On Saturday, June 3, 2006 in Reggio Calabria, Italy, STONER KINGS vocalist and top European pro wrestler "The Canadian Rebel" Starbuck won the Italian heavyweight championship, defeating longtime title holder El Dinamico in a hard-fought outdoor match. With the rain pouring down in this outdoor event in front of a capacity crowd, Starbuck managed to nail his famous spike piledriver, dropping Dinamico hard on his head, for the fatal pinfall victory. This marks the first time in Italian history that a foreign wrestler has held their heavyweight title.

"After starting out in the wrestling business 13 years ago, it's been a damn long and hard road to get to this point in both my life and career," said Starbuck. "I've busted my hump for 10 years out here in Europe and finally it's beginning to pay dividends, both musically with STONER KINGS and in my pro wrestling career. The rewarding life is for those who dare to dream big and follow their goals no matter the cost. Whether you love me or hate me, I've done exactly that. For all the flack I get I must have sone something right!"

After suffering a momentary setback last month that saw Starbuck lose the Finnish wresting championship to Finn wrestler Stark Adder in a classic and heated 30-minute Iron Man match on May 26 in Helsinki — touted as the greatest match ever witnessed live in Finland — The Canadian Rebel regained his momentum in quick measure with this Italian championship win. Considering the fact that Italy is one of the international hotbeds for pro wrestling at the moment, globally speaking, this achievement is no small feat in itself.

Starbuck's band STONER KINGS will be seen this summer performing at the following Finnish rock festivals on the heels of their acclaimed second album, "Fuck the World": KilleriRock Festival in Jyväskylä on June 11, Tuska Festival in Helsinki on July 1 and Rock to the River Festival in Imatra on August 13.

For more information, visit www.stonerkings.net.