By Joe Puccio

The Northeast’s premiere professional wrestling nostalgia convention, 80’s Wrestling Con 5, will hit the Garden State once again this Saturday, May 4, at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown, New Jersey.

For the fifth time, irrevocable utility man Tommy Fierro has assembled an elite array of the sport’s larger than life superstars who ruled the ring with body slams, bear hugs, and backbreakers throughout the bombastic 1980s and beyond.

Fierro, the promoter of Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling (ISPW), one of the leading nonpartisan grappling leagues in the business, as well as the owner of The Wrestling Collector in Stockholm, New Jersey, has been associated with the industry for an astonishing 30 years. Albeit brief, the Lincoln Park, New Jersey native even called WWE his employer at one time, although these days his true passion is evident in working with both the future stars of wrestling as well as the legendary mat men and women who came before them.

While the opportunity to have their pictures taken with performers such as Jake “The Snake” Roberts, “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, and Demolition is a dream come true for fanatics and the chance to get their action figures and championship belts signed by heroes like Barry Windham, Sgt. Slaughter, and Tony Garea is thrilling, what truly makes 80’s Wrestling Con so compelling is the fact that it’s no ordinary assemblage. A variety of activities are planned, including 80’s wrestling-themed trivia contests, Jeopardy, karaoke, cosplay competitions, magazine panels with Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Bill Apter and famed photographer George Napolitano, and much more.

And as if that’s not enough, immediately following the main convention will be a live ISPW exhibition featuring current combatants like Rey Calitri, Richard Holliday, and Vicious Vicki, interspersed with past icons such as The Powers of Pain, J.J. Dillon, and “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas. A 15-foot high steel cage match will also be part of the action and fans will be able to take photos inside of the towering structure earlier in the day.

For veracious aficionados of the glory years of the squared circle, Fierro, along with his knowledgeable, polished partner Jumpin’ Jay, host 80s Wrestling The Podcast every Thursday at 10:00 AM ET on all podcast platforms. In addition to discussing everything related to 80’s Wrestling Con with all of the program’s dedicated callers, the duo have tackled topics like the 1989 Royal Rumble, the 40^th anniversary of Hulkamania, LJN action figures, and the classic Randy “Macho Man” Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat encounter from WrestleMania III.

The ConFather, as Fierro is sometimes affectionately referred to, is extremely elated about Saturday’s event. “Last year, we had fans from 43 states and 8 countries,” Fierro proudly exclaimed to Generation X Wire. “It’s become a yearly tradition for wrestling fans all around the world and it’s growing bigger and bigger every year. It’s more than just a meet and greet, it’s an experience. If you haven’t been to one yet, you owe it to your childhood to do so,” he continued.

Scheduled guests include: Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, J.J. Dillon, Baby Doll, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Sgt. Slaughter, actor Kurt Fuller (No Holds Barred), Stan “The Lariat” Hansen, Demolition (Ax and Smash), The Powers of Pain (Warlord and Barbarian), Boris Zhukov, Dr. Tom Prichard, Bushwhacker Luke, Slick, Dan Spivey, The Young Stallions (Paul Roma and Jim Powers), Dean Malenko, “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, Scott McGhee, Mario Mancini, Rita Chatterton, Itsuki Yamazaki of The Jumping Bomb Angels, Sunny Beach, Tony Garea, Bill Apter, George Napolitano, and author Brad Balukjian (The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of WrestleMania).

Tickets to 80’s Wrestling Con: https://80swrestlingcon.com/

Tickets to ISPW Rock N’ Wrestling 3: https://ispwwrestling.com/