VPW New York State Champion Eric James upped the ante just a couple of days later, announcing on Twitter an open challenge.

VPW Management’s inbox was flooded with an influx of talent far and wide wanting to challenge Eric James for the prestigious New York State Championship.

The list is long, from stars on the roster to former VPW stars. Men from other companies on Long Island filled up the inbox, wanting a shot against James.

VPW Commissioner Kevin Fulton broke the news on VPW’s final virtual event “Under Construction” that the Windy City Kid TJ Crawford would be the one to challenge for the title.

Inspired by another Chicago native CM Punk, Crawford fell in love with wrestling. When he was 18 years old, packed up everything and moved to New Jersey to train at Pat Buck’s Create-A-Pro NJ.

Crawford started out in tag team wrestling before a tour in the UK in 2019. He has a black belt in Taekwondo, and is one of the hottest stars on the independent scene today.

On why he wanted to challenge James for the New York State championship, Crawford said, “I think NSync is better than the Backstreet Boys,” and that the best person to represent New York should be a Chicagoan.

Can Eric James successfully defend the New York State Championship against TJ Crawford?

VICTORY PRO WRESTLING PRESENTS
HOMECOMING
SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021
THE SPORTS ARENA – 620 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST. JAMES, NY
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
GENERAL ADMISSION $25 | RESERVED SEATS $30
https://tinyurl.com/vpw-tickets

The challenger was Kevin “Mister” Tibbs, one of the most decorated champions in VPW history. Former VPW Champion, New York State Champion, Tag Team Champion, and the only wrestler to hold the VPW Championship, New York State Championship, and the King of New York crown at the same time. Accompanying him to the ring was the Galaxy’s Greatest Alien Kris Statlander.

The champion was triple crown champion VSK. Former tag team champion, former New York State champion, Gold Rush Rumble winner. VSK has held a championship in VPW for a combined 1,699 days. He came to the ring with his best friend and then VPW Commissioner Eric James.

VSK would successfully defend the championship that night, and that would be the last time these two top stars would meet in Victory Pro Wrestling.

At VPW Homecoming Saturday night July 17, they will meet again.

Mister Tibbs has proven to be a dominant force without VSK in Victory Pro Wrestling. After winning the championship in 2018, he would dominate the top spot until losing the title in November of 2019. Poised to take over VPW once again, COVID struck and put a pause on that possibility.

Meanwhile, 3-time VPW Champion VSK has performed for NWA Championship Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling, and Impact Wrestling. He returned in 2019 to face Smart Mark Sterling, and again in 2020 to face Dan Barry. VSK has shown that he can compete at the highest level both in AND out of Victory Pro Wrestling.

What will happen when two of the top stars in the history of Victory Pro Wrestling collide? The outcome can change the landscape of VPW forever.

VPW New York State Champion Eric James will kick off the show and welcome our fans back!

Mark your calendars down for Saturday July 17 as the return to live professional wrestling action ANYWHERE from Manhattan to Montauk.

Victory Pro Wrestling made the announcement Friday June 4th as a “VPW Newsletter” Exclusive, and tickets went on sale immediately.

Get your tickets now by going to our VPW Box Office now… we’re selling reserved seats, and for the first time ever we’re selling general admission tickets in advance!

• General Admission seats are just $25 each (tickets at the door will also be $25)
• Reserved seats are $30 each and will be spread out around ringside
• All online purchases will be allowed in first at 6:30 pm – YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT ON LINE TO GET IN!!

Long Island’s wrestling company Victory Pro Wrestling is home. Come join us for this historic event.

The Sports Arena is located in the heart of St. James off Middle Country Road and is the perfect place for VPW to make it’s return. Food and beverages will be available for sale, including alcohol for those 21 and over. The Sports Arena is compliant with CDC safety guidelines and there is plenty of room to practice social distancing for non-vaccinated fans.

VICTORY PRO WRESTLING PRESENTS
HOMECOMING
SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021
THE SPORTS ARENA – 620 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST. JAMES, NY

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
GENERAL ADMISSION $25 | RESERVED SEATS $30
https://www.showclix.com/events/12394/