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<p>Fans who attended Chikara&#8217;s 8th King of Trios, a professional wrestling tournament held over Labor Day weekend in Easton, had the opportunity to meet Stan Malibu. Malibu, the latest character poised to take the wrestling world by storm, was supporting locally made Electric Monkey Energy Drink.</p><p>Malibu said the energy drink was an integral part in tag team N_R_G&#8217;s success at the event. Malibu is hoping to have that same effect in Northeastern Pennsylvania by revitalizing the independent wrestling scene and adding yet another reason for fans to attend events.</p><p>Stan Malibu is the brainchild of Kingston resident and former professional wrestler Gerard Durling. Durling plans to document Malibu&#8217;s experiences in the world of professional wrestling for a documentary about the culture surrounding the popular art form.</p><p>&#8220;The documentary began filming this past August and follows Malibu on his journey around the country as he helps shine a light on pro wrestling alternatives,&#8221; Durling said. &#8220;Readers, fans and aficionados can follow Stan Malibu on his year-long journey and keep up with his pro wrestling event appearances on Twitter @StanMalibu.&#8221;</p><p>Durling has dyed his hair, donned a bedazzled suit jacket and taken on the persona of a 58-year-old father of two from Tennessee for his turn as the spokesperson and entertainment entrepreneur. But why Stan Malibu? Some of the most colorful personalities of wrestling&#8217;s past were mentioned as he discussed his inspiration for joining the wrestling world.</p><p>&#8220;I am in professional wrestling because I believe that professional wrestling needs more personalities,&#8221; Malibu said. &#8220;Names like Bobby &#8216;The Brain&#8217; Heenan and Jim Cornette come to mind. Larger than life personalities that can help bring more to a show other than just pro wrestler versus pro wrestler. Somebody that can help ignite a show and give people a new reason to grab onto a character. Stan Malibu is that. I&#8217;m not Jumpin&#8217; Jeff Walker nor am I Fish Boy. I&#8217;m a larger than life persona and I need to be on a stage performing in front of an audience. I don&#8217;t hide behind microphones or speakers.&#8221;</p><p>N_R_G collected three points in Chikara competitions with the help of Malibu and Electric Monkey, giving them the right to challenge for the Chikara Tag Team Championship (The Campeonatos de Parejas). Malibu is looking to put his entrepreneurial prowess to use once again as he hosts Grand Slam Wrestling&#8217;s event at Moosic Youth Center on Sept. 12.</p><p>Malibu aims to become synonymous with professional wrestling in Northeastern Pennsylvania; when someone thinks of the local wrestling scene, he wants to be the name that rolls off their tongue first. His goal is to use his notoriety, personality and skill set to help up-and-coming talent in the wrestling world find their way.</p><p>&#8220;I bring a larger than life persona that people can either love or they can hate but I certainly hope that they love me because I love them,&#8221; Malibu said. &#8220;I love what professional wrestling is and I&#8217;m excited to assist any independent wrestler reach their full potential. I want to help find undiscovered talent and make them stars and I hope that that&#8217;s what Stan Malibu can accomplish for independent wrestling.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Gerard Durling, as Stan Malibu, has plans to bring attention to the local wrestling scene. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_stanmalibu1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Gerard Durling, as Stan Malibu, has plans to bring attention to the local wrestling scene. </caption0><photoCredit0>Submitted photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Gene Axton</p><p>gaxton@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>IF YOU GO:</p><p>What: Grand Slam Wrestling&#8217;s Black Jack Brawl 2015 hosted by Stan Malibu. The event will feature tag team and heavyweight title matches, as well as the titular 21-man Black Jack Brawl battle royal.</p><p>Where: Moosic Youth Center</p><p>When: Sept. 12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., bell time is 7 p.m.</p><p>How Much: $10. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Gene Axton at 570-991-6121 or on Twitter @TLArts</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hot off an appearance at Chikara’s King of Trios, Stan Malibu is set to host Grand Slam Wrestling