Victory Pro Wrestling’s 20-Year Journey: “Blood, Sweat and 20 Years”

Victory Pro Wrestling marks two decades of nonstop action on April 18 in Bay Shore with its “VPW TWENTY: Blood Sweat and 20 Years” anniversary event. Since its founding by Donnie Bonjovi with a handful of local talents in 2006, VPW has grown into Long Island’s premier independent wrestling promotion. Along the way, the company’s stars have shed literal blood, sweat and tears – from inaugural champions and epic feuds to career-saving comebacks – to build a family-friendly wrestling legacy.

VPW’s story began in 2005 in an Amityville warehouse, and the first live show took place in 2006 at a Centereach VFW hall. Early on, Jason Static became the first VPW Heavyweight Champion, winning a tournament final in 2007. Static then set the tone for VPW by defending the title for nearly two years. His spirited feud with the brash Mack Daddy Flexx defined the promotion’s early years. When Flexx finally dethroned Static in 2009, it cemented a passing-of-the-torch that fueled new rivalries.

The Rise of the New Core

As the 2010s dawned, a new generation of talent took center stage. Future star VSK arrived and quickly clashed with VPW originals. High-flying technicians like EJ Risk and the tag-team wonder The Funky Fresh Boyz (K-Funk and K-Fresh) electrified crowds with daring offense, while the powerhouse Conflux – lead by Ricky Reyes – brought firepower to the roster. These performers formed VPW’s “new core,” headlining major shows and keeping the crowd on its feet. Their battles often spilled into classic gimmick matches – street fights, cage bouts and even strap matches.

In 2021, VPW saw its “second coming” of sorts. New stars bolstered the roster: champion Coach Mammone, the dastardly Johnny Collins, and fan favorite Jack Tomlinson all emerged to take what was theirs. Mammone and Collins fought for the top prize, and Tomlinson positioned himself as the face of the company. Bryce Donovan would capture championship gold, and Dezmond Cole slowly etched his name time and time again in the annals of VPW.

Women’s Division Reborn

After 2021, VPW reignited its women’s division. A fresh roster of female superstars took the spotlight. Valentina Vasquez debuted as a dominant champion, blending charisma with deviance. Rising alongside her were the unapologetic “Unwilting” Tatiana and “Unforgiven” Salem. Gabby Ortiz and Tiphani Grady also chased the title, each proving their courage in every match.

This era’s hallmark was its intensity: battles often made fans hold their breath, whether in multi-woman brawls or classic one-on-one showdowns.

In the last year, Tiphani Grady emerged as champion, and a match on the April 18 card will pit her against Muay Thai Monster Kalypto for the VPW Women’s Title. This match alone tells the story: a champion that will do anything to win against an outsider challenger trying to prove her place – all vying for gold. It embodies the “blood, sweat and tears” ethos where every athlete has worked tirelessly, and many have fought through injuries, to reach this point.

King of New York Legacy

One of VPW’s signature events is the “King of New York” tournament. Winners of this grueling contest earn not just a trophy but legendary status. Past Kings of New York have gone on to main-event VPW shows and hold championships, making the title a symbol of future greatness. This year’s King of New York, David Graham, suffering a broken jaw from Before the Storm, reminds everyone of the sacrifices involved.

Superstars and Guests

Over 20 years, VPW has brought major talents to Long Island. WWE and AEW names have appeared at Victory Pro shows, elevating the local scene. Hall of Famers like Rikishi and Mr. Anderson have electrified crowds with appearances and matches. Stars like AEW’s Deonna Purrazzo and Kris Statlander were a part of the VPW roster before their rise to greatness. Icons from older eras, including WWE legend Tito Santana and the Phenomenal AJ Styles, have walked the VPW aisle, often to the astonishment of fans witnessing their local heroes share the ring with such figures. Each guest star underscored VPW’s status as a respected independent promotion.

These legends also embraced VPW’s “Blood, Sweat & Tears” spirit. They saw firsthand the hard work VPW wrestlers put in – in training as well as in life. For example, Dezmond Cole, a former VPW champion, spent months rehabbing from a knee injury, embodying that very theme. Unforgiven Salem suffered a torn ACL in 2025, and David Graham chased the King of New York trophy, suffering a broken jaw a month later. These injuries – season- or career-ending in other sports – are told in VPW as badges of honor. Wrestlers often say they “wear the scars” of triumph and defeat alike.

This Year’s Anniversary Event

Fans attending VPW Twenty: Blood Sweat and 20 Years will see the culmination of these storylines. The card brims with personal rivalries and championship glory:

• VPW Women’s Championship: Tiphani Grady (c) vs. Kalypto, showcasing VPW’s renewed women’s division.
• Tag Team Showdown: Security Inc. (Ronald Moses and Malcom Murray) vs. Adam Kirkland & Skylar Mack. Moses and Murray team up to face Kirkland and his new partner. This is personal: Security Inc and Kirkland had a storied past.
• Main Event – No Disqualification for the VPW Heavyweight Championship: ECW King Alvin Alvarez (c) vs. Dr. Sleep Anthony Gangone. Finally, the top belt is on the line. Alvin, often called “ECW King” for his hardcore style, won the title at Before the Storm. Gangone, the relentless doctor of pain, attacked Alvin and wants blood. In No DQ rules, only one will walk out the victor.

The “Blood, Sweat & 20 Years” Theme

Every year, VPW’s anniversary show takes on a Blood, Sweat & Tears motif. It’s not just a slogan: it’s a tribute to the sacrifices behind every match and every belt change in VPW history. Those first wrestlers in Centereach had to build an audience with no guarantee of success. Over time, the roster changed, but each generation endured hardships. Long road trips, rehabbing injuries from matches on wrestling mats – it’s all been part of the journey.

Those who have wrestled for VPW often say the anniversary shows are the hardest and most emotional to prepare for. Training ramps up; careers are on the line; and with 20 years of history behind them, the pressure is enormous. Wrestlers know the fans will be watching not only the current card but also reflecting on matches from the past two decades. The theme reminds them: every limb bracing a powerbomb, every dive through a table, every sleeper hold – it all added up to this moment.

Looking Forward

As VPW Twenty: Blood Sweat and 20 Years approaches, fans will relive the best of those two decades in a single night. The show is a living history book: early champions and new heroes sharing the ring, legends making surprise appearances, and every match carrying the weight of countless Saturday nights past. Victory Pro Wrestling’s mission has always been “the best quality family-friendly wrestling entertainment,” and its 20-year story shows that hard work and passion can make even a small Long Island promotion into something fans cherish.

On April 18, when the lights dim and the ringside bell rings for the first time, it will mark not just another event but the triumph of persistence. It’s the night when two decades of “Blood, Sweat and 20 Years” finally get their due, as VPW – from Jason Static, Sabotage, and Mack Daddy Flexx up through today’s champions ECW King Alvin, Rex Lawless, Security Inc, and Tiphani Grady – cements its legacy in the hearts of Long Island wrestling fans.

What will happen when VPW presents VPW TWENTY on Saturday night, April 18?

Victory Pro Wrestling is licensed and sanctioned by the New York State Athletic Commission.

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