10 Best Live Events Of 2019
The Northeast independent scene is thriving.
The Wrestling Estate prides itself on coverage of the independent scene, especially in the Northeast.
We preview upcoming shows in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware, and we hit the road to attend these under-the-radar events. We’ve also established great relationships with promoters and local talent, giving them a voice to a mass audience. For example, The Wrestling Estate is your go-to for breaking news regarding the Super 8 participants.
Editor-in-Chief John Corrigan attended many pro wrestling events over the past year, and here are his top 10.
10. It’s Always Wrestling In New Jersey
Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian finished their independent dates at the Colossal Sports Academy in Vorhees, NJ, taking on Colby Corino and Joe Gacy in inter-promotional warfare. Also, Joey Lynch defended the Modern Vintage Wrestling Heavyweight Championship against a slew of surprises, including Jordan Oliver, DJ Hyde and “Retrosexual” Anthony Greene. Plus, Sabu appeared!
9. The Future Is Extraterrestrial
Jim Cornette would have endless coronaries watching Pro Wrestling Explosion. It’s science fiction meets the Memphis territory, where an alien, robot and yodeler can all clash in the same evening. For this spectacle, Cornette’s worst nightmare Joey Ryan competed in six-person tag team action, partnering with the Platinum Hunnies to triple dick flip the Shinobi Shadow Squad. Contrary to popular belief, funny drew money at the Wrestle Factory in Philadelphia.
8. 23rd Annual Super 8
Although the one-night tournament was a financial disaster for then-ECWA owner Mike Tartaglia, the fans in attendance at South Philadelphia High School enjoyed the historic outing. All participants were second and third-generation wrestlers: Brian Pillman Jr., Leland Race, Wes Brisco, Timothy Zbyszko, Colby Corino, Marshall and Ross Von Erich and tournament winner Lance Anoa’i. This is the show that put the third-generation Von Erichs on the map, leading to MLW contracts just a couple months later.
7. Hustle & Grind II
Modern Vintage Wrestling thanked its loyal fans with a free show at the H20 Wrestling Center in Williamstown, NJ. If that wasn’t enough to get you in the building, how about the return of New Jack, who most likely added two more justifiable homicides to his rap sheet.
6. Synergy Turns 2
Synergy Pro Wrestling turned the clock back 20 years, as a couple ECW legends celebrated the company’s two-year anniversary and debut on FITE TV. Rhino came to the Polish Falcons Nest in Hillsborough, NJ, for the first time, taking on Brandon Kirk in a family friendly, yet highly entertaining brawl. When referee Ryan T got tossed outside the ring, a familiar whistle pierced the building as Bill Alfonso filled in and Kirk was punished with a Gore.
5. Hops & Headlocks 2
Like a mirage, a wrestling ring surrounded by kegs and wooden crates sat inside the warehouse. Spectators were already boozing a half hour before the bell rang, sporting Pro Wrestling Tees and clutching homemade signs. Fueled by milk stouts and IPAs, the crowd remained raucous from the opening bell to the main event at Neshaminy Creek Brewing’s collaboration with WrestlePro.
4. Synergy 8
It was the biggest event Synergy Pro Wrestling had hosted to date. A huge crowd came to the Polish Falcons Nest in Hillsborough, NJ, to see the first women’s main event in the promotion’s history: Jazz defending the NWA Women’s Championship against Maria Manic. While that bout surely brought folks into the building, it was the triple threat Synergy Championship match between Matt Tremont, Drake Chambers and Frightmare that keeps them coming back.
3. AEW Dynamite
AEW coming to Temple University was the hottest ticket in town. Only its third episode on TNT, everything felt fresh and exciting. Chris Jericho defending the AEW World Title against Darby Allin, Lucha Bros murdering Marko Stunt and Jungle Boy, and an epic eight-man tag team match starring The Elite ended the night.
2. Brody Cup
The spirit of Bruiser Brody filled the Lithuanian Music Hall in Philadelphia, as the toughest wrestlers on the East Coast waged war in his memory. Modern Vintage Wrestling presented the inaugural Brody Cup, a one-night tournament full of monsters, brawlers and deathmatch warriors. A row of legends witnessed the action, including Brody’s old partner Stan Hansen, arch rival Abdullah the Butcher, WWE Hall of Famer J.J. Dillon and Bobby Fulton of The Fantastics. As first reported by The Wrestling Estate, Brody’s widow Barbara Goodish was also in attendance.
1. Super 8 Chickfight
Before she was Ring of Honor’s mild-mannered reporter, Quinn McKay was “five feet of concrete” bedazzled in cotton candy hair. Those of us at the Asbury United Methodist Church in New Castle, DE, thought she was going to be the next breakout star in pro wrestling. After all, we witnessed her outlast seven other women (including Scarlett Bordeaux) in a thrilling one-night tournament to win the ECWA Women’s Championship and take home the trophy.
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