June 12, 2025 • 20 mins
Dylan Wanagiel is no stranger to wrestling events. As the current Vice President of Sports Properties and Special Events for the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Wanagiel is again bringing a major wrestling event to the tri-state area.
Previously, Wanagiel was one of the driving forces into bringing the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships to Madison Square Garden in New York City, the venue Wanagiel worked at prior to moving back across to the New Jersey side.
Final X is also pairing again with the Beat The Streets benefit (btsny.org) as USA Wrestling will wrestle both men’s and women’s freestyle to determine the world teams.
Fans can watch live on Flowrestling or if they’re in the region, can pick up tickets via Ticketmaster. Action begins at 12:30 p.m. with true-third matches on Saturday, June 14.
Join the conversation with Dylan and host Jason Bryant inside “The Rock” as we prepare for Saturday.
Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
Links to Follow
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Daily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
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Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 787 –Recorded June 12, 2025.
Previously, Wanagiel was one of the driving forces into bringing the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships to Madison Square Garden in New York City, the venue Wanagiel worked at prior to moving back across to the New Jersey side.
Final X is also pairing again with the Beat The Streets benefit (btsny.org) as USA Wrestling will wrestle both men’s and women’s freestyle to determine the world teams.
Fans can watch live on Flowrestling or if they’re in the region, can pick up tickets via Ticketmaster. Action begins at 12:30 p.m. with true-third matches on Saturday, June 14.
Join the conversation with Dylan and host Jason Bryant inside “The Rock” as we prepare for Saturday.
Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
Links to Follow
Join the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discord
Daily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
Contribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contribute
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline
The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound
Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime
Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 787 –Recorded June 12, 2025.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Back here at the Short Time Wrestling Podcast are we're
on location event. We are sitting here in the mezzanine
overlooking the lower bowl. If you're watching on video, if
you're listening at home, that's the scene the stage is
being built while the stage is going to be set
for Final X here at the Prudential Center, along with
Dylan Wanagale, the vice president of Sports Properties for Raker
Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Harris is important in this, folks.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Because Josh Harris, you know, the Harris of the Harris
Blitzer remember of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Not just a brown nose here.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
He's actually got a wrestling background and he's part of
this organization, part of these teams, the player as well.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
Yeah, he wrestled at U Penna back in the day
and is a big supporter of wrestling. It was at
this event two years ago to support and yeah, big
supporter of wrestling, and we love having We're very wrestling
friendly around here, as you know. You worked here for
a Garden State Grapple a few times and we're always
excited to have Olympians.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
In the building.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Friend Ar wrestled, but you're the friend of wrestling. You're
the one that brought it into Madison Square Garden when
you work there. Now you're here, been about four four
years on the job here the New Jersey Devils of
the primary tenant seat in all basketball PWHL, the team
that claims the state across the border plays here. But
you know, you've got a busy barn here. And I'm
using that hockey parance. We've got a hockey jersey here.
(01:14):
Finallyged twenty five, Dylan. Before we get into what we've
got here and what's going on this weekend. Your background
and wrestling, you don't have one until you came to
the Garden.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Correct, Yeah, And that never strapped down a single in
my life. But boy, it's an easy sport to fall
in love with. I first, you know, just started studying
it as potential new business, and hey, like, what's going
on in college wrestling? Is it's suitable for a big
arena like the Garden at the time. And I went
to twenty eleven Nationals, D one Nationals and CAA's in
(01:45):
Philly and I walked in I believe it was the
Friday night the Blood Round. And if you've never been
like for someone like me. You know, I had heard
of Dan Gable and Cayle sandersonknew a little bit when
I walked in there and I saw those eight mats
going simultaneously and I was like, WHOA, Like, I have
to get this at the time, the Garden and now
I've literally told myself I cannot retire until I get
(02:07):
that event here in Newark to Prudential Center. So amazing sport,
amazing event. D one Nationals, an amazing event with final
lex here at Podential Center. Love the sport and happy
to help it grow.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Wrestling friendly venue. And this is a little bit my
own experience here. I've worked this event. I worked this
event twenty twenty three. I've worked the Garden stick Grapple
here a couple of There are a few facilities in
the world that have a sound system this good. And
I'm a sound snob, so I mean, I'm talking acoustics,
I'm talking.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Everything that's great.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Even with this is one of the giant the video
board here behind us, it's one of the biggest video
boards in the world for this type of thing. So
what amenities do the Prudential Center really bring you an
event like this?
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Well, yeah, as he touched on specific to this arena,
which did open in two thousand and seven, But kudos
to our managing partners, Harris Splitzer and the whole team,
like constantly reinvesting in the arena so that we're keeping up,
because yeah, a venue of eighteen years old, you know,
you do have to keep doing that. As he touched on,
that is the world world's largest high definition video board
as far as NBA, NHL arenas go, so we're very
(03:04):
proud of it. It adds a lot to an event
like this where you have multiple mats going simultaneously. Really
helps fans that aren't super close to the mat just
sneak a quick peek and they can see everything. We've
added a space called the Prudential Lounge, really high end
reception space. The lofts are here, Peer Club a brand
new premium space, so a lot of premium spaces which
(03:28):
fans really want nowadays where they can buy like an
all inclusive package which includes food.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
And just nicer amenities.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
So we're very very proud of the arena and continuing
to make improvements.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Speaking of those amenities, there's also this is not a
bad seat in the house if you're not looking for
that high price stuff. If you're looking to get in
the door and check out wrestling, if you're that youth,
family or something, this is a great place to watch wrestling.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah it is.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
This is the fifteenth year of the Beat the Streets
charity component. So yes, it's final X and the winners
here go to Zagreb, Croatia. But really it's fundraiser for
Beat the Streets. So I do believe that the least
expensive ticket is like sixty dollars, but at all funnels
to Beat the Streets, which amazing five oh one c
three charity getting wrestling into elementary schools, high school So
(04:12):
it's a really great partnership between USA Wrestling and Beat
the Streets and hopefully everyone comes out on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Yeah, their annual gala, Well it's more of a benefit
now gala that you're not dressing up to go to
Red's beer garden right next door.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
There a couple of years.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Agoat folks that read yeah actually and I'm a craft
beer snop, So I am, I'm all and I'm just
coming off a trip to Munich, Germany.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
So we had a lot of.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Pretzels and sausages and Big Lord Stein. So if you're
into that type of thing. I'm into that type of thing.
You need to go there afterwards and Beat the Streets
BTSNY dot orgers where you can get that information and
if you're interest you can't make it, you want to
contribute text final X to four four three two one.
So Brandon brought me in last year to MC This
was the coolest thing last year the benefit. We did
(04:54):
a match in a ballroom down I can't remember the
name of the theater, but I had to. I had
to introduce the grass. Tyson, Tim Ferris, and Jordan Burrow's
on this panel, and I'm like, one of these four
do not belong on this.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
So I made my way out of it.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
But it was a cool thing.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Beat the Streets has always been great to me, so
I'm glad that they're part of this event and it's
something it's really cool because it's just across the bridge,
bridges whichever you want to prefer.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
You know, the geography here in the Tri state area
is always great, but.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Having a partner like that also lends a little bit
more credibility to bringing these events. You know, through your
work in Madasquerg, you've got a good core of wrestling
people that are going to support wherever wrestling is true
to go back.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
Anytime someone's talking wrestling, you do belong, Jason, So I'll
give you that. But yeah, you know what, the charity
element of this is very cool, and we have a
lot of events where we're giving back to the community
in some way. A lot of some of our college
basketball events have like I'd Never forget Tribute Classic event
this year made a nice donation to a Tunnel to
Towers Foundation, and we're always doing things like that. So
(05:53):
the fact that there is a charity component to this
is great. As far as wrestling, New Jersey is a
wrestling hotbed.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
The high school state.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Champ the Chips take place at Boardwalk Call in Atlantic
City every year, huge record setting crowds every year. So
we're very proud of how many wrestling fans there are
in New Jersey, which makes Crudential Center very suitable location
for this event.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Also makes the it is also one of the more
colorful fan bases. I remember the Garden State Grapple Rutgers
is wrestling North Carolina and it was it was it
was chippy, and it was just like what you might expect,
you know, getting off getting off the plane this morning,
getting in the Uber and immediately hear horns. It's like
it's you know, you're gonna get a certain level of
grit to your sports fan here.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
It makes wrestling fun.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Although it's interesting you mentioned the New Jersey State tournament.
I've been to four Olympic Games. I've never been to
the New Jersey State High School Wrestling Tournament.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
I want to.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I need that event on my list. I need just
to go. I need to find a weekend and go.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
To Boardwalk Hall.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Absolutely, you would love it. Yes, going back to that
Rutgers UNC match, I remember some of the Rutgers fans
had some choice comments for Coleman.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Scott at the time.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
So yeah, that's something we really appreciate about the New
Jersey fans for all events here.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
That New Jersey fans, how they feed, no doubt that
they share that.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
We get a little bit of that.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
In twenty twenty three with final likes, there were some chippiness,
there was some controversy, Like in wrestling. I mean, we've
got we got a couple of things this year that
have come up. We've got a couple injury delays that
and one pull out I meet a lord's not gonna
be able to compete, which is unfortunate. You know, you
got an Olympic champ coming in. It's one of the foo.
We've got two more at least that we've got.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Hellm Rules Kyle Snyder gonna be competing.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
But when it comes to the personnel here, you know
you as a non wrestling guy, although you've become a
wrestling guy. Come on, for sure, when you look at
the list of names that we're going to have here
on Saturday, that's something that if you're within an hour,
two hours, three hours East Coast people I know don't
drive as far as the Midwest folks do, but get
here right, all right?
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Slow down with that?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Okay, Yes, he's cute, though you've got I drive an
hour each way every day and it's very common in
New Jersey. So yeah, really, anyone within the sixty mile
or idios, let's go like this is the place to
be on Saturday. We've got a lot of wrestling with
the true third matches starting at twelve thirty in the afternoon,
and we'll probably go to eight pm or even later,
depends upon how many matches go the full three and
(08:02):
it's gonna be a great day of wrestling, a lot
of wrestling, great bang for your bucks.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Hopefully everyone comes out. Yeah, and that's.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Sixty do on our price point. Let's look at things
right now. So to go to a movie, for example,
we went and saw the Minecraft movie. I've got two
girls that are twelve and eight. So let's think about that.
So four tickets, that was the cheapest part of it.
The tickets I think were thirty five dollars. It was
a matinee. The popcorn and drinks was ninety seven dollars.
And that is for two hours.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
You get how much time you get and you're a
wrestling fan.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Plus, the access we have in wrestling to our heroes
is unlike any you go to NBA game. You're not
gonna get next to Haliburt. You're not gonna get to
get next to Kevin Durant. You're gonna I mean, Jordan
Burrows was mobbed out here, Eve and Marcello were mobbed
that year. I mean a lot of chances for autographs
meet your heroes too.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
This is a good opportunity.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Yeah, it's a good point, especially the kids, like as
you put it out with Burrows, Marstella are many other
athletes like when they were done, they walked over to
the kids. A lot of them are giving away shirts
and certainly signing autographs for all the kids, taking selfies
with the kids, like that's something that is your right.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
It's very unique.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
I'm never gonna ask anybody for their worn single though
that might be a bit much. I mean even in hockey,
they watched the game worn uniforms before they auction them off.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
So but.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
So at three o'clock is when we're starting round one,
and followed by round two will be six o'clock and
if there's any best of threes, they go to the
third match, which I have a feeling there's gonna be
this year, they're gonna be in that following session. Wrap up,
those of you that have got tickets to the beats
the streets, a fundraiser can walk next door.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
If not.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
New York's got a lot of amenities for those that
are sitting around looking to have some cold beverages as well.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Yeah, but very proud of our food and beverage seene here.
The Iron Bound area is very famous for Brazilian Portuguese
fair and you have plenty of cool just hangout spots
like Red's American Whiskey and you can find it all here.
It's a great place to be in Newark, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
What's the best thing for you about bringing wrestling events
not just you know, your previous gig at the Garden,
but to hear specifically at the Prudential Center.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Yeah. Podential Center is really in the big events business.
Insert props props here. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
We just had the NCAA East Regional March Madness Commemorative Cup,
and you have the UFC three sixteen Commemoratory.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Harrison you just talked about.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Easy Martinez was here, Yeah, coloring Paanya and then we
let's see if I haven't seen al gay O'Malley and.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
The Battleishvilia ye Valishvili. Yeah, tremendous wrestler. Georgians on points.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
Yeah, yeah, and we had another Georgian, former Seaton Hall
star now on the San Antonio Spurs, Sondro Mamasheli was
here Georgian and many Georgians in the house that night
supporting Morob But yeah, we're in the big event business.
So UFC is three sixteen this past Saturday had sitting
President Donald Trump here, walked out with Dana White like
he's done many times. So whole crowd, you eighteen thousand
(10:42):
people chanting USA, USA, very cool. This Saturday Final X
former Olympic gold medalist, past Olympians, pass World champions. And
then the following Saturday, June twenty one, we have Top
Rank Boxing with headlined by Vido miil Nikki middleweight from
Roseland New Jersey.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
So three concent.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Secutive weekends of what we'll call combat sports. I do
remember the first grapple at the Garden, seeing Kyle Dake
do a matt return on Tyler Crawldwell, and I was like, oh, yeah,
this this is a combat sport.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
It's you know, you'll he'll he'll hear chill ste you know,
he'll he'll preach the fact that this is a martial
art as well. And of course that's a guy that's
never short for words I used talking about the event
as well.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
As we had Tyler Caldwell tremendous wrestling in his own part,
so I don't want to be smirtch anybody.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
But and then we also had Dake was wrestling Arson,
Joel full of Khan and that Greco. We had the
Turbelle wrestled in that one that was that was part
of the the grapple of the Garden. So also looking
we mentioned Marulis and Snyder, both from Maryland. By the way,
Spencer Leagu Kennedy Blade is going to be making another
US tour. Both of them had great runs to the
Olympic silver in Paris. Young and up and comers, especially Kennedy,
(11:46):
she's you know, both both Iowa grad or Kennedy Solid
Leon Iograd. So you got that Midwestern flair with that
New Jersey field. Joey McKenna uh Is in the main event.
We've got a couple of Jersey native scholar growth Sidney
Petzinger on the women's side for the true third. So
you get that Garden State meets Midwest just kind of
like you get in wrestling everywhere exactly.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
Kind of harkens back to the New Jersey state championships.
Like we talked about a lot of great wrestlers here
in New Jersey. It's great to see some of them
continue their path on the senior level, and here they
are with a home a home match here at a.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Prudential Center anew it We're very exciting development.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
So say people haven't got their tickets yet. All Ticketmaster, how.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Do we go about?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
Yeah, exactly these when you can hop onto our website
precenter dot com and then you'll see final exit at
the very top of the page. You can click through
there two Ticketmaster or just go to ticketmaster dot com directly.
And also you can walk up to the box office
window is another option, so we'll be selling them out
the window as well.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
So yeah, very exciting times here.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
You touched on Harris Splitzer Sports and Entertainment earlier as
our parent company.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
I should weave in that you're also part of our company.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
Is the Washington Commanders and Northwest Stadium down in DC.
Philadelphia seventy six Ers Crystal Palace FC, which is mentioned.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
I did not like the team in Washington going up. Okay,
fair enough. You know, we all have our own teams
that we grew up with. But it has nothing to
do with the team.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I just hated home team sports, right.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
You know, my friends in Northern Virginia go, that is
an unreasonable reason to not like DC area teams. Well,
I grew up in Hampton Roads, so you have to
have a rival. You don't like Richmond, you don't like
to go to the Virginia you like Hampton Roads.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Yeah, and personal ah good, but yeah personally, you know,
on our end we're handling managing the booking of Northwest
Stadium down there. It's great for us here to get
involved in that market. Last summer, myself and our team
were able to bring two really high end international soccer
friendlies down there to that stadium of the US men's
national team against Columbia fifty five thousand in attendance, Argentina
(13:39):
with Lionel Messi against Guatemala fifty five thousand in attendance.
So it's really cool from a booking standpoint that this
parent company is involved in so many markets, so many venues.
Just announced, you know, a new arena coming in Philly
for the seventy six ers that you know will be
involved with.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
So exciting times with the company.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Yeah, and these arenas. It's funny you mentioned you talk
about up keeping this the garden. You get experience with
that because you're not putting a new arena in Manhattan
anywhere where are you gonna find the space.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
You've got to improve what you got.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I remember first time I walked into this building, I
want to say it was two thousand and seven. I
don't think the parking lots were done yet. It was
the start of the Living the Dream Metal Fund, but
then it was called Fuel the Dream. We had a
press conference. Larry Nugriic then from USA Wrestling and Steve Maco.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Had some jerseys.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
We're in just an open area. It was like kind
of like where we were sitting now, only there was
a lot more glass here. Like that was the first
time they'd ever come into this building. And then you know,
you flash forward it has been Yeah, fifteen sixteen years later,
we're working, we're wrestling in here, and it's been a
lot of fun. So one, I appreciate being a part
of these events and you bring me out for the
Grapple a Garden State Grapple and the other events, and
(14:39):
then of course being part of Final Acts.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
We we gotta meet up and then give these jerseys out.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
What do we got here at the jersey?
Speaker 4 (14:44):
Yeah, So the space you've just mentioned, you're referencing our
East concourse a lot of huge glass windows. That's where
the press conference for Final X will take place tomorrow.
And what we'll have this for the athletes to take
some cool photos with that will put out on social media.
Get a Jersey hat going. We're very proud of of
of Jersey and everything it stands for.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
I gotta channel my inner Aree Brothers radio question here,
you're a pork roll or Titterham guy, I say the
word pork roll first thing.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
That's the correctness.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
I'm not from here, I can I can say that
with without bias. Yeah, I'm not north south Central. I'm like, no,
I'm from out of state. I can make that claim.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Yeah, pork roll being the product tailor Ham being a brand.
I guess both tissue, same concept. Yeah. Yeah, and I'm
glad you referenced central Jersey.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
That's a hot topic around here. That absolutely is a
Central Jersey. Some of my co workers fields just think.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I thought there's it's north, south, central, and shore because
I think the shore you go, you run from north
to south, right.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
It's not not quite that that lengthy. I suppose sure.
To me, is can be both central and south.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I don't know that the personality of Jersey native is
different when they're from the shore.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
That's fair.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
I'm from the shore. It's right, it's right. Yeah, so
it's nice being near the beach. I'm not a huge
beach person. But it's nice to be down there. So
but yes, Central Jersey that doesn't exist. There's a hot
topic around here.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
So I'm glad you acknowledge.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
I just think it does because I'm a geography snob
and I'm like, because I don't think north and south there,
there's there's that buffer that has that like you're weaving
in pork Roll in taylor Ham, you're wheeling wheeling.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
So it's a tall, skinny state. Of course, it has
a central and it's.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Pretty compact as well. It's it's population.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Although I do I do remember one trip down to
the down to the down to the shore and ocean
drive that was a good spot down in Sea Isle City.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Yeah, time down there and had the best they call there. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
I had the best scalps of my life at a
restaurant down there too. So I'm fond of the Jersey.
Some time in Penns we drive over. But don't anything
else to add about this weekend.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
One. We love having you back personally.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
You bring a lot of energy to these events and
your knowledge of wrestling is second to none. Yeah, it's
an exciting time for us. Nice stretch here of combat sports.
I mean how many people in the history of planet
are ever get to where that USA across their chest, that.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
That means something.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
It's a very low percentage of people who ever walked
the planet. So to think that some people here will
achieve their lifelong dreams, like wow, that means something has
got some real GRAVI toss to it and we're honored
to host this event.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
I just love also going back to the kids.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
It's the chance for the kids to meet their heroes
and sometimes, you know, careers get set in motion by
I remember, you know, I use Brett Metcalf as example.
The kids that watched the Trials and I got to
watch Brett Metcalf at Carverhawk I Arena. That's that that
turned them into a wrestling fan for life. Or the
older fans it may not have seen it. I watched
Bruce Bumgartner, Jersey guy president of USA, RUSS coming through.
We get to see I mean, first first match I
(17:31):
ever watched a Bruce was his last match.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Unfortunately, I was, you.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Know, seventeen years old watching it and watching those ninety
six Olympics, and I'm like mobile heavyweight favorite, you know,
So you know, you find and then get to you
you know, you see Bruce, you get you get to
meet Bruce here. You'll get to meet the heroes of
wrestling here. So not just the ones competing, but those
in the stands, just Kylie Flower are everywhere here.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Right, Well, it's a good point about the youth, right, Like,
wrestling is such an amazing sport and there's so many
super successful businessmen who attribute their success in business to
their time as a wrestler and what they learned about
hard work and dedication and no shortcuts and everything that
goes through that. So like, yet in this country, we're
(18:13):
all addicted to the NFL, NBA, very popular, NHL very popular,
MLB very popular. So wrestling like any chance any one
of us have to raise the profile. Hey, everybody, wrestling
is awesome and you should check it out. So I
like the young kids they come here, maybe it's their
first year as a wreck wrestler, but they go wow,
like these these men and women are awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Maybe someday I could do that, Like that's that's great.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Well, look at the kids like comparison, every time I
come here. I'd mentioned this before we started. There's a
rink downstairs that's there's youth kids coming in there. Left
and right there's a big statue of Martin brod Or
out front. Yes, but when they come to a Devil's game,
they're not necessarily the chance encounter. They get to see
them up close, but they don't really want.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
The odds for that interaction is really.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Slim unless they're their parents are going to wait an
hour for them to get dressed afterwards and maybe get
a glimpse if they're not driving out the back. I
mean the access point here and and you know, hockey
is a great access points for too, but we're wrestling.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
You you've you've got that. The kids that they're skating
won't have that. The kids that will come this weekend
will have.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
So it's a good point. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
Post Devil's game, you do see some fans lingering around
the parking lot, hopeful, hopeful for that chance encounter.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
But I think here you see there is that that
access and the wrestlers are very to.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Bring your shoes, bring sign signed, They sign everything, and
they will they will sign everything. So Dylan, that's that's
what we got. I'm excited for Final X here back
at the Prudential Centers.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
I can't call it the Rock that's the the they do. Yeah, yeah,
it is because the RS in the eighties like the Rock, the.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Rock and all that. Yeah, yeah that. It's still a
lot a lot of fans called the Rock the Rock.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Absolutely, we call our place to Herb and sink Cloud.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
There you go, there you go.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
So that's from the Short Time Wrestling once Again.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
June fourteenth, twelve thirty ticketmaster dot com, BTS text four
four three two one to final X if you can't contribute,
or BTS n y dot or if you want to
contribute to that, if you're in town, come on out
and then check the benefit next door.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
After we wrestle and decide our US World team.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Yes, sir, let's go. Thank you.
Back here at the Short Time Wrestling Podcast are we're
on location event. We are sitting here in the mezzanine
overlooking the lower bowl. If you're watching on video, if
you're listening at home, that's the scene the stage is
being built while the stage is going to be set
for Final X here at the Prudential Center, along with
Dylan Wanagale, the vice president of Sports Properties for Raker
Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Harris is important in this, folks.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Because Josh Harris, you know, the Harris of the Harris
Blitzer remember of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Not just a brown nose here.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
He's actually got a wrestling background and he's part of
this organization, part of these teams, the player as well.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
Yeah, he wrestled at U Penna back in the day
and is a big supporter of wrestling. It was at
this event two years ago to support and yeah, big
supporter of wrestling, and we love having We're very wrestling
friendly around here, as you know. You worked here for
a Garden State Grapple a few times and we're always
excited to have Olympians.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
In the building.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Friend Ar wrestled, but you're the friend of wrestling. You're
the one that brought it into Madison Square Garden when
you work there. Now you're here, been about four four
years on the job here the New Jersey Devils of
the primary tenant seat in all basketball PWHL, the team
that claims the state across the border plays here. But
you know, you've got a busy barn here. And I'm
using that hockey parance. We've got a hockey jersey here.
(01:14):
Finallyged twenty five, Dylan. Before we get into what we've
got here and what's going on this weekend. Your background
and wrestling, you don't have one until you came to
the Garden.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Correct, Yeah, And that never strapped down a single in
my life. But boy, it's an easy sport to fall
in love with. I first, you know, just started studying
it as potential new business, and hey, like, what's going
on in college wrestling? Is it's suitable for a big
arena like the Garden at the time. And I went
to twenty eleven Nationals, D one Nationals and CAA's in
(01:45):
Philly and I walked in I believe it was the
Friday night the Blood Round. And if you've never been
like for someone like me. You know, I had heard
of Dan Gable and Cayle sandersonknew a little bit when
I walked in there and I saw those eight mats
going simultaneously and I was like, WHOA, Like, I have
to get this at the time, the Garden and now
I've literally told myself I cannot retire until I get
(02:07):
that event here in Newark to Prudential Center. So amazing sport,
amazing event. D one Nationals, an amazing event with final
lex here at Podential Center. Love the sport and happy
to help it grow.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Wrestling friendly venue. And this is a little bit my
own experience here. I've worked this event. I worked this
event twenty twenty three. I've worked the Garden stick Grapple
here a couple of There are a few facilities in
the world that have a sound system this good. And
I'm a sound snob, so I mean, I'm talking acoustics,
I'm talking.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Everything that's great.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Even with this is one of the giant the video
board here behind us, it's one of the biggest video
boards in the world for this type of thing. So
what amenities do the Prudential Center really bring you an
event like this?
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Well, yeah, as he touched on specific to this arena,
which did open in two thousand and seven, But kudos
to our managing partners, Harris Splitzer and the whole team,
like constantly reinvesting in the arena so that we're keeping up,
because yeah, a venue of eighteen years old, you know,
you do have to keep doing that. As he touched on,
that is the world world's largest high definition video board
as far as NBA, NHL arenas go, so we're very
(03:04):
proud of it. It adds a lot to an event
like this where you have multiple mats going simultaneously. Really
helps fans that aren't super close to the mat just
sneak a quick peek and they can see everything. We've
added a space called the Prudential Lounge, really high end
reception space. The lofts are here, Peer Club a brand
new premium space, so a lot of premium spaces which
(03:28):
fans really want nowadays where they can buy like an
all inclusive package which includes food.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
And just nicer amenities.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
So we're very very proud of the arena and continuing
to make improvements.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Speaking of those amenities, there's also this is not a
bad seat in the house if you're not looking for
that high price stuff. If you're looking to get in
the door and check out wrestling, if you're that youth,
family or something, this is a great place to watch wrestling.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah it is.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
This is the fifteenth year of the Beat the Streets
charity component. So yes, it's final X and the winners
here go to Zagreb, Croatia. But really it's fundraiser for
Beat the Streets. So I do believe that the least
expensive ticket is like sixty dollars, but at all funnels
to Beat the Streets, which amazing five oh one c
three charity getting wrestling into elementary schools, high school So
(04:12):
it's a really great partnership between USA Wrestling and Beat
the Streets and hopefully everyone comes out on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Yeah, their annual gala, Well it's more of a benefit
now gala that you're not dressing up to go to
Red's beer garden right next door.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
There a couple of years.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Agoat folks that read yeah actually and I'm a craft
beer snop, So I am, I'm all and I'm just
coming off a trip to Munich, Germany.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
So we had a lot of.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Pretzels and sausages and Big Lord Stein. So if you're
into that type of thing. I'm into that type of thing.
You need to go there afterwards and Beat the Streets
BTSNY dot orgers where you can get that information and
if you're interest you can't make it, you want to
contribute text final X to four four three two one.
So Brandon brought me in last year to MC This
was the coolest thing last year the benefit. We did
(04:54):
a match in a ballroom down I can't remember the
name of the theater, but I had to. I had
to introduce the grass. Tyson, Tim Ferris, and Jordan Burrow's
on this panel, and I'm like, one of these four
do not belong on this.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
So I made my way out of it.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
But it was a cool thing.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Beat the Streets has always been great to me, so
I'm glad that they're part of this event and it's
something it's really cool because it's just across the bridge,
bridges whichever you want to prefer.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
You know, the geography here in the Tri state area
is always great, but.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Having a partner like that also lends a little bit
more credibility to bringing these events. You know, through your
work in Madasquerg, you've got a good core of wrestling
people that are going to support wherever wrestling is true
to go back.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
Anytime someone's talking wrestling, you do belong, Jason, So I'll
give you that. But yeah, you know what, the charity
element of this is very cool, and we have a
lot of events where we're giving back to the community
in some way. A lot of some of our college
basketball events have like I'd Never forget Tribute Classic event
this year made a nice donation to a Tunnel to
Towers Foundation, and we're always doing things like that. So
(05:53):
the fact that there is a charity component to this
is great. As far as wrestling, New Jersey is a
wrestling hotbed.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
The high school state.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Champ the Chips take place at Boardwalk Call in Atlantic
City every year, huge record setting crowds every year. So
we're very proud of how many wrestling fans there are
in New Jersey, which makes Crudential Center very suitable location
for this event.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Also makes the it is also one of the more
colorful fan bases. I remember the Garden State Grapple Rutgers
is wrestling North Carolina and it was it was it
was chippy, and it was just like what you might expect,
you know, getting off getting off the plane this morning,
getting in the Uber and immediately hear horns. It's like
it's you know, you're gonna get a certain level of
grit to your sports fan here.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
It makes wrestling fun.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Although it's interesting you mentioned the New Jersey State tournament.
I've been to four Olympic Games. I've never been to
the New Jersey State High School Wrestling Tournament.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
I want to.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I need that event on my list. I need just
to go. I need to find a weekend and go.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
To Boardwalk Hall.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Absolutely, you would love it. Yes, going back to that
Rutgers UNC match, I remember some of the Rutgers fans
had some choice comments for Coleman.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Scott at the time.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
So yeah, that's something we really appreciate about the New
Jersey fans for all events here.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
That New Jersey fans, how they feed, no doubt that
they share that.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
We get a little bit of that.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
In twenty twenty three with final likes, there were some chippiness,
there was some controversy, Like in wrestling. I mean, we've
got we got a couple of things this year that
have come up. We've got a couple injury delays that
and one pull out I meet a lord's not gonna
be able to compete, which is unfortunate. You know, you
got an Olympic champ coming in. It's one of the foo.
We've got two more at least that we've got.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Hellm Rules Kyle Snyder gonna be competing.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
But when it comes to the personnel here, you know
you as a non wrestling guy, although you've become a
wrestling guy. Come on, for sure, when you look at
the list of names that we're going to have here
on Saturday, that's something that if you're within an hour,
two hours, three hours East Coast people I know don't
drive as far as the Midwest folks do, but get
here right, all right?
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Slow down with that?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Okay, Yes, he's cute, though you've got I drive an
hour each way every day and it's very common in
New Jersey. So yeah, really, anyone within the sixty mile
or idios, let's go like this is the place to
be on Saturday. We've got a lot of wrestling with
the true third matches starting at twelve thirty in the afternoon,
and we'll probably go to eight pm or even later,
depends upon how many matches go the full three and
(08:02):
it's gonna be a great day of wrestling, a lot
of wrestling, great bang for your bucks.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Hopefully everyone comes out. Yeah, and that's.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Sixty do on our price point. Let's look at things
right now. So to go to a movie, for example,
we went and saw the Minecraft movie. I've got two
girls that are twelve and eight. So let's think about that.
So four tickets, that was the cheapest part of it.
The tickets I think were thirty five dollars. It was
a matinee. The popcorn and drinks was ninety seven dollars.
And that is for two hours.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
You get how much time you get and you're a
wrestling fan.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Plus, the access we have in wrestling to our heroes
is unlike any you go to NBA game. You're not
gonna get next to Haliburt. You're not gonna get to
get next to Kevin Durant. You're gonna I mean, Jordan
Burrows was mobbed out here, Eve and Marcello were mobbed
that year. I mean a lot of chances for autographs
meet your heroes too.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
This is a good opportunity.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Yeah, it's a good point, especially the kids, like as
you put it out with Burrows, Marstella are many other
athletes like when they were done, they walked over to
the kids. A lot of them are giving away shirts
and certainly signing autographs for all the kids, taking selfies
with the kids, like that's something that is your right.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
It's very unique.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
I'm never gonna ask anybody for their worn single though
that might be a bit much. I mean even in hockey,
they watched the game worn uniforms before they auction them off.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
So but.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
So at three o'clock is when we're starting round one,
and followed by round two will be six o'clock and
if there's any best of threes, they go to the
third match, which I have a feeling there's gonna be
this year, they're gonna be in that following session. Wrap up,
those of you that have got tickets to the beats
the streets, a fundraiser can walk next door.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
If not.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
New York's got a lot of amenities for those that
are sitting around looking to have some cold beverages as well.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Yeah, but very proud of our food and beverage seene here.
The Iron Bound area is very famous for Brazilian Portuguese
fair and you have plenty of cool just hangout spots
like Red's American Whiskey and you can find it all here.
It's a great place to be in Newark, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
What's the best thing for you about bringing wrestling events
not just you know, your previous gig at the Garden,
but to hear specifically at the Prudential Center.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Yeah. Podential Center is really in the big events business.
Insert props props here. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
We just had the NCAA East Regional March Madness Commemorative Cup,
and you have the UFC three sixteen Commemoratory.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Harrison you just talked about.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Easy Martinez was here, Yeah, coloring Paanya and then we
let's see if I haven't seen al gay O'Malley and.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
The Battleishvilia ye Valishvili. Yeah, tremendous wrestler. Georgians on points.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
Yeah, yeah, and we had another Georgian, former Seaton Hall
star now on the San Antonio Spurs, Sondro Mamasheli was
here Georgian and many Georgians in the house that night
supporting Morob But yeah, we're in the big event business.
So UFC is three sixteen this past Saturday had sitting
President Donald Trump here, walked out with Dana White like
he's done many times. So whole crowd, you eighteen thousand
(10:42):
people chanting USA, USA, very cool. This Saturday Final X
former Olympic gold medalist, past Olympians, pass World champions. And
then the following Saturday, June twenty one, we have Top
Rank Boxing with headlined by Vido miil Nikki middleweight from
Roseland New Jersey.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
So three concent.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Secutive weekends of what we'll call combat sports. I do
remember the first grapple at the Garden, seeing Kyle Dake
do a matt return on Tyler Crawldwell, and I was like, oh, yeah,
this this is a combat sport.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
It's you know, you'll he'll he'll hear chill ste you know,
he'll he'll preach the fact that this is a martial
art as well. And of course that's a guy that's
never short for words I used talking about the event
as well.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
As we had Tyler Caldwell tremendous wrestling in his own part,
so I don't want to be smirtch anybody.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
But and then we also had Dake was wrestling Arson,
Joel full of Khan and that Greco. We had the
Turbelle wrestled in that one that was that was part
of the the grapple of the Garden. So also looking
we mentioned Marulis and Snyder, both from Maryland. By the way,
Spencer Leagu Kennedy Blade is going to be making another
US tour. Both of them had great runs to the
Olympic silver in Paris. Young and up and comers, especially Kennedy,
(11:46):
she's you know, both both Iowa grad or Kennedy Solid
Leon Iograd. So you got that Midwestern flair with that
New Jersey field. Joey McKenna uh Is in the main event.
We've got a couple of Jersey native scholar growth Sidney
Petzinger on the women's side for the true third. So
you get that Garden State meets Midwest just kind of
like you get in wrestling everywhere exactly.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
Kind of harkens back to the New Jersey state championships.
Like we talked about a lot of great wrestlers here
in New Jersey. It's great to see some of them
continue their path on the senior level, and here they
are with a home a home match here at a.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Prudential Center anew it We're very exciting development.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
So say people haven't got their tickets yet. All Ticketmaster, how.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Do we go about?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
Yeah, exactly these when you can hop onto our website
precenter dot com and then you'll see final exit at
the very top of the page. You can click through
there two Ticketmaster or just go to ticketmaster dot com directly.
And also you can walk up to the box office
window is another option, so we'll be selling them out
the window as well.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
So yeah, very exciting times here.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
You touched on Harris Splitzer Sports and Entertainment earlier as
our parent company.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
I should weave in that you're also part of our company.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
Is the Washington Commanders and Northwest Stadium down in DC.
Philadelphia seventy six Ers Crystal Palace FC, which is mentioned.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
I did not like the team in Washington going up. Okay,
fair enough. You know, we all have our own teams
that we grew up with. But it has nothing to
do with the team.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I just hated home team sports, right.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
You know, my friends in Northern Virginia go, that is
an unreasonable reason to not like DC area teams. Well,
I grew up in Hampton Roads, so you have to
have a rival. You don't like Richmond, you don't like
to go to the Virginia you like Hampton Roads.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Yeah, and personal ah good, but yeah personally, you know,
on our end we're handling managing the booking of Northwest
Stadium down there. It's great for us here to get
involved in that market. Last summer, myself and our team
were able to bring two really high end international soccer
friendlies down there to that stadium of the US men's
national team against Columbia fifty five thousand in attendance, Argentina
(13:39):
with Lionel Messi against Guatemala fifty five thousand in attendance.
So it's really cool from a booking standpoint that this
parent company is involved in so many markets, so many venues.
Just announced, you know, a new arena coming in Philly
for the seventy six ers that you know will be
involved with.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
So exciting times with the company.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Yeah, and these arenas. It's funny you mentioned you talk
about up keeping this the garden. You get experience with
that because you're not putting a new arena in Manhattan
anywhere where are you gonna find the space.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
You've got to improve what you got.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I remember first time I walked into this building, I
want to say it was two thousand and seven. I
don't think the parking lots were done yet. It was
the start of the Living the Dream Metal Fund, but
then it was called Fuel the Dream. We had a
press conference. Larry Nugriic then from USA Wrestling and Steve Maco.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Had some jerseys.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
We're in just an open area. It was like kind
of like where we were sitting now, only there was
a lot more glass here. Like that was the first
time they'd ever come into this building. And then you know,
you flash forward it has been Yeah, fifteen sixteen years later,
we're working, we're wrestling in here, and it's been a
lot of fun. So one, I appreciate being a part
of these events and you bring me out for the
Grapple a Garden State Grapple and the other events, and
(14:39):
then of course being part of Final Acts.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
We we gotta meet up and then give these jerseys out.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
What do we got here at the jersey?
Speaker 4 (14:44):
Yeah, So the space you've just mentioned, you're referencing our
East concourse a lot of huge glass windows. That's where
the press conference for Final X will take place tomorrow.
And what we'll have this for the athletes to take
some cool photos with that will put out on social media.
Get a Jersey hat going. We're very proud of of
of Jersey and everything it stands for.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
I gotta channel my inner Aree Brothers radio question here,
you're a pork roll or Titterham guy, I say the
word pork roll first thing.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
That's the correctness.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
I'm not from here, I can I can say that
with without bias. Yeah, I'm not north south Central. I'm like, no,
I'm from out of state. I can make that claim.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Yeah, pork roll being the product tailor Ham being a brand.
I guess both tissue, same concept. Yeah. Yeah, and I'm
glad you referenced central Jersey.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
That's a hot topic around here. That absolutely is a
Central Jersey. Some of my co workers fields just think.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I thought there's it's north, south, central, and shore because
I think the shore you go, you run from north
to south, right.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
It's not not quite that that lengthy. I suppose sure.
To me, is can be both central and south.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I don't know that the personality of Jersey native is
different when they're from the shore.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
That's fair.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
I'm from the shore. It's right, it's right. Yeah, so
it's nice being near the beach. I'm not a huge
beach person. But it's nice to be down there. So
but yes, Central Jersey that doesn't exist. There's a hot
topic around here.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
So I'm glad you acknowledge.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
I just think it does because I'm a geography snob
and I'm like, because I don't think north and south there,
there's there's that buffer that has that like you're weaving
in pork Roll in taylor Ham, you're wheeling wheeling.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
So it's a tall, skinny state. Of course, it has
a central and it's.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Pretty compact as well. It's it's population.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Although I do I do remember one trip down to
the down to the down to the shore and ocean
drive that was a good spot down in Sea Isle City.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Yeah, time down there and had the best they call there. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
I had the best scalps of my life at a
restaurant down there too. So I'm fond of the Jersey.
Some time in Penns we drive over. But don't anything
else to add about this weekend.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
One. We love having you back personally.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
You bring a lot of energy to these events and
your knowledge of wrestling is second to none. Yeah, it's
an exciting time for us. Nice stretch here of combat sports.
I mean how many people in the history of planet
are ever get to where that USA across their chest, that.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
That means something.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
It's a very low percentage of people who ever walked
the planet. So to think that some people here will
achieve their lifelong dreams, like wow, that means something has
got some real GRAVI toss to it and we're honored
to host this event.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
I just love also going back to the kids.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
It's the chance for the kids to meet their heroes
and sometimes, you know, careers get set in motion by
I remember, you know, I use Brett Metcalf as example.
The kids that watched the Trials and I got to
watch Brett Metcalf at Carverhawk I Arena. That's that that
turned them into a wrestling fan for life. Or the
older fans it may not have seen it. I watched
Bruce Bumgartner, Jersey guy president of USA, RUSS coming through.
We get to see I mean, first first match I
(17:31):
ever watched a Bruce was his last match.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Unfortunately, I was, you.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Know, seventeen years old watching it and watching those ninety
six Olympics, and I'm like mobile heavyweight favorite, you know,
So you know, you find and then get to you
you know, you see Bruce, you get you get to
meet Bruce here. You'll get to meet the heroes of
wrestling here. So not just the ones competing, but those
in the stands, just Kylie Flower are everywhere here.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Right, Well, it's a good point about the youth, right, Like,
wrestling is such an amazing sport and there's so many
super successful businessmen who attribute their success in business to
their time as a wrestler and what they learned about
hard work and dedication and no shortcuts and everything that
goes through that. So like, yet in this country, we're
(18:13):
all addicted to the NFL, NBA, very popular, NHL very popular,
MLB very popular. So wrestling like any chance any one
of us have to raise the profile. Hey, everybody, wrestling
is awesome and you should check it out. So I
like the young kids they come here, maybe it's their
first year as a wreck wrestler, but they go wow,
like these these men and women are awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Maybe someday I could do that, Like that's that's great.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Well, look at the kids like comparison, every time I
come here. I'd mentioned this before we started. There's a
rink downstairs that's there's youth kids coming in there. Left
and right there's a big statue of Martin brod Or
out front. Yes, but when they come to a Devil's game,
they're not necessarily the chance encounter. They get to see
them up close, but they don't really want.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
The odds for that interaction is really.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Slim unless they're their parents are going to wait an
hour for them to get dressed afterwards and maybe get
a glimpse if they're not driving out the back. I
mean the access point here and and you know, hockey
is a great access points for too, but we're wrestling.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
You you've you've got that. The kids that they're skating
won't have that. The kids that will come this weekend
will have.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
So it's a good point. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
Post Devil's game, you do see some fans lingering around
the parking lot, hopeful, hopeful for that chance encounter.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
But I think here you see there is that that
access and the wrestlers are very to.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Bring your shoes, bring sign signed, They sign everything, and
they will they will sign everything. So Dylan, that's that's
what we got. I'm excited for Final X here back
at the Prudential Centers.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
I can't call it the Rock that's the the they do. Yeah, yeah,
it is because the RS in the eighties like the Rock, the.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Rock and all that. Yeah, yeah that. It's still a
lot a lot of fans called the Rock the Rock.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Absolutely, we call our place to Herb and sink Cloud.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
There you go, there you go.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
So that's from the Short Time Wrestling once Again.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
June fourteenth, twelve thirty ticketmaster dot com, BTS text four
four three two one to final X if you can't contribute,
or BTS n y dot or if you want to
contribute to that, if you're in town, come on out
and then check the benefit next door.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
After we wrestle and decide our US World team.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Yes, sir, let's go. Thank you.
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