Karm the Arm Smackdown!
A record high of 32 women competed in the event. The oldest competitor, GI Gyn, has children in mid-life. Her grandchildren, ages 12, 8 and 3, cheered her on from the crowd. The youngest wrestler, Annie's Got Her Guns, is 14. Karm The Arm took home her fourth title (she sat out the 2012 competition), and new this year, a spectacular Championship belt made by Jamieson Wilson.
Many costumes were goofy riffs on female power, anatomy or the contestant's name. Per several requests made to the editors of Ocracoke Current, here is a list of wrasslin' names: Karm the Arm, Ming Raster the Ring Master, Librawnian, Princess Slaya, Marie Antoilette, Georgia O'Queef, Mastadoane, Paula Mean, Bend it Like Bennink, Snow Might, Outer Spanx, Fat Jesus, Professor Pain, G.I. Gyn, Mind Game, La Cooch-A-Dora, Lyonysus, June Cleavage, Silver Catron, Bridezilla, Mermaid's Fury, Daisy Puke, Rosie the Ligament Breaker, Gooey Geisha, Fighting Melons, Miss 'Merica, Crusher the Clown, Annie's Got Her Guns, The Butcher, Sandy "Just Sandy" from Jersey, Veruca "The Seether" Salt, and Tiny Dancer the Ice Princess.
The competition was fierce and fun. Princess Slaya said she'd watched but not participated before, and is looking ahead to next year, having slain her stage fright.
La Cooch-A-Dora took home the prize for best costume. Her brother, volunteer bartender Dave Johnson, thought the Ming Raster should have won, calling the victory a "cooch de grace."
More than two dozen volunteers helped stage and run the event. Over $5900 was raised this year. Volunteer support, donations of equipment, and free poster design by Jessie Morrissey kept expenses under $600. Host non-commercial WOVV 90.1 FM (heard around the world at wovv.org!) will add roughly $4300 to its balance sheets, and OVFD will receive a donation of $1000.
Event organizers would like to thank all the businesses in The Community Square and Ocracoke Foundation, Inc.; sponsors The Outer Banks Brewing Station and Angie's Gym; donors The Fudge & Ice Cream Shop, The Back Porch Restaurant, Dajio, Restless Parasailing, Island Carts, 4x4 Beach Rentals, Mark's Hot Dogs, Howard's Pub, and a whole host of individuals who took the day or evening off to make it happen.
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