Wantagh, New York may be best known as the “Gateway to Jones Beach,” but it also holds a unique and vibrant place in professional wrestling’s tapestry. Located on Long Island’s South Shore, Wantagh has grown into more than just a suburb -- it is a town with deep wrestling roots, a noteworthy hometown hero, and venues that have played host to independent wrestling federations of note.
One of Wantagh’s most prominent wrestling exports is AEW star John Silver. Known for his intense energy, underdog charisma, and comedic timing, Silver initially rose to prominence as a member of The Dark Order in All Elite Wrestling. His path from local Long Island indie wrestler to international TV personality has made him a hometown favorite and a testament to the wealth of wrestling talent emerging from the region. Silver -- trained by Create A Pro Wrestling in nearby Hicksville -- often references his roots on social media, and his success helps to bring recognition to Wantagh as a launchpad for future stars. His audition video for WWE's Tough Enough is believed to have been filmed in Wantagh.
Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, a longstanding music and entertainment venue in Wantagh, has become an unexpected hub for live wrestling events. Notably, the Micro Wrestling Federation -- an organization made up entirely of "little person" wrestlers -- has held multiple shows at Mulcahy’s, blending over-the-top entertainment with athletic spectacle. The Micro Wrestling Federation has even been the subject of its own reality TV series, Discovery's Big Little Brawlers, further expanding its cultural footprint and giving Mulcahy’s a brush with wrestling television. The venue has also hosted NWA-affiliated events for NYWC (New York Wrestling Connection), a respected independent wrestling promotion where many stars like Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers) and Matt Cardona (Zack Ryder) reportedly got their start.
Jones Beach Amphitheater, the town’s most iconic venue, may not host wrestling events directly, but it has become ingrained in wrestling lore thanks to the personal stories of WWE alumni. In WWE’s “Bad Superstar-Diva Dates” article, Matt Cardona (f.k.a. Zack Ryder) recalled a date at Jones Beach that went awry, while Nic Nemeth (f.k.a. Dolph Ziggler) shared anecdotes involving the venue in a 2024 Paltrocast Q&A. These off-ring moments paint Jones Beach as a backdrop to the personal lives of wrestling stars and connect Wantagh to wrestling culture in a more intimate, human way.
Wantagh’s wrestling significance lies in its mix of community-level engagement and ties to national stars. Whether it is through a packed house at Mulcahy’s, a popular AEW talent like John Silver, or the personal memories of WWE favorites, the town continues to be a quiet contributor to wrestling history.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 6, 2025.