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 feedback from the community at large,” said fire East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company member Ryan McPherson. “This year we look forward to an outstanding card that exceeded expectations. We’ve got a card with matches that could rival any independent wrestling in the country. We know people will not only be entertained, but they will see some of the best wrestling in the world.”
Last year’s Fairground Fallout featured former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star Gangrel in the main event against Gregory Iron. This year’s event will also be headlined with an ex-WWE and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) star, as Shannon Moore will face viral internet star, Anthony Gaines.
Fairground Fallout Return of the Empire
“Shannon Moore is legit cruiserweight royalty. He is an under-appreciated pioneer in the division. He’s transformed into a completely different person than from when I watched him growing up on (WCW Monday Night) Nitro. So this is gonna be something epic, for sure,” Gaines said. “I’m really excited to stand toe-to-toe with him. I’m excited to showcase what I bring to the table, as a younger cruiserweight myself. This match-up has unlimited potential and isn’t something I will overlook.”
Fresh off defeating Bill Collier in his latest defense, ESW Heavyweight Champion Brandon Thurston will put the title on the line against Binghamton, N.Y.-native Sean Carr.
After being “The Blade” Pepper Parks in a brutal street fight last month, North Tonawanda, N.Y.’s Kevin Bennett is set to face Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) star Joe Gacy, who is making his ESW debut.
Parks will be in action, as well. He will square off versus the returning Space Monkey.
A women’s match is set to take place with ESW regular Kate Carney taking on a newcomer to the promotion, Toronto, Ontario, Canada’s Jody Threat.
“Last year in Albion was my first ESW show and I was managing,” Carney said. “So having my own advertised match against someone as impressive as Jody Threat is especially exciting.”
Last month, ESW Tag Team Champions James Sayga and Vince Valor squashed Jerk Cockins and his landlord. At Fairground Fallout, they will look for stiffer competition against the team of Vinnie Moon and Dakota Orion.
“Albion gets to witness the new pairing of Dakoda Orion and Vinnie Moon, the newest tag team on the ESW scene and what better way to showcase this team against the very tough and extremely popular team of Jaymes Sayga and Vince Valor for the ESW Tag Team Championships,” Orion said. “Albion better get ready cause it’s gonna be whirlwind.”
Although he was unsuccessful in capturing the gold last month. Cockins will get another shot at becoming a titleholder when he challenges ESW Interstate Champion Frankie Feathers.
“For as good as every champion is, there’s always a jerk to take it away and that’s exactly who I am,” Cockins said. “I am that jerk.”
Also in action will be Medina, N.Y. native Gavin Glass, the tag team of Handcrafted, Every Time I Die guitarist “The Butcher” Andy Williams, Buffalo, N.Y.’s own Puf and several more.
Pre-sale front row tickets are $20 while general admission tickets are $15. Pre-sale exclusive $50 family packs (four general admission tickets) are also available. Tickets increase $3 day of the event.
Doors open at 5 p,m, with bell-time at 6 p.m. “Fairground Fallout: Return of the Empire” will be recorded exclusively for ESW’s streaming service partners such as Powerslam TV.