Justin Somers played around with the lights and turned on the fog machine.

            

            He tested the sound system.

            

            Then, he bust through the curtains.

            

            He imagined how he would look walking into the ring.

            

            He was living a childhood dream.

            

            “I’m a kid all over again.”

            

            Somers is the new co-manager of Island Pro Wrestling (IPW) and is looking forward to bringing new experiences to the province’s wrestling fans.

            

            He had previously been a sponsor of the company through his construction business, Jatt Drywall & Painting. He also had previous experience managing live musical events.

            

            He said he could see himself managing a company like IPW while improving its production after attending one of its events.

            

            “I feel like I can elevate all of the aspects that (the owner) had built the foundation on, so it was a no-brainer for me.”

            

            Around Christmas 2024, Doug Parker approached Somers and asked if he would be interested in taking over the company. The two reached an agreement.

            

            On Dec. 30, 2024, IPW equipment was dropped off at Somers’ shop. On Jan. 1, 2025, he approached Chris Frizzell about co-managing the business. He agreed.

            

            Somers said the company now has a board of directors, which come from various backgrounds.

            

            “We can all kind of take a little bit of responsibility for all the aspects of the company.”

            

            At least four wrestling events are planned for IPW this year, with a 2026 New Year’s event being hosted if the first two are successful.

            

            Somers has several plans to grow IPW beyond the wrestling matches.

            

            He wants to sell more merchandise, such as clothing and keychains.

            

            He also wants to provide fan-oriented experiences, such as opportunities to get into the ring with a wrestler and pose with championship belts.

            

            The co-manager wants fans to have the opportunity to have childhood dreams come true.

            

            “That’s what we’re trying to sell. Anything you thought of as a youth or even currently…we want to have the ability to offer that to the fan.”

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            Parker, the former owner of IPW, loves wrestling as much as Somers does.

            

            He started IPW in 2021 and co-manages another wrestling company in Nova Scotia.

            

            He has been involved in the wrestling business for more than 20 years.

            

            He said he had a lot of passion for professional wrestling when he started, but difficulty in finding venues and stress made him decide to leave the company.

            

            “The fire is starting to go out because I've been doing it for so long.”

            

            Parker will host one more wrestling event in the summer before he moves to Alberta.

            

            He is proud of what he accomplished at IPW, bringing wrestling talent to P.E.I. who worked with major companies like World Wrestling Entertainment and All Elite Wrestling.

            

            The former owner said he looks forward to seeing how Somers will grow IPW.

            

            “I’m really happy for him. I just hope he does well.”

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            Adam Craft, who wrestles for IPW under the name Wesley Pipes, is also excited for the future of the company.

            

            He books wrestlers for IPW events and organizes their matches.

            

            He has regularly spoken to Somers since IPW changed ownership and said they are on the same page with how to run the company.

            

            “I think he’s got a lot to bring to the table, but also a lot to learn about the wrestling business…so that’s where I come in,” Craft said.

            

            Craft has been reaching out to wrestlers from countries across the world to perform at IPW.

            

            He wants to bring wrestlers who are professionally trained athletes, have good physiques and perform with clean ring gear.

            

            “The (fans) are paying their hard-earned money for this, so they should get their money’s worth.”

            

            For Somers, it still feels surreal to be involved with IPW, which he considers a passion project.

            

            He is working with staff to prepare its first event of the year, which is planned for March.

            

            He said he has always been an entrepreneur at heart, especially when getting started with a business idea.

            

            “I’m kind of still in that honeymoon phase with it right now…but at the end of the day, it won’t be real to me until it’s showtime.”

            

            He added he is happy with the support he received from fans on social media and is looking forward to providing them high-quality entertainment.

            

            “People love it. They want to see it happen…so we want to make sure to give them a platform to make sure that they get that.”