Hollywood Dusty Adonis comes out of retirement again and again
By Joan Janzen
Ten years ago, a film crew arrived in Eston in January to make a documentary about one of the town’s most famous residents, Hollywood Dusty Adonis (HDA), otherwise known as Dustin Meyer. Although he officially retired from wrestling in 2015, the Eston resident continues to do one match a year.
Eston resident Dustin Meyer, otherwise known as Hollywood Dusty Adonis, officially retired from wrestling in 2015. But he keeps coming out of retirement again and again. Photo submitted by Dustin Meyer
“I have had seven matches since retiring,” Dustin said. “I never really wanted to retire; I just knew I could no longer do it every weekend. It was hard on my body as well as the travel. I still miss doing it. That’s why I try and do one a year or so.” The matches include: RCW Kyle - 2015, PWA Edmonton - 2016, CWE Kindersley - 2018, PWA Edmonton - 2018, RCW Calgary - 2021, RCW St. Warburg - 2022, and a match in Saskatoon in 2023.
“Last February, I dropped the puck in St. Warburg at a senior game. One of my last matches was there two years ago, where I won the Blueberry Battle Royal during their Blueberry Festival. I became the Blueberry King,” Dustin stated.
In January 2014, an Edmonton-based production company travelled to Eston to film the Prairie Wrestling Alliance (PWA) performer, capturing his every move from sunrise to sunset. The crew interviewed his friends and family members, and even followed him to work at a local canary seed plant. Now, Dustin is the manager at AGT Foods Canary Plant.
The film crew headed to Calgary to get behind-the-scenes footage of the wrestler at a live PWA event. The result was a 15-minute documentary about wrestlers who came together to fight for a championship. The documentary was viewed on TV later that summer of 2014.
“It actually went to over 25 film festivals around the world, even winning in Alberta, so I would say it was a huge success,” Dustin reported. “Since the Match documentary came out, I have done some media.”
Ten years ago, the crew chose to film Dustin because he was such an interesting guy. The documentary featured the story of his life in Eston, his talent in the ring and the title match. An article in the Jan. 31, 2014 issue of West Central Crossroads reported on the exciting event as the film crew showcased Eston to people across Canada.
In January 2024, Dustin will be living on an acreage with his girlfriend and two-year-old daughter, Journey Belle. “We have horses, dogs, cats and chickens,” he added. He loves his life, but he also still loves wrestling.
“People always tease me about coming out of retirement again and again. But I never said I wouldn’t do the odd show. I love wrestling. I love the fans, the roar of the crowd. You never know when it’s gonna be your last match. I take all my appearances serious,” Dustin posted on Facebook.
He is also serious about contributing to his community and has become a RM Councillor in Snipe Lake No. 259, Division 4. “I spend a lot of time at meetings,” he explained.
Throughout his wrestling career, he said his friends, family, and the community have always been super supportive. “They made trips to see me whenever I would perform,” he said. “I think maybe some were disappointed I retired, and some were happy as they know the danger it is to my body.” Which is why he now chooses to do one match a year.
Nevertheless, Hollywood Dustin Adonis says, “I can see myself doing it again if the right opportunity knocks.”