The misunderstood monsters of Alberta Avenue
Experience storytelling through silliness, spectacle, and spandex.
Monster Pro Wrestling has been spinning tales of underdogs, betrayals, and pirates in the Alberta Ave Community League hall for over 20 years. But look beneath the spin kicks, and you’ll see how they’re spreading a message of resilience, strength, and positive change like no one else.
Monster Pro Wrestling is an Alberta Avenue institution. On the first Friday of every month, a rotating cast of performers, high-fliers, and athletes of every size, shape, ability, race, and gender identity perform fights between their characters and show the audience their virtues (or lack thereof).
However, it’s more than simply an entertaining spectacle. Monster Pro Wrestling serves a greater purpose by bringing together some of the most marginalized in our community and allowing athletes to tell the stories they want to tell — not just live the stories others assume about them.
Organizer Sean “Massive Damage” Dunster is no stranger to our community's challenges. By overcoming his addictions with openness and compassion, he has connected with a diverse team of talented performers, coordinators, and event helpers to entertain and educate our community.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends to addictions,” Dunster says. “That’s why I speak to kids about drugs, bullying, and even suicide. We’re about connection and healing. Another wrestler here at the League, Matriarch, lost her son to a drunk driver.”
“For both of us and so many others, wrestling has been about finding and fighting for a different life. A better life.”
Through the inclusive world of Monster Pro Wrestling and his public speaking through Fight for Life, Dunster hopes to inspire children to realize that it doesn’t take a larger-than-life personality like a wrestler to make a difference — you can be your own hero.
“We’re trying to help the community,” Dunster reminds us. “We’re more than just a wrestling league. I hope people come to experience that.”
For curious community members, this is anything but a show of violence. Children laugh, cheer, and boo to the symphony of movement and stage presence that Dunster and his team orchestrate. Expect music, epic storylines, old grudges, and new faces as you cheer from the sidelines.
“We’re called Monster Pro Wrestling because we do it all,” Dunster says. “We’re a monster of a show. We do everything.”
Monster Pro Wrestling is a monthly all-ages event that everyone in the neighbourhood should experience once. Events feature a hot food concession stand, fully-licensed bar for drinks, and an engaged audience whose participation is half the show. According to Dunster, their April 4 show (Evil Intentions) promises to expand on the stories introduced during last month’s performance.
“Massive Damage, my character, hit a referee. We don’t want to give a story away, but the commissioner needs to make a decision about my character. Our new ladies' champion — who will she face? Will the Wild Boys keep pretending they won the championship rightfully? I can’t spoil everything, so stay tuned.”
For many, a night of fighting is a spectacle. For others, it’s a way of life — as natural as breathing. Local leaders like Sean Dunster are showing us the power of turning that fighting spirit into something beautiful, inspiring, and communal.
“Let’s connect with people,” he says, recalling the challenges he’s overcome. “Let’s connect with our youth. Let’s not tell people to change, but show them what it’s like to be different.”
great photo A ringside moment between pirates Alex Houston and Cole Ram. | Photo by Jacob Ulickij
I love Rat Creek Press, our community newspaper here in Edmonton. I learn about activities and events that are completely unfamiliar to me and I enjoy that! Keeps my mind open to our lively community. Thank you!