Kaasa injured during wrestling match

March 07--UNION -- Although last Saturday's Trans-South Wrestling event included a crowd of nearly 300 people cheering, booing, clapping and stomping throughout the night, the night turned somber when one wrestler was rushed to the hospital.

Wrestling fans piled into the Union County Fairgrounds Industrial Exhibit Building on Saturday to witness a night of family-friendly pro wrestling. A highlight included Ricky Morton, member of the legendary Rock and Roll Express tag team, joining forces with a masked wrestler known as "'The Tinka' Oogie Brown from Out of Town" to take on Hunter Thompson and Eric Adamz. Morton and Brown defeated the team of Thompson and Adamz -- a team local fans love to hate -- and Morton and Brown met with fans and signed autographs before and after the match.

Other highlights included appearances by Vordell Walker, Cauliflower Brown, Jaxson James, and Kameron Kade. Kade was accompanied by a new manager, one whose name is well known in the wrestling world. Kade's manager for the evening was Tessa Blanchard, who is the daughter of Tully Blanchard and stepdaughter of "Magnum T.A." Terry Allen, as well as the granddaughter of legendary wrestler, promoter and trainer, Joe Blanchard.

Legendary women's wrestler Sue "Tex" Green -- 1976 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Female Wrestler of the Year -- was also in attendance to greet fans.

Fans of all ages enjoyed the atmosphere, and 12-year-old Sean Black, a dedicated TSW fan who was scheduled to undergo colon surgery at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital in Columbia on Sunday, was introduced to the crowd as a "real champion," and he received a standing ovation from those in attendance. Black began physical therapy on Wednesday and is on the road to recovery. Black's mother reported that immediately after surgery, the first thing he asked for was his pro wrestling action figures.

The night came to a somber close, however, during the main event between TSW Heavyweight Champion Peter Kaasa and Scotty Mathews.

Saturday's attendance included a larger number of children after Kaasa spent time at each of the five public elementary schools in the county the previous Wednesday, speaking about healthy eating choices and staying active, as well as answering questions from students about his wrestling career.

Kaasa is known for impressive high-risk maneuvers, one of which backfired on Saturday. At one point in the match, Kaasa leapt out of the ring, over the ropes and onto the floor. Although he landed on his opponent, Kaasa's legs connected with the ringside guard rail. Although he finished the match, Kaasa could not stand, and he was rushed to Spartanburg Regional ER by EMS following the event. Kaasa received X-rays at Spartanburg Regional and learned that he had no fractures, but did have damaged tendons. Once back in his hometown of Charleston, Kaasa had an MRI at MUSC. He reported on Wednesday that no surgery will be needed, and doctors say he should be healed within six to eight weeks.

Without health insurance, Kaasa's medical bills are a burden, and Trans-South Wrestling will release a special t-shirt, from which all proceeds will go toward Kaasa's medical costs. The shirts will read "Thank you, Peter Kaasa" as a show of appreciation for the bodily risks Kaasa takes for the wrestling fans in attendance.

Watch the Trans-South Wrestling Facebook page -- facebook.com/transsouthwrestling -- for more information about how these t-shirts may be purchased, or call (864) 426-8638.

Trans-South Wrestling's next event will be its three-year anniversary show on Saturday, April 5, at the Union County Fairgrounds.

Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, Ext. 29.

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