There’s an economy under the FargoDome that doesn’t run on dollars or common sense. It runs on bartering, hustle, and a whispered understanding that anything can be traded. For three summers, I’ve wandered through this chaos, trying to make it out not just fed, but victorious.

This is the full journey.

It all started in 2022, at my first-ever Fargo.
Back then, I’d only heard whispers and legends passed between coaches and competitors about the infamous Black Market. I was curious, but too scared to dive in myself. So instead, I handed a young wrestler a rare pair of Flo socks… and we started trading. One item at a time, we stepped into the chaos together.

Next was 2023: a three-part descent into madness.

The premise was simple, I started with nothing and my food budget was limited to the value of the items I traded up to. On day one I was nervous, but I had a plan. You see, while I did not have any physical items, I did have one edge that I planned to use to my full advantage: access to the verified FloWrestling Instagram account. 

I wasn't sure it would work, but I hoped to exchange a follow-back from @Flowrestling on Instagram for an item of decent value. Did it work? Or did I go hungry?

Watch the first episode to find out:

I may have been scammed. The Taki's singlet was sick, I don't care what anyone says.

Ok, the Instagram thing worked a little too well. I forgot that this is Gen Z I'm working with, and clout is their our most valuable form of currency. I was happy to be eating dinner, but I felt it was all a bit too easy.

So for day two, instead of starting fresh again with the Instagram follow, I started with $10 cash I had leftover from day one's budget. The kids' ruthlessness on day one scarred me though. So, this time I enlisted the help of a young man named Camden. 

This kid was a magician.

He made a trade that you have to see yourself to believe: 

On the third and final day, I set out to do something that no man I had never done before. Start with $10, and trade up to a pair of shoes. 

I had made and overseen many trades on the Fargo Black Market over the past two years. And yet, I had never come close to trading for a pair of wrestling shoes. I figured doing this would be a great way to end the series. I wanted to show everyone that if you shoot for the moon, you'll land exactly where you planned to (or however that saying goes). 

BUT

Something else caught my eye, and I faced an unforeseen challenge that made me want to quit:

That kid made my life hell, and I almost gave up. Yet I persisted, and my 2023 journey ended in a splendidly victorious fashion. 

2024: Big Names, Bigger Moves

This year, I brought backup: Daniel Zepeda. Big name. Big energy. Bigger trades.

I handed Daniel Zepeda a microphone, and we began to explore the market through his eyes. This was my most chill Fargo black market experience yet. The vibes were so good, but don't just take my word for it. Check out this comment:

Check it out for the best encapsulation of what it's like to take a casual stroll through the streets of the Fargo Black Market:

The Fargo Black Market isn’t going anywhere. As long as there are teens with gear, kids with candy, and lunatics like me with a camera, it’ll survive. 

And I’ll be back. See you soon!