By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
Some people may not know what Empire State Wrestling is, but to Niagara Falls native Vince Mease, it's all he knows.
Mease, known as "Invincible" Vince Valor in the ring, will return to his hometown for ESW's "Wrestlebash" at Frontier Firehall on Saturday, Nov. 25.
"Wrestlebash," ESW's biggest event of the year, will feature talent from World Wrestling Entertainment, TNA wrestling and some of the best independent wrestlers in the area. Mease will be going toe-to-toe with the former WWE United States and tag team champion MVP, and for him, to fight a former WWE superstar in his hometown meant a lot.
"This town means everything to me, it's my home, and I'm incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to showcase everything that I work hard for in front of my friends and family," he said. "This time last year, I was in a last-man-standing grudge match against my best friend and former tag team partner, Matt Milan. We did what we could to provide a memorable match, not only for ourselves, but for everyone in attendance. I'd love to recreate that feeling this year and send the fans home happy."
ESW is a premier independent wrestling company in Western New York with a goal to provide fans with a family-friendly wrestling entertainment experience like none other.
Mease said he's been into wrestling since his childhood and to be where he is today is something he'll never forget.
"I grew up in Niagara Falls, New York, and was a fan of pro wrestling my entire life," he said. "I trained to become a wrestler at the NEO Wrestling Federation Dojo in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I learned what I know from accomplished wrestler Tiberious King and also learned quite a bit from current WWE talent Tye Dillinger. I owe everything to those guys for making me who I am."
"I love wrestling; it's my passion and always has been. The brothers I've made in this business, traveling the roads, wrestling in front of big and small crowds and being the best I can be. One day I'll look back on everything, and this will be what I'm most proud of," he said.
Mease's competitor, MVP, made his professional wrestling debut in 2002 and won the WWE United States Championship in 2007.
Mease said when he heard whom he was wrestling it was something very special to him.
"As far as what this match means to me, it's very humbling. When I got the news, it was a feeling that is tough to describe. It's matches like this and moments like this that are most memorable for me in my career. To top it off, it's in my hometown of Niagara Falls, which I couldn't be more ecstatic about," he said.
As excited as Mease is, he's hoping the match ends in his favor, and he's promising to keep his home winning streak alive and well.
"I certainly have my work cut out for me, that's for sure," he said. "I'm wrestling a guy who's accomplished so much in this business. It definitely won't be easy, but I'm gonna bring the fight and do everything in my power to get the victory. For those keeping track, I'm undefeated at 'Wrestlebash' and undefeated in my hometown. That's a winning streak that I hope to extend. This is a huge match and a huge opportunity for me to clash with one of the very best, and I can't wait until showtime."
The doors to Frontier Firehall open at 5 p.m. for the event, and bell time is at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $13 for general admission to $20 for second row and $30 for front row. Prices will increase $5 at the door. For tickets and match information, visit eswwrestling.com or the event's Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/events/133483957299585/?ti=icl.
