Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake is coming to Lakewood for a pro wrestling rampage.
Randy Grey, known for his annual wild fundraising party in which popular wrestlers have participated, is bringing even more excitement to town.
Grey completed an extensive search for a venue to host the event, and found that the Lakewood YMCA would be the perfect spot. The event is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at 183 E. Fairmount Ave. in Lakewood.
Article Photos
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake poses with a fan during a fundraiser at Salon One last year. Beefcake and other wrestlers will participate in a fundraiser at the Lakewood YMCA on Friday.
P-J file photo
Not only will the wrestling tournament be a fun, family-friendly event, but it will also serve as a fundraiser to benefit the YMCA Kids' Camp, according to Grey.
"I got to thinking that pro wrestling didn't come to Jamestown as often we'd like it," said Grey. "So, I looked for a facility intimate enough to host this event. The YMCA was kind enough to donate their soccer field. It's a win-win for everybody. Not only is the event affordable, family-friendly and kid-oriented, but the roster of wrestlers uses local talent. It's good to bring hometown kids back to give them some exposure."
The local talent includes 2001 Southwestern graduate Kyle Gruber who is currently head trainer at FitAddict training in Tampa, Fla. Gruber was the captain of the football team in high school and grew up watching pro wrestling. He currently wrestles with Florida Underground Wrestling and Qwest Pro Wrestling. He is also a student at Team 3-D Academy of Professional Wrestling. He is looking forward to coming back to Jamestown.
"I love wrestling because you combine athletics with performance," said Gruber. "Being on stage in front of a bunch of people, and controlling their emotions through the art of pro wrestling is unbelievable. It's what I want to do as a career and for the foreseeable future. I'm really excited to come back because of the amount of friends and family that I'll have. I started lifting weights when I was 15 years old at the Lakewood YMCA so it will be cool to come back to where I started. It's also going to be a really cool experience for me to meet The Barber."
Another local is Pine Valley graduate James Booth, known by his wrestling name of James Santel. Booth is currently a physical education major at SUNY Brockport. He is in his senior year and is student teaching at Falconer Central school. He wrestles for ESW of North Tonawanda, MFW of Dunkirk, TWR of Erie and KICW of Oil City, Pa. Booth will face off against the Fabulous John McChesney of Erie, Pa.
"I'm really looking forward to it because this is the first time I'll get to wrestle in front of my own hometown crowd," said Booth. "John (McChesney) is one of the best pro wrestlers I've ever met. He is amazing in the ring, and I am really eager to work with him. I'm also looking forward to working with Beefcake again. It's quite the humbling experience getting to wrestle on the same card as someone that I grew up idolizing there's really nothing else quite like it."
The main attraction for the event is The Barber. According to Grey, at 55 he is still 100 percent healthy and looks like he turned the clock back 20 years. He will have his hands full while wrestling PWR tag team champion Benett Cole (The Black Sheep).
"I always bring the clippers so you're guaranteed to see someone get a haircut," said Beefcake. "I come out with T-shirts and photos to autograph while I do meet and greet interaction with the fans. It's going to be an exciting event."
According to Beefcake, it's very important to participate in fundraising events like this.
"I'm grateful that God has given me the abilities that I have and if I can use them to help some less fortunate people because it's a great thing and a good feeling," said Beefcake. "I do it all over the country, and it's something I like to do to make a difference. It's nice to give back to the community and reach out to a lot of people by raising money. And, keep kids off the streets and away from bad elements by giving them a safe recreational place to learn some positive things."
Grey added, "Hopefully everybody comes out Friday night for some bone-crunching, hard-hitting, good clean family entertainment."
Tickets start at $10 and are available at the following locations: Lakewood and Jamestown YMCA, Game Time sports bar and grill in Jamestown and Finish Line in the Chautauqua Mall. For more information visit rampagewrestling.com.