Indie Wrestling is Back!

As the public transitions into a Covid controlled world more of our favorite venues and hangouts are beginning to reopen. With these venues reopening that means a return to some of our favorite Spring and Summertime activities - live theatre, concerts, sports, and performance art. Already seeing a resurgence across Connecticut and New York are locally produced, independent professional wrestling shows. These shows range from small venue, small audience performances like Friday Night Fights in East Haven to larger scale productions like last week's Return of the Hardyz from Northeast Wrestling in Waterbury. Paradise Alley hosts their shows in a small, light industrial building located east of the Tweed Airport on Coe Road. The venue is small, dark, and seats about a hundred spectators who show up en masse to pack the house. It is at these shows where aspiring professional wrestlers learn the ropes (no pun intended) and sharpen their performance and athletic skills in a weekly live audience format.

Hunter Tarca applies a camel clutch to his opponent during his return to Paradise Alley Pro Wrestling (PAPW) in East Havent, CT., Friday, March 11, 2022

Jay Onyx, one half of the PAPW Tag Team Champions The Haven, reverses an attempted powerbomb from Hustle and Muscle and slams his face into the mat. PAPW, East Haven, CT, Friday, March 11, 2022

Local in-ring veteran Lou Jacobs slaps newcomer Adrian Santos across the chest in a one-on-one match. PAPW, East Haven, CT., March 11, 2022

Northeast Wrestling is a larger format independent professional wrestling promotion that operates out of Waterbury but also hosts shows in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These shows feature local talent and almost always include a "draw" on the card. A "draw" is a performer who is a nationally or globally recognized brand within the industry who's sole purpose is to attract average fans to attend shows. This exchange generates local interest and buzz around the local talent by boosting their views and increasing their social media traffic. The main event of this show was tag team match between Enzo and Cass and the Hardy Boyz, two former WWE Tag Team Champions.

Northeast Wrestling's World Champion Dan Maff squares off against Ron Zombie. Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT, March 27, 2022

"The Notorious" Brett Ryan Gosselin competes at Northeast Wrestling's event in Waterbury against former IWGP champion Juice Robinson. Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT, March 27, 2022

Juice Robinson gets his revenge on the Notorious BRG with a huge clothesline into the turnbuckle. Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT., March 27, 2022

Enzo and Cass are here with a special message to the people of Waterbury and there's only one way to spell it out for you! Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT. March 27, 2022

Jeff Hardy yells out in pain as Big Cass walks him into the corner and an awaiting Enzo. Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT, Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Matt Hardy slams Enzo Amore face first into the turnbuckle. Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT. Sunday, March 27, 2022.

The Hardy Boyz and independent professional wrestling celebrate a big win as this show's success could be an indication of a rise in the sport's interest. Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT, March 27, 2022.