto's trainer. I wish him and his family the best. A followup would be great.
i think Crash sent me this a while ago... it is an update... he and Roberto are now partners and trainers. thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/prairie-pro-wrestling-academy
I enjoy watching wrestling, but I'll never understand why people will do this to themselves with virtually no reward or pay. I guess people like me are the problem.... it's really sad sometimes
I really believe that this kid with the mask on should of never been in the ring to begin with, he simply didn't know what he was doing and for tony to put this kid in the ring was pretty bad decision making, he was not big enough to be in the ring, he was barely taller then the ropes and he couldn't work either. Who's fault was it to put him in there who knows but if i was the promoter of that tour I would of never put him in the ring at all period!
These kids forget an important thing.....you gotta strengthen your body workout and gain muscle so you can take this type of beating. Smh most of these wrestlers look flabby and out of shape and horrible
Charity. To do something for the kids on Northern Indian reserves which get little to no touring entertainment at all. Tony is wealthy he doesn't need any money. He does it purely to give back to the community in his province.