Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Graphic courtesy of Empire State Wrestling
Graphic courtesy of Empire State Wrestling

Empire State Wrestling turns '20'

Submitted

Mon, Jul 18th 2022 12:55 pm

ESW celebrates 20th anniversary with familiar faces & newcomers

Over the past two decades, Empire State Wrestling grew from its humble roots running at various halls in the Niagara Falls area to blossoming into Western New York's premier independent wrestling promotion. It is only appropriate, then, that Empire State Wrestling (ESW) commemorates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 13, by holding a milestone event at Buffalo RiverWorks – one of downtown Buffalo's premier entertainment destinations.

This special event, simply called "20,” will feature some of the top independent wrestlers from around the U.S., as well as Western New York's top locally based talent.

The matches announced for "20" so far include:

√ ESW heavyweight champion "The Aesthetic Crippler" Kevin Blackwood (Albion) defending the title against former Impact Wrestling star Jake Something

√ ESW tag team champions High Seas putting their titles on the line against the returning Maine-based tag team MSP

√ To Infinity & Beyond coming back to ESW to face the debuting Beyond Wrestling team Waves & Curls

√ Former Impact Wrestling Knockouts tag team champion Rachael Ellering making her ESW debut against Albany's "Courageous" Christina Marie

√ A special 20th anniversary lumberjack match featuring stars from throughout ESW's history

√ Several of ESW's regular fan favorites and villains will be in action, such as ESW's longest-reigning interstate champion Frankie Feathers, 2021 Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Cup winner "Invincible" Vince Valor (Niagara Falls), "The Remix" Kevin Bennett (North Tonawanda), "A Cut Above the Rest" Gavin Glass (Medina) and Vinnie Moon (North Tonawanda) among others

√ Other locally based wrestlers and staff that frequently appear at ESW events include Jeremiah Richter (Amherst), James Sayga (Tonawanda), "The Big Bang" Jerk Cockins (Tonawanda), ring announcer Chris Gullo (Kenmore), senior referee Darren Szalanski (Lockport) and promoter Brett Stymus (Lockport)

All cards are subject to change. Connect with ESW's social media outlets for further match updates.

Doors open at 5 p.m. The opening bell is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ESWTix.com.

Over the years, ESW has hosted many of pro wrestling’s top up-and-comers and biggest legends. Many current AEW stars wrestled for ESW, including Matt Hardy, Billy Gunn, Dustin Rhodes, MJF, Adam Cole, Orange Cassidy, Eddie Kingston, Ruby Soho, Jay Lethal, Colt Cabana, Lucha Bros, Best Friends, The Butcher and The Blade, Daniel Garcia, Brian Pillman Jr., Allie, Matt Sydal, Ethan Page, Evil Uno, Private Party, Shawn Spears, Bear Country, Bobby Fish, Brody King, Tony Nese, Danhausen and Mark Sterling.

Current WWE stars Kevin Owens, MVP, Jinder Mahal, Cedric Alexander, Tommaso Ciampa, Damian Priest, Joaquin Wilde, Robert Stone, Joe Gacy and Josh Briggs all wrestled in ESW’s ring.

Pro wrestling legends Kevin Nash, Brutus Beefcake, Sgt. Slaughter, X-Pac, The Honky Tonk Man, Jim Duggan, Koko B. Ware, Bushwacker Luke, Demolition, D-Von Dudley, Raven, The Sandman, Bob Holly and several others appeared at previous ESW events.

Founded in 2002, ESW is run by Stymus. Over half of ESW’s performers reside in the Western New York area. ESW runs regular shows throughout the year that draw several hundred fans, with some events being attended by up to 1,000 people.

Connect with ESW on the following platforms:

Hometown News

View All News