Bethpage, New York holds a special place in professional wrestling history -- particularly during the early 1980s boom of the WWF. On January 20, 1983, the organization is documented as hosting one of its live events at the JFK Junior High School Gym in Bethpage. Matches included Johnny Rodz, SD Jones, Pedro Morales, Superstar Billy Graham, and the Wild Samoans.
Independent live events have also been held at Sportime, including a 2004 USA Pro event which featured April Hunter, Matt Striker (who has lived in Long Beach), Simon Diamond, Crowbar, Prince Nana, Sharkboy, The Sandman, Raven, Shane Douglas, Sunny, Chris Candido, Balls Mahoney, Sonjay Dutt, and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. UXW events were held at the same venue, which led to appearances from Elix Skipper (Baldwin roots), Al Snow, Steve Corino, Billy Gunn, D.Lo Brown, and Justin Credible.
Fast forward to today, Bethpage continues its wrestling legacy through Create A Pro Wrestling Academy. Among its graduates is Alex Reynolds, a local native who has risen through the ranks within independent circuits and is now making waves in All Elite Wrestling. Reynolds trained initially under Mikey Whipwreck at New York Wrestling Connection, capturing multiple regional titles including the NYWC Fusion, Hi‑Fi, and Interstate championships. He later polished his craft at Create A Pro, where he honed a hard-hitting, technical style that has become his trademark.
Reynolds' career trajectory took a significant upturn when he started appearing for AEW in 2019. There, he found a home alongside The Dark Order (with Wantagh native John Silver), showcasing his abilities on a national stage and proving himself in mainstream promotions. His journey from New York independents to AEW highlights not only his personal dedication but also Bethpage’s ongoing role in nurturing wrestling talent. The Create A Pro Academy has become a talent incubator, echoing Bethpage’s legacy as a stepping-stone—from school gyms of the WWF to premier arenas of modern wrestling.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 11, 2025. Updated on June 14, 2025.
