TWA - Tri-State Wrestling Alliance

"The Beast" Glen Osborne

Classic TWA

"Hitman" Michael Bruno

Articles/Clippings

"When I walked away from the National Wrestling Federation, I was unsure if I ever wanted to step foot in a ring again. I then received a call from Joel Goodhart asking me if I wanted to wrestle at McGonicle Hall against Larry Winters. I said yes, expecting it to be a one time thing and then I would return to my day to day life. Joel explained his concept of the TWA and what he wanted to do with it. It sounded fresh, new and exciting. Well, the match we had carried over to the second floor of the building and Larry decided to toss me off of the balcony onto the floor below. It became an instant feud. We wrestled across the Northeast and worked nearly every TWA show. We were in tag teams, single matches, cages, you name and we did it. One night at the Sports Bar in Philadelphia, Larry received a cake from someone in the front row for his birthday. As the cake was being presented, his opponent kicked him from behind and he flew into the ringpost cake first followed by his face. When he looked at me, it reminded me of a 'Three Stooge' film and I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself. It was something I will never forget. Yes, the wrestlers, referees, ring announcers and of course, the fans, were all a part of the TWA experience. It was a wonderful time in my life and I hope to recreate a part of this magic in Voorhees as I escort Larry Winters to the ring and give him the benefit of my wrestling managerial expertise on that chilly night in October. I hope the fans come out and I look forward to the Hat Guy being there so I can stomp on his outrageous headgear --- something I have not done in nearly twenty years. It will be quite a night. And remember, we haven't gotten older, just better."

-DC Drake

" I am thrilled to see the TWA back for this special reunion show. Being part of the TWA was an amazing experience, and I have many wonderful memories of my time there. I was just a kid then, and having the chance to meet and work alongside some of the biggest stars in wrestling was an incredible learning experience. When I think about the legendary stars who graced our ring, its truly humbling. The home-grown talent was also top-notch, and proudly carried the TWA banner during those years. Looking back, I think we all knew we were part of something special. If we didn't know it then, we sure know it now. The TWA was the direct predecessor and inspiration for ECW. Edgy, no-nonsense wrestling. I'm honored to have been a part of the TWA and I'm looking very forward to the resurrection of this legendary promotion on October 24th."

-Glen Osbourne

"The years working as a Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA) referee was a great time in my life. I made some great, life- long friends and got the opportunity to realize a dream to be able to work inside the "Squared Circle." I also got to meet and work with a lot of my childhood wrestling heroes. As far as matches, the ones that stick out in my memory the most were the ones between Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) and Eddie Gilbert. Those matches were awesome! Philly has always been a unique wrestling market. The fans were always looking for something different. That is why Jim Crockett's NWA was successful in the Philly market. The fans just wanted an alternative to WWF. I think the TWA fit in that same mold. It gave the fans a chance to see a lot of wrestling stars that they would have otherwise not been able to see. Although the TWA was short lived, it make a lasting impact on the business, and you could trace the origins of ECW back to the TWA. The Reunion Show on 10/24 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey, is going to be a fun night. It will be a chance to see old friends, an opportunity to do an entertaining show, and also a chance to help out some others much less fortunate than us, as we are donating a portion of the proceeds to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which is a charity that benefits children with cancer. I can't wait till Oct 24th and I hope to see a lot of you there."

-Joe Zanolle (TWA Referee)

"The time I spent with the TWA was incredible. Not only was I there from the very beginning, but also to the very end. I believe it was myself & Johnny Hot Body's stiff work with each other and the D.C. Drake and Larry Winters feud that raised the bar to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. Wrestling hasn't been the same since. We truly were the ones that brought this brand of HARDCORE WRESTLING to life. No one even knew what to call it back then...it was CRAZY!"

"The Reunion Show ... has given me NEW LIFE; I never would have thought that after 2002 I would ever step back in the ring again. The desire was always there ... but I didn't think I had anything left in me ... So here we are 2009, I have accepted a new challenge in my life, and a journey that will be long and hard. I have grabbed onto one word that means SO MUCH to me that it has become a part of my life, and how I live my life each and every day, and that word is "BELIEVE." Even if no one else believes in you or thinks that the journey that you are on is...STUPID, FOOLISH, CRAZY, ETC...as I always say, BOTTOM LINE...I BELIEVE. And no matter what happens when this is all said and done, I know I won't have to ask myself "what if." I also know that above everything else I am setting an example for three very special kids of mine that no matter how hard or long a road may be, never give up, always reach for your dream and no matter what...ALWAYS "BELIEVE"!!!"

- "Hitman" Tony Stetson

"...a show I am VERY excited to be a part of: The TWA reunion show."

People have emailed me and asked me why I would do a TWA reunion show and not an ECW one even though I never wrestled in the TWA. Fans need to remember that without the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance there would have been no ECW. I was a huge TWA fan as a kid and went to all the shows they had at Temple University in Philadelphia. I joke that the TWA booked me because of all the tickets I bought when they were running but the truth of the matter is that I was so honored that they would ask me to be a part of this event. I grew up watching Larry Winters, Tony Hitman Stetson, DC Drake, Glen Osbourne, The Sandman (never a fan! Hahaha), Michael Bruno, JT Smith, CN Redd, Rockin Rebel, and Johnny Hotbody (always hated him. He turned me down for an autograph!!!).

Wrestling for the TWA on the 24th gives me a chance to thank all of them for paving the road for me and the other ECW wrestlers that came after them. If it wasn’t for the blood, sweat, and tears these guys put out most of you reading this Chronicle would never have heard of me. The 24th I get to say thank you."

-“Mr. Wrestling” Steve Corino

To read this edition The Corino Chronicles, XIV: The Future Is Bright, please visit Steve's web page at
http://www.corinowrestling.com/Chronicles.html

For more information on Steve Corino and the rest of the Corino wrestling family visit their web page at http://www.corinowrestling.com/

"Random thoughts from my multi-concushioned brain:

Bringing Rebel ( my first trainer ) to the ring carrying the confederate flag...breaking my leg in a battle royal in the parking lot of Norristown Ford, and hopping on one leg back to the dressing room with no help 'cause everybody thought I was "working it"...DC Drake being gracious enough to let a nobody rookie share in his spotlight...likewise Tony Stetson, Larry Winters, & Johnny Hotbody - I will always be indebted to them for trusting me to hold up my end...managing Abdullah The Butcher vs. Bam bam Bigelow - truly being in the shadow of legends ( and they were some BIG shadows! )...road trips with Glen Osbourne ( um, sorry about that shirt Glen! ) ...getting to see guys like Glen & John Finnegan & Stevie Richards at the start of what turned out to be long & accomplished careers in our business...getting to work and become friends with Bob & Lex Artese - I will always be grateful for their friendship & support...meeting Tod Gordon, who became intrumental in my post-TWA life...Luna Vachon busting my eardrum & dislocating my jaw at The Civic Center...meeting Sabu for the first time ( another who always was very generous with his support) ...sharing lockerooms with legends like Wahoo McDaniel, Ivan Koloff, Jerry Lawler, Terry Funk...waiting in line to get paid standing next Rick Rude ( how did I GET here?!?!? )...my first of many future encounters with Ted Petty ( Cheetah Kid - later Rocco Rock ) a true gentleman...Cactus Jack spitting water out of a hole in his chin after his match w/ JT Smith at the Sports Bat in Philly...watching Michael Bruno cut the "paperboy to Hitman" promo and trying not to crack up...the pleasure of working with Jim Molineaux & Joe Zanolle...and one of the most under-rated workers out of Philly, Jimmy Janetty!...Sandman in his surfer gimmick - 'nuff said!!!...And I will always be grateful to Joel Goodhart for giving me a shot...

This reunion is as welcome as it was unexpected! I'm just glad I'm still around to be a part of it, and I can't wait to see the boys and the fans at the show!"

-Don E Allen