After 5 years as a haven for LGBTQ wrestlers, Enjoy Wrestling is shutting down
The Pittsburgh-based promotion that spotlighted myriad out LGBTQ talents will run its final event on October 4.
Mark
Enjoy Wrestling, one of the most prominent independent pro wrestling promotions in Pennsylvania and an active voice in LGBTQ inclusion in pro wrestling, is closing up shop.
Co-founders Kurt Hackimer, Maxx Gregg, Scotty Swemba and Taylor Gregg announced the decision Wednesday in a joint statement, stating that the promotion’s next three shows, scheduled for August 30, September 5 and October 4, will be its final events.
“We’re pulling the plug while there’s still some money in the bank, before this thing starts feeling less like a hobby and more like a chore,” the statement read. “But before we do, we’ve got one hell of a farewell tour.”
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The group cited changes in their lives since the promotion started in 2021 for the decision to cease operations in October.
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“Since we began this journey, we’ve also all started families. Our kids are growing older, and our priorities are changing with them,” they said. “Producing a wrestling show is exhilarating, but the logistics are time-consuming and stressful.”
During its five-year run, Enjoy Wrestling emerged as one of the most popular and progressive promotions in Pittsburgh, putting its commitment to inclusion and advocacy into action both through its in-ring presentation and community partnerships, including a regular working relationship with Planned Parenthood.
Enjoy became a hot spot for out LGBTQ pro wrestlers, with the company regularly featuring tentpole names like EFFY, Billy Dixon, DARK Sheik, Sonny Kiss, Edith Surreal, Allie Katch and MV Young alongside local favorites, including The Runway, Ziggy Haim, Nix Wilde, Marco Narcisso, Mr. Grim and Zakeia Mercer.
Few promotions without LGBTQ leadership featured as many out LGBTQ talents across its events as Enjoy Wrestling, earning it the honor of receiving the most total nominations for QWI Promotion of the Year by any promotion that didn’t meet the award’s qualification (A promotion must be at least partially LGBTQ-led) over the last five years.
Enjoy’s five-year anniversary show on September 5, appropriately titled “Five Years,” will feature several of those names on the card and serve as the big finale for the promotion despite its final event taking place one month later at Beers Of The Burgh’s TacoMania Super Fest.
“We hope that we provided you with a safe space to scream and yell and forget about real life for a couple of hours,” the statement read. “We’ve enjoyed our time with you. We’ve certainly enjoyed wrestling. We love you all. See yinz for the finale.”
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