Talking Impact Wrestling and more with Big Kon, who brings ‘Classic Combat’ to South Florida

Jim Varsallone
·7 min read
2

Ryan Parmeter, who is Big Kon of “The Design” in Impact Wrestling and formerly Konnor of “The Ascension” in WWE, began his pro wrestling journey in South Florida. It has been some ride in his 20-plus year career from small venues, warehouses and wing dings to big arenas and massive stadiums around the world.

Longing to do more, he borrowed from one of his early pro wrestling names “Roughhouse” to create a new venture, a new brand of his very own. He not only wants to do more; he wants to help others in the process.

RoughHouse Entertainment is born. The company features “Classic Combat” pro wrestling, and its debut show is in South Florida on Saturday, June 17 to support veterans of South Florida. Not only does his family has military ties, but this is his way of giving back to his community where it all started.

Here is my audio interview with Big Kon about Impact Wrestling, The Design, His Journey, Family, and “Classic Combat.”

‘Classic Combat’ at Seminole Classic

Seminole Classic Casino has partnered with RoughHouse Entertainment to present “Classic Combat” pro wrestling on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Hollywood Hall of the renovated casino, which is across the street/parallel to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near (South Florida) Hollywood.

Plenty of talent on the card, including ECW alum (and Big Kon mentor) Tommy Dreamer of Impact Wrestling, WWE alum Erick Redbeard and WWE Hall of Famer Tatanka. The event will benefit Connected Warriors, an organization passionate about supporting veterans, active-duty military and veteran services.

Guests can look forward to an entertaining evening with additional notable wrestlers such as Impact Wrestling’s Rich Swann, Deaner and Big Kon, Impact Wrestling tag champ Kilynn King, NWA’s Thomas Lattimore, NWA champ Kamille Brickhouse and ring announcer, WCW alum and South Florida’s own David Penzer, also of Impact Wrestling.

Tickets are on sale at Seminoleclassiccasino.com or Eventbrite.

“Classic Combat” pro wrestling -- via RoughHouse Entertainment and Seminole Classic Casino -- is Saturday, June 17 at Hollywood Hall of Seminole Casino Classic in South Florida near Hollywood.
“Classic Combat” pro wrestling -- via RoughHouse Entertainment and Seminole Classic Casino -- is Saturday, June 17 at Hollywood Hall of Seminole Casino Classic in South Florida near Hollywood.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go toward supporting veterans in South Florida through three non-profit organizations including Connected Warriors, Wounded Veterans Relief Fund and Irreverent Warriors.

Connected Warriors mission is to elevate the warriors in our community by engaging them in a process of healing, growth and change in ways that benefit themselves, their families and the community. Using a community-based approach, Connected Warriors strives to partner with all agencies that benefit veterans and their families. Connected Warriors acts as a leading advocate for veterans, active-duty military, and veteran services with local, state, and federal government.

Wounded Veterans Relief Fund exists to provide emergency financial support to qualified disabled veterans living in Florida. 85 percent of donated funds go directly toward veteran assistance.

The mission of Irreverent Warriors is to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide.

“Classic Combat” pro wrestling is Saturday, June 17.
“Classic Combat” pro wrestling is Saturday, June 17.

Sponsorships with VIP Packages are available. Contact Connected Warriors at 954-278-3764 or Kimberly Whitehead at Fausharkgirl@gmail.com for more information. Must be 21 and older to attend the event.

About Big Kon

A graduate of Coconut Creek High School in South Florida, Big Kon of Impact Wrestling is a member of the heel faction The Design (formerly Violent by Design) with Angels and its leader Deaner. They are former 2-time Impact Wrestling tag team champs.

Kon, 43, is the muscle of the versatile group -- a 6-foot-5 force, emphasizing ruthless aggression.

Kon debuted in pro wrestling in 2001 under the tutelage of the South Florida legend, the late, great Rusty Brooks, and the talented Soulman Alex G. WCW alum Norman Smiley, another with South Florida roots, played an integral role in his development.

Kon wrestled for Rusty’s promotion Four Star Championship Wrestling (FSCW) as Ryan Payne O’Reilly, and formed a tag team with Rusty’s son Jeff “J-Dawg” Brooks, known as the “Irish Thug Connection”. Together, the “Irish Thug Connection” won the FSCW tag team championship. He also won the FSCW championship, before testing another Florida indie promotion, Coastal Championship Wrestling.

CCW, which has grown leaps and bounds, is now the longest running indie promotion in Florida and one of the longest in North America. Kon won the CCW tag team belts with Sean Allen and also became the company’s top singles champ.

After four years on the independent circuit, Kon signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2005. He was assigned to Deep South Wrestling (DSW), a WWE developmental territory as “Roughhouse” O’Reilly, and made his DSW debut at the inaugural DSW show on September 1. There he learned from Bill DeMott and Jody Hamilton (The Masked Assassin).

A two-time Deep South champion and top prospect, Kon met his wife, Krissy Vaine there. Also a pro wrestler, she was the on-screeen Deep South general manager.

In 2007, he and Vaine requested and were granted their releases from WWE.

After more time on the indies, Big Kon returned to WWE in 2011 -- reassigned to Florida Championship Wrestling, a WWE developmental group in Tampa. He was selected to participate in season 3 of NXT on WWE TV on the USA Network.

Eventually, he became Konnor of The Ascension and joined WWE’s new developmental brand NXT, based in Orlando. He and tag partner Viktor won NXT tag team titles. They were promoted to the main roster and remained with WWE until 2019. Quite the run.

Big Kon, who trained in South Florida via Rusty Brooks, “Soulman” Alec G and Norman Smiley, worked with “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander during Impact Wrestling TV tapings at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in (South Florida) Pembroke Pines. Big Kon is a big part of the heel faction The Design with Deaner and Angels.
Big Kon, who trained in South Florida via Rusty Brooks, “Soulman” Alec G and Norman Smiley, worked with “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander during Impact Wrestling TV tapings at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in (South Florida) Pembroke Pines. Big Kon is a big part of the heel faction The Design with Deaner and Angels.

Following some indie bookings, Big Kon landed with Impact Wrestling, signing with the company in 2022. A solid match with Eddie Edwards and a segment with “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander and Impact Wrestling President Scott D’Amore during Impact Wrestling TV tapings in his backyard, South Florida, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, helped his cause for being signed. Almost full circle, he appeared for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during the promotion’s early shows.

He and his wife have a son. Big Kon noted that if his son wanted to become a pro wrestler, he would oblige. Whatever his son wants to do. BTW, “Soulman” Alex G is on his speed dial, if needed.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Big_Kon1

About Seminole Classic Casino

Seminole Classic Casino pioneered Indian gaming when it opened as the country’s first large stakes bingo hall in 1979, eventually expanding with gaming machines and poker.

The recently renovated landmark casino is now home to more than 1,000 state-of-the-art, newest-title slot machines and other local favorites such as Diamond Lottos, Fort Knox, and Pirate’s Loot. The property now offers a 5,500-plus sq. ft. Smoke-Free Hall for guests looking for casino action in a smoke-free room.

The Hall features more than 150 slots, Cappuccino’s Coffee & Pastry Bar, Restrooms, Casino Cashier and a separate entrance for a truly smoke-free experience. The gaming leader also offers 24/7 live table game action with games including $5 Blackjack, standard Blackjack, Baccarat, Spanish 21, Three Card Poker and many more.

Seminole Classic Casino also features the Hollywood Hall entertainment pavilion and the Stage Bar, a full-service bar that features live entertainment nightly. Patrons can enjoy the EATstreet dining area with food options such as Soygood, Slice and Mojoe as well as a burger and wing joint named Flying Cow.

Seminole Classic Casino is at 4150 North State Road 7, Hollywood FL 33021, just south of Interstate 595 and next to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. For more information, call 1-866-2CASINO or 954-961-3220 or visit www.DoClassic.com or www.facebook.com/SeminoleClassicCasino. Follow on Instagram at @semclassiccasino.

Impact Wrestling on the road

Impact Wrestling returns to Center Stage in Atlanta on June 23-24 for “Summer Sizzler.”

Impact Wrestling “Slammiversary” and “Slammiversary Fallout” are July 15-16 from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Impact Wrestling “Down Under” is Jun 29-July 2 in Australia.

IMPACT WRESTLING SOCIALLY AND ON TV

Website: https://impactwrestling.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactWrestling/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/impactwrestling

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwrestling/

The company’s television trucks will capture all of the in-ring action for upcoming episodes of IMPACT’s flagship weekly TV show “IMPACT! on AXS TV” (Thursday, 8 p.m. on AXS TV in America, Fight Network in Canada and Impact Insiders on YouTube).

My Pro Wrestling and MMA Talk on the Web and Social Media

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/

Twitter: @jimmyv3

YouTube: jim varsallone (jimmyv3 channel)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProWrestlingSouthFlorida/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWE-WrestleMania-28-Miami-241160769255279/