Babylon, New York -- encompassing the hamlets of North Babylon, West Babylon, and other communities along Suffolk County’s South Shore -- holds a rich and eclectic place in the history of professional wrestling. Though often overlooked in discussions of wrestling’s regional hotbeds, Babylon has hosted WWF live events, produced cultural figures who interacted with wrestling on national and international platforms, and maintained subtle but meaningful ties to the industry’s evolution across decades.
One of the most direct links between Babylon and the professional wrestling world came during the 1980s, when North Babylon High School hosted several WWF live events. These shows were part of the WWF’s local outreach during its expansion era, bringing in-ring action to suburban gymnasiums before the nationalization of Vincent Kennedy McMahon's "fed." Fans in North Babylon witnessed appearances by some of the era’s biggest stars, including Cowboy Bob Orton, Pedro Morales, Superstar Billy Graham, Rocky Johnson (father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. For local fans, these shows were not only entertaining but historic, offering a chance to see legends of the ring without a trip to Madison Square Garden.
Babylon’s influence extends beyond live shows, thanks in part to its association with music legends who have crossed paths with professional wrestling. LL Cool J, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer who has spent time in the Babylon area, famously appeared in a WWE segment with Booker T, playing off his larger-than-life charisma and cross-genre appeal. His involvement signaled WWE’s increasing desire to blend hip-hop culture with sports entertainment, something LL Cool J helped pioneer. His cameo in WWE programming demonstrated the mutual respect between the music and wrestling industries, especially during the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression eras. That cameo can be seen here.
Rodney Dangerfield, the iconic comedian who owned a home in Babylon, also has a small but curious connection to Vince McMahon’s sports ventures. In 2001, Dangerfield made an appearance in a skit related to the original iteration of the XFL -- McMahon’s ambitious attempt to merge football with the theatricality of pro wrestling. A story of WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler hanging out with Dangerfield can be found here.
Another hip-hop icon with Babylon ties is Rakim, widely regarded as one of hip-hop's greatest lyricists of all time. Though born in Wyandanch, a community within the Town of Babylon, Rakim's influence extended far beyond Long Island. Together with Eric B., Rakim helped present a Legends of Wrestling event at Citi Field, blending music with wrestling nostalgia. John Cena has listed Rakim as being on his "Mount Rushmore" of hip-hop artists.
Also linked to Babylon is author Billy Hayes, best known for writing Midnight Express, the harrowing autobiographical account of his imprisonment in Turkey. While Hayes’ work was not directly related to wrestling, it is widely believed to have inspired the name of the legendary tag team "The Midnight Express," managed by Jim Cornette. Known for their precision in the ring and Cornette’s fiery promos, the Midnight Express became one of the most respected teams of the 1980s wrestling boom. The idea that a Babylon-connected author could inspire one of wrestling’s most iconic team names illustrates the town’s unexpected cultural imprint on the industry.
In addition to the historic WWF shows at North Babylon High School in the early 1980s, the town of Babylon, NY has hosted numerous other professional wrestling events across decades, reinforcing its place in the fabric of New York’s wrestling history. According to records from Cagematch.net, Babylon has been a consistent venue for live wrestling dating back to the 20th century. A particularly notable event took place in 1994, featuring a then-rising star known as The Tazmaniac — who would go on to fame as Taz in ECW and WWE — alongside WWF legends Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Tony Atlas. That event, held before Taz became a household name, stands as a snapshot of a critical moment in wrestling’s transitional era, blending veterans with the stars of the future.
In more recent years, Babylon has also become an important stop for independent wrestling promotions, particularly Victory Pro Wrestling (VPW) and New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC). Both companies have deep roots on Long Island and have played an instrumental role in developing local and regional talent, many of whom have gone on to appear in AEW, WWE, and other national promotions. Over the past 15 years, these promotions have regularly staged events in Babylon, drawing loyal crowds and providing a platform for homegrown talent to shine.
A standout moment in Babylon’s modern wrestling timeline occurred at a VPW event held in 2024, which featured rising talent Bryce Donovan. Donovan, a Long Beach resident who has since signed an identification deal with WWE, represents the new generation of stars coming through Long Island’s independent scene. His inclusion in that event is part of a wider trend in which Babylon continues to serve as a proving ground for future stars — a tradition dating back to the early days of Taz and continuing into the present.
UWF founder Herb Abrams is believed to be buried at West Babylon's Montefiore Cemetery. Plot information has been posted online.
West Babylon has also been tied to professional wrestling via its gym Stoked Athletics being documented as having trained multiple professional wrestlers. This includes Patrick Fitzpatrick, Max Caster and Bear Bronson, and has been rumored to have employed rising star Gabby Forza.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 12, 2025. Updated on June 14, 2025.