Top Rope Promotions
| Top Rope Promotions logo | |
| Acronym | TRP |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 |
| Style | Professional wrestling |
| Headquarters | New Bedford, Massachusetts (1996-2000) Fall River, Massachusetts (2000-present) |
| Founder(s) | Joe Eugenio |
| Owner(s) | Steve Ricard (2000-present) |
| Parent | Top Rope Promotions |
| Sister | South Coast Championship Wrestling |
| Formerly | Yankee Pro Wrestling (1994-2004) New England Wrestling Association (1988-1994) |
| Website | YankeeProWrestling.com (original website) TopRopePromotions.com Template:Myspace |
Top Rope Promotions, formerly known as Yankee Pro Wrestling, is a Northeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in New Bedford, Massachusetts and is the largest promotion in the southern New England-area rivaling other Northeastern promotions including Chaotic Wrestling, the Millennium Wrestling Federation and New England Championship Wrestling. Its wrestling school The Lock-Up is responsible for training several leading independent wrestlers.[1] Along with its head trainer Matt Hyson, their seminars have been hosted by Ring of Honor alumni Jamie Noble and A.J. Styles. A number of independent wrestlers competed in Yankee Pro Wrestling during their early careers including Amanda Storm,[2][3] Andy Jaxx,[4] DC Drake,[5] Slyck Wagner Brown, Johnny Heartbreaker, Shark Boy, Christian York, Metal Maniac, Robbie Ellis,[6] Rick Fuller and Dan "The Beast" Severn.
The promotion has also regularly featured former World Wrestling Federation veterans including "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas,[7] Koko B. Ware, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Junkyard Dog, Nikolai Volkoff, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, George "The Animal" Steele, King Kong Bundy, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Tito Santana,[8] "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, The Bushwhackers (Bushwhacker Butch and Bushwhacker Luke) and The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) as well as managers Mr. Fuji, Capt. Lou Albano and Luna Vachon Who was the Promotions last Women's champion. Others who have made appearances include Kamala, Bastion Booger, Doink The Clown, Gangrel, Virgil, Rick "The Model" Martel, Marty Jannetty, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Tatanka, Scotty 2 Hotty, Chad Toland, Steve Bradley and WWE Tough Enough contestants Jonah, Chris Nowinski, and Luke Robinson.
Following the close of Extreme Championship Wrestling, several ECW mainstays such as Amish Roadkill,[9] Dawn Marie, Simon Diamond, Perry Saturn, Tony DeVito, Little Guido, Jerry Lynn, Steve Corino, Justin Credible, Julio Dinero, Chris Hamrick, Big Dick Dudley and Joel Gertner had brief stints in the promotion. In recent years, TNA wrestlers Christy Hemme, Talia, Abyss, Jay Lethal, Joey Matthews and Ron "The Truth" Killings, Bully Ray, and Brother Devon have also made appearances.
History
The promotion began holding events in the Fall River-New Bedford area during the early-1980s, picking up the old territorial area previously run by the World Wide Wrestling Federation during the 1970s. After going through several name changes and owners, the promotion changed its name from New England Wrestling Association to Yankee Pro Wrestling during the 1990s. During this time, the promotion gained a strong following in southern New England regularly bringing in former WWF stars from the 1980s and 90s. Through its wrestling school, the promotion would also feature many wrestlers who later competed in World Wrestling Entertainment, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Ring of Honor and the independent circuit.
In 2000, head booker 21-year old Steve Ricard bought out the promotion. Under the Top Rope Promotions banner, he continued running monthly shows in the Fall River-New Bedford area successfully making between $500–$5,000 a show.[10] The majority of its shows were held at PAL Hall in Fall River and the Top Rope Arena in New Bedford. The promotion also ran a weekly cable television program in the local area.
In addition to monthly events at the PAL Hall in Fall River, Top Rope Promotions runs events at the Creative Auction Centers in Fall River and New Bedford, the historic Adams-Turners Hall in Adams, and the Elks Lodge in Franklin. Top Rope Promotions also appears at the annual Whaling City Festival at Buttonwood Park in New Bedford and at the annual Wolcott Country Fair in Wolcott, Connecticut. The promotion also holds annual events at Outdoor World campground in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and also appears on occasion at The Wapping Fair in South Windsor Connecticut, however they have not been since 2008.
Scott Hall incident
On April 8, 2011, one day after his rumored overdose, Hall showed up clearly intoxicated to his appearance at a Top Rope Promotions wrestling show in Massachusetts. Hall, who was still wearing a hospital bracelet, was in such poor condition that he had to be helped into the ring by two men because he was unable to walk on his own. Hall proceeded to cut a promo and was confronted by a local wrestler named Gorgeous Gino Giovanni, who was trying to begin a match with Justin Credible. Most of the fans were confused by his behavior, while some understood what was happening and proceeded to heckle Hall to the point where he yelled back at the crowd. Unfortunately, Scott was apparently so impaired that he thought he was in England instead of New England, and called the crowd a bunch of Wankers, which is a British insult. After the match between Giovanni and Credible ended, Hall, who was still slurring, tried to goad Giovanni to come back into the ring. Former wrestler, Scotty 2 Hotty was at the show and said seeing Hall in that condition was one of the saddest, most embarrassing things he has ever witnessed, and asked how many people have to die before they learn. After the event, Hall was on hand for autograph signings and was clearly still intoxicated.
TMZ reported on April 9, 2011, that Hall was taken to the hospital following his appearance at an indy wrestling show in Massachusetts a day earlier. Hall was treated for cardiac issues and remained in the hospital for three days. Hall was reported to be on ten different medications, which TMZ reports led to his overdose on April 7, although his agent quickly denied that report.
Top Rope Promotions released a statement on April 11, 2011 regarding Hall's behavior and performance at their April 8 show. 31 year old owner Steve Ricard said that Hall arrived the day before the event in a wheelchair with 3 bottles of prescription pills in his possession though the following day he showed in the state he was in demanding appearance fee although he was already paid. Hall made many threats to the staff and made many demands about money and when he would perform. According to Ricard, Hall was threatening to "kill [him] if [he] 'screwed' [Hall] over."
That same year on the E-60 documentary from ESPN it is discussed with the owner of Top Rope the incident involving wrestler Scott Hall at a Top Rope event. The owner basically in his own words stated that "he didn't know Scott Hall so he paid him and put him out there" referring to Scott Hall being brought to the ring in a bad state and after even having him sign autographs. Wrestler Sean Waltman also added on the special that it was awful and that the owner of Top Rope was wrong for doing this. Scott Hall that night was taken to the hospital and admitted.
Roster
Male wrestlers
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Female Wrestlers
- Amber
- Barbie
- Lea Morrison
- Luscious Latasha
- Mistress Belmont
- Roxxi
Managers
- Marshall McNeil
Tag Teams/Stables
- The Whaling City Wrecking Crew (Nightmare Nick Steel & Vain)
- The Alden Brothers (Shane & Eric)
- The Wingmen ("The Ladies Man" Gregory Edwards, "The Manliest Man" Biff Busick, and Tony "Da Fonz" Defonzo)
- The Prestige ("H20" Ryan Waters & Matt Magnum)
Others
- Steve Ricard (Owner & Promoter)
- Spike Dudley (Commissioner)
- Shawn O. (Ring Announcer; Play-By-Play Announcer, Top Rope Television)
- " The Adorable One" Gene Joseph (Manager/Wrestler; Color Commentator, Top Rope Television)
- Kevin Quinn (Referee)
- Glenn Kane (Referee)
- Alex Payne (Referee)
- Barbara Mahoney (Referee)
Championships
| Championship: | Current Champion(s): | Previous Champion(s): | Location: | Date: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRP Heavyweight Championship | Nightmare Nick Steel | "The Manliest Man" Biff Busick | Fall River, MA | September 6, 2013 |
| TRP Interstate Championship | Craig Costa | Kevin Perry | Fall River, MA | June 21, 2013 |
| TRP Tag Team Championship | The Heaters ("H20" Ryan Waters & Kevin Perry) | The Wingmen ("The Ladies Man" Gregory Edwards & "The Sure Thing" Mark Shurman) | Onset, MA | July 27, 2013 |
| Killer Kowalski Cup Tournament | "The Manliest Man" Biff Busick | Vinny Marseglia | Fall River, MA | November 28, 2013 |
| Spindle City Rumble | Vinny Marseglia | Nightmare Nick Steel | Fall River, MA | December 27, 2013 |
| Whaling City Rumble | The Guy | "Mass Appeal" Jay Jaillet (2006) | New Bedford, MA | January 9, 2009 |
References
- ^ "Interview For Burning Hammer". Burning-Spirit.com. 2004.
- ^ Storm, Amanda. "So You're that Girl Wrestler?". AmandaStorm.com.
- ^ "Amanda Storm". Amanda Storm of G.L.O.R.Y. Wrestling. GloryWrestling.com.
- ^ Wood, Ryan (2008-06-25). "A chance to say goodbye". Wicked Local Plymouth.
- ^ Schwan, Brett (2006). "Ten Questions With ... D.C. Drake". WrestlingClothesline.com.
- ^ "Interview with ECW's Roadkill". SmashWrestling.com. 2001-01-01.
- ^ "Upcoming Matches". Oklahoma Scoop. The Oklahoma Wrestling Fan's Resource Center. 2007-12-03.
- ^ Frederick, David (2008). "Independents (1993-Present)". Match History of Tito Santana. TitoSantana.net.
- ^ "Interview with ECW's Roadkill". SmashWrestling.com. 2001-01-01.
- ^ Lindsey, Joe (2007-04-24). "Just Another Night In Fall River". Living Now.