East Brady Home to New Pro-Wrestling Venture
by David Croyle
It may not seem like the entertainment capital of Western Pennsylvania, but pro-wrestling fans are flocking to the former East Brady High School to yell, whistle, and cheer for their favorite character.
The idea of building a pro-wrestling empire in the heart of this little sleepy town along the Allegheny River is the brainchild of promoter Joe Rogers. Rogers, a former wrestler himself, knows the difficulty of breaking into the business. His school known as 5-Star Wrestling gives young wrestlers new to the business a step-up into the professional world.
Rogers started his organization in 2011. He has promoted matches in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In January 2015, Rogers inked a deal with the former East Brady High School to rent the area known as the “all-purpose room” for his home base. The shows boast a concession stand, and security is on hand in case the wrestlers - or the fans - get a little too rowdy.
Rogers’ independent label attracts talent from Ohio, West Virginia, and throughout Pennsylvania to his East Brady studio.
“I want to build a pro-wrestling company for the future stars of pro-wrestling,” Rogers said.
In addition to offering live wrestling, the matches are video recorded and currently being edited for a future syndicated run on local cable television, including Family-Life TV in Kittanning.
“If you ever watched wrestling on TV, you will be able to see a live TV show (in production). We offer cheap family prices - $10 tickets. All shows are family-oriented for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a fun time for the whole family!”
Rogers said that his shows offers intimate exchanges between the wrestlers and the audience - something not seen in large venues.
“Our wrestlers come out and meet the fans, sign autographs, take pictures up close and personal. Others are so big, they don’t have time for wrestlers to come out and talk to fans. Our arena is a close rink.”
Steve Hilliard came from Butler with his two children, 6-year-old Peyton and 4-year-old Cooper.
“It’s pretty good. The kids enjoy it.”
5-Star Wrestling Champion Darin Dinero (left) is assaulted by his opponent during a recent match at the studio rink located in the former “all-purpose room” in the East Brady Community Center (formerly East Brady High School)
The wrestlers have unique stage names that either delight the crowd or repulse it. Local talent such as Andrew Palace, T. Ranchula, Seth James, and tag-team champions the Hansen Brothers (better known as the STDs) have become household words with the audience. But one wrestler who recently entered the champion circle has captivated the hearts of old and young alike.
Darin Dinero (his stage name) is originally from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania - just south of Pittsburgh. At 24 years old, he is just now charting a course for his life. As an only child, Dinero said there was a lot of pressure to succeed. He wrestled while earning his degree from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Today, he is a certified social studies teacher in the state of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
“As scary as that sounds, they let me teach kids!” Dinero boasts. “They saw in wrestling, that the best characters are just extensions of yourself. When I teach, I have a lot of energy. I always like to bring a lot of energy to whatever I do. I think people sense enthusiasm and passion. So I always am a character no matter what I am doing.”
Dinaro said he was very young when the bug for pro-wrestling bit him.
“I always wanted to be a wrestler since I was five years old. I didn’t want to go to college - my parents talked me into it. I was 150 pounds at the time, so it was a good move on their part. I was laying in bed one night, and I thought ‘Darin Dinaro - it rolls off the tongue - yeah I think I can make some money in this business so let’s go with that!’ So since I was 18 - five years before I stepped into the ring - I had my name picked out!”
Dinaro said there is a big difference between college wrestling and pro-wrestling.
“It’s different. In college, it’s a seven-minute grind, non-stop. It’s sometimes less impactful than this. Sometimes you grind, but you don’t have the big bam movements that pro-wrestling has. In both, you have to be athletic. You have to be able to protect yourself. I think one of the easiest transitions into pro-wrestling was protecting myself from years of amateur so I don’t get hurt out there.”
Dinaro has been wrestling for about 8 months now, but he trained for a whole year in front of that. He admits that he is pretty new in the business, and still earning my way.
“I try to feed into it. I try to give a full entertainment experience. Give people their money’s worth every time I’m on the card.”
Mark and Beth Craig from Applewold were accompanied by their teenage children are avid wrestling fans who never miss 5-Star Wrestling events in East Brady.
Mark and Beth Craig from Applewold were accompanied by their teenage children 19 and 16 and are avid wrestling fans. Dinaro is one of their favorites.
“Oh we love it! We come every time it’s here,” Beth said.
Rogers, who now resides in Butler County, said he took a gamble on coming to East Brady to expand his business.
“East Brady is an area that has nothing going on. We felt it would be a great thing for the fans and the committee to have pro-wrestling here.”
The next event is scheduled for this Sunday, June 14th at the 502 Ferry Street entrance in East Brady. Bell time is at 5PM. Tickets are available at the door.
Local News | dcroyle June 11, 2015
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