Author: DJ Jarka

With aspirations to continue extending its footprint throughout Western New York, Empire State Wrestling (ESW) will debut in a new town this weekend in a legendary way with Collision in Cuba as ESW presents Deschfest III. ESW will hold it’s first-ever show in Cuba, N.Y. at The Old Grey Hound on Saturday, June 15for “Deschfest III: Collision in Cuba” – a charity event.  World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer Bushwacker Luke will headline the show alongside many of the regular stars of ESW. Deschfest III: Collision in Cuba is held in memory of Cuba native Zach Deschler, who passed away…

After making its debut in the Greater Rochester area in February, Empire State Wrestling ( ESW ) returns to the Village Sports in Fairport, N.Y. this Saturday with its event “The Next Chapter”. The Next Chapter follows ESW as their biggest event of the spring – “Brawlfest” which was held in North Tonawanda, N.Y. ESW hopes to build off its prior show that included international wrestling legend Ultimo Dragon as the summer approaches. ESW Heavyweight Champion Brandon Thurston successfully defended his title against Major League Wrestling star Fred Yehi at Brawlfest. He will put the belt on the…

Hello everybody! This is another edition of the Jarkaster Journey and the first featuring another promotion in New York State that regularly books me: Southern Tier Wrestling (STW). This is Gold Rush 2019. Here is a little background on STW. Formed in 2016 by Randy Grey and Jon Osterdahl, STW is based in the Southern Tier region of Western New York with the majority of its events held in Jamestown, N.Y. and its surrounding towns. If you are unfamiliar with Jamestown, the city is located about a 1.5-hour drive south of Buffalo, N.Y. and is most famous for being the…

For the first time in Empire State Wrestling (ESW) history, Western New York’s premier independent wrestling promotion sold out its last event held at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall in North Tonawanda, N.Y. prior to the show day. At its next event at the St. Johnsburg, ESW will look to build upon that strong showing by bringing in a global wrestling superstar, as Empire State Wrestling present Brawlfest. “We are gearing up for our huge springtime traditional event ‘Brawlfest’,” said ESW owner Brett Mednik. “This is also said to be one of our two biggest shows of the year. This…

Just like last year’s Fairground Fallout, this will be a charity event. All proceeds will go toward the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Coming off its first-ever sold-out event at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall in North Tonawanda, N.Y., Empire State Wrestling (ESW) looks to continue its strong momentum when it returns to the  Orleans County 4H Fairgrounds in Albion, N.Y. for “Fairground Fallout: Return of the Empire” on Saturday, May 4. “Not only did we raise a significant sum of money for (East Shelby Volunteer) Fire Company from the first event last year, but we also received invaluable positive…

Fresh off its debut in the Rochester, N.Y. area, Empire State Wrestling (ESW) returns to its stomping grounds in North Tonawanda, N.Y. for its next event “Sky is The Limit.” The event is aptly named as it will feature a pair of high-flying Mexican wrestling stars. “Sky is The Limit” will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall. All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) signees The Lucha Bros will be in action, as well as fellow signee and Major League Wrestling’s (MLW) Maxwell Jacob Friedman. The Lucha Bros, consisting of Pentagon and Rey Fenix, will be facing To…

From the territory days when regional wrestling promotions fostered deals with television stations in individual markets. From the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s when professional wrestling dominated the cable network ratings.  Wrestling is a part of a longstanding tradition of being a staple among TV airways. Empire State Wrestling Lands TV Deal. Empire State Wrestling (ESW) looks to continue in these footsteps as it will be broadcasting its professional wrestling content on the Western New York-based WBXZ television station. As the premier independent wrestling promotion in the Buffalo, NY area, ESW action will be aired on WBXZ’s digital sub-channel…

Over its 16 year history, Empire State Wrestling (ESW) carried the torch for independent wrestling across the Niagara Frontier of New York. But with its next event, ESW will take aim at a new market just to the east of its normal stomping grounds. As ESW Presents Empire State of Mind. “I am beyond excited to bring ESW to Rochester,” said ESW promoter Brett Mednik. “We have been bringing action-packed family-friendly events to the Buffalo area for a long time and we hope to make this expansion into Rochester long term and just as successful.” Empire State of Mind will…

Ending 2018 in front of a capacity crowd at its biggest event of the year is only fitting for Empire State Wrestling (ESW). Western New York’s premier independent wrestling promotion concluded what is considered to be it’s most successful to date in strong fashion. Here is a preview of A Night at the Johnsburg. ESW aspires to build off this success in 2019 as it holds its first event of the year, “A Night at the St. Johnsburg” in North Tonawanda, N.Y. on Saturday, January 19. The event will also be broadcast over live streaming service Twitch, with select matches…

Hello everybody! Thanks for taking some time to read up on my comings and goings on my tales as a referee on the independent wrestling scene. This blog entry will be dedicated to my time at Empire State Wrestling’s latest show “WrestleBash”. As well as the before and after happenings surrounding the event. Here is my Wrestlebash review. This WrestleBash review is part of ESW’s biggest event of the year. Instead of running at the usual stomping grounds at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall in North Tonawanda, NY. The show is held at the Frontier Fire Hall in Niagara Falls,…