Small, but mighty
Extreme Midget Wrestler Durango hops up onto one of the ring corners and dives onto a disoriented Rasta Rue during Saturday night’s first match in Murray. Photos by CHANSE WATSON
Pinky attacks Syko and takes him to the ground during the second match of the event. Pinky won the match and retained her championship belt.
The action goes beyond the ring in the third match as J-Rock slams Little Chicken into a ringside seat.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
MURRAY — North Idahoans have always had the ability to come up with some pretty unique events to bring folks together, but one event in particular that occurred over the weekend in Murray may have a shot at the title of being the most unique (perhaps even curious) of them all.
Seven of the finest athletes from Center Stage Entertainment’s Extreme Midget Wrestling show descended upon the small mountain town on Friday to give attendees a performance they won’t soon forget.
Hosted by the Bedroom Goldmine Bar, this year’s lineup of petite performers included Syko, Pinky, Little Chicken, Rasta Rue, Durango, J-Rock and King all battling it out on an appropriately sized wrestling ring next to the bar.
Each match showcased intense grapples and aerials off the ropes, mixed in with some ol’ fashioned clobbering with items such as a wet-floor sign and cookie sheets. In the midst of the mini-mayhem, the wrestlers even made efforts to engage in small talk with the more vocal audience members.
While the turnout wasn’t quite was he was hoping for, Bedroom Goldmine owner Chris Littlejohn was pleased with the petite performance held at his establishment for the second year in a row.
“We still had a good show, we still had a decent turnout,” he said. “The show quality was way better this year. Last year, we only had five wrestlers. This year we had seven.”
Last year’s event saw around 300 people come out, while this year attracted less than half that.
Littlejohn attributes the smaller attendance to the event being held on a Friday this year, instead of a Saturday, like in 2018.
The Bedroom Goldmine is a unique venue for the Extreme Midget Wrestling team, as they normally perform in larger towns and venues.
Littlejohn got the idea to bring the tiny team of wrestlers to the Silver Valley two years ago. He had previously seen them perform in Washington roughly 10 years ago and thought that the show would do well in this area.
Larger events such as this not only help the hosting establishment, but also benefit those who live and work along the North Fork as well.
“They’re good for Murray, they’re good for Prichard, they’re good for everybody up here,” Littlejohn said. “All events up the river are good for all of us.”
While he does plan to put the Extreme Midget Wrestling on the shelf for a while, Littlejohn is already looking to replace it with something just as fun for next year (possibly roller derby).
Murray’s next big events are a car show starting on Aug. 10 and Molly B’Damn Days from Aug. 16-18.