Stockford and his partner defeated Russian flag-toting fighters last year. Courtesy | Adam Stockford 

After the success of last year’s wrestling matchup, Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford plans to head back to the ring for round two at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds.

In the Championship International Wrestling Saturday Night Slam last year, Stockford and his partner, Desmond Dukes, defeated a tag team of Russian flag-toting fighters. This year Stockford plans to go solo against The Ripper, who CIW event organizer Phil Monahan called “a scoundrel.”

“He’s managed by the Modfather, who’s a weasely little guy,” Monahan said about the Ripper. “I think the Modfather wanted to put a stipulation in this match that if his guy wins the match then he gets to be the mayor of Hillsdale for 30 days.”

The Modfather posted a video confirming this threat on CIW’s Facebook page and Stockford responded in a video he posted to his page.

“You see this little key I keep in my pocket?” Stockford said in the video while producing a shiny silver key. “This is the key to city hall. Essentially, this is the key to the City of Hillsdale. If you want it, come and take it.”

The night will feature multiple fights between a zany cast of characters. Monahan said CIW does wrestling very similar to professional wrestling that can be seen on TV.

“Our tag line is ‘old school with attitude,’” Monahan said. “We do a little bit of the modern stuff, you know, the high flying acrobatics, but a lot of our stuff is still based on the old school, traditional, good-versus-evil cast of characters.”

Monahan said he was surprised and happy when Stockford joined in the fighting and did so well last year.

“This is definitely a community event,” Monahan said. “Stockford is a friend of mine. He likes to entertain people and he’s got an athletic background. Last year when he came in, I was pleasantly surprised that he took to wrestling so naturally.”

Stockford said he was excited to join the fight last year.

“They called me up and asked if I would sponsor the fight for $100 last year,” Stockford said. “I said ‘sure, as long as I can participate in it.’”

Stockford said that his history in boxing did not prepare him for professional wrestling as well as he hoped.

“They’re not really the same,” Stockford said. “Luckily, I am blessed to be in as good shape as I am, being in my 40s, but there was a lot to learn.”

According to Monahan, this year’s event is called “Horror House” and will have Halloween-themed fights.

“We’re going to do a kid’s costume contest as well,” he said. “So if kids can come dressed in costumes, then that would be great.”

Monahan said tickets are available for purchase at Checker Records. 

“It’s gonna be a wild crazy night,” Monahan said. “But it’s a family and community event so it’ll be a good time.”