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By Tiffany of No Holds Barred Network
Unless you've been living under a social media rock, you're well aware that my #1 husband on my #ListOfHusbands is Anthony Gangone. The "Rogue", The Wrestling God, The One Above All - Anthony Gangone reignited professional wrestling for me.
Honestly, Anthony is the most important person on the indie wrestling scene, for me. There are so many factors that make Gangone who he is to me, without stating the obvious: He's a super talented wrestler.
First, a little back story. I got back into watching wrestling about 7 years ago. I was dating this guy who introduced me to a dear friend, Jimmy.
Jimmy is a ref and he invited us out to watch him - at this point, I was totally unaware that there was such a thing as "The independent wrestling scene,". But this is how I stumbled upon Gangone - at an SWA show in Long Island. I don't remember who he was wrestling, but at this point in my fandom, there was no way I was going to approach him.
I joined Kyle Masters, of the No Holds Barred Network, doing a podcast called All Elite Podcast - we were blessed to have Brandon Cutler appear on the show. The feedback we got from that show created quite a buzz and soon people were asking If I'd be interviewing other wrestlers. I was unsure at the time, as we were focused solely on AEW.
Then I started attending more indie shows. Promotions like SWA, NYWC, HOG and ICW - all these promotions really opened my eyes and expanded my horizons not only as a fan, but as a content creator as well.
Gangone was my first "Under The Ropes," podcast interview. Why Gangone? He'd been doing a lot of Q&A's on his instagram page and for whatever reason, he'd always answer whatever question I posed. So I figured I'd take a shot and ask him to be guest #1. Now, don't get me wrong, this is coming off as If this was something easy for me to do. I was totally intimidated by the idea of meeting these guys, and with Gangone, it was made extra difficult as he was always "hiding in the corner," lurking in character as the "heel".
So, going into that first interview, I was a total wreck; I was so nervous. Compounding matters, Kyle threw me under the bus within three minutes of the show, telling Gangone that he was on my #ListOfHusbands. He took it kindly, and was a great interview. To this day, I feel like he's the reason the podcast and myself have been successful.
The first time we actually met is another great story - a story of complete embarrassment as my friends were relentless, telling him constantly that "She loves you,". Seriously, I couldn't walk two feet without someone chirping in. But my god, his intergender match with Valentina was so good - And I took my favorite picture with him that night.
I was hooked.
I had become such a huge fan of his craft that I vowed to follow him wherever he plied his trade, whatever promotion he went to, I was there, too.
Following Gangone has opened my eyes up to so many amazing promotions: Dropkick Depression, Intense Wrestling Alliance, Synergy Pro, BWF, Full Faith Wrestling, CZW, just to name a few. I've gained such an appreciation for pro wrestlers in general, and those who run the promotions, too.
I've been lucky enough to have some of them on my show, and in some cases, made true friendships with a few. While Gangone won't take any of the credit, he most assuredly is a huge factor in all of this. Through my love for wrestling and my appreciation for Gangone, I met Ray - Ray is like my little brother; working with him on the NHB network has been great.
Regardless of if he's a heel or a face, I'm always the loudest fan cheering - which amuses the other wrestlers and promoters. "He's always got that ONE GIRL cheering,".
They are also amused at how fast Gangone's match footage finds the internet: "Oh, yeah, Tiffany is here.".
So If you've never seen Gangone wrestle, here are some suggestions:
BWF: Escape From NY
With eight teams of four, I experienced a lot of new wrestlers that I had never even heard of before. Jimmy Rave and Jay Evans were in the tournament. Gangone has some of the heaveist, hardest chops in the business. His bridge is one of the best as well, and "Dreams by the waterfall," will always be one of my favorite finishers.
Excellence - One Night Only
Late September, Gangone was teaming with Marq Quen, this would be the last time the two teamed up. It was just one of those nights you could tell the wrestlers were having a great time in the ring, and that kind of thing bleeds out into the crowd. It's what makes indie wrestling special, that intimacy as if you are part of the show, not just observers.
The night ended with Gangone wishing Quen well on his journey to AEW.
And then Gangone's first death match. I'm still angry that I wasn't there, in person. But you know I watched it on PPV. What a great first death match opponent, too.
Matt Tremont.
If you're going to do a death match, Tremont is the guy you want on the other side of the ring. The very definition of profession.
The story was Gangone wanted to prove himself to the fans of CZW and the boys in the back. And they went all out for his first go round: glass, lighttubes, barbed wire, and flaming tables were all on the menu.
Gangone has such a great mind for the business - always doing something different in the ring, making each match special in its own little way. On Under The Ropes he said he had to, "because I see some of the same fans every week,".
It's that dedication to his craft that keeps me coming back for more.