Synergy Pro Wrestling Begins New Era
Ownership of the New Jersey promotion has changed hands.
Ownership of Synergy Pro Wrestling has changed hands.
Dan and Heather Funkenstein, owners of Funkenstein Wrestling Superstore, have stepped away from the independent wrestling promotion that they founded in September of 2017. Colin West, creative director of Synergy, has taken over.
Before Synergy X in April, the Funkensteins informed West that an investment opportunity had arose that they simply couldn’t pass up. West says they had the chance to become part of a business enterprise outside of professional wrestling, in a field that Dan has prior experience in. Even though it was against his best interest, West encouraged them to take the opportunity.
“There is no heat, no issues, but things are definitely changed for me,” West told The Wrestling Estate.
The creative force behind the scenes, as well as the authority figure on camera, West has given plenty of blood, sweat and tears over the past 10 Synergy events. He creates the match graphics, event posters, DVD covers, entrance videos – he even drives all over Hillsborough, New Jersey, setting up flyers. He handles the company’s social media, books the talent and speaks with the press before every event.
He has always wanted the company to succeed, but now he needs it to. It’s his money keeping it going.
“I’m not changing the show budget. If anything, honest to God, the show budget for the next three shows is higher than before,” West says. “People have an expectation of what a Synergy show is in terms of caliber of athlete they see and caliber of matches. Just because the situation up top has changed, does not mean that people are going to get any less. In fact, I’m going to try to give them more.”
West is certainly no stranger to crunching the numbers. He previously ran CTW Wrestling, an annual charity event that raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Having worked in the industry since 2011, he was able to use his connections from CZW, On Point Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Magic, and the first indie promotion he ever discovered, UWA Elite. Although fans enjoyed the events, the stress was unbearable for West, who decided to focus solely on managing and commentating.
“I love putting the talent over and helping tell their stories,” he says. “When the mask came off Mike Del (at Synergy 9) and you get that kind of reaction, that’s what it’s all about.”
It’s his passion for storytelling, already invested sweat equity and sheer love for indie wrestling that has fueled his decision to take the reins of Synergy, and all the responsibilities that come with it. If a financial backer was interested, West says he would have that conversation. But he’s not actively pursuing someone to fill the role of the Funkensteins.
However, he will be hiring a managing director for day-of decision making, who will be introduced at Synergy 11 on May 25.
“Now is historically the juncture where fans in this area decide whether they want a promotion to live or die,” West says. “My nervousness comes in wondering if we have done enough in the first 10 shows to merit fans’ trust and hard earned money for them to continue supporting us. If nobody comes to the show, then I’m eating Ramen for a long time.”
So on the same night as Double Or Nothing, which West chose because no other promotion in the area is running that night, Matt Tremont faces Mike Del in a “Fans Bring the Weapons” match. The Bulldozer seeks retribution for Del costing him the Synergy Championship in January, when he attacked Tremont’s knee while wearing a mask. With Tremont’s penchant for ultra-violence, it’s only natural that he’d request fans bring the tools of which he’ll dismember Del with.
“The weaponry that shows up ranges from the absolutely barbaric and insane to things that we legitimately can’t use,” West says. “I’ve seen people show up with coconuts, Matchbox cars, TIKI torches, wicker chairs, cinderblocks. For a company that prides itself on being interactive, this is the most interactive main event we’ve ever had.”
Another man will be looking for revenge on May 25, and that’s Jeff Cannonball. One year ago, Matt Macintosh used a restraining order to force Cannonball out of the Synergy Championship Tournament. Now, Cannonball gets the first shot at his old rival, who became the Synergy Champion in April after pinning Ace Austin. Frightmare, the former champion, recently suffered an elbow injury that will keep him out of action until July.
Meet the new boss.@BadApplePro is your NEW Synergy Pro Wrestling Champion. pic.twitter.com/HdeIF252qJ
— Synergy Wrestling (@synergywrestle) April 28, 2019
Cannonball’s fiancé Terra Calaway will make Synergy Pro Wrestling history on May 25 as she meets Logan Black in the first one-on-one intergender match in company history. “She is a strong competitor, not just a strong women’s wrestler,” West says. “Casual fans might be uncomfortable with this, but if I’m going to be for equality, then I need to give Terra Callaway what she deserves. She called her shot and if I stand in her way, I’m perpetuating a negative stereotype.”
While West remains loyal to the athletes who have brought Synergy this far, he’s always on the lookout for more talent and fresh faces. That’s why Tony Deppen is coming in to face KTB on May 25. Deppen has made a name for himself over the past year, competing primarily in Game Changer Wrestling and CHIKARA. He’ll have his work cut out for him against KTB, who has suffered only one loss in Synergy.
Another rising star that West is bringing in on May 25 is Ace Perry, who has most recently competed for EVOLVE. In his first match in New Jersey in two years, Perry will be facing an opponent to be named by the new managing director.
In April, BLK Jeez earned a permanent spot on the Synergy Pro Wrestling roster by defeating MV Young and Killian McMurphy in a triple threat. On May 25, he’ll take on TJ Blade in a rare singles opportunity for one half of the Brotein Pack.
After a brief scuffle at Synergy 9, the Amazing Graysons return to fight the Apostles of Chaos on May 25. Also that night, there will be a student showcase between trainees from Tremont’s H20 Wrestling Center, as Chris Bradley clashes with Kristian Ross.
“Another promotion is running on May 25 that went ‘All In’ last year,” West says. “Well, I’m going all in now. I fully endorse Double Or Nothing. I’ve got some good friends working there, but you can watch that on tape delay. We live in a state that has over 8 million people in it. I’m just trying to get a couple hundred to show up.”
Synergy 11 takes place Saturday, May 25, at the Polish Falcon’s Nest in Hillsborough, NJ.
For tickets, visit https://synergywrestling.ticketbud.com. The Wrestling Estate receives 10% of all sales through this link.
You can watch all of Synergy’s past events on independentwrestling.tv. If you don’t have a subscription, you use the promo code “SYNERGY” and the first 20 days are free.
Follow Synergy on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit www.synergywrestling.com.
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