Locals star in groundbreaking documentary
The Death Tour tells a story of hope in the strangest places
In 1988, Manitoba-born wrestler Tony Condello packed a van with a sack of food, a sleeping bag, and a well-worn map of the Canadian north. He planned to bring the joy, the struggles, and the triumphs of semi-pro wrestling to remote communities — no matter what stood in his way.
By 2023, an 81-year-old Condello and a band of Canadian wrestlers were doing the same unthinkable thing. A free screening of The Death Tour on April 30 invites us along for their unforgettable journey.
“Because a lot of rookies do this tour, it’s a badge of honour,” says Monster Pro Wrestling founder and documentary star Sean Dunster. “You name a Canadian that’s pro, they’ve almost definitely done the tour.”
The documentary follows amateur and professional wrestlers as they face dangerous ice road conditions, exhaustion, exhilaration, and the genuine impact that performance can have on communities that are largely removed from the outside world.
“You can see the beautiful land and where people live,” explains Dunster. “It’s stunning, but the documentary still won’t shy away from the hardships. For example, buying a case of water on the tour costs $150. That really shows you the kinds of conditions they face.”
The Death Tour is titled after the cultural significance of death for the communities and Indigenous reservations the tour passes through. If a death happens in these communities, the entire town closes down to mourn.
“Every show can be cancelled due to death,” Dunster says. “It’s tragic for those who live there, and it’s a challenge for wrestlers who are paid to perform. You may book 25-30 shows and only end up in the ring for 20 of them.”
The Death Tour was co-directed by Montreal-based filmmaker Stephan Peterson and Misipawistik Cree filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne. The documentary is executive produced by Chris Jericho — an American-Canadian wrestling icon best known for holding multiple titles, including WWF Intercontinental Champion.
Like Tony Condello, years on the road and in the ring mean Dunster is nearing the end of his wrestling career. Storytelling, as seen in Monster Pro Wrestling and The Death Tour, has revealed a path forward for him and his love of the community. This screening will act as a springboard for his transformative work with Fight for Life — connecting directly with schools and youth groups to organize kids’ camps that teach every aspect of wrestling and stage production.
Through monthly wrestling performances and engaging with local schools to speak on the dangers of drugs and gangs, Sean Dunster is living proof that fighting can be more cathartic and positive than you may think.
“I’ve already fought for my life,” he says, living his mantra. “Today, I want to fight for yours.”
The Death Tour documentary is screening for free on April 30, 2025, at the Alberta Avenue Community Hall from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. A short Q&A with Monster Pro Wrestling will round out the night. Attendees can RSVP for their seats by emailing mpwrestlingevents@gmail.com and attend the Leo Burke Cup on May 2, 2025, for a taste of live wrestling at the Alberta Ave Community League.
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Another excellent article from Jacob Ulickij at Rat Creek Press.