The Show That Never Was

By Benny Fairchild

MASSENA - Kelly Kelly, Carlito, Deonna Purrazzo, Aiden English, Chris Masters, Eugene, and more were all expected to be coming to the Massena Arena on Aug. 1 for a wrestling show put on by New Breed Entertainment fittingly titled, "Genesis: The Beginning."

The show was intended to serve as a fresh start for the promoter behind the failed Potsdam Comic-Con, which advertised, for that event, a guest list that included both X-Pax and Scott Hall (neither of whom attended the event), among others. 

That same promoter was also behind the now defunct Atlantic Championship Wrestling, which attempted to host several events in Massena, including a series of events titled "Lunch with a Legend," where tickets were sold for events featuring Kelly Kelly, Shane Douglas, Tommy Rich, and others. To his credit a meet and greet with Lanny Poffo, also known as The Genius did take place in April of 2019. 

Poffo, who is the brother of Macho Man Randy Savage brought his brother's WWE Hall of Fame Ring with him to Massena, and even offered praise to the organizers of the event.

"Many thanks to Leon Hollinger and family for treating me so well in Massena, New York! Special thanks to all the fans who came out to share their memories!" Poffo wrote in a Facebook posting one day after the event.

ACW did host at least one wrestling show outside the state of New York, but following what could only be called a series of misfortunate events, Mr. Hollinger decided a rebranding was in order, after all, who in Northern New York would knowingly purchase tickets for a show put on by the organizer of these failed events.

Coming out of the pandemic people were eager for events and it was decided that Aug. 1 would mark the rebirth of Mr. Hollinger's career as a wrestling promoter.

According to Mr. Hollinger's announcement, more than 300 tickets were sold in advance. VIP packages sold out. Second row seats sold out, and special VIP upgrades and third-row seats almost sold out. However on July 27, a few days prior to the event, two of the show's star's Deonna Purrazzo and Renee Michelle both backed out and openly criticized the promotion, a move that garnered national attention from the "dirt sheets" and internet wrestling community.

The majority of the show's stars stayed silent, but one star, NWA Heavyweight Champion Chris Adonis, who wrestled in the WWE as Chris Masters, confirmed he was planning to attend. Replying to a tweet asking if he was going to be in Massena, Masters wrote, "Yes, I'm booked." The original tweet sent by @ira_culver noted that both Purrazzo and Michelle had already announced they were no longer planning to attend.

In the week's leading up to the show, Carlito and Aiden English, as well as several of the lesser known Indie talents released videos promoting the event and their appearances there.
What happened? That depends on who you ask.

Is his statement posted on the New Breed Entertainment Facebook page, Mr. Hollinger wrote, "It’s no secret to those in the local community of Massena, NY that there have been jealous individuals that have engaged in activities to slander the business name of New Breed Entertainment, as well as, spreading false information. Among these are the fraudulent claims to the New York State Athletic Commission with false information edited into press release information in local online media."

Mr. Hollinger went on to claim the New York State Athletic Commission has launched an investigation into events leading up to the show. A message to the Athletic Commission sent on Friday has yet to be returned.

Shaun Balaban, who wrestles under the name “Shooter Storm” lives in Massena, and was openly critical of the show. He wrote in a Facebook posting on July 1, "Question for people in the wrestling business what do you do if people running a show are advertising a show that is a few weeks out and the venue that is advertised on the online flyer has no idea clue there is a show...? Asking for a community..."

Several comments followed, including some which stated that the Massena Recreation Commission was indeed aware of the show scheduled to take place one month later. Mr. Balaban then remained silent until July 26 when he wrote, "I have been asked a million times about the wrestling show this weekend, I have ZERO to do with this!" He then mentioned a podcast he was planning to record that night. 

"Today I will be doing my podcast and discussing everything. I will hold nothing back. You will find out why they call me Shooter," he said. The podcast was never released. When asked about the podcast on July 29, after the show had already been postponed, he said it was no longer needed.

After the show was cancelled, Mr. Balaban questioned New Breed's announcement which seemingly blames him for the cancelation of the show. "Using me to blame is an easy way out, I have NEVER had problems with people running if done right and the SHOW WAS LICENSED, so I let go and didn’t say any word to commission once I knew this. Like I said weeks ago. Bottom line is the show is not cancelled because of me. Wish people could take responsibility instead of passing the buck."

I have to agree with Shooter on this. Blaming someone for comments that happened several weeks prior to an event seems like a cop out. 

Sadly, many fans did not discover the show was canceled until arriving at the venue Sunday evening. Justin Berry, a wrestler himself, and promoter affiliated with the Adirondack Professional Wrestling Federation (APWF) was there on Sunday to greet fans and inform them of the show's cancelation.

Mr. Berry also made sure fans didn't leave empty-handed, bringing photos he had from previous autograph signings and events, APWF had successfully hosted. Mr. Berry is not affiliated with New Breed entertainment, and was in Massena on Sunday as a fan who wants to see successful wrestling events hosted in the North Country.

"I literally had to look a little kid in the eyes and tell him there was no wrestling show," he said as part of a Facebook Live broadcast from the arena parking lot Sunday evening. 

Mr. Berry also noted an employee of the Massena Recreation Commission had to place a handwritten sign on the arena doors, as no representatives from New Breed Entertainment were anywhere to be found Sunday evening.

Many questions remain surrounding New Breed Entertainment's Genesis: The Beginning, including will the 300-plus fans who purchased tickets in advance receive refunds? Mr. Hollinger has said they will. Other fans say they're still waiting for refunds from his organization's previous events.

Speaking for myself, I can say, I was refunded in full for the tickets my family had purchased for the "Lunch with a Legend" event featuring Kelly Kelly. I am still awaiting my refund for Sunday's event."

In a posting on the New Breed entertainment page dated Aug. 1. Mr. Hollinger asked people to request refunds on their own through PayPal. “For those who are waiting on refunds through the ticket site, you can also request a refund through PayPal where tickets were purchased. This might help expedite the refund process.” 

PayPal’s process for requesting refunds however, is far from expedited. Once a complaint is filed, PayPal encourages the buyer to try and work things out with the seller prior to escalating the complaint to their level. Buyers can skip that step and immediately escalate the complaint, however, PayPal then reaches out to the seller and gives them 10 days to respond.

Following the seller’s response, PayPal then estimates it will take them five days to review the information and decide whether or not to grant a refund, meaning Mr. Hollinger's advice for expediting the refund process will likely result in fans waiting an additional two weeks for a refund.

Other fans have commented that they purchased their tickets directly through the site without using PayPal, meaning a complaint with PayPal isn't even an option for them.

Will fans be refunded? That remains to be seen.

Is their an investigation? If there is, what will it find? That too remains to be seen.

Mr. Hollinger said in the cancelation announcement, he's been "advised" against commenting on the show or answering questions.

He is promising a rescheduled show and said information will be forthcoming. "We will update you on a new date as soon as it’s confirmed.”

Do you think the show will be rescheduled? If so, will you go?

I for one, honestly hope the show is rescheduled and eventually takes place.
 
Do I think that will happen? No I do not, but if it does, my daughter (who was planning to attend her first show on Sunday) and I will be there cheering on whichever stars attend, taking pictures with the wrestlers, and getting autographs. Although, this time, I think I will wait and buy tickets at the door.