The New York Wrestling Connection, or simply NYWC, is a New York based independent promotion located primarily in the Deer Park area. It's owned by John Curse (formerly of Team Tazz) and operated out of the Deer Park Community Center. They also have a training school. The school is run by former ECW Triple Crown winner Mikey Whipwreck. The monthly shows at the NYWC are amazing, and far better than a few other promotions I've seen. I know a lot of the people who watch the Indy circuit are usually preoccupied with Ring of Honor (ROH). I've been to a few of their shows now and I have to say I'm not as impressed. Now don't get me wrong, they have their moments, and equipped with all of their star athletes they should be the talk of the town. However, even though I've liked many of their matches that I've seen from tapes and shows, a lot of their stuff can still be boring and seemingly pointless.

Although story isn't everything in professional wrestling, it really guides things and makes matches have a point and run much more smoothly. In an attempt to make their wrestling seem more competitive with the "code of honor" and such, it results in the story getting lost in the middle of everything and doesn't make the matches as exciting or meaningful. Don't get me wrong, it's a good idea. I don't want this to seem like an attack on ROH because I respect them and I do find enjoyment in most of their stuff, but at NYWC I find their shows and matches to be crisper and have more stories backing it. They have a better feeling to them. They're not very far behind ROH and a lot of people don't know this.

Not too long ago, the NYWC had less than 100 fewer fans at their show the same night of an ROH show not too far away. And at only 10 to 12 dollars a ticket, you definitely get more bang for your buck. They still have stars there too. People think just because an Indy fed isn't very big; they won't have any big names. The NYWC has had Mick Foley, Tommy Dreamer, Marty Jannetty, Al Snow, Team 3D, Matt "LSD" Hyson (Spike), Roadkill, Danny Doring, Jerry Lynn, Raven, Christopher Daniels, and Ultimo Dragon just to name a few. (And of course let's not forget Mikey Whipwreck!) NYWC also was the early stomping grounds for such superstars as The Amazing Red, The SAT, Jay Lethal, Matt Striker, Joey Mercury, and Mikey of the Spirit Squad.

Now, the NYWC doesn't travel much, they have most of their events right there in the gym of the Deer Park Community Center. But when they do travel, it's usually to a gym of a high school somewhere on Long Island. Even though they have never left the island, they've managed to develop a pretty substantial fan base. They have their own merchandise and such, so they're definitely not one of your every day Indy feds with no more than 20 or so people showing up to their events. They have a real ring. (No one foot off the ground rings for them.) And they have put on some of the coolest matches I have ever seen. January's event was a perfect example. January 28, 2006 was the third annual Psycho Circus match. This match featured 5 men versus 5 men in a barbed wire, tables, ladders, and chairs match. It also featured mouse traps and an amazing ending where Mason Raige double-knee dropped onto 2 opponents and their manager sending them right through the entrance walkway! (A bit ECW-ish if you ask me.) I've also seen other miscellaneous weapons matches every now and again like their infamous TLC match that actually ended one wrestler's career.

But NYWC is not all about the hardcore like CZW. (Although CZW is pretty damn good.) They have some of the greatest athletes that I've ever met. They just added a new title to their line up as well. It's called the HI-FI championship and it's quite reminiscent of the X-Division title of TNA. In closing, the NYWC is not known as well as it should be. If any of you are going to be in the New York area, their next events are coming up soon. All details and match listings can be found on www.nywcwrestling.com. For anyone who won't be, be sure to check out the clips and pictures and hopefully the show will start travelling some day soon.

by Alex Sellitto..