Rutherford wrestler Chris Ford — AKA Crowbar — joins headliners from the Independent Superstars Of Pro Wrestling (ISPW) for an epic, first-ever Brendan Byrne Brawl taking place at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Saturday (June 29).
Featuring seven pro wrestling matches, the family-friendly event kicks off at 7 p.m. with contests between live harness racing. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event.
Aside from general admission, limited VIP tables are available for $100. Fans are encouraged to bring chairs/blankets. Backyard gates open at 5 p.m.; live racing’s first post is at 6:20 p.m. The Backyard Bar & BBQ will be open, serving craft beer, wine, and BBQ.
ISPW Heavyweight Champion Rick Recon will defend his title against Big Vito, while Crowbar will face “The International Shining Star” Rey Calitri. Other matches include:
- ISPW Tag Team Champions Sent2Salughter defend the titles against The Now
- ISPW Tri-State Champion “The Dominican Destroyer” Vargas against “The Revolver” Alex Reiman
- Battle of Fan Favorites: “The Phoenix: GKM vs. El Magnifico
- Joe Clean against Justin Corino
- Women’s Action: Tina San Antonio vs. Tiffani Avatar
Ford has headlined cards worldwide — also under the name Devon Storm — and is among the few wrestlers to have competed in World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and All Elite Wrestling.
Ford opened his physical therapy practice Raising the Bar – a nod to his ring name – in 2012, an East Rutherford business he runs with his wife Dina, who is the manager and sees patients as a registered dietician. She is also a wrestler and that’s how the two met.
In April, the two headlined ISPW’s “The War to the Williams Center,” in Rutherford, which doubled as a fundraiser for the Rutherford Fire Department and the NJ SOS Veterans.
“I wrestle because I choose to. I enjoy it, I love it,” he told Asbury Park Press earlier this year. “I love doing it with my wife, and at this stage of the game, I’m able to choose the people I wrestle against, the companies I wrestle for. And because it’s not the way I make my living, not how I support my family, it truly is fun and I enjoy it to its fullest and on my own terms. I tell the younger guys you can do the same.”
