Over the Top at The Lot: Arm wrestling contest draws big competition

Zarius Eusebe spontaneously signs the waiver. Credit: Owen Baker

Zarius Eusebe spontaneously signs the waiver. Credit: Owen Baker

Waivers were signed, blonde mullet wigs were donned and shirts were de-sleeved as competitors lined up to show their strength in a tournament like no other.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, The Lot Beer Co. in Granville held their inaugural Arm Wrestling Tournament of Champions, hosted by Nathaniel Reeb.

Months ago, after a few drinks and a few laughs, Paul Bluman blurted out to his friends — including the brewer, Chase Butcher, and owner, Trent Beers, of The Lot in Granville — a joke idea of an arm wrestling contest, that unknowingly and suddenly evolved into a full-blown event.

This got Beers thinking, and he began to reminisce about Over The Top, a 1987 arm wrestling movie starring Sylvester Stallone.

“We’re all about nostalgia here,” Beers said. “That movie came to mind, and I just wanted to put our spin on it.”

“As soon as Paul [Bluman] said it, I was like ‘Bet,’” Butcher said. Not long after, he announced he’d bought an arm wrestling table.

Chase Butcher and Nathaniel Reeb (pictured left to right). Credit: Owen Baker

Just after 8 p.m., Reeb and Butcher carried the table through the heaving crowds gathered around the clearing. It was complete with red and black arm pads and had two metal bolts for grip. They were committed.

“We have a few rules that we’re going to go through. I don’t know what they are, but I do know somebody who does,” Reeb said, passing the mic to Butcher, who acted as the referee for the night.

“A couple of rules,” Butcher said. “You’ve got to be squared up to the table; you’ve got to grip your opponent’s hand, thumb showing; and keep one arm on the other grip pad.”

Contestants also had to keep one foot on the floor, and were not allowed to torque their shoulders, making it just about their grip and arm strength. To decide whether a left or right hand would be used for the wrestle, contestants would face off in a single round of rock, paper, scissors.

As the tournament heats kicked off, cheers arose from the crowd gathered shoulder-to-shoulder. The night’s first competitors were The Lot’s own Beers and Bluman, nicknamed “Pull” because he’s been known to “pull his opponents over.”

He lived up to his name, pulling Beers over in a 2-1 victory, sending himself through to the second round of heats.

“My son Beckett is here to watch it,” Bluman said. “He’s 10. I’m here to inspire him to arm wrestle.”

Contenders included staff from The Lot, Granville residents, visitors from around Ohio and Denison University students.

Among the students was Corey Brunner. He was at The Lot celebrating his Feb. 4 birthday, which he shares with 3 teammates on Denison’s men’s soccer team. But he wasn’t planning to participate.

Brunner and teammate Zarius Eusebe, who went by the nickname “Ball” at the event, spontaneously decided to volunteer in the tournament to replace no-shows.

“I didn’t know what to expect, and I was a little nervous. But it felt good to win,” Brunner said.

In the second round of heats, Brunner began to get more nervous, as feared competitor Adam Werner stepped up to the table. Nobody wanted to wrestle Werner — a powerlifter in Columbus with a personal bench press record of 485 lbs (219.9 kg).

Brunner advanced to the second round of heats, but lost to another Denison student, A.J. Battle.

Corey Brunner. Credit: Mia Fischel

Megan Snoke. Credit: Mia Fischel

Adam Werner. Credit: Owen Baker

Adam Werner. Credit: Owen Baker

Zarius Eusebe. Credit: Mia Fischel

Zarius Eusebe. Credit: Mia Fischel

In a shock to all, Werner was knocked out by Youngstown resident Joe Kun in the quarter-finals.

“My uncle used to arm wrestle in college,” Kun said. “I asked him if he had any tips. He said ‘It’s all about leverage. It doesn’t matter how big the other guy is.’”

Reeb said his key to victory: a backwards trucker hat.

“You turn it round, and it’s like flicking a switch,” Reeb said to contestants.

Following more upsets in the heat rounds — including a showdown between Erica Maxeiner and her daughter Avery Maxeiner — a memorable three-minute arm wrestle took place between Chad Maxeiner and Jordan Estep.

Back.

Forth.

Back.

Forth.

Maxeiner and Estep were an equal match. They would tip over toward one side, and the other would bounce back, but neither were able to knock each other down.

Estep began roaring with the crowd as he put his all into defeating Maxeiner. But Maxeiner wouldn’t let him have it. By this point, Estep’s blood had rushed to his head, as his face radiated a bright red color.

After an earned reset after two minutes, Estep and Maxeiner squared up to the table for one last match-up.

“You’re a beast, dude,” Estep said to his opponent. “Just take it. Take it, you earned it, dude.”

Estep hadn’t fully run out of steam. He took a deep breath, and charged on, slowly taking Maxeiner down with all his strength to a well-earned victory. The left-handed wrestle lasted three minutes.

Estep's three-minute win over Maxeiner. Credit: Owen Baker

Estep’s friend Robert Pryll, who went by “Overalls” in the competition, beat Brett Degler, Damon Felix, and Beers to make it through to the final match up.

In the much anticipated finale, Kun defeated Pryll, claiming the title of the first official “Arm Wrestling Tournament of Champions” champion, winning a The Lot trucker hat, an unopened Over The Top DVD, the coveted arm wrestling competition trophy, and a $50 The Lot gift card, with Pryll taking a $25 gift card.

Kun defeating Pryll. Credit: Owen Baker

Kun defeating Pryll. Credit: Owen Baker

“Everyone is beatable,” Kun said, just a couple hours before he won the tournament.

As Butcher bought the trophy in a case of 3, there are two more trophies yet to be won. Butcher and Reeb expect this won’t be the last time The Lot hosts a contest this year.

“This might be the new hub for arm wrestling,” Reeb said.

Owen Baker and Mia Fischel write for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.

Over the Top at The Lot: Arm wrestling contest draws big competition

A backwards trucker hat makes all the difference.

By Owen Baker and Mia Fischel