GWC On The River is located at 103 East Front St. in Monroe.
Wam Bam, GWC Fam! It’s Go Time If You Didn’t Know Time!
The grand opening of GWC (Greatest Wrestling Collection) On The River took place this past weekend, with two wrestling legends on hand to kick it off in fashion. WWE Hall of Famers Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and The Godfather signed autographs and took pictures with fans who came from all over to see them. Brutus even cut the ring rope to officially open the wrestling Mecca in Monroe.
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Wrestling legend Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake was on hand to kick off GWC On The River in Monroe. Owner Steve Morand put on a great afternoon of photos and autographs for fans.
The Greatest Wrestling Collection In Monroe
Owner, Steve Morand (GWC to many) was on hand, along with Mrs. G-Dub to meet fans. Located at 103 East Front St, this is the first time Steve’s massive collection has been open to the public.
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There is a TON to see at GWC On The River
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The Godfather was on hand to sign autographs and take pictures at the GWC grand opening.
This is a long-time passion turned into reality for Steve. “I’ve been saying for close to two decades that when I open up the collection to the public, I wanted Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake to cut the rope, and yesterday we did just that!” Talk about making your dreams come true.
Steve Morand
Brutus with Steve, Mrs, GWC, and The Godfather at the grand opening of HWC On The River in Monroe.
The collection covers every era of wrestling right up to the current day. I’d say it’s mostly the stars of the 1980s through the 2000s. Hulk Hogan, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and on and on. There’s so much to look at it takes a while to see everything.
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Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by wrestling history!
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Every era of wrestling is on display. Fans of all ages will find something for them!
Book Your Tour Of The Greatest Wrestling Collection
If you want to book a tour, punch up their website at gwcontheriver.com. There are different priced packages for different experiences. When you book a tour, you can also shop and purchase items.
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Book your tour today! Wrestling fans have to see what GWC On The River has in store.
Steve Morand
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Insane Wrestling Revolution Has Taken Over Monroe, Michigan
About a year ago I was invited down to Monroe, Michigan to watch an independent wrestling show, Insane Wrestling Revolution. At that time I didn’t think I’d still be going down there to see the action. Turns out, I am! Heading down to the remote FOP Hall at 1051 Strasburg in Monroe to watch the shows is so much fun!
Let me introduce you to the two men who started it. Gary Pillette, and pro wrestler Rhino. Rhino and I go back almost 23 years when I met the local star four days after my daughter was born. He came to the station to promote an upcoming WWE event. We became fast friends after that as my wife and I would go to dinner with him and his wife, we’d go to the gym, and more. Over the years we’ve gone in different directions but have always remained in contact. I met Gary for the first time last year and he’s the same way. Just a solid guy trying to earn an honest living entertaining the fans with his great program. Both of them are salt-of-the-earth people.
Gary says that Rhino approached him about starting up the independent wrestling program after watching the success of his Monroe Comic Con. “I thought it would be a good fit. You don’t turn down a wrestling legend like Rhino” when he asks you to help him create a wrestling program, Gary told me. Facts! They’ve been at it since their first show in December of 2019.
Why Monroe? Rhino said he’d get recognized all over the down-river community. “Monroe is a great wrestling town,” he told me. That it is, and you have to keep it fresh, which is one of the challenges facing the IWR. “One of the biggest challenges is to outdo yourself every event” Rhino said.
The show is fun from start to finish. The local guys are fantastic, as Gary and Rhino also bring in some better-known wrestlers as well. Nic Nemeth was at the most recent event, with Billy Gunn showing up at the December show, while ECW legend “Sandman” made a surprise appearance at the show in February. You never know who’s going to show up! The next big event happens on Thursday, May 9th. It’s their MAYhem show.
It’s great seeing people I’ve met who’ve become friends. When you see me down there I’m usually not too far from Steve Morand, curator of the Greatest Wrestling Collection. I was introduced to him through our mutual friend, Darren McCarty, who is also a regular face you’ll see there. I see so many people whose names I don’t know, but they’re always pleasant and welcoming.
Make plans to catch a show in the future, and I’ll see you down there. Check out some photos from the IWR below…
Insane Wrestling Revolution
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The entire IWR staff after a recent sold-out event.
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Nik Nemeth at Vengeance in Monroe at Insane Wrestling Revolution.
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Another packed crowd filled the hall in Monroe for the latest IWR event, Vengeance.
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Sami Callihan, Billy Gunn, and Rhino at an Insane Wrestling Revolution show in December of 2023.
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Rhino, Nic Nemeth and others patrol the ring during the last IWR event.
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Rhino shows off his championship belt to the packed crowd. He would get hit from behind shortly after this picture was taken.
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Nic Meneth gets set to take on King Latimer at Vengeance.
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ECW legends Rhino and Sandman at a recent Insane Wrestling Revolution show.
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Rhino and King Latimer doing battle in an IWR event in February.
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With Diane and wrestler, Jeremiah Goldmain at a recent show.
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Wrestling legend Billy Gunn with the Death Machine, Sami Callihan, at an Insane Wrestling Revolution show in late December.
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With hockey legend, Darren McCarty and Diane at Insane Wrestling Revolution.
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Sometimes we end up at Lane's Pizza in Maybee, Michigan for the afterparty.
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
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