Pro wrestlers put on high-flying display in Medina
Empire State Wrestling event benefitted East Shelby Vol. Fire Company
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Kenny Star, part of the Starburst tag team, enters the Medina High School gym and high fives fans on Saturday evening during the “Spring Smash 3,” which was attended by about 300 people.
Pro wrestlers battled for about 2 ½ hours in the event run by Empire State Wrestling. This was the third straight year ESW brought wrestlers to Medina in an event that was also a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Tommy K “Buck Wild” gets ready to jump from the top rope and land on Cloudy during the opening match at Medina High School. Buck Wild won a grueling fight.
Empire State Wrestling first came to Orleans County in 2018 and used the Fairgrounds for the venue the first two years, before switching to Medina High School in 2023.
The group usually runs its events at RiverWorks in downtown Buffalo or the Frontier Fire Hall in Niagara Falls.
“We’re always looking to expand out,, said D.J. Jarka, one of the ESW promoters and also a referee.
Brennen the First, right, jumps up and gets a kick on Frank Feathers during a match won by Feathers, a long-time wrestler with ESW. Brennen the First is relatively new to the circuit.
There were many drop kicks, leaps from the top wire, and body slams during the wrestling event.
Eden Grey signals to some of the crowd members they are a “loser.” She played the villain in a title match against Christina Marie.
Christina Marie holds her belt after being victorious against Eden Grey.
Gavin Glass, a Medina grad, enters the gym for his match against the “Super Beast.” This match was called a “street fight” and the wrestlers whacked each other with chairs, keyboards and other props.
The Super Beast wore an Albion shirt and talked a lot of trash about Gavin Glass and Medina before their battle in the ring.
The crowd shows their disproval to the Super Beast, who at 365 pounds nearly doubled Glass’s weight.
Gavin Glass acknowledges the crowd after defeating the Super Beast in a hard-fought victory.
James Sayga catches “Red Hot” Vinnie Moon in a match where Sayga also took on Cal Keaton. Sayga, a powerful 265-pound wrestler, won to retain the Interstate championship.
Vince Valor, the ESW champion, fires up the crowd before his match against John McChesney. Valor won to keep the title.
Nick Ando flies off the top rope to slam into Matt McCoy in their match.
Matt McCoy acknowledges a fan after McCoy’s victory in the ring.
