Anthony Greene Launches Zero1 USA Northeast
Bushido Beginnings takes place Aug. 18 in Gardner, MA.
“Retrosexual” Anthony Greene’s wildly successful summer – which includes winning the inaugural Garden State Invitational and 2019 Vacationland Cup, as well as appearing on the WWE Network as part of EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary – will conclude with his biggest test to date.
He’s digging into his fanny pack and pulling out the pencil.
That’s right, the hottest rising star on the independent scene is now a promoter. On August 18, Zero1 USA Northeast will hold its official debut at the Gardner Fraternal Order of Eagles in Gardner, MA. It’s the first pro wrestling event in the city in well over a decade, and fans are downright giddy. The entire front row has already sold out (64 seats, Greene says) and only general admission is still available.
“I’m at a point in my career where I can’t fail,” Greene told The Wrestling Estate. “That’s not saying I won’t fail; it’s just that I can’t give myself the option to fail.”
Zero1 USA Northeast is an extension of Zero1 USA (formerly known as NWA Midwest). Greene had been in talks with Zero1 USA promoter David Cavazos for a couple years about working for the company, but the timing never panned out. Additionally, Greene expressed interest in running shows under the Zero1 USA banner in the New England area, his home turf.
“I’ve always been a big fan of the old NWA territories, like Wildside, Florida and Midwest,” Greene says. “I always liked the unity and alliance in one professional organization. That doesn’t exist anymore, so I wanted to see if we could bring it back in some small way.”
Of course, the New England area is a hotbed for independent wrestling. Top Rope Promotions is based in Fall River, MA, primarily running shows throughout the South Shore. Chaotic Wrestling is based in North Andover, MA, and has the North Shore covered. Beyond Wrestling is based in Worcester, MA, and has occasionally branched out to Connecticut, Rhode Island and Philadelphia.
Greene plans on targeting the western side of central Massachusetts with bi-monthly shows. “The building probably fits 300-350,” he says. “If we can get a solid 200 people in that building, it’s going to look insane. That will give us a reason to definitely come back in November or February.” The second show is already scheduled for October in a different location than Gardner. Here’s a teaser: “Retro AG’s Halloween Bash.”
Zero1 USA Northeast’s debut event this Sunday is titled “Bushido Beginnings.” (Bushido is the code of honor and morals developed by the Japanese samurai.) Greene has paired up notable names from WWE, ECW, Ring of Honor, MLW and EVOLVE with local up-and-comers hungry for their big break. Jimmy Rave, who Greene says hasn’t wrestled in Massachusetts since 2008, will meet Christian Casanova. Josh Briggs, who is next in line for an EVOLVE Championship match, will collide with CZW World Heavyweight Champion John Silver.
ECW Original Nunzio will go one on one with Tyler Cintron, an indie standout who is not retired despite what prowrestling.fandom.com would lead you to believe. “He went on a drive with me to Illinois and Indiana,” Greene says. “He wasn’t booked – he just went to show face. That goes a long way with me.”
Breaking from wrasslin’ tradition, Greene won’t be main eventing his own show. Instead, he’ll be teaming with hometown girl Ava Everett against ROH’s Cheeseburger and inaugural Women of Honor World Champion Sumie Sakai in a rare independent wrestling appearance for Sakai. In the main event, MLW’s Simon Grimm (of the CONTRA Unit) will clash with Bear Bronson in a huge single’s opportunity for the Beyond regular.
Although tickets are selling well and Greene has booked a stacked lineup, he has still dealt with the headaches that come from being an independent wrestling promoter. Due to the frequent transactions, PayPal thought he was running a gambling ring and closed his account. As a result, tickets are now being sold through website Brown Paper Tickets. He also has had to rearrange the card due to various cancellations.
The first person that Greene wanted to book for his debut show was Danny Miles, a veteran who has actually competed in Zero1 in Japan back in 2010. Unfortunately, Miles is still rehabbing a knee injury and hasn’t been cleared to compete. So, Greene recruited another grappler with international experience – MLW’s Wheeler Yuta.
Yuta will take on third-generation wrestler Kid Curry. His dad is “Flying” Fred Curry and his grandfather is “Wild Bull” Curry. With only a couple years of experience, Curry has already turned heads at this year’s Super 8 and on a Modern Vintage Wrestling show at the H20 Wrestling Center. “I don’t think he’s had a shot to really showcase himself yet,” Greene says, “so him versus Yuta will be a really good breakout match for him.”
Bryan Logan was another injured wrestler who Greene had to replace for the event. As a result, Chase Del Monte will now be teaming with Brawler Milonas against fellow ROH brethren Coast2Coast. Pat Buck, founder of New Jersey-based WrestlePro, was scheduled to face New England regular Demon Ortiz. However, Buck was recently hired by WWE to become a producer, so he has been replaced by House of Hardcore regular, former PWG and CZW World Tag Team Champion Alex Reynolds.
“I’m going to try to give New England a really good taste of rare wrestlers you’ll never see in this area,” Greene says. “Once we get it out there on YouTube or IWTV, it’s going to be fresh faces against notable people and fans will have a chance to possibly find a new favorite professional wrestler.”
Bushido Beginnings takes place Sunday, August 18, at the Gardner Fraternal Order of Eagles in Gardner, MA.
About Author
