Bad Moon Rising: NSA Wrestling holding biggest show of the year Oct. 30

PALMER — NSA Wrestling is putting on their biggest show of the year at the Palmer Train Depot, Friday, Oct. 30.

Dubbed Bad Moon Rising, this annual show will feature over a dozen local and visiting wrestlers from across the state going head to head to provide locally grown, professional level entertainment.

“You get to see the biggest matches with the highest stakes at Bad Moon Rising. If you’re going to go just one big show a year... that’s the show to go to,” current NSA champion Tim Hulke said.

This year’s Bad Moon Rising is NSA’s fifth anniversary show. NSA co-founder Sean Coleman said it’s a huge event, calling it the “Wrestlemania” of the Valley. Coleman said they moved their annual Boxcar Rumble, usually held in March, to the Bad Moon schedule due to COVID-19. He said they’re shooting the whole event live, anticipating a large and enthusiastic crowd.

“We’re hoping to get as many people in the crowd as possible,” Coleman said.

Much like numerous other groups across the community, NSA was forced to limit their number of shows this year. Coleman said this will be their third and last big show of the year. He said that he feels like they’re slowly but surely getting back to a familiar rhythm and feels like they’re able to move their mission forward without any trouble.

“I think it’s gonna be a big event just because we’re gaining steam, finally,” Coleman said.

According to Hulke, the local wrestling scene has been growing. He said they have fans from across the state showing up at their shows.

“We’ve been seeing more diverse crowds. We’re seeing more people coming out,” Hulke said.

Coleman said the big match of the evening will be Hulke against Jack the Ripper. Hulke said this match will serve two purposes. One being “revenge” for his defeat at Jack the Ripper’s hands at the 2019 Boxcar Rumble, the other being the final showdown to protect his championship belt.

“I’ve always been a fan of professional wrestling. I never had an opportunity to get into it until I was 28,” Hulke said.

Hulke said that he’s been wrestling professionally for the last six years with Coleman. He said that he started training the same day as Coleman, whom he’s known for over 20 years. The two were trained by JT West, who went on to establish the 907 Wrestling Academy. Hulke shares Coleman’s vision to establish a lasting community built around professional wrestling, a legacy that lasts well beyond their retirement.

NSA is currently the only wrestling group of its nature in the state and the most consistently running one to speak of. Coleman, his fellow show runners and ragtag group of passionate wrestlers are pushing to promote Alaska’s wrestling scene right out of the Valley.

“The biggest goal I’ve always had is to make sure there’s an actual wrestling scene in Alaska… To keep it going after I’m retired to enjoy it with my son,” Hulke said.

Coleman said their next big show is their annual Boxcar Rumble in March. He said the ultimate goal for 2021 is to split their shows into adult, 21 and over shows and family oriented shows at different times. He said that he hopes to hold two shows a month and keep that momentum going.

Tickets for Bad Moon Rising can be purchased at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. with matches starting at 7. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and under. It will be about a two and half hour show with food for sale onsite. Since it’s Halloween weekend, costumes are encouraged.

For more information, visit the NSA Wrestling Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com