{{short description|Canadian professional wrestler}} {{Use Canadian English|date=November 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox professional wrestler |name = Vance Nevada |names = Black Dragon<br>Black Ninja<br>Blue Power Ranger<br>Catastrophe<br>Fabius Maximus<br>Great Cletus<br>Insanity<br>Lucha Larry<br>Oriental Demon<br>Red Dragon<br>'''Vance Nevada'''<br>Vern May<br>XXX |birth_name = Vern May |image = Vance Nevada.jpg |caption = May at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, BMO Centre on 28 April 2012 |height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}<ref name="Overview"/><ref name="HOF"/> |weight = {{convert|185|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="HOF"/> |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1975|12|31}} |death_date = |birth_place = Souris, Manitoba, Canada |resides = |children = |spouse = |family = |billed = |trainer = Ernest Rheault |debut = 1993<ref name="Overview">{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-03 |url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=462|title=Vance Nevada Overview|publisher=CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref> |retired = }} '''Vern May''' (born December 31, 1975), better known by his ringname '''Vance Nevada,''' is a Canadian professional wrestler, author, professional wrestling promoter and wrestling historian.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2017/09/24/22754514.html |title=Bellingham, Washington: The unlikeliest of wrestling capitals |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203182520/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2017/09/24/22754514.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=September 24, 2017 |author=Verrier, Steven |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==Professional wrestling career== Since his early matches in 1993, Vance Nevada has maintained an active touring schedule, appearing for 64 wrestling organizations across Canada and competing in multiple provinces and territories during his career. His work across different regions has exposed him to a variety of professional wrestling communities and fan cultures.
In addition to his success between the ropes which has included matches against ring legends and today's top stars from Jim Neidhart, Matt Borne and the Honky Tonk Man to Kenny Omega, Kyle O'Reilly and the Bollywood Boyz, Vance Nevada is regarded as one of the premiere historians of Canadian ring lore, having published three books on the topic and being awarded with the James C. Melby Historian Award by the U.S.-based Cauliflower Alley Club for his efforts.
Aside from his endeavours to preserve wrestling's past, while also actively participating in wrestling's present, Nevada is a life member of the Cauliflower Alley Club, a benevolent organization of wrestling professionals that provides funding and resource support for wrestling's alumni in the face of medical and personal hardship. In addition to his role on the advisory board and committee appointments, he has served as the editor for the club's international newsletter since 2020.
Between 1994 and 2009, Nevada was ranked in the ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' magazine top 500 ten times. In February 2022, he eclipsed the all-time record set by Leo Burke for most Canadian wrestling title reigns at 44.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2018-02-03 |url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingFeatures/rivercity2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001101160536/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingFeatures/rivercity2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2000 |title=The land of hype & gory |date=February 22, 2000 |author=Lunney, Doug |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2004/10/14/669350.html |title=Vance Nevada reflects on 10 years, 1000+ matches |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203185111/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2004/10/14/669350.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=October 14, 2004 |author=Clevett, Jason |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/10/05/1956723.html |title=Nevada restoring pride to NWA Canadian title |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203185032/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/10/05/1956723.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=October 5, 2010 |author=Johns, Fred |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
Nevada has done four Canadian Death Tours.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/02/04/4825524.html |title=Wrestlers brace for Northern Manitoba "Death Tour" |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203184924/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/02/04/4825524.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=February 4, 2008 |author=Kamchen, Richard |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/09/24/11090221.html |title=Wrestling exhibition stampedes into University of Saskatchewan |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203184830/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/09/24/11090221.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=September 24, 2009 |author=Oliver, Greg |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2012/03/24/19544631.html |title=Vance Nevada's brief, shining moment as NWA World champ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203184723/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2012/03/24/19544631.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=March 24, 2012 |author=Oliver, Greg |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==Personal life== {{expand section|date=November 2023|small=no}}
He resides in Wetaskiwin, Alberta with his wife Karen, and young two sons. He has an older daughter in Calgary. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadiancomics.net/graphics/vance_nevada.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://www.westmanjournal.com/news/local-news/from-head-locks-to-a-job-in-the-office-1.1746972 |title=From head locks to a job in the office |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203184106/http://www.westmanjournal.com/news/local-news/from-head-locks-to-a-job-in-the-office-1.1746972 |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=January 29, 2015 |author=Stewart, Lanny |publisher=Westman Journal |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/grappling-with-an-identity-crisis-255123751.html |title=Grappling with an identity crisis |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203184235/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/grappling-with-an-identity-crisis-255123751.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=April 14, 2014 |author=Redekop, Bill |newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=2018-02-03 |url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingReviews/almanac.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000119133644/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingReviews/almanac.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2000 |title=Almanac explores rich Western heritage |date=September 16, 1999 |author=Molinaro, John F. |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="WITCW" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/melita-new-era/docs/august_7/9|title=Melita New Era - August 7, 2015|date=August 26, 2015 }}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''365 Pro Wrestling''' **PWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ice<ref name="Titles">{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=462&page=11|title=Vance Nevada Titles|publisher=CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref> *'''All-Star Wrestling''' **ASW Trans-Canada Heavyweight Championship (5 times)<ref name="Titles"/> **ASW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Adam Ryder<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Canadian Wrestling's Elite''' ** CWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cwecanada.net/cwe-alumni-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/|title=From the CWE to the Hall of Fame: Vance Nevada has joined a list of wrestling legends|date=January 8, 2023 |publisher=Canadian Wrestling's Elite|accessdate=November 23, 2023}}</ref> * '''Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame''' ** Class of 2025 *'''CanAm Wrestling''' **CanAm Community Chaos Championship (1 time ) **CanAm Heritage Heavyweight Championship (1 time) **CanAm Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name="Titles"/> **CanAm Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Andy Anderson *'''Cauliflower Alley Club''' **James Melby Historian Award (2010)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/list-of-cac-award-winners/ |title=List of CAC Award Winners |author=Staff |publisher=Cauliflower Alley Club |accessdate=2018-01-18 |archive-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140413080042/http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/list-of-cac-award-winners/ |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> *'''Canadian Wrestling Federation''' **CWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> **CWF Tag Team Championship (5 times) - with Bugsy Slugg (1 time), EZ Ryder (1 time), JT Atlas (2 times), and Todd Meyers (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling''' **ECCW Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Gold Dragon Wrestling''' **GDW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> **GDW Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Bulletproof<ref name="Titles"/> *'''MainStream Wrestling''' **MSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) *'''Monster Pro Wrestling''' **MPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) **MPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Michelle Starr<ref name="Titles"/> *'''National Wrestling Alliance''' **NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> *'''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''''' **PWI ranked him #'''224''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2005<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi/vance-nevada-1581.html |title=PWI Ratings for Vance Nevada|website=profightdb.com |publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=462&page=12|title=Vance Nevada Awards|publisher=CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref> *'''Prime Time Wrestling''' **PTW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Pure Power Wrestling''' **PPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) *'''River City Wrestling''' **Canadian Unified Junior Heavyweight Championship (6 times) **RCW Hardcore Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> **RCW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> **RCW Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Robby Royce (3 times) and Bugsy Sluggs (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> **RCW Can-Am Six Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Canadian Cannonball and Sluggo Smith (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> * '''Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame''' ** Class of 2016<ref name="HOF">{{cite web|access-date=2018-02-03|url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBios/nevada.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010408195219/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBios/nevada.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2001|title=SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Heatseeker Vance Nevada|date=March 18, 2016|authorlink=Greg Oliver|author=Oliver, Greg|publisher=Canoe.com|df=dmy-all}}</ref> *'''Thrash Wrestling''' **Thrash Wrestling Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Adam Ryder (1), Bobby Sharp (1), and Sean Gaston (1)<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Top Ranked Wrestling''' **TRW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Disco Fury<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Top Rope Championship Wrestling''' **TRCW International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> **TRCW Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Rob Stardom (1) and TJ Bratt (2)<ref name="Titles"/> *'''Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling''' **VIPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) *'''Wild West Wrestling/Hardcore Wrestling''' **WWW Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with JT Atlas (1 time) and Scotty Simms (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/>
===''Luchas de Apuestas'' record=== {{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}} {|class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="text-align: center" |- ! width=20% scope="col"|Winner (wager) ! width=20% scope="col"|Loser (wager) ! width=20% scope="col"|Location ! width=20% scope="col"|Event ! width=15% scope="col"|Date !class="unsortable" width=5% scope="col"|Notes |- |Vance Nevada (hair) || Scarface (mask) || Winnipeg, Manitoba || RCW @ Winnipeg || {{dts|1995|5|11}} || <ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&sort=liga&show=59890 |title=RCW @ Winnipeg|publisher=Wrestlingdata - The World's Largest Wrestling Database}}</ref> |- style="text-align:center;" |}
==Works==
"(Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy" (2022, Friesen Press)
The Ear, Cauliflower Alley Club newsletter - editor (2020–2022)
CNWA Magazine - lead writer/publisher (2012–2013, nine issues)
History of Professional Wrestling Series #5 - researcher (2002, Crowbar Press)
* ''Wrestling in the Canadian West''<ref name="WITCW">{{cite web |accessdate=2018-02-03 |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2010/02/11/12836106.html |title=Wrestling in the Canadian West a rich and fascinating book |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203184751/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2010/02/11/12836106.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |date=February 11, 2010 |author=Baker, Roger |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
Central Canadian Professional Wrestling Almanac (1999, self-published)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150930114544/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/nevada.html Vance Nevada story archive] at Canoe.com * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120112122141/http://ontariowrestlingsindyelite.com:80/art/abnevada.htm Archive of articles by Nevada]}} on ontariowrestlingsindyelite.com * {{IMDb name| name= Vern May}} * {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nevada, Vance}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian male professional wrestlers Category:Professional wrestlers from Manitoba Category:Professional wrestling journalists and columnists Category:Professional wrestling historians Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers Category:20th-century Canadian professional wrestlers Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers Category:21st-century Canadian professional wrestlers Category:NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champions