Professional wrestling is coming to Mount Vernon. “We’re all out of bubble gum” is the name of the event, April 22, at the Mount Vernon Armory, put on by A2W (Addicted 2 Wrestling) and The Escape Zone, a Christ-centered, multidenominational organization that provides “a fun, friendly, safe environment for all youth.” Part of the proceeds will go to The Escape Zone to benefit underprivileged youths.
While pro wrestling has been present in Central Ohio – Canton and Columbus – from the 1890s through today, Mount Vernon has only seen sporadic pro mat dates. In Mount Vernon, there hasn’t been a pro match since 2012, when Ohio Championship Wrestling put on two cards – Mickey D defeated Matthew Taylor for the OCW Ohio Heritage Title and Jeff Cannon, Joey Vengeance Matt Mason and Virus won a tag team extravaganza on one date and Kadan Assade defeated Virus for the OCW Heritage Title in the other.
On April 22, the Mount Vernon Armory at 1 Mansfield Ave., home to The Escape Zone, will be the site for A2W’s “We’re all out of bubble gum” event. The name plays homage to WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who uttered that line in his film appearance in “They Live.”
A2W partners Brandon Garver and Toby Klein trained at the ASWA Wrestling School in Shelby in the late 1990s, and after a break, specialized in a genre of wrestling named DeathMatch Wrestling, which, according to Garver, features “barbed wire, florescent lights, music, thumb tacks, plate glass and any other forms of punishment that can make one bleed.” The two wrestled in this style for many years nationwide and in Japan.
After retiring from the action, they assumed backstage roles within the wrestling community.
“We couldn't find anyone needing wrestling help, so we started Addicted 2 Wrestling last year,” Garver said. “We want to give back to the industry that helped me through some very dark times in my life and that's why we started A2W.”
A2W teamed up with Terry Walter, owner of the Mount Vernon Armory and a director on the board of The Escape Zone, which utilizes 13,000 square feet of Armory recreational space for kids of all ages. The group offers basketball, foosball, ping pong, Wii games and a second-floor gym to the kids and engages in feeding the poor.
Wrestlers confirmed for the event (subject to change) are: The DBA, Izzy Lambert, Jake Crist, Josh Crane, Sless Taylor, MM3, Eric Dillinger, JD Smooth, Patrick Hayes, Wilbur Whitlock, Damien Chambers, Apollo Star and GG Jacobs.
“Rhino was signed, but the new president of Impact Wrestling pulled him,” Garver said. “We are trying to put a replacement in place.”
Tickets are available for $15 plusn a $2.85 administration fee, on Eventbrite, .
“Two dollars of every ticket goes directly to The Escape Zone,” Garver said. “Donation tickets will be placed around the gym on event night. In addition, all Escape Zone kids get free admission.”
For information and tickets, go to A2Wlive.com or eventbrite.com.
