Latest news with #Zep
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
New Mountain Capital Announces Sale of Cleaning Solutions Provider Zep Inc. to Truelink Capital
ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zep Inc. ('Zep'), a leading innovator and manufacturer of maintenance and cleaning solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential markets, today announced that it has been acquired by an affiliate of Truelink Capital Management, LLC ('Truelink'), a Los Angeles-based middle market private equity firm focused on long-term value creation, from New Mountain Capital, a leading growth-oriented investment firm with more than $55 billion in assets under management. Terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed. Founded in 1937, Zep has built a legacy of trust, performance, and innovation in the specialty chemical sector, serving customers across industries with high-performance maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation products. Zep will build upon the operational foundation and growth trajectory established under New Mountain's ownership to further strengthen and expand its solutions portfolio and market presence under Truelink's stewardship. 'This marks an exciting new chapter for Zep,' said Amy Hahn, Chief Executive Officer of Zep. 'We are looking forward to working with the Truelink team to accelerate our strong momentum and deliver best-in-class products and services to our customers. During the past several years, we have successfully transformed our operations, expanded our product portfolio, and invested in technology and sustainability offerings to provide superior, comprehensive solutions for our targeted customer sectors. We extend our sincere gratitude to the New Mountain Capital team for their invaluable partnership and support in expanding our platform; we see even greater runway for growth ahead.' 'Amy and her team have done an exceptional job focusing the business on its core 'right to win' and have delivered significant innovation that is differentiated within the industry and delivers strong value to our customers,' said Ed Lonergan, Executive Chairman of Zep and Senior Advisor at New Mountain Capital. 'Since the initial acquisition, Zep has strategically focused on investments that leverage the strength of the Zep brand and capabilities and build on its legacy of strong product performance and exceptional service to serve new customers and markets,' said Harris Kealey, Managing Director at New Mountain Capital. 'We thank Amy and her team for a successful partnership and are confident that Zep is exceptionally well-positioned for continued success in this next phase of its journey.' ' Our work with Zep is a testament to New Mountain's approach: collaborating with management teams to build a more resilient and growth-oriented organization.' said Gandhi Bedi, Managing Director at New Mountain Capital. 'We believe the company is poised to thrive in its next chapter.' About Zep Inc. Zep, Inc. is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions for food and beverage, industrial, institutional, and retail customers. Zep possesses a large portfolio of premium solutions built over an 85-year legacy of developing effective products trusted by professionals and consumers to get the job done right the first time. For more information, visit: About New Mountain Capital New Mountain Capital is a New York-based investment firm that emphasizes business building and growth, rather than excessive risk, as it pursues long-term capital appreciation. The firm currently manages private equity, strategic equity, credit, and net lease real estate funds with more than $55 billion in assets under management. New Mountain seeks out what it believes to be the highest quality growth leaders in carefully selected industry sectors and then works intensively with management to build the value of these companies. For more information, visit:
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Zep® Featured as Primary Partner on Noah Gragson's No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway
Zep makes its primary race debut as the official cleaning supplier with Front Row Motorsports ATLANTA, June 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NASCAR driver Noah Gragson will debut Zep® as the primary partner on the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports (FRM) during this weekend's Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. The partnership with Zep, the go-to cleaning brand for professionals and auto enthusiasts, marks a new chapter in Gragson's NASCAR Cup Series journey and highlights the ongoing, season-long partnership between Zep and FRM. Zep serves as the Official Cleaning Supplier of FRM and appears as a primary partner on the No. 4 car at two Cup Series races, starting this Saturday, June 28, in Atlanta. Zep will also be featured as an associate partner across all FRM vehicles, including entries in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. After his 2024 season, Gragson signed a multi-year agreement to drive full-time for FRM. With Zep on board and a strong foundation of crew members carried over from his former team, Gragson is ready to compete on one of the biggest stages of the season. "We're growing as an organization, and this race is a chance to show we're here to compete," said Gragson. "Zep has been incredible to work with. They stocked the shop with everything from degreasers to all-purpose cleaners, and the whole team was excited. Plus, the car looks amazing in the Zep blue and yellow colors. Yellow has always been my favorite color, and it makes it easy for fans to spot the car from the stands." "Partnering with Zep is a great step forward for our organization," said Jerry Freeze, General Manager of Front Row Motorsports. "They're supporting us through branding as well as helping our team's performance in the shop and at the track. Their energy, commitment, and innovation align perfectly with our goals as we look to grow and compete at a higher level." Saturday's Quaker State 400 marks the opening round of NASCAR's first-ever In-Season Tournament - a new, bracket-style competition featuring 32 drivers vying for a $1 million prize. The race will be televised on TNT Sports at 7:00 PM ET and broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Gragson previously found success at Atlanta in the Xfinity Series, earning three top-five finishes, five top-10s, with an average finish of 8.3. Now driving for a team where he feels right at home, he sees this weekend as a pivotal opportunity. Fans can meet Gragson in person at the Fan Zone area of EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, June 28, from 3:50 PM to 4:05 PM ET. The partnership coincides with the national launch of Zep's Cherry Bomb Auto+ Degreaser & Cleaner, now available in over 2,500 Walmart locations and online at Built for everything from cars and garages to tools and grills, the professional-grade formula reflects the same high-performance standards that Gragson and FRM bring to the track. For more information on Zep and to find a retailer near you, visit About Zep, Inc. Zep, Inc. is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions for industrial and institutional, retail, and food & beverage customers. Zep possesses a large portfolio of premium solutions built over an 85-year legacy of developing the most effective products trusted by professionals and consumers to get the job done right the first time. About Front Row Motorsports Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at View source version on Contacts Jason Feldman - PR & Mediajason@ // (470) 626-1055 Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Zep® Featured as Primary Partner on Noah Gragson's No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NASCAR driver Noah Gragson will debut Zep® as the primary partner on the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports (FRM) during this weekend's Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. The partnership with Zep, the go-to cleaning brand for professionals and auto enthusiasts, marks a new chapter in Gragson's NASCAR Cup Series journey and highlights the ongoing, season-long partnership between Zep and FRM. 'Zep has been incredible to work with. They stocked the shop with everything from degreasers to all-purpose cleaners, and the whole team was excited. Plus, the car looks amazing in the Zep blue and yellow colors." Share Zep serves as the Official Cleaning Supplier of FRM and appears as a primary partner on the No. 4 car at two Cup Series races, starting this Saturday, June 28, in Atlanta. Zep will also be featured as an associate partner across all FRM vehicles, including entries in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. After his 2024 season, Gragson signed a multi-year agreement to drive full-time for FRM. With Zep on board and a strong foundation of crew members carried over from his former team, Gragson is ready to compete on one of the biggest stages of the season. 'We're growing as an organization, and this race is a chance to show we're here to compete,' said Gragson. 'Zep has been incredible to work with. They stocked the shop with everything from degreasers to all-purpose cleaners, and the whole team was excited. Plus, the car looks amazing in the Zep blue and yellow colors. Yellow has always been my favorite color, and it makes it easy for fans to spot the car from the stands.' 'Partnering with Zep is a great step forward for our organization,' said Jerry Freeze, General Manager of Front Row Motorsports. 'They're supporting us through branding as well as helping our team's performance in the shop and at the track. Their energy, commitment, and innovation align perfectly with our goals as we look to grow and compete at a higher level.' Saturday's Quaker State 400 marks the opening round of NASCAR's first-ever In-Season Tournament - a new, bracket-style competition featuring 32 drivers vying for a $1 million prize. The race will be televised on TNT Sports at 7:00 PM ET and broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Gragson previously found success at Atlanta in the Xfinity Series, earning three top-five finishes, five top-10s, with an average finish of 8.3. Now driving for a team where he feels right at home, he sees this weekend as a pivotal opportunity. Fans can meet Gragson in person at the Fan Zone area of EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, June 28, from 3:50 PM to 4:05 PM ET. The partnership coincides with the national launch of Zep's Cherry Bomb Auto+ Degreaser & Cleaner, now available in over 2,500 Walmart locations and online at Built for everything from cars and garages to tools and grills, the professional-grade formula reflects the same high-performance standards that Gragson and FRM bring to the track. For more information on Zep and to find a retailer near you, visit About Zep, Inc. Zep, Inc. is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions for industrial and institutional, retail, and food & beverage customers. Zep possesses a large portfolio of premium solutions built over an 85-year legacy of developing the most effective products trusted by professionals and consumers to get the job done right the first time. About Front Row Motorsports Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Noah Gragson Looks To Rewrite His NASCAR Story At EchoPark Speedway
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 21: Noah Gragson poses for a photo during NASCAR Production Days ... More at Charlotte Convention Center on January 21, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) If you tried to pitch Noah Gragson's last year as a TV script, even Hollywood would've told you to tone it down. A team collapses, sponsors scatter, the driver ends up sidelined—and somehow, twelve months later, he's back in the NASCAR Cup Series, with a new car, a new team, a new sponsor, and a shot at a million dollars. Even Gragson didn't see it coming. 'No, I didn't know how it was all going to happen,' Gragson said this week ahead of the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. 'I kept my confidence up that I'd have an opportunity. I just didn't know what it was going to look like.' Turns out, it looks like this: Gragson behind the wheel of the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports, with Zep—yes, that Zep, the cleaning products people that once sponsored Chase Briscoe at Stewart-Haas Racing—plastered across the hood. And if that wasn't enough of a plot twist, Saturday night also kicks off NASCAR's first-ever in-season tournament, complete with brackets, eliminations, and a $1 million prize. It's part March Madness, part demolition derby. Which, frankly, suits Gragson just fine. Downsized, Not Derailed When Stewart-Haas Racing announced it was shutting down at the end of 2024, Gragson and his crew found themselves in NASCAR limbo—a place where drivers either reinvent themselves or disappear entirely. AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 10: (L-R) Noah Gragson, driver of the #10 Nitro Circus Ford, ... More Stewart-Haas Racing owners, Gene Haas and Tony Stewart poses for photos on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by) 'There were so many different options and conversations being had, just trying to narrow down what we felt like was going to be the best opportunity,' Gragson explained. 'After speaking with Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze and everybody at Front Row Motorsports, it just seemed like the perfect fit.' In racing terms, Front Row isn't exactly a superpower. But in Gragson's view, that's not a bad thing. Besides he's hedged his bets a little, bringing a bit of familiarity along with him. 'I have probably half of the team from SHR—my crew chief, some engineers, a few mechanics,' he said. 'It's been a pretty smooth transition. And honestly, maybe downsizing a little bit has been better. At Stewart-Haas, we might've had too many cooks in the kitchen. Now, everyone's locked in on their role. We all work together really well.' Translation: fewer suits, fewer egos, more racing. The Dark Horse with Cleaning Products While Ford's new Mustang Dark Horse, introduced last season, has been hyped as the brand's next great racing weapon, Gragson's not the type to gush. 'No, not really,' he said when asked if the new car feels more aggressive or unpredictable than last year's version. Fair enough—sometimes a car is just a car. The sponsor, however, has potential for far more fun. HOMESTEAD, FL - OCTOBER 26: Chase Briscoe (#14 Stewart Haas Racing Zep Ford) during practice for the ... More NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 on October 26, 2024 on October 26, 2024, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Malcolm Hope/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 'They've been awesome to work with,' Gragson said of Zep. 'They brought a pallet over to the shop, had all the cleaning supplies—and the thing was raided within a couple of minutes. Everything was gone.' Race car drivers, it turns out, are surprisingly enthusiastic about spotless garages. 'They got everything—carpet cleaner, wall cleaner, degreasers, wax, coatings—the whole deal,' Gragson said. 'And yellow's my favorite color. It's bright, you can see the car on the racetrack. The car turned out really sharp.' It might be the first time in NASCAR history that 'cleaning products' and 'bold new livery' show up in the same sentence. But as Gragson knows better than most, strange combinations sometimes work. Million-Dollar Mayhem The in-season tournament? That's where things really get interesting. NASCAR's new bracket challenge brings eliminations, one-on-one rivalries, and—most importantly—a $1 million payday for the driver who survives. AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Noah Gragson, driver of the #10 Rush Truck Centers Ford, walks onstage ... More during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by) 'We're paying attention to see who we're up against, but you can't really do a whole lot until the race starts,' Gragson said. 'Once we strap the helmets on, we keep tabs on them. But with the bracket format… it might be more wild than anything. One thing goes wrong, and anybody can win—or lose.' For Gragson, that means opportunity—and a statement. 'A million bucks is awesome,' he said. 'But where we're at at Front Row Motorsports, we're growing as an organization. I think this is a steppingstone to say,' Hey, we're here to compete.'' EchoPark, Atlanta—Call It What You Want The track itself—officially EchoPark Speedway, though half the sport still calls it Atlanta—is a mixed bag for Gragson. In the Xfinity Series, he racked up three top-five finishes, five top-10s, and an average finish most drivers would trade for. But since the reconfiguration that turned the track into a superspeedway hybrid, things have gone… less smoothly. 'The old track, I was really, really good there,' Gragson admitted. 'Since they added the banking and made it more like a superspeedway, it's been tough to stay out of wrecks. Honestly, it's probably my worst statistical track since the reconfiguration.' Still, he's not exactly the type to back down. 'We've got an opportunity this weekend to change that,' he said. The Critics Can Wait It wasn't long ago Gragson's future in NASCAR was the subject of online message boards, Twitter (sorry, X) threads, and plenty of barstool debates. He says none of it matters now. 'None of it at all,' he said. 'I just do me at the end of the day. They want to hop on the bus, they can. They want to hate, go for it.' His attention, he insists, is elsewhere. 'If you don't have my number, you don't know me,' Gragson added. 'The people close to me know me, and they know the person I am.' Home—or a Launchpad? For now, Gragson's betting on Front Row Motorsports as more than just a rebound. 'I hope it's a long-term home,' he said. 'Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze are awesome people. It's a great organization to drive for. If you're not having fun where you're working, might as well not work there—and I really, really enjoy going into the shop every day.' But this is NASCAR. Long-term homes have a way of turning into springboards. And with a million dollars on the line and a high-visibility new sponsor on the car, this weekend could be the beginning of something much bigger. HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Noah Gragson, driver of the #4 Beef A Roo Ford, prepares for the ... More NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 23, 2025 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by) Biggest pressure this weekend? Gragson joked, 'Probably moving on to the next round. But I'll definitely say 'Atlanta' instead of EchoPark on TV… that's a given.' And if it all goes according to plan? 'I don't know what the headline's gonna be,' Gragson said. 'But it's gonna be pretty big. I know that.' Noah Gragson's made a career out of turning unlikely chances into headlines. This weekend at EchoPark—or Atlanta, if you slip up—is just the latest opportunity to prove that in NASCAR, underdogs don't just survive. Sometimes, they clean house.
The Province
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Vancouver's wrestling scene is booming. Here's why
City's wrestling mainstream includes spot prawn body slams — and staple guns Matt Brannigan applies the purple nurple to Shreddz at Destroy Wrestling, May 30 at the Rickshaw Theatre. Patrick Powers photo Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Tara Zep is in trouble. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Among other macro-aggressions, her opponent Drexl has used a staple gun to staple flyers from the evening's sponsors to various parts of the much smaller wrestler's anatomy. He has also positioned the seemingly stunned Zep over a large tin garbage can. Now the man-mountain nicknamed The Homicidal Artist has climbed the ropes and is about to body slam the petite, self-proclaimed Vile Villain into the metal cannister. Both wrestlers wear whiteface, though the addition of black eye makeup gives Zep a J-horror movie monster look. But wait! Just when it looks like it's all over for the underdog, Zep musters the strength to roll out of range just as Drexl jumps, landing on the garbage can in what looks like a very uncomfortable manner. As he recovers, his opponent reaches for her not-so-secret weapon – a folding chair with 'Zep' Sharpie'd on the back. Leaning the chair against the pained-looking, hunched over Drexl, she drives shoulder-first into chair and wrestler, knocking the Homicidal Artist down. The full house cheers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. We're only halfway through another sold-out WrestleCore at the Rickshaw Theatre. Along with a seven-match card featuring some of the local circuit's most popular good guys and bad guys, the event boasts live music from punk band Wait//less, a 50/50 draw and, in keeping with the evening's Destroy Wrestling theme, images of a dumpster on fire projected onto the venue's screens. Kobra Kai, a.k.a. Stevan Cvjetkovich, is the former pro wrestler behind WrestleCore. Along with his partner, Calamity Kate, he's organized 38 events since he began the promotion in Vancouver seven years ago. Thirty-seven have sold out. Today, there are at least eight independent wrestling clubs, or promotions, in the Lower Mainland, including WrestleCore, Canadian Apex Wrestling, Nation Extreme, Boom! Pro, No Fate, INvoke, Dusk, 365, and All Star. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Wrestling has definitely gone a lot more mainstream in the last 10 years,' Cvjetkovich said. 'When I first started, the audience was very minimal. I would be shocked if there were 100 people in the audience.' He credits Wise Pro Wrestling, a local company started by Kenny Lush and brothers Tom and Franjo Pavlovic in 2016 for 'setting a new standard of how it should be done' and inspiring other companies to form. Wait//less's Rebecca White shares the spotlight with wrestler Tara Zep at WrestleCore's Destroy Wrestling, May 30 at the Rickshaw Theatre. Patrick Powers photo This has led to innovation and a wide range of wrestling product. For example, the night after Zep pounded her trademark folding chair into her opponent, Prawn Cena was body slamming Taryn from Accounting at the Legion on Commercial. While everyone at the Rickshaw was of, or well over, drinking age, the Legion audience was made up of several young families, including kids. And no one was using a staple gun unless it was to hold together the spot prawn costume worn by wrestler Izzy McQueen. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'One of the challenges is that every event has to be unique and original,' said Max Mitchell, principal owner/operator of Boom! Pro. 'That means the branding, the title, all the graphic design. Once you do a lot of these you begin to get creative with your titles.' The Saturday night event at the Legion was Boom! Pro's third annual Spot Prawn Season card. 'Spot Prawn Season felt like a uniquely Vancouver name for a show. It's really just marked by a couple of things. We hand out a ceremonial wreath, and there's an appearance by Prawn Cena.' Before starting Boom! Pro three years ago, Mitchell produced comedy at Little Mountain Gallery on Main. After he fell in love with wrestling — which, admittedly, took him years and repeated exposure to WrestleMania courtesy of friend/Boom! Pro co-creative Travis Woloshyn — he organized a private match for family and friends on his 40th birthday. Six months later, he bought a ring. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His mission: to help bring people around to the joys of wrestling. 'During the time that I was falling in love with wrestling, I would show clips of matches to people around me, trying to help them understand that there was this incredible thing taking place, and to convince them that it was worth their time and energy. And failing. I did this for eight years.' Finally, Mitchell says, he looked to his wife for inspiration. 'Because she doesn't like wrestling, or even action films. And I thought, 'If I can create a wrestling show that my wife will enjoy, we'll have something to draw in this huge group of people who don't even know that they would like wrestling.' So it would have to be funny. But wrestling is inherently funny. It is so strange and ridiculous that you have to laugh, especially if you're experiencing it for the first time.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But wrestling contains multitudes. Just ask Zep, she of the fearsome appearance and staple punctures. The wrestler has formed her own promotion, No Fate, to bring a more extreme version of the art to Vancouver. 'I have a vision for this company,' Zep said. 'There are hundreds like it in the U.S. Canada seems to be a little more hoity-toity in its rules and regulations. Especially in the B.C. area, people are afraid to push boundaries. That's one of my main goals, to push boundaries and give fans something they've never seen before.' Although her Destroy Wrestling bout with Drexl was the stuff of playground nightmares, Zep is no stranger to the more comedic aspects of Boom! Pro. 'I do all kinds of wrestling,' said Zep, who takes on All Elite Wrestling star Leyla Hirsch at Vancouver Island Wrestlefest II on June 27 in Nanaimo. Tickets here. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I love doing comedy matches. I've pretty much only done comedy matches for Nation Extreme Wrestling, because that's the character and story I've been telling with that company. But I think a lot of B.C. promotions are maybe a little intimidated by me and my look.' If you need any more convincing that there might be a wrestling event for you, we'll give Chris Parry the last word. 'I think wrestling is the greatest form of live entertainment in the world,' said Parry, a former Postmedia journalist who owns and operates Nation Extreme Wrestling (next event: June 14 at the WISE Hall. Tickets here. 'I just got through watching Tom Cruise spending a few hundred million bucks on stunts that he gets to plan for months and then do and redo and redo, while my guys are in the ring on a Saturday night, writing storylines on the fly, doing stunts they've had maybe a few minutes to go through, that they have to pull off first time every time — without fail — or someone gets really hurt, while folks are yelling at them and cameras follow their every move.' Curious? Events coming up include Dusk's Butterfly Suplex on June 22 at Performance Works on Granville Island. Tickets here. And the Aug. 31 No Fate pro-wrestling show at The Pearl. Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks Soccer Local News
