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Mike Crisolago
I am a 29-year old Toronto-based journalist and writer who has a passion for theatre, literature, history and baseball...

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NCW, Ring Crew, ROH, Ted Reeve Arena (2)

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As fans filed into the arena, my four companions totaled the injuries they’d suffered over the last few years: a separated shoulder, multiple concussions, knee problems, broken noses and a dislocated vertebrae. And that’s just the ring crew.

Jorge Morillas, Benoit Chalifoux, Alexandre Canuel and Roxanne Paris, prepared Ted Reeve Arena to host last weekend’s Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor VIII shows.

“A lot of people don’t appreciate what goes into setting up everything you see here: the ring, the lights, the sound system, the chairs, the merchandise tables,” Morillas, 31, said.

The four, all from Montreal, got started with ROH, one of the most respected independent wrestling promotions in the world, by setting up when they ran shows in Quebec. But last weekend they made the six hour drive to help with Toronto shows.

“Right now, Ben and I are on vacation so we took the opportunity to come to Toronto,” said Morillas, who holds down a day job as an IT consultant.

Chalifoux, who works regular 12-hour days for a flooring company, said the group, which also trains as wrestlers in Quebec’s Northern Championship Wrestling, has developed a tight camaraderie since meeting a few short years ago.

“The first thing is that we’re friends,” Chalifoux said. “And after the show, when everything is done, the gang goes to the restaurant. We talk to our friends because people like them become family.”

The group’s weekend started at seven o’clock Friday morning with the drive to Toronto from Montreal. When the production truck arrived at the arena in the early afternoon, setup began. The arena was ready to go before six in the evening, when press began filtering in for interviews with the wrestlers. However, despite early starts, it’s the late nights that Morillas dreads most.

“Taking everything down afterwards and loading up the truck,” Morillas said, when asked what was the most gruelling part of the job, “because by then you’re just beat.”

Although the foursome lives and trains in Montreal, they aren’t unfamiliar with wrestling in Toronto. A few years ago, Morillas and Canuel wrestled each other on a local independent show.

“I [like] the Toronto crowd,” said Canuel, a 17-year old student. “They make more sound.”

“A wrestling friend of mine said it’s kind of like cheating, wrestling in front of an Ontario crowd,” Morillas added, “because they’re easier to work.”

When asked which job is more difficult on the body, wrestling or setting up the entire arena, the group couldn’t give one definitive answer.

“Setting up and taking everything down is gruelling throughout the day,” Morillas said. “The match is more gruelling on the body, on the spot. At the end of the night it’s a pride thing, whether for the match or for the show itself.”

As far as the future, the four are humble but honest when asked about the direction of their careers.

“I will do everything I can to make it, because I really love this sport,” said Paris, also still a student. “It’s my passion.”

“For me, I left my spot to those younger than me,” the 30-year old Chalifoux said. “For people like Alex, if he has the inspiration to go [further], then I wish it for him.”

But until any of them hit the big time, they’ll keep lending a hand and setting up arenas, all for the love of the sport and the family they’ve gained along the way.

“It’s a lot of work,” Morillas said. “But in the end you look at the product and you give yourself a little pat on the back because you know you were a part of it.”

Read Mike’s full interview with the ring crew on his blog, Bastard Type.