Boy Scouts set another wrestling benefit card

Friday night event helps support Scouts projects

By:Charlie Olsen
   National Wrestling Superstars (NWS) will be returning to Manville on Friday night to stage a knockdown drag-out fundraiser to benefit Boy and Cub Scout Troop 193.
   The fundraiser will begin at 7:45 p.m. at the VFW hall at 600 Washington Ave. and will feature World Wrestling Entertainment superstars and local wrestlers in matches with "something for everyone," according to NWS Director Joe Panzarino.
   "It’s family oriented – kind of like Monday Night RAW (a television wrestling show) toned down," Mr. Panzarino said. "It’s a WWE-style show – basically an athletic soap opera."
   Headlining the show will be former WWE wrestler Sal Sincere and King Kong Bundy.
   "King Kong Bundy is a Wrestlemania legend, he wrestled Hulk Hogan," Mr. Panzarino said. "Sal Sincere is a WWE superstar, he’s the ‘bad guy.’"
   According to Mr. Panzarino, the show will also include other matches, such as a "high flyers bout," a "fatal four corners" match, and a grudge match featuring local wrestler and small business owner Richie "Ice Pick" Lowinski of the Body Shop in Hillsborough.
   Mr. Panzarino said that NWS has been coming to Manville for three or four years.
   "It’s always a good fundraiser," Mr. Panzarino said. "The VFW is great, they like us there. Manville is a good wrestling town."
   Also featured will be Larry Zybysko, who was trained by the "Babe Ruth of wrestling," Bruno San Martino.
   "Bruno San Martino trained him, and he’s like the Babe Ruth of wrestling, he’s his protégé," Mr. Panzarino said. "He does Total Nonstop Action Wrestling on Spike TV and has been featured in many storylines."
   Tickets to the show are $18 for adults and $15 for kids and seniors.
   Ticket sales and concessions will be split between the Scouts and the NWS. The promoters are expecting a turnout of between 200 and 400 people.
   "We do 50 to 60 shows a year. As my wife puts it, it’s like ‘When am I going to see you again?’" Mr. Panzarino said. "Ninety percent of our shows are fundraisers."
   Mr. Panzarino said that they try to be creative to keep kids, parents and fans interested.
   "There’s definitely something for everybody," Mr. Panzarino said. "As a promoter, we’ve got to be creative to keep the fans interested – it’s like a soap opera. Hopefully, we’ll get another big turnout."
   Tickets can be purchased by calling the Boy Scouts at 908-725-1025, online at doubleplaytixx.com or by calling NWS at 732-888-1704. Advance tickets are also available at Midtown Deli and Krauszer’s on South Main Street in Manville, and at Body Shop Total Fitness on Route 206 in Hillsborough.