Shirley, New York holds a unique place in professional wrestling history, both as a venue for live wrestling action and as a formative location for individuals who later contributed to the intersection of wrestling and entertainment. One of the standout connections comes through filmmaker Frank Coraci, a graduate of William Floyd High School in Shirley. Coraci was a member of the school's amateur wrestling team, where he developed a strong connection to the sport. He would go on to become a frequent collaborator with Adam Sandler, directing and/or acting in several major films that prominently featured professional wrestlers in comedic and character roles, subtly reinforcing the cultural link between pro wrestling and mainstream film.
In films such as The Waterboy, Coraci was cast alongside Paul Wight, better known as The Big Show, as the intimidating Captain Insano. Other Coraci-related Sandler projects include Blended and Sandy Wexler, featured Terry Crews, who had a brief but memorable stint in WCW under the ring name "T-Money." Sandy Wexler also included cameos by Rikishi and David Otunga, both established WWE performers. These casting choices reflect professional wrestling’s occasional crossover into popular culture.
Perhaps most significant to Shirley’s wrestling legacy is the East End Arena, also known locally as the Shirley Arena. This modest but historic venue hosted a number of notable wrestling events, particularly during the territorial era. On October 12, 1978, the arena welcomed a WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) card featuring major names like Peter Maivia (grandfather of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), Dino Bravo, Larry Zbyszko, and Tony Garea. A separate event believed to have taken place at the same venue on November 6, 1978 was noted to have had Ivan Koloff, Chief Jay Strongbow, Gorilla Monsoon, Stan Stasiak, and Johnny Rodz on the card. Podcaster Steve Roth recalled seeing Jesse "The Body" Ventura wrestle there in the early 1980s as part of a non-WWF event, reflecting the arena's ongoing role as a regional hotspot for wrestling talent.
Even in more recent years, the East End Arena continued to host impactful events. A 2013 show promoted by WOW/FSW Collision brought in current and future stars such as Fallah Bahh, AEW's Alex Reynolds and John Silver, and ECW legend Shane Douglas. These events underscore Shirley’s enduring connection to the pro wrestling world, serving as both a proving ground and a community hub for fans and athletes alike. Through its local heroes, cultural contributions, and long-standing support of the sport, Shirley, New York remains a meaningful, if often overlooked, part of professional wrestling history.
A separate 2013 event by ECPW at Shirley Bingo Hall was documented to include Greg "The Hammer" Valentine in its main event. A screenshot-ed flyer for that event is shown above.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 20, 2025. Updated on June 21, 2025.