Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is set to deliver an exciting free wrestling showcase at Love Park in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 5, starting at 4 PM EST. As CZW approaches its 27th year in the independent wrestling scene, it promises to bring the same high-energy, athletically skilled, and hard-hitting professional wrestling action that fans enjoy across television platforms in America.
In an exclusive interview with Metro Philadelphia, Mr. Frank Hartgrave, a key figure in CZW, emphasized the unique experience that fans can expect.
“We provide the same experience in the ring that you will get at a WWE show, except you are going to get a lot closer and it’s going to cost you a lot less — in this case, free,” he stated.
Mr. Hartgrave highlighted that the event is particularly aimed at families, aiming to ignite young imaginations through the captivating world of professional wrestling.
“If you are bringing your kids to something like pro wrestling, it is something that can really spark their imaginations. Wrestlers always enjoy having them around. A big reason we do this is for the kids,” he added.
The event will feature an eight-match card scheduled to last approximately four hours, likely continuing until sunset.
“We’ll probably go until the sun goes down, and maybe a little bit longer,” the social media guru of CZW remarked. Attendees need not worry about the expected heat, as local food trucks will be on-site to provide essential refreshments.
“They are attracted to this sort of thing,” Mr. Hartgrave joked.
CZW fans familiar with the company’s history may want to exercise caution when searching for images online.
Over the last 26 years, CZW has gained a reputation for graphic “deathmatch wrestling,” which involves extreme violence between consenting opponents.
However, fans can rest assured that such brutality will not be present at the family-friendly event in Love Park.
“Maybe you are checking on the internet, you are going to see some things that are shocking,” warned Mr. Hartgrave.
“A lot of that is in the past, and there is a time and place for that. This free show we are bringing to Love Park is absolutely family-friendly.”
CZW’s current World Heavyweight Champion, Eran Ashe, is enjoying a remarkable title reign exceeding 420 days, which has been marked by various obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ashe ranks as the fourth-longest-reigning World Heavyweight Champion in CZW history, with the record of 718 days held by Joe Gacy from 2019 to 2021 still in view.
Mr. Hartgrave provided a glowing scouting report on Ashe, stating,
“Eran Ashe, the CZW World Heavyweight Champion, can pick up a car and throw it.
He is deceptively fast, and eerily powerful as well. You wouldn’t believe the dropkick he can pull off. He can do a moonsault off the top rope if he wants to, except he doesn’t need to.”
Examining CZW’s past champions showcases a lineage of talented professional wrestlers. Mr. Hartgrave elaborated on CZW’s role in not only promoting wrestling events but also serving as a developmental platform.
“CZW isn’t just a wrestling federation, it’s also a developmental program,” he explained.
“It’s run by DJ Hyde, an industry veteran. So many people you see on TV have come through DJ… It’s like one out of eight.”
This statistic reflects roughly 12.5% of professional wrestlers in the industry who have passed through CZW before achieving success in major promotions like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Former champions include wrestling stalwarts such as Jon Moxley, Shane Strickland, Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), and Nick Gage, all of whom have impressive careers linked to CZW.
As the free event approaches, Mr. Hartgrave offered one final enticing invitation to fans.
“Whatever you think this will be, it will be even more exciting than that,” he enthused.
“I did not expect the level of athleticism when I came to [my first CZW show]. This group of individuals that is a part of CZW today is hungry – they are chomping at the bit to make a name for themselves, and you [will] see that every second of the show,” he concluded.
Mr. Hartgrave expressed admiration for the young talents about to make their names in wrestling, comparing them to megastars like John Cena and Dwayne Johnson.
Fans can catch the action at Love Park, conveniently located at 1501 JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia. This event marks the third collaboration between CZW and the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, promising to be an engaging experience for all attendees.
image source from：phillysportsnetwork
