There is also a rich, vibrant scene of indie wrestling promotions, and within these promotions, there are hundreds of incredible indie talents. The Weapon of Sass Destruction, Effy Gibbes, or just EFFY, was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and has become a regular on the Florida indie circuit.
His career started in wrestling in 2014 after turning his life around from his alcoholism and drug abuse. EFFY was trained by Steve Hetrick, who is known within the ring as Logan Steel. After only six years within the industry, he has faced a number of indie favorites who are now signed to companies such as AEW, including Orange Cassidy, Leva Bates, Su Yung, Joey Ryan, Jordynne Grace, and Maria Manic.
EFFY – A Life Turned Around
His matches against female wrestlers such as Maria Manic, Su Yung, Jordynne Grace and Leva Bates has developed Effy into a favorite amongst those who love intergender wrestling matches.
EFFY became a favorite with many within the LGBTQ as he is queer and has always been unapologetic with his character. Coming to the ring in glitzy outfits and fishnets. He once said in an interview with Eric Shorey for Intomore.com, “I’m the queer Stone Cold Steve Austin – I’m an a**-kicker.
He is an a**-kicker as he focuses on a submission-based style, often getting into full brawling matches. He uses the Fire Thunder Piledriver, Freak Lock, and Corber Boot To Leg DDT as his finisher moves. EFFY has also been featured in three different tag teams. Effy Loves Beastly alongside Beastly Brody, Gaytanic Panic alongside Danhausen and BUSSY with Allie Katch.
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Florida Independent Wrestling Scene
Effy has been relatively successful on the Florida indie wrestling scene. Throughout his travels, he’s been a champion for multiple companies. He has held the FEST Wrestling Championship twice, a promotion located in Gainesville, Florida. His first reign was from the 10th of February 2018 until the 28th of October 2018. He then regained this title on the 3rd of November 2019. EFFY then held the title until 16th February 2020.
On the 18th of June 2020, Effy currently holds three different title belts. He was the Freelance Legacy Champion, and he had held this belt since 13th December 2019 for the promotion of Freelance Wrestling based in Chicago. Effy also held the Inspire Pro Pure Prestige Championship belt, which he won on the 19th of January 2020 for Inspire Pro Wrestling based in Texas. He also held the PTPW 51st State Championship. Effy is the first-ever holder of this belt. He won it on the 18th of January 2020 for Prime Time Pro Wrestling in Columbia.
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Effy is known as an LGBTQ icon within the indie wrestling scene. It also meant he decided to start booking his own show, which was set to be in April 2020. This show was unfortunately canceled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The Big Gay Brunch first took place in Tampa, Florida. This would have included Jamie Senegal, Anthony Bowens, The End, and Sonny Kiss.
Breaking Through
“We now have the opportunity for a queer wrestler to be probably the biggest star in the world… “People are looking to a lot of queer heroes and LGBTQ stars as voices that are more powerful because we’ve dealt with sh**, and we’re not taking it anymore. Even a straight audience can connect with that.” – EFFY via Intomore.com
So while there are arguably some of the most influential and important scenes within wrestling in the State of Florida. WWE’s Performance Centre, AEW, IMPACT Wrestling, and NXT are just some of the big names that have found their homes in Florida.
EFFY continues to carve out a career that many have not only followed but have been proud to watch flourish.
