Bob Bradburn
"Sinister"

Bob Bradburn
"Sinister"

“It’s more than just a ring, it’s a sanctuary”

“My character is a chapter of my life; I wanted to get out. I was feeling trapped,” deathmatch wrestler Bob Bradburn reflects about his person, Sinister, who he describes as a demon, bound to hell until he collects enough souls to be set free. “But when is enough, enough?" he asks Bob is a man who straddles the worlds of deathmatch, faith, and family. I've done some shitty things in life, I learned that and I've grown from it; I looked in the mirror and didn’t know who was looking back at me.” The reasons why wrestlers like Bob willingly put their bodies on the line are as complex and varied as the individuals themselves.

“My character is a chapter of my life; I wanted to get out. I was feeling trapped,” deathmatch wrestler Bob Bradburn reflects about his persona, Sinister, who he describes as a demon, bound to hell until he collects enough souls to be set free. “But when is enough, enough?" he asks. Bob is a man who straddles the worlds of deathmatch, faith, and family. I've done some shitty things in life, I learned that and I've grown from it; I looked in the mirror and didn’t know who was looking back at me.” The reasons why wrestlers like Bob willingly put their bodies on the line are as complex and varied as the individuals themselves.

Wrestling has been an integral part of Bob's life for as long as he can remember. He inherited his passion for wrestling from his mother, Liz Stevenson, affectionately known as "Mamma Liz," who took him to his first wrestling match when he was just a few months old.

Bob talks about the physical risks inherent in deathmatch, “I think God knows with the stuff I've been through–the physical, sexual, and mental abuse over the years, I think this is God's way of saying you never went to hard drugs, never did anything really stupid, hurt anybody, so he let me use this as an out and he protects me; the body of Christ, it's my shield,”. The reasons why wrestlers like Bob willingly put their bodies on the line are as complex and varied as the individuals themselves.

Deathmatch offers a form of expression and a release for Bob as he explains “Something about when an opponent busts me open, I become a whole new nightmare, my adrenaline is off the charts, I feel alive.” Despite his deep Christian faith, Bob and his mother were ostracized from their church due to his involvement in deathmatch wrestling. Bob maintains a personal relationship with God and prays for his safety—and the safety of everyone involved—before every match, often alongside Mamma Liz.

Bob often refers to his stepchildren as "bonus kids," a term he uses to show them they are loved and wanted. Bob intends to be a better father figure for them, with a life absent of abuse. AJ, one of his bonus kids who lives with Bob and Holly, avoids watching his deathmatches, worried about the risks Bob takes in the ring.

"Sinister is a group effort," Bob emphasizes. His wife, Holly Bradburn, plays a crucial role in bringing the character to life, designing and applying his intricate face paint. “She has been there in ways nobody else has, she is my rock, she is a big part of Sinister, she is the facepaint, the creativity.” As a founding member of Profits of Regret (POR), a Virginia-based wrestling promotion known for its extreme and dangerous stunts, Bob has carved out a unique space in the wrestling world. Wrestling is not without its challenges. The physical toll of deathmatches can strain their relationship, as injuries sometimes affect Bob’s ability to work and provide for their family.