Old School Pro Wrestling invades the Sarasota Kennel Club
MANATEE -- It was 1989 and Joe Pipitone was a professional wrestling fan. He then made a move into the business.
Fast-forward to 2016 and Pipitone has brought his Old School Wrestling promotion to the Sarasota/Bradenton area at an exclusive home. This Sunday marks the second time in a month that Old School is putting on a show at the Sarasota Kennel Club in North Sarasota.
"Like they say, there's no school like old school," Pipitone said. "That's our motto."
One of the marquee names originally expected to make an appearance on the card is former World Championship Wrestling (WCW) booker, manager and wrestler, Kevin Sullivan. However, Pipitone said Sullivan injured his leg recently and can't make it.
Pipitone said fans that arrive will be offered a refund in lieu of Sullivan's late scratch prior to the event. But tickets will not be refunded after the show starts. Those tickets are either $10 for general admission or $25 for VIP access. The difference between two is significant.
General admission seats are on the second floor terrace, while VIP tickets are ringside seats. Along with a ringside seat, VIP access grants a fan autograph and photo opportunities with the performers following the show as well as a VIP match prior to the event that general admission ticket holders cannot see.
The action is set for a 3 p.m. start, with the main event involving a three-way Giant match involving the American Giant, George Rodriguez, and Stone Case.
It's a two-hour show with seven matches on the card, Pipitone said.
The ring is set up in the open area outside the SKC dog track and the glass doors on the ground floor.
Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE/WWF) star Tugboat was in attendance at the first show in April, and Pipitone estimated 200 fans watched the action that day.
"There's a lot of action and a lot of movement going on," Pipitone said. " When fans come out, they're going to be sitting on the edge of their seats wondering what's going to be happening on the next show."
For Pipitone, his start in the pro wrestling business began in 1989 when he was working with disabled veterans and took a group to a WWF show. He coordinated getting everyone in through Hal Jeffery, who worked for WWF/WWE at the time.
At the show, Pipitone was so enamored with the product, he asked Jeffery to guide him into the business. What followed was putting together a wrestling promotion on the independent circuit. He previously held shows at The Hall in Palmetto, before getting a permanent home at SKC starting with last month's event.
Pipitone added he wants shows bi-weekly, with a mixed martial arts (MMA) event after three or four wrestling shows to break it up. He also said he plans on trying to get musicians Kenny Loggins and Paul Anka to do concerts in the area in December or January.
Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017. Follow him on Twitter@Jason__Dill and like his Facebook page at Jason Dill Bradenton Herald.
This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 11:42 PM with the headline "Old School Pro Wrestling invades the Sarasota Kennel Club ."