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player ready...More than five years after Warrior Wrestling debuted at Marian Catholic High School, the independent promotion presents its last show at the Chicago Heights venue.
Warrior Wrestling 30: Friday Night Lights takes place June 30 on the football field.
“It’s actually my final day as principal of Marian,” said Steve Tortorello, whose nine-year tenure ends June 30.
“It’s a great community both of people who are part of Marian and surrounding suburbs. It’s been really good people that made it special.”
The Tinley Park native, who becomes an Archdiocese of Chicago regional director July 1, will be working with 28 schools for kindergartners to eighth-graders in Cook and Lake counties.
Tortorello, who is also Warrior Wrestling’s owner, stressed that the final Marian Catholic show is not the promotion’s last event.
“We will continue to put on shows in the Chicagoland area and around the Midwest,” he said.
“We’ve gone to Malcolm X College. We’ve done Cicero Stadium. We’ve done Thalia Hall. We’re not sure where the future shows will be but there will be future shows in Chicago. It’ll just be a different venue.”
What is billed as the first stadium show outdoors and under the lights in two years is headlined by KC Navarro, who marked one year as Warrior Wrestling world champion June 18, defending his customized pink belt vs. Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder in WWE).
“Cardona has won seven independent wrestling championships. He is coming to Warrior Wrestling to try to make it eight. He’s called himself the Indy God so it’ll be interesting to see if he can add the Warrior title to his collection,” said Tortorello of Chicago’s Uptown community.
“The second main event is for the Lucha title. It’s (new champion) Gringo Loco vs. El Hijo del Vikingo, AAA Mega champion and former Lucha champion, vs. Gabriel Fuerza, who was born in Mexico and raised in Canada.
“(Fuerza) has been a major luchador in the Toronto area for the last nine years. This is his debut at Warrior Wrestling.”
Matches also include Konosuke Takeshita vs. Warhorse.
“Konosuke is big in Japan and All Elite Wrestling. Warhorse is a Warrior mainstay. That will very much be a fight of a wrestling match,” Tortorello said.
“Like most of our Warrior cards we strive to make it a super card — some stars you know, some stars you don’t know.
“Having all the wrestlers out on the field is a unique way to see a show. The atmosphere is special.”
For $50 more, a VIP Fan Fest from 5 to 6:30 p.m. includes an autograph and picture with every talent except Cardona, who sells his items separately.
“It’s what makes Warrior Wrestling special. It’s one thing to see a great show. It’s another thing to meet the stars on the show, get to shake hands, take pictures, buy merchandise from them,” Tortorello said.
“For a lot of folks it’s their favorite part of the night.”
Warrior Wrestling 30 also livestreams on YouTube.
“We want as many eyeballs as possible on Warrior Wrestling,” Tortorello said.
Warrior Wrestling 30: Friday Night Lights
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When: 7 p.m. June 30
Where: Marian Catholic High School, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights
Tickets: general admission for $50 field seating or $35 bleacher seats; free ages 16 and younger with paying adult
Information: facebook.com/WarriorWrestlingChicagoHeights
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.