FORT HALL — The poster declared that the Extreme Midget Wrestling Federation might be half the size, but they bring twice the violence to the ring.

    The micro-wrestlers kept the crowd on their feet and roaring Friday at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Events Center.

    Announcer Skyler St. James said the federation does about 200 shows each year.

    Friday’s event was officiated by former pro wrestler Pat Tanaka and featured five of the federation’s best athletes.

    Following an opening prayer and special welcome by Miss Shoshone-Bannock Tadrochelle “Sister” Murray, the show opened with a matchup between Little Michael Mohawk and the Midget King.

    Mohawk appeared perpetually angry while the King, the crowd favorite, was more laid back.

    Their antics, both in and out of the ring demonstrated the strength, skill, agility and showmanship and affirmed that regardless of their size, the crew of the Midget Federation are accomplished athletes and dedicated entertainers.

    Danny Campbell, billed as Little Nasty Boy, is originally from Alberta, Canada, and he’s been wrestling for 33 years.

    “People want to see more violence and we give it to them,” Campbell said.

    Campbell said he prefers the term midget to being tagged a “little person.”

    “(Little person) is derogatory to me, I’m not a little person,” Campbell said. “I’m a midget, the term has been around forever.”

    At 4-feet, 8-inches tall and 125 pounds, Campbell was a formidable opponent inside the ring.

    During his match with Little Fabio on Friday, Campbell left the ring several times to confront wrestling fans who chanted, “USA, USA.”

    Kamden Furniss and Kody Hite were among those fans who antagonized the pint-sized contender.

     Kamden was celebrating his 9th birthday at the show and he and Kody, who’s also 9, didn’t back down when Campbell left the ring and headed their direction.

    Little Fabio, aka Chris Blanton, took a virtual beating at the hands of Nasty Boy who smacked him in the head with a pan, bludgeoned him with a baseball bat, clobbered him with a “wet floor” sign and kicked him in the groin before tossing Blanton out of the ring.

    Blanton, who stands 4-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 135 pounds, said regardless of your size, pro-wrestling is physically demanding and requires a high level of fitness.

    Originally from Rome, Georgia, Blanton said his daily workout includes 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise as well as weight training. He recently returned to the ring following knee surgery.

     He launched his career in professional wrestling six years ago and said it’s a dream come true.

    “I wanted to do this since I was a kid, since the very first time I saw a match. I knew this is what I wanted to do,” Blanton said.

    The Midget Wrestling Federation headed to Wendover, Nevada, following Friday’s show.

    The event, which drew about 200 people, raised money to help build a new wellness center in Fort Hall.

    Recreation Director Mike Sakelaris said the center will include two gymnasiums, a pool and a physical therapy facility.

    Sakelaris said the location for the center has been approved and now the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are in the process of raising money for the $30 million facility and all proceeds from Friday’s show went toward completion of the center.

     The tribes are also looking at grants to help build the center. Sakelaris said  $1.5 million has been raised toward construction of the facility.