Plant City fans love gripping action

About once a month, wrestling fans Ken and Betty Thoms leave their Lake Panasoffkee home and head south.

The retirees never miss Florida Championship Wrestling's regular matches at the Florida National Guard Armory in Plant City. They're in their 60s, but they share the same zest for the sport as the younger fans - and they don't mind the drive from Sumter County.

"I holler the most. We're hooked," Betty Thoms said with a chuckle.

Florida Championship Wrestling operates a school in Tampa where grapplers of both genders hone their abilities in hopes of making it big.

At least once a week they put their skills to the test in front of a paying audience. The matches are staged at armories and auditoriums from Punta Gorda to Brooksville and beyond.

Betty Thoms said she enjoys that the wrestlers are accessible and mingle with the fans.

"We know almost all of them personally. They're just a good bunch of guys. They're so polite," she said.

The Thomses credit the owners, former pro wrestler Steve Keirn and his wife, Terri, with cultivating a fan-friendly environment.

"Steve and Terri are wonderful. We have a great rapport with them," she said.

In Plant City, the venue is the Florida National Guard Armory, 4004 Airport Road, which can seat about 300 fans. Tickets for adults are priced at $15 general admission and $25 ringside.

The Keirns have staged matches in Plant City about once a month for a year and a half. The action includes tag teams, title matches and divas, or women wrestlers.

The wrestling cards attract regular fans and visitors.

On a recent Friday night, 14-year-old Emmett Fuerst of Canada took in the action from the front row.

The high school freshman said he's watched World Wrestling Entertainment on television and attended a few matches in Winnipeg.

Emmett and his parents, Dwayne and Kelly, were on vacation in the Orlando area when they heard about the Plant City matches from a friend and former wrestler, John Cutler. The Fuersts knew their son would love a night of wrestling.

"He's a big fan of the WWE. He watches it at home. He's met John Cena, but he says his current favorite is Chris Jericho. It changes," his father said.

Wrestler Percy Watson put a smile on Emmett's face with a handshake, autograph and photo opportunity.

Emmett also met WWE diva Beth Phoenix, who made a promotional appearance at the Aug. 20 matches.

Phoenix, known as The Glamazon for her beauty and brawn, is the three-time world women's champion. The 29-year-old is out of action with a knee injury but signed autographs and posed for photos.

"I love the fans. I love to interact with them," said Phoenix, who expects to return to the ring in two months.

Steve Klein said the Plant City armory has been a good fit for his matches.

"It's an ample size audience for the wrestlers to hone their skills," he said.

Keirn, a 58-year-old retired professional wrestler, began the Florida Championship Wrestling School in 2001.

During his wrestling career, he was part of a duo, The Fabulous Ones, with Stan Lane. He also took on the persona of Skinner, a tobacco-spitting alligator hunter from the Everglades.

One of his first audiences was in Plant City.

"Back in 1972, I wrestled in Plant City at the Florida Strawberry Festival. People in Plant City were bred on it. They've stayed with it," he said.

Keirn said he has high standards for his wrestlers and insists they keep the atmosphere family-friendly.

"We want to see people continue to bring their kids and grandkids to carry on the tradition," he said.

Keirn is schooling 68 wrestlers from 48 countries for the purpose of providing fresh talent for the WWE.

The stable of wrestlers who occasionally appear in Plant City includes David Otunga, who is engaged to singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. Hudson, whose film credits include "Dreamgirls," sometimes attends the local matches with their 1-year-old son, David.

Wrestlers regularly on the card in Plant City include brothers Bo and Husky Rotundo of Brooksville, who come from a long line of famous wrestlers that include their father, Mike Rotundo, who was known as IRS; grandfather Blackjack Mulligan; and uncles, Barry and Kendall Wyndam.

Keirn said about two of his wrestlers per year become stars with the WWE.


If You Go

WHAT: Florida Championship Wrestling

WHEN: Oct. 16; Gold Circle ticket holders admitted at 6:30 p.m.; general admission fans enter at 7 p.m.; bell time 8 p.m.

WHERE: Florida National Guard Armory, 4004 Airport Road, Plant City

TICKETS: General admission, $15, children, $12; Golden Ringside (Row 1), $25 for all ages

TICKET OUTLET: Buddy's Home Furnishings, 408 E. Baker St., Plant City, (813) 752-8913

WEBSITE: www.fcwwrestling.info