Author: DJ Jarka

Empire State Wrestling makes a star-studded return to Niagara Falls on Saturday in an event that will feature two major returns to its ring. All-Elite Wrestling’s Danhausen and TNA Wrestling star “Speedball” Mike Bailey come back to ESW for Evil Empire at the Frontier Fire Hall for the promotion’s first event of the fall. Danhausen will team with ESW Women’s Champion “Courageous” Christina Marie as a tag team called “Courageoushausen”. The duo will face The Production (Katie Arquette and Derek Dillinger). The match came about after Marie was jumped from behind by The Production in Erie, Penn. Watch the clip…

A new chapter will open within the Erie independent wrestling scene on Saturday when the first-ever Empire State Wrestling Keystone event occurs at the Saga Club, as ESW Keystone Presents New Again. The first announcement of New Again came at Changing The Game in June, the final Pro Wrestling Rampage event. After making a surprise appearance and defeating Price Purgold, ESW stalwart Vince Valor revealed to the crowd the official rebranding that would occur. ESW Keystone Presents New Again “A name change was something I considered for some time after I bought PWR,” said ESW promoter Brett Stymus. “Eventually, I…

A groundbreaking event for Empire State Wrestling will occur this Saturday when it holds Everything To Gaine at Buffalo RiverWorks. Everything To Gaine is a tribute to former ESW Interstate Champion “None of a Kind” Anthony Gaines, who tragically passed away earlier this year. As a way to honor his memory, ESW will hold the Everything To Gaine Rumble at the event – a 25-person over-the-top rumble with individual entrances. The winner will become the No. 1 contender to the ESW Heavyweight Championship. Although ESW held battle royals over the years, most notably the Last Chance Battle Royal to earn…

After its return show under new management in March, the revived Pro Wrestling Rampage will hold its next event this Saturday, Changing the Game. Changing the Game will take place at PWR’s traditional home venue, the Saga Club, in Erie, Pennsylvania. The event will feature many familiar faces and new faces to its audience. Changing The Game Presented by Pro Wrestling Rampage After a several-year absence, Zoey Skye will return to PWR’s ring. PWR was one of Skye’s regular promotions, and she worked for it when establishing herself in the pro wrestling industry. She even held the PWR Women’s Championship.…

Hello, everybody and check out my exploration of the night I refereed for Buffalo Championship Wrestling’s WrestleSunday II! It’s been a while, but I’m back with another entry regarding my referee journey. I worked on several events over the last few months, and I am doing my best to catch up. Between taking on more office responsibilities with Empire State Wrestling and being super active as a dad with my kids’ activities, I did not have time to sit down and pound out these entries. I just upgraded my laptop to something that runs much faster. Hopefully, that will allow…

The biggest pro wrestling event in the Queen City of the season is set to occur this Saturday when Empire State Wrestling returns to its familiar stomping crowds.  ESW will return to Buffalo RiverWorks for Brawlfest 2024. As one of ESW’s marquee events, Brawlfest will feature a star-studded lineup that will include a former World Wrestling Entertainment star plus a litany of top independent wrestling talent from North America and the local scene. “I’m really excited for what this year’s Brawlfest lineup is going to offer,” said ESW promoter Brett Stymus. “When it comes to wrestling in the City of…

Empire State Wrestling returns today to Medina, N.Y., with Spring Smash 2024 to host another fundraiser event for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Spring Smash will once again be held at Medina High School. Previous fundraiser events took place at the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Albion. The switch led to an increase in attendance. “We’re thrilled to partner with ESW for the fourth time on a fundraiser for our fire department,” – said event organizer Ryan McPherson. “Last year, we moved the event to Medina Jr. Sr. High School and got our biggest turnout to date at over 450…

Hello everybody. Thank you for taking the time to read my newest blog on my referee journey. It’s been some time since my last post. My life outside of wrestling was quite busy over these last two months, compounded with some extra duties arriving wrestling-wise for me, which led to this delay. With that, let’s jump into my time at Off The Ropes Studio’s Pop Off at the Red Papaya that occurred on February 5. Pop Off at the Red Papaya Presented by Off The Ropes Studio This was my second time working for Off The Ropes, my third booking…

Several weeks ago, the Buffalo wrestling community was devastated upon hearing of the passing of one of its own – “None of a Kind” Anthony Gaines. The sudden news deeply affected many people and the impact continues to reverberate to this day. Tough Luck Presented by Empire State Wrestling His passing was felt especially hard for those involved with Empire State Wrestling. ESW was Gaines’s home promotion through the bulk of his wrestling career. Gaines created many memorable moments in its ring. His talent and uncanny charisma shined in matches against the likes of Jimmy Jacobs and Zachary Wentz, throughout…

When the opening match starts at Gem City Madness this Saturday, a new era of pro wrestling will be ushered in to Erie, Penn. On March 9, Pro Wrestling Rampage will return to its longtime home at the Saga Club. PWR began holding events in 2007 and moved its events to the Saga Club in 2011. The last PWR event took place in June 2023.  However, Gem City Madness will be under PWR’s newest owner and operator: the Buffalo, N.Y.-based Empire State Wrestling. “I’m very excited to begin promoting events out of the Saga Club,” said ESW owner Brett Stymus.…