Port Washington, New York, a waterfront community on Long Island’s North Shore, has a surprisingly rich -- if often underappreciated -- connection to the world of professional wrestling. One of its earliest brush-ups with wrestling history came on September 22, 1933, when the town hosted a live event at Flower Hill Stadium, promoted by the legendary Jack Curley. Curley was arguably one of the original architects of modern pro wrestling, helping to build the industry’s promotional framework in the early 20th century.
The town also has ties to the entertainment and political figures who intersect with wrestling’s showbiz sensibility. Actor Burt Young, best known for playing Paulie in the Rocky film series, was a former resident of Port Washington. Young appeared alongside Hulk Hogan in Rocky III, in which Hogan played the thunderous, larger-than-life wrestler "Thunderlips." This appearance served as Hulk Hogan’s breakout role in mainstream pop culture and helped launch the Hulkamania era, which would redefine wrestling’s place in American entertainment during the 1980s.
Port Washington is also the hometown of Anthony Scaramucci, the financier and political figure best known for his brief stint as White House Communications Director. Scaramucci worked closely with Donald Trump, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 and famously hosted WrestleMania events at Trump Plaza in the late 1980s. The Trump-McMahon partnership played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between wrestling and mainstream political entertainment, and Scaramucci’s presence in that inner circle adds an unusual, but noteworthy, layer to Port Washington’s place in wrestling-adjacent history.
In more recent years, Port Washington returned to the wrestling spotlight when it hosted CEP Landmark Slam, a live event promoted by Championship Entertainment Productions at the Landmark on Main Street. This independent wrestling card featured regional talent such as Patrick Fitzpatrick, Rex Lawless, TJ Marconi, and Donny Dixon, showcasing the vibrant local wrestling scene that continues to thrive across Long Island. The event blended athletic spectacle with community entertainment, proving that nearly a century after Jack Curley’s visit, professional wrestling still finds a home in Port Washington.
Port Washington has also been home to Eric Bloom of the band Blue Oyster Cult, which -- among other things -- is famous for the song "Don't Fear The Reaper." The song "Don't Fear The Repeat" has been referenced within WWE programming, thanks to its association with "more cowbell." An example of that can be seen here.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 20, 2025.