This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Sam Thompson, Resistance Pro and Girls Girls Girls!

On Saturday, February 22, Resistance Pro Wrestling is presenting the second annual Samuel J. Thompson Memorial Tournament.  Appropriately titled "Girls Girls Girls!," it will feature 8 debuting female wrestlers competing for a trophy and an R Pro contract.  Equally important, it will be a celebration of the life of Sam Thompson.

Sam Thompson was a jack-of-all-trades for R Pro, however it was't so much what he did, but how he did it.  Brother Zach explained, "If Billy Corgan is the Dr. Frankenstein to R Pro, then the Baron brothers are the lightning.  My brother is the spirit that holds the parts together.  His legacy is his connections with people."  Sam touched people from day one at R Pro until his unfortunate passing in June 2012.

Sam continues to be a part of everyone's lives and a part of R Pro.  R Pro o-owner Gabriel Baron said, "The Samuel J. Thompson Memorial Tournament is the most important annual event for Resistance Pro in our eyes.  To be able to pay tribute to him and help raise money for the Samuel J. Thompson Memorial Foundation in his name is the biggest honor any of us can have.

Last year, Brady Pierce won an eight man tournament, along with a beautiful trophy and an R Pro contract.  Pierce is now one of R Pro's rising young stars.  This year, eight women will be trying to follow in Pierce's footsteps.

Zach reflected, "I think what's important to point out about Sam relative to the event is that it's a tournament where the winner gets a contract.  Sam always believed in giving people a chance.  He never judged a book by its cover and had a real knack for finding something to connect with people and maintain that relationship.  That's why he made such a profound connection with people he knew for a very short time.  We are flattered that R Pro chooses to honor him in this way."

Unfortunately, I did not know Sam too well or too long.  Yet, I count myself among the lucky ones with whom he made a profound connection.  I feel I know Sam far better than our few encounters would dictate.  I feel his loss, yet I also feel his presence.

Sam suffered too much in his too short life, but you would never know it from the humor he displayed.  He never complained and he never gave up, right to the very end.  He was an inspiration to all and remains one in our hearts.

The eight women newcomers realize the significance of this event and of being a part of Sam's legacy.  Nancy Thompson added, "Sam would have found featuring women wrestlers and giving a beginner a chance, a perfect way to memorialize him."

Gabriel explained the significance of having a women's tournament.  "R Pro has become a hotbed for the best in Women's wrestling and we want to showcase young stars who haven't had the chance yet to shine on a bigger stage.  The women's division is a huge part of the allure of R Pro and to be able to help grow it through the tournament is a win-win situation for us."

It is also a win-win situation for the fans.  The night will be filled with the usual great wrestling of R Pro.  There will also be several members of the 2013 Legends League champion Chicago Bliss in attendance (more Girls Girls Girls!).  There will be plenty of hugs, laughter, love and tears, as Sam is remembered, celebrated and honored.

Nancy Thompson summed it up with, "He was truly honored and proud to be a part of this organization and loved everyone associated with it."  At "Girls Girls Girls!," everyone will show how much they love Sam and how much he is still a huge part of R Pro and all of us.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Skokie