A Philadelphia-based independent wrestler met with an ill-timed act of theft this past weekend. While unloading after a show about an hour outside of Philly, Ophidian Cobra‘s gear bag was stolen from his front porch. The bag contained two masks, kick pads/covers, gauntlets, shoes, a belt, an elaborate ring entrance jacket, as well as an envelope of cash and a singlet belonging to another wrestler. The loss totals around $3000, a high sum even for those of us who don’t make a living from wrestling on an independent level.
Fans have from Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit have put out the call to raise funds to replace the stolen items on his behalf. While his fiance Hayley Jane scrambles to ensure he has new gear for this weekend’s King of Trios tournament, the mask has to be specially ordered from Japan. A fan has offered up an older mask he purchased from Ophidian to use in the interim. While Ophidian will have new gear in time for his shows this weekend, the old gear had already been purchased by a fan, and will also have to be replaced. A primary source of income for independent wrestlers is the specialty sale of ring-worn gear.
“This is the worst time for my gear to be stolen. I have eight shows, one music video, and six seminars, before I leave for my tour in the United Kingdom on September 24. The person who took the bag probably sees a pair of tights and a crazy mask, and doesn’t think it holds any value, but to me, and to my fans, it means everything” – Ophidian
As of this writing, a third of the total loss has been raised via paypal and t-shirt purchases, but they’ve still got a ways to go. You can donate via PayPal, or grab a shirt and help out a snake here. Both Ophidian and Hayley Jane are overwhelmed by this outpouring of positivity and generosity, and grateful to all of the fans who have helped or sent well wishes since their loss was revealed.
We wrestling fans aren’t always viewed in the greatest light, and often times we can’t overcome our own skepticism that anything in the realm of wrestler’s lives isn’t real, or “a work.” But sometimes we can show little moments of compassion and initiative, and it’s those moments that hold our community together.
