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“It was decided it would probably be best to leave him out of it because we didn’t want any controversy for the charity,” said Nicholson, who learned of Brazeau’s lifelong passion in wrestling through a wrestling friend who met Brazeau at Ottawa’s Bare-Fax strip club.

Nicholson said having Brazeau involved was a chance to get some extra publicity for the match. Brazeau is being paid an appearance fee for the stunt — although Brazeau himself claimed he wasn’t getting paid.

“He’s going through a lot of issues right now but he has not been convicted of anything, so we figured, why not give him a chance?” said Nicholson.

“We’re not presenting him as any type of conquering hero. He will more likely be portrayed as a villain at the show,” said Nicholson, who wrestles as Hannibal. “Wrestling is not Sunday school. It is basically entertainment and we are there to put on an entertaining show for the fans.”

Brazeau — whose favourite wrestler is the legendary Hulk Hogan — said he is prepared to embrace whatever role the promoters have planned for him.

“We can’t forget that this is sports entertainment,” said Brazeau. “I’m ready for anything. Maybe there will be some heckling, maybe there will be some cheers. Who knows? It’s all part of the spectacle and the entertainment that will be provided that night.”

The event will be held at the 1,500 seat Earl Armstrong Arena and will also feature former WWE favourite Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, although Brazeau won’t be refereeing his match.

Brazeau — who had his long hair shaved after losing a celebrity boxing match to then Liberal MP Justin Trudeau — said he hopes to avoid Beefcake’s trademark shears.

Brazeau said the referee gig will be a one-time stop on his road to a political comeback.

“I have some legal challenges in front of me and I am taking it one day at a time and you know obviously I am fighting all the charges that are pending against me when all is said and done I will be making a comeback in the near future,” he said.

aseymour@ottawacitizen.com

Twitter.com/andrew_seymour