It has only been a few months since Warrior Wrestling debuted in Chicago Heights, but a big independent wrestling show during Labor Day weekend has prompted the promotion’s second show.
“Warrior Wrestling 2” takes place Sept. 2 at Marian Catholic High School’s West Gym one day after the sold-out “All In” presented by indy wrestlers the Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) and Cody (formerly Cody Rhodes in WWE) at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.
“We felt it important to strike while the iron is hot,” said Steve Tortorello, principal of Marian Catholic High School.
“There’s going to be 10,000 wrestling fans in the area — 7.500 who have flown in to see indy wrestling. It makes all the sense in the world to do our second show in that same window. The other thing that really made the decision for us is Rey Mysterio was available.”
Mysterio is one of two “WWE 2K19” pre-order bonus characters for the video game to be released on Oct. 9 and has been rumored to be returning to WWE soon.
In what could be one of his last independent matches, Mysterio competes for the Warrior Wrestling championship in a War of Attrition Match also featuring Austin Aries, Brian Cage, Jeff Cobb, Fenix, Sammy Guevara, Pentagon and Rich Swann.
“That is a unique match,” said Tortorello about the main event for “Warrior Wrestling 2,” which includes current Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground stars.
“As far as we can tell we don’t think it’s ever been done in wrestling,” he said. “They’re randomly assigned to two four-man teams. There are three stages. There’s a four-on-four match. Once a team has been eliminated, it becomes a two-on-two match.
“The losing team is eliminated and the winning team goes on to face each other one on one to become the first Warrior Wrestling champion. We really went out of our way to get the best wrestlers that are available from all different leagues and federations.”
Also headed to the Southland for “Warrior Wrestling 2” is actor David Arquette, who starred in the 2000 film “Ready to Rumble” about pro wrestling and once won the World Championship Wrestling title.
“Every show we try to have one match that is a total spectacle,” said Tortorello, a Tinley Park native who now lives in Munster, Indiana.
“In our first show it was James Ellsworth vs. Hornswoggle with Frank the Clown as special guest referee. This time we went even crazier. Frank the Clown teams up in a tag team with Ellsworth against Arquette, who just returned to wrestling after 17 years to take on RJ City in July in Hollywood.
“They are forced to team together. Can they get along? Which set of clowns is going to come out on top?”
A VIP Fan Fest from 5:15-7:15 p.m. for $25 includes pictures and autographs with all the wrestlers including Jordynne Grace and Tessa Blanchard who compete for the Black Label Pro title, Sam Adonis and Colt Cabana who are set to square off, and DJZ and Pat Monix who are booked against each other.
Other matches include Matt Knicks from Bridgeview, Isaias Velazquez and Gringo Loco vs. Stevie Fierce, Bryce Benjamin and Robert Anthony from Joliet; Jay Bradley, an alum of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, vs. Darby Allin; and Chelsea Green vs. Britt Baker vs. Mia Yim vs. Santana Garrett.
“It brings the live wrestling atmosphere to the south suburbs. As far as production level and top-name, world-class talent coming to the south suburbs, that makes the show pretty unique,” Tortorello said.
“You don’t need to go to Allstate Arena or the Hammond Civic Center. You can stay right here in the south suburbs and see the talent of Rey Mysterio, Pentagon, etc. It’s for a good cause. Every dollar we raise goes to scholarships for kids to go to Marian Catholic so it all funnels back in a good way.”
Food and concessions will be available for purchase. Also, ages 21 and older can order craft beer on tap from local breweries including Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, One Trick Pony Brewery from Lansing and 350 Brewing Co. from Tinley Park.
‘Warrior Wrestling 2’
When: 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) Sept. 2
Where: Marian Catholic High School’s West Gym, 700 Ashland Ave. (enter off Joe Orr Road), Chicago Heights
Tickets: general admission at $30 bleachers or $40 floor seats; ringside at $50 fourth row, $60 third row or $75 second row (first row sold out)
Information: 708-755-7565; www.warriorwrestling.net