Hicksville, New York holds an unassuming yet quietly pivotal place in the history of modern professional wrestling. The town has become an unlikely breeding ground for wrestling talent and events, as bolstered by the emergence of an influential training school, surprise ties to wrestling music lore, and consistent fan engagement via WWE meet-and-greets. Over the past two decades, Hicksville has evolved from a suburban outpost into a notable footnote in wrestling's ever-expanding story, earning its place through grassroots development and unexpected connections to major wrestling promotions.
One of the most significant wrestling institutions to call Hicksville home is Create A Pro Wrestling Academy. Founded in 2014 by WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins (currently Brian Myers in TNA Wrestling) and Pat Buck (a wrestler and producer who has worked with WWE and AEW), Create A Pro quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier wrestling schools in the northeast. Known for its high-caliber training and industry ties, the school has produced several standout talents who have gone on to national and international success. Among its alumni are current AEW stars MJF (Maxwell Jacob Friedman), Kris Statlander, "Smart" Mark Sterling, John Silver, Alex Reynolds and Max Caster.
The Hicksville Athletic Center has hosted at least one event for Big Time Wrestling in recent years. Among the individuals who have wrestled and/or done signings at this venue are Kane (Knoxville mayor Glenn Jacobs), Kevin Nash (Diesel), Scott Hall (Razor Ramon), Bully Ray (Bubba Ray Dudley), Jay Lethal, Fandango, and Richard Holliday.
FWF-produced live events have also been held at Create A Pro HQ, as broadcast by the Premier Streaming Network. Talent on the cards have included Matt Cardona, Heath, Colt Cabana, Brian Myers, VSK, and Bryce Donovan.
The Broadway Mall in Hicksville has also played a role in fostering the wrestling culture in the area by hosting fan meet-and-greet events with WWE Superstars. These events have allowed fans to interact with some of the biggest names in the business, building community engagement and keeping wrestling relevant in the area outside of major arena shows. These mall events were often tied to action figure launches, promotional tours and charity work. Bret Hart and Rikishi are among the notables who have done signings at the Broadway Mall.
Interestingly, Hicksville's musical contributions have also intersected with wrestling. Guitarist Al Pitrelli is a Hicksville native known for his work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Megadeth. Megadeth provided the theme music for WCW legend Goldberg. That legacy echoed years later when WWE Superstar Braun Strowman competed in a "Symphony of Destruction" match -- a musical-themed hardcore bout that paid indirect homage to the use of metal music in wrestling presentation. These cultural overlaps highlight how even the music scene in Hicksville has, intentionally or not, contributed to wrestling’s unique aesthetic.
Another local wrestling personality with ties to Hicksville is Brimstone, an indie wrestler and entrepreneur. As legend has it, while flipping through the Pennysaver classifieds, Brimstone discovered a martial arts school opening in the area. This serendipitous moment would set the stage for his own venture into wrestling education. He later opened a wrestling school in the Delco Plaza Shopping Center, Critical Mass Pro Wrestling, further cementing Hicksville’s role in developing future wrestling talent. His efforts predated Create A Pro but have contributed to the town’s reputation as a place where wrestling dreams could take root.
In this sense, Hicksville -- long associated with Hicksville native Billy Joel -- serves as a microcosm of wrestling’s grassroots appeal: it may lack the glitz of New York City or the production scale of Stamford, but it thrives through community connection, talent development, and a few happy accidents. From local shopping centers and training rings to musical legacies and marquee appearances, Hicksville, New York continues to punch above its weight in shaping the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 6, 2025. Updated on June 14, 2025.