Valor makes return home to wrestle; WWE Hall of Famer set to make appearance at event
By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
The folks of Wheatfield got a little taste of what Empire State Wrestling is all about last year, when Vince Mease - known as Vince Valor in the ring - came back home to wrestle in his hometown. Local wrestling fans will be excited to hear that ESW will make its return to the Town of Wheatfield and pack an even greater punch.
ESW's Wrestlebash will make its return to Frontier Firehall at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25.
The homegrown Mease will fight alongside his tag team partner James Sayga as the two look to defend their ESW tag team championships versus The Spirit Squad.
The Spirit Squad made their living in World Wrestling Entertainment becoming the WWE tag team champions. To fight at home and also go head-to-head versus an accomplished and experienced WWE tag team meant a lot to Mease.
"Being able to wrestle in my hometown is a feeling that's tough to describe. I've had so many great memories wrestling here and I'm looking forward to being back here doing what I love in front of my friends and family," Mease said. "As far as my opponents are concerned, The Spirit Squad has accomplished so much. They're former WWE tag team champions - that's something myself and my tag team partner James Sayga don't take lightly. It's going to be a tough battle for sure, but we're gonna do whatever it takes to come out with the victory."
Mease was scheduled to fight former WWE superstar MVP last year, but that match turned into Mease teaming up with the former superstar. Since then, Mease said the experience was a very humbling one, and he turned his sights towards tag team wrestling.
"I have found a new ally in James Sayga, due to our similar styles. We have used our strength and durability to capture the ESW tag team championships back in May, not long after we formed as a tag team," Mease said. "Since that time, we have defeated teams such as North America's Most Wanted, High Seas, and the Oliver Street Express. Fighting alongside James Sayga has taught us both a lot about who we are as competitors. We are a very tough and hard-hitting unit, and we hope to use that toughness to overcome the challenge ahead of us in the form of The Spirit Squad."
In addition to Mease's match, he said WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather will make an appearance in a role to be determined - more or less, a surprise for the audience.
Scoring a wrestler such as The Godfather is a huge addition to the card. Mease admitted, although it is tougher to get a guy like The Godfather to come to an ESW event, it shows that the product is getting better and better in the ESW.
"It was very tough to be able to land The Godfather here. We're very lucky and grateful to have him be a part of this event. He was recently inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, so to have him here a part of Wrestlebash is truly something incredible," Mease said. "As a part of ESW, we pride ourselves on being the absolute best wrestling company in the Western New York area, and in order to stay on top, we must keep our fans coming back for more.
"Wrestlebash is a way for us to thank our fans for their continued support, and each year, we go above and beyond to treat our fans to something special. We've had guests such as Matt Hardy, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Kevin Nash, Tommy Dreamer, Santino Marella, Hardcore Holly, Rhyno, Johnny Gargano, Sgt. Slaughter, and most recently MVP. Wrestlebash is the biggest local wrestling event of the year that every wrestling fan should experience."
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 local wrestling fans would definitely love the venue that is Wrestlebash.
"It's a wrestling event like no other. Over the last year, ESW has really raised the bar in terms of match quality, as well as making some serious upgrades in production value, which is largely credited to Promoter Brett Stymus and Executive Producer Johnathan Ashe.
"Our shows are now featured on many on-demand networks. Each show is better than the last, (and) it becomes tough to continue to outdo ourselves, but that challenge is what makes this so fun. Fans can expect to see some hard-hitting action, some entertaining characters, and just a great wrestling experience that will keep them coming back for more," Mease said.
The full list of matches for the event, which includes title bouts and a battle royal, can be found at eswwrestling.com. Tickets can also be purchased on the website for $15 prior to the event, or $20 at the door.