Pro wrestlers return to Medina on April 27 in fundraiser for East Shelby Fire Company

Photos by Tom Rivers: A group of wrestlers try to knock each other out of the ring in the opening battle royale for Empire State Wrestling’s “Spring Smash” at Medina High School gym on April 15, 2023. About 450 people attended the event in the return of the ESW to Orleans County. Previous events were held at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds with 350 attending the debut event in April 2018 and then about 200 in May 2019.

MEDINA – The professional wrestlers from Empire State Wrestling will be back in Medina for “Spring Smash” on April 27 in a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

ESW did events at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds with 350 attending the first wrestling showcase in April 2018 and then about 200 in May 2019. After a break due to Covid restrictions, the wrestlers were back last year with the venue moved to the Medina High School gym. A much bigger crowd of 450 attended the event.

“We received nothing but good feedback,” said Ryan McPherson, event chairman for East Shelby. “We had our best turnout yet, and we want to make it bigger and better this year.”

The crowd reacts when Kevin Blackwood, an Albion native, is introduced during last year’s event at Medina. Blackwood, whose real name in Kevin Lockwood, flew in from Los Angeles to wrestle in front of his family and friends in Albion. Blackwood, 33, has been a professional wrestler for seven years. He also works as a tattoo artist in LA.

McPherson said local wrestlers will be in the lineup on Saturday, including Albion native Kevin Blackwood, Medina native Gavin “A Cut Above the Rest” Glass, and Jacob Miller (aka Maxx Cannon) of Medina, also known as “The Filthy One.”

Several of the fans at the wrestling event marveled about the athleticism of the wrestlers, and how physical the matches were. There were drop-kicks, body slams, jumps from the top rope and other moves. McPherson said many of the fans felt like it was WWE.

There will be familiar faces from past matches, including Frankie Feathers, who was a good guy but has turned into a “heel,” a bad guy. He continues to fire up his fan base.

One of the wrestlers appearing for the first time in Orleans County will be Adrianna Fury of Lockport, who McPherson said has a big following.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first bell at 6 p.m. For information on tickets, which are available online or at the door, click here.