ESWs Wrestlebash Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Cup. Along with the heavily anticipated main event between Daniel Garcia and Kevin Blackwood for the Empire State Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, “Wrestlebash” will also feature the return of one of Empire State Wrestling’s marquee matches: the Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Cup.
ESWs Wrestlebash Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Cup
The 2021 rendition of the DiPaolo Cup match will be the most star-studded version since its inception in 2013. The 6-person elimination bout will feature two current Impact Wrestling stars. Former IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander makes his Empire State Wrestling (ESW) return, and Matthew Rehwoldt (formerly known as Aiden English in World Wrestling Entertainment) will make his debut in the promotion. In addition, game Changer Wrestling’s KTB will also make his ESW debut in the match, while the well-traveled independent wrestling Facade will make his return after facing “The Remix” Kevin Bennett in July.
Rounding out the match will be a previous DiPaolo Cup winner, “Big Time” Bill Collier, and Niagara Falls native “Invincible” Vince Valor. The match holds extra meaning for Valor, with Wrestlebash taking place in his hometown at the Frontier Fire Hall.
“Coming into my hometown at this year’s Wrestlebash with a 5-0 record at the event, I have to face 5 of the very best in the industry to advance that undefeated streak and take home the DiPaolo Cup,” Valor said. “The pressure is on, but that’s where I do my best work.”
ESW Interstate Champion Frankie Feathers will defend the belt against up-and-comer Jeremiah Richter. The matchup comes after Richter put on an impressive performance in the 12th Man Battle Royal at ESW’s October event, and Feathers successfully defended the title versus Vinnie Moon.
Moon will be looking for revenge against Bennett in their one-on-one match. Bennett, along with his sidekick Roscoe, played a factor in causing Moon to fail in his attempt to win the Interstate title at the last event.
“Wrestlebash is ESW’s biggest show of the year, so to be featured on it is a dream come true,” Moon said. “Never did I think I’d be in the position that I am, though, in that I’ll be facing someone who I basically consider a brother.
Not many people know this, but if it wasn’t for Kevin Bennett, I wouldn’t have been a part of wrestling. He mentored me and basically got me started, and pointed me in the right direction. So for him to screw me over back in October, come Saturday, he’s going to wish he never mentored me.”
ESW will continue to feature new duos within its tag team division. After defeating The Mane Event at the previous event, High Seas will take on the debuting Cleveland, Ohio team, The Philly Marino Experience. To Infinity & Beyond will look to continue its impressive win streak when it faces ESW newcomers Money Shot from Pittsburgh, Penn.
Ring of Honor star Tony Deppen will make his ESW debut at Wrestlebash. He will square off against “Blue Thunder” Jay Freddie in what could be the most physical matchup on the card. Freddie last appeared in ESW in July, going toe-to-toe with Collier in a hard-hitting bout.
ESWs Wrestlebash Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Cup
Women’s wrestling will make its return to ESW. Ohio Valley Wrestling star Dani Mo will face Albany, N.Y.’s Christina Marie in what will be the first women’s match at ESW in two years.
Lastly, there will be a 6-person tag team match featuring a team led by “The Big Bang” Jerk Cockins with “A Cut Above The Rest” Gavin Glass and Eric Corvis versus James Sayga’s team, which includes Keenan Moore and T.J. Epixx.
First and second-row tickets are sold out. General Admission tickets are still available for $20. Doors for Wrestlebash open at 5 p.m., with the opening bell set for 6 p.m. The official ESW afterparty will be held at Mooney’s on Main in Tonawanda.
