Who knew that they served sour grapes at wrestling events?
It all began with a simple article about a wrestling producer. Back in July, we ran a cover story about Anthony Cole and his BriiCombination Wrestling organization. Subsequently, thanks to the article, Anthony invited our very own Publisher, Phillip Barone to be a guest commentator at his May event. Phillip would be partnered with Kevin Pryor, the man who introduced Anthony to Phil. He was excited to do it, especially since Phil considered Kevin a friend.
But during the course of one of the bouts, there would be a change.
Kevin had read the article and found that his name wasn’t mentioned. He’d felt slighted and brought it up during the match. Not only did he bring it up, he started to rip into the various people on the covers, followed by the magazine as a whole. After that, it got even worse as Kevin threw one of the magazines into the ring while trash talking both the city and the people of Wayne. Phil had had enough and the two men argued. Wayne Lifestyle was denigrated, and Wayne itself was disrespected. One thing led to another, and Kevin threw out a challenge, seemingly from out of nowhere.
This would be settled inside the ring by the two, now former friends themselves.
Phil would be defending the honor of not just his magazine, but of the entire town- with his own body. A body that was decades removed from his high school and college wrestling. One that, as many of you know, has survived a horrific car accident that has left him with physical limitations and constant high levels of pain, but he was undeterred. No, he was driven, and if you know Phil, that doesn't surprise you. That’s who he is. He’s all in, 1,000%.
He was approached by a legendary wrestler and trainer named Azrieal, who would help prepare him for the biggest physical challenge of his life: to square off in a professional wrestling match against an angry opponent. An opponent who knew where Phil’s injuries hurt most. While Phil knew it was a risk, he wasn’t about to back down.
“Nobody takes a shot at Wayne, or the Wayne Lifestyle magazine,” declared Phil.
Azrieal immediately called Gino Caruso, owner of ECPW (East Coast Professional Wrestling), to explain the situation and ask if he could train Phil at his Lake Hiawatha wrestling school. Gino heard about what happened and was on board from the start.
Phil pushed himself hard, and Azrieal ran him through what he called “torturous” training for 2 months leading up to the bout. “I saw just enough crazy to make this work,” Azrieal said.
Phil learned that there was a difference between being “in shape” and being able to take on a 200+ pound wrecking ball. He had to learn how to move, how to defend himself, and how to attack. He learned not only how to survive, but to thrive in this ultimate mano-a-mano confrontation.
By the day of the match, Phil was ready.
It turns out that Kevin wasn’t. He’d injured himself while doing his own training. But instead of it being over, Kevin threw Phil a curveball. He’d enlisted a formidable opponent of his own to take up his cause. Phil would instead be facing Adonis Stone, a former Arena League running back and current professional wrestler. Phil was no longer facing “the LeBron James of Radio”, as Pryor has been called. Phil was now about to take on someone much more dangerous.
Phil wasn’t amused by the switch. Yet he took it in stride and, like a Jedi, calmly took on his new opponent with the relentlessness of a warrior. Fully Promoted in Clifton stepped in to help and made him his black and white Wayne Lifestyle wrestling shorts and the now legendary “Wayne Strong” tank top. This was his only armor of the day.
Adonis entered the ring and immediately began flipping through an issue of Wayne Lifestyle before tossing it out of the ring to send a clear message of disdain to Phil.
Phil turned to his family, his friends, and his fans for one last look of strength before the bell rang. The fight was now on.
Adonis got in the first big move, getting Phil into a headlock before throwing him off the ropes and flattening Phil with a bull-like shoulder tackle. But Phil responded quickly, bouncing up and face-planting Adonis into the mat.
Over the next eight minutes, the two traded blows, clotheslines and violent body slams. Neither was willing to back down. Phil was fighting for not only his reputation, but that of his entire adopted city. Adonis was defending his comrade’s pride. Many times, after a crushing blow, it felt like there could be a bout-ending pin, but each of them had enough resolve to square back up and continue.
That was, until Phil miraculously picked Adonis up from behind and executed an Angle Slam. The final takedown hit, followed by a three-count, and the match was over.
Phillip Barone (and the entire city of Wayne) had their hands raised in victory.
Wayne Lifestyle left the ring undefeated.
Phil would be defending the honor of not just his magazine, but of the entire town- with his own body.