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…
