“If you want to be a wrestler, The Death Tour is a definite way to prove to yourself and to others that you have what it takes. The problem is, to get there, it’s not easy.”

Each winter, when the lakes freeze over, a motley gang of professional wrestlers leaves Winnipeg on a one-of-a-kind wrestling trip through remote Indigenous communities of Northern Manitoba. Wrestling insiders call it the ‘Death Tour’ – both for the physical hardships endured on the road and the emotional toll it takes on those who experience it. Famous for its star-studded alumni, the trip offers wrestlers a rare taste of fame and a chance to see if they have what it takes to make it in professional wrestling.  This deeply personal documentary travels through Canada’s frozen North and into the wrestlers’ minds as they battle the elements, each other, and the impacts of our colonial past.

The Death Tour has been taking place since the 1970s and has helped launch the careers of many wrestling greats. We were lucky to film the 50th year of the tour for the documentary and to partner with wrestling legend Chris Jericho as Executive Producer.  Working with Chris Jericho allowed us to connect with some of the biggest names in wrestling and to film an AEW match featuring one of the film’s main subjects. While there are plenty of fun wrestling scenes in the documentary, the heart of the film rests with its main subjects and the Indigenous communities they visit. The documentary is an intimate story of trauma, redemption, and passion. It is sure to inspire everyone who has been tempted to risk it all to live their dreams.

There will be a short intro before the film followed by a brief post screening Q & A with members from the cast & crew.

Wednesday, August 21
Doors 6:00 pm | Intro & Film 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Main Floor Assigned $20 + s/c | All tickets $25 at the door

Buy tickets in advance HERE

THE DEATH TOUR (Stephan Peterson & Sonya Ballantyne, 2024  / 89 mins / NR) The Death Tour is a feature documentary following professional restlers on “the hardest tour in indie wrestling”. For weeks, these wrestlers travel across frozen lakes to put on shows for Canada’s most remote Indigenous communities. Sleeping on floors and eating canned food, this trip will force each wrestler to draw from their checkered pasts if they dare dream of a future in wrestling.

*Minors welcome. Must be 19+ w/ID bar service.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*Unless otherwise noted, tickets will be available for purchase at our box office on the day of the show, prior to showtime (subject to availability). Our box office will be open 60 minutes before showtime.
*Seating for this event is GA (balcony) and Assigned (main floor). We have a small lobby, and kindly encourage patrons to arrive at least 30-45 minutes prior to showtime to ensure time for entry, finding seats, and snacks at concession.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.