In an exciting competition, first-timer Bluebeard (a.k.a. Emily Shaw) took down another newcomer, SoCal Sue, for the win, the title, the bragging rights, and temporary custody of the magnificent WOVV 90.1 FM champion belt.
Twenty-six women competed in this year's tournament, which is an annual fundraiser for Ocracoke's local community radio station. Their alter-ego wrestler names were: Bluebeard, Fat Jesus, Damage Patch Kids, SoCal Sue, Slammin' Sammin, Rosie the Riveter, Maid Scarian, Fearona, Wench Press, Rotator Cuff Reaper, Charlotte's Web, Nurse Ratchet, Pit Bull Pug, Dr. Killjoy, Midshipman Mango, Hanna-Belle Lector, Mary Juana, Lulu, Eggie Coldwater, Capt. Jess Sparrow, Force of Nature, Bobby Knocks Your Socks Off, Mary Lynn the Magnificent, Handjob Dylan, Barbarella, and ARM-erican Psycho.
Ranked arm wrestler Giles Russell returned again this year to the be the tournament's referee. The event was hosted by Beachcomber Campground, owned by Sean and Laurie Death. The campground is behind Ocracoke Station (the island's only gas station), and has a small bar and stage for live music. Dave Nelson and David Johnson tended bar (a portion of the proceeds benefitted WOVV), while Aaron Caswell and Jack Willis provided musical interludes between rounds of wrasslin'.
The tournament was organized by Greg Honeycutt, Tim Fields and Peter Vankevich, with many more volunteers to help. Bill Cole and Scott McNally did the announcing, and as always, appeared to be having a lot of fun doing it. Special acknowledgement goes to Daniel Sockwell, whose indefatigable cheerleading was a highlight of the night.
Bob Ray got the honors of awarding the costume prizes, an equally competitive part of the night's event. Some people, it's rumored, are in it just for the chance to dress up. First place: Damage Patch Kid! Second: Wench Press! Third: Bobby Knocks Your Socks Off! Honorable mentions went to Rotator Cuff Reaper and Hanna-Belle Lector. Go, local gals!!
It was clear early on that Bluebeard, Fat Jesus, Damage Patch Kid, and SoCal Sue were going to be hard to beat, and indeed, they ended up in the Final Four of the double-elimination tournament.
SoCal Sue beat Damage, she beat Fat Jesus, and then she came up against Bluebeard. Oh well.
SoCal Sue, who goes by Susan Andrews when she's not wrestling, is visiting Ocracoke from Harrisonburg, PA. She had thought about entering the contest, then decided not to since she didn't have a costume.
"I wasn't going to do it," she said. "Until about 7:05." The contest was slated to start at 7.
SoCal Sue made SoCal and PA proud, but there was no beating Bluebeard! Emily Shaw of Columbia, CT got married on Ocracoke eight years ago today, and is visiting again with a large family group. Her husband, Zac Shaw, was there to cheer her on along with 5 year-old Oscar and 2 year-old Astrid. This was, he told me, her first arm wrestling competition. She's no stranger to athletic feats of strength, however; Emily is a former member of the US National Women's Soccer team, and participates in Ironman triathlons. In other words….she was nigh unbeatable. Which begs the question…. where were you, Karm the Arm???
