GWA gets innovative, and CCW draws a crowd as pro wrestling returns to South Florida
May 23 is the official date indie pro wrestling returned to South Florida, after a hiatus because of a COVID-19 shutdown.
Gangrel’s Wrestling Asylum — which will celebrate its third anniversary on Halloween — combined a wrestling show, a charity fundraiser and a watch party on May 23 from its training facility in Dania Beach.
No fans were allowed in the building for this show, and a limited crew worked the event — wearing masks and maintaining social distancing outside the ring.
GWA provided a watch party for fans streaming the card live on its Facebook and YouTube channels. The stream was free, but GWA asked fans to donate to Feeding America and linked a donation page.
GWA followed up with another show from its training facility on June 14, but this time with a limited number of fans in attendance, wearing masks and seated apart to comply with social distancing.
GWA is following more guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html
The June 14th show once again streamed live on GWA’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
For both shows, after each match, a staff member — known as Bio-suit Man — sanitized the ring.
Donations were accepted again. Proceeds went toward the Gangrel’s Wrestling Foundation to help underprivileged with scholarships and also help the needs of the community.
GWA is a 501 c 3 nonprofit, and all donations are 100% tax deductible.
Any amount appreciated, but donations were optional.
Those who donated $10 received a signed show poster. Anyone donating $30 obtained a signed show poster and an official GWA t-shirt.
GWA leader and WWE alum Gangrel (South Florida original Dave Heath) devised an innovative and cool virtual idea for that show, too. A $40 donation earned a signed show poster, an official GWA t-shirt and reserved seating virtually. Yes, virtually.
Fan Jordana Jord Dlugacz from Ronkonkoma, New York, became the first virtual seat participant. An enlarged photo of her sat comfortably on one of the folding chairs spaced around ringside at the June 14th show during the free stream.
GWA’s next show, Summer Reign, is July 19 at the GWA training facility, 1982 Tigertail Blvd., off I-95 in Dania Beach. CDC compliance requirements will be in effect.
Limited seating (with distancing) is available at $15 per ticket.
Plenty of virtual seating open to all at the $40 donation level, supporting the Gangrel’s Wrestling Foundation.
Fan Michael Acosta of Laurel, Maryland, via Miami already donated for a virtual seat.
Check out www.gwaflorida.com/donations.
Website: https://gwaflorida.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWAFLORIDA/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GWAFLORIDA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDrq6nTL8BagDa_cophW0PQ.
CCW with fans at Xtreme Action Park
Coastal Championship Wrestling made a triumphant return with a solid crowd — experiencing social distancing and wearing masks — on June 20 inside Xtreme Action Park gaming and entertainment center in north Fort Lauderdale.
CCW staff took temperatures of attendees before allowing them into the wrestling area, and seating was spread out.
Hand sanitizing stations were available inside the venue. Crew and wrestlers backstage wore masks, as well.
CCW includes a pro wrestling training facility off Powerline Road and NW 62nd Street/McNab Road in Fort Lauderdale.
Website: https://www.coastalchampionshipwrestlingfl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccwevents/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CCWFL
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq7u6pJK8rwAXg-CnVnaFFQ
https://parklandtalk.com/coastal-championship-wrestling-returns-6871
ARW in Cocoa
Atomic Revolutionary Wrestling conducted a show on June 12 at the Space Coast Convention Center in (Central Florida) Cocoa.
ARW included a screening at the door by staff with temperature checks. Rows and seats were distanced. ARW allowed family and close friends to move their seats closer together. Masks were recommended but not required.
Wrestlers who wanted to sell their merchandise, sign autographs and take photos were told it was 100% their call and to use their best judgment. They were not obligated to take photos. Everyone was told in advance, if feeling any of the symptoms, to stay home.
ARW drew about 150 fans. No cash handling at the door and tickets purchased in advance only.
ARW runs its next card (with those safety guidelines) on July 31 with Star Spangled Slammer 4 at the Space Coast Convention Center, 301 Tucker Lane in Cocoa.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtomicRevolutionaryWrestling/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlingatomic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY3mOWFBd8lzVoyAlxDOxhQ
I Believe in Winter Park
I Believe in Wrestling returned with two shows in (Central Florida) Winter Park, near Orlando.
The first June 13 and the second June 27 with both at its new training facility, still known as the Team Vision Dojo. Fans allowed at each.
IBW stationed someone at the door wearing gloves to hold it open for them. Everyone was hand sanitized when they entered, and their temperatures were checked.
At the first show masks were recommended. The second show they were required.
IBW made masks available at both shows.
Everything was cleaned, sanitized in the dojo.
IBW alerted everyone to keep their space and be mindful of others.
Most of the wrestlers entered the ring wearing masks and then removed them in the ring to wrestle.
Everything was cleaned extensively following the show.
IBW turned people away at the first show because it reached capacity. The second show just made capacity.
The next show is July 11 again at Team Vision Dojo’s new training location, 931 S. Semoran Blvd. in Winter Park, and IBW will continue to apply safety measures.
Website: http://www.ibelieveinwrestling.com/
Website: http://www.teamvisiondojo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Team-Vision-Dojo-Winter-Park-Pro-Wrestling-107661100849823/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibelieveinwrstl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeamVisionDojo
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnZpo2czdJ3Kl9DVzjsodw
WXW in Minneola
World Xtreme Wrestling returned June 13 at the (Central Florida) Minneola Recreation Center.
Because of social distancing guidelines, only 50 fans were allowed in the building. Seating was six feet apart, and fans were strongly encouraged to wear masks. Also, hand sanitizer available at the concession stand.
The show streamed live on its Facebook page.
WXW, which also trains wrestlers, is gearing for Summer Showdown on July 11 from the Minneola Recreation Center on 800 U.S. 27. Minneola is about 25 miles west of Orlando. Same safety rules will apply.
Website: https://www.wxwwrestling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wxw.pro.wrestling/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wxwoffice
Network: https://wxwwrestling.pivotshare.com/
DCCW near Jacksonville
Destiny Combat Championship Wrestling ran June 27 with fans in attendance at Harvest Ministries, Baker Campus in (North Florida) Macclenny, near Jacksonville.
Before the show, staff prepped by sanitizing the venue. They sprayed chairs and door handles.
Free masks made available to anyone who needed one. Hand sanitizers were situated on tables.
Chairs were distanced. Fans made the choice to pull seats closer for family members and friends or keep them separated to maintain distance from them and others.
Website: https://dccwwrestling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCCWWrestlingInc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dccwofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJhELw5kpq-fcCm-zTSi9Q
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