Wrestlers compete in last year’s North American Wrestling Alliance (NAWA) Bunkhouse Stampede match, which the promotion has held annually since 2017. The next NAWA Bunkhouse Stampede is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Burke County Fairgrounds in Morganton.
Michael Elliott is enjoying his role as the owner of the North American Wrestling Alliance (NAWA), and with a new year now having begun, he is excited for what’s ahead in 2026.
The owner of the promotion since 2022, Elliott is currently getting ready for NAWA’s first show of the year, the 10th annual Bunkhouse Stampede, which takes place on Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Burke County Fairgrounds in Morganton.
“We’re always super excited for a new year, for a new event, and we’re always excited to come back to Burke County,” said Elliott, who resides in York, S.C., but noted that Morganton is NAWA’s home base. “... Wrestling doesn’t have seasons, but the Bunkhouse Stampede is usually the kickoff to our season.”
This year’s Bunkhouse Stampede, which will serve as the main event of the five-match show, will feature 31 men competing in an over-the-top-rope battle royal. A new participant will enter every 60 to 90 seconds until 30 wrestlers have been eliminated and only one remains, with the winner earning the opportunity to challenge for the NAWA championship of their choosing (Heavyweight Title, Television Title, Carolinas Title, or Tag Team Titles) at any time over the next year.
The following wrestlers are set to compete in the Bunkhouse Stampede: Lil Donnie, Curtis Robertson, Dusty Money, Big Nasty, The Silver Fox, Robert Allen, Steve Allen, Pony Johnson, Thomas Extreme, Buggy Wright, Big Donnie, Bash Caliban, Daniel Reed, Kari Kobain, Curtis T. Love, Pretty Boy Bailey, Chayce Coleman, Masked Outlaw, Sexy Gouda, High Performance, Bryan Jacobs, Tony Benge, Golden Gladiator 3, Jay Cage, D.A. Bigelow, Wakiza, Will Goodman, Titan, David Sellers, Masked All Star, and Grant Kistel.
“If fans are familiar with the WWE’s Royal Rumble event, it’s very similar,” said Elliott. “The only thing that’s different here is that the wrestlers are allowed to bring weapons and you come dressed as you are.”
The Silver Fox could be removed from the Bunkhouse Stampede if he defeats Justin Kindred-Allen to win the NAWA Heavyweight Title earlier in the show. And with three other matches also slated to happen — champions Robert Allen and Steve Allen vs. Thomas Extreme and Buggy Wright in an NAWA Tag Team Title match; Bash Caliban and The Divine Embrace (Daniel Reed and Kari Kobain) vs. Chayce Coleman, Will Goodman, and Sexy Gouda in a six-man tag team match; and Big Donnie, Pony Johnson, Big Nasty, and Dusty Money vs. Curtis Robertson, Grant Kistel, Masked Outlaw, and Pretty Boy Bailey in an eight-man tag team match — there will be plenty of action for those in attendance to sink their teeth into.
“It’s been an extreme blessing to have the people of Morganton continue to love and support what we’re doing because without them we couldn’t continue to do this,” said Elliott. “... It makes me happy that they’re loving what we’re doing and they’re loving what we’re giving them. I think if they come out to the Bunkhouse Stampede, which is one of our bigger events every year, they’re gonna be extremely happy with the show.”
The preshow meet-and-greet begins at 3 p.m., followed by the main show at 4 p.m. General admission tickets are $10, while children ages 5 and younger will be admitted for free with a paid adult.
Parking is also free, and concessions will be available for purchase during the event, with Elliott also pointing out that former Ring of Honor star Beer City Bruiser is expected to appear at NAWA’s next show in Morganton on March 7.
Tickets for the Jan. 11 show can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/mustdw26 or at the door prior to the event.
Josh McKinney can be reached at 828-445-8595 or josh@thepaper.media.
