Lynbrook, New York holds a notable spot in professional wrestling history thanks to its role in hosting both early WWF live events and current independent wrestling showcases. In April 1983, Lynbrook High School served as the site of a WWF live event during the company’s territorial days, as documented by The History of WWE and Cagematch. This particular show featured a lineup of legendary performers, including Iron Mike Sharpe, Johnny Rodz, Superstar Billy Graham, The Fabulous Moolah, Rocky Johnson (father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), Pat Patterson (credited with creating the Royal Rumble match) and Mr. Fuji. Such a stacked card at a local high school underscores the WWF’s grassroots efforts during its expansion era, bringing future Hall of Famers and foundational figures to intimate venues like Lynbrook.
Fast-forward to the modern era, and Lynbrook continues to contribute to wrestling’s grassroots scene through the Knights of Columbus (KOC) Hall on Lynbrook Avenue. This venue has become a recurring home for live events promoted by Create A Pro Wrestling, one of the most respected independent wrestling schools in the Northeast. These shows often feature a mix of rising stars, Create A Pro alumni, and high-profile names from WWE, AEW, ECW and TNA. Performers such as Scarlett Bordeaux, Shawn Spears, Maven Huffman, Hornswoggle, Rhino, Josh Alexander, Heath Slater, and Ethan Page have appeared at these KOC events, participating in matches and/or fan-signings that offer local audiences a chance to interact closely with stars of all levels.
The connection between Lynbrook and Create A Pro is further deepened by the return appearances of homegrown talents who trained with the school and later became nationally recognized. AEW World Champion MJF, The Acclaimed’s Max Caster, Smart Mark Sterling, and former TBS Champion Kris Statlander have all made returns to the KOC for special appearances and/or matches, making Lynbrook a symbolic homecoming site for some of pro wrestling’s brightest modern stars. Their presence not only draws crowds but also inspires the next generation of wrestlers training within Create A Pro’s system. Video of ECW Originals appearing at this venue can be seen here.
As shown within the Woodmere section this LibGuide, Brian Gewirtz is a native of Woodmere, New York. He worked with the WWE as a Head Writer, contributed to key storylines during the "Attitude Era," and has worked with The Rock as part of Seven Bucks Productions. Back in July 2024, this writer noticed a jacket in a Lynbrook secondhand store with Gewirtz's name written big on the tag. And as it turns out, it belonged to him, as documented here.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 11, 2025. Updated on June 14, 2025 and June 21, 2025.