Former pro wrestler being honoured Saturday night in Niagara Falls. Pictured: Jesse Scott.
Local professional wrestling fans are in for a treat as WWE star Shawn Spears of St. Catharines, and TNA wrestling stars Cody Deaner and Rosemary, return to their old stomping grounds for the highly anticipated Neo Pro Wrestling Jesse Scott Memorial Show.
This special charity event will take place this Saturday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Columbus Club of Niagara Falls with all proceeds benefiting the family of the late Jesse Scott, known in the ring as Tiberious King or JT Playa.
Jesse Scott, a beloved local wrestler, touched the lives of many during his time in the ring before his untimely passing this past May after a near year-long battle with appendix cancer.
The Jesse Scott Memorial Show aims to honour his legacy while providing much-needed support to his family.
WWE star Shawn Spears, who began his career at NEO under Scott’s tutelage, will be conducting an in-ring meet and greet during the show’s intermission with all funds also being donated to the Scott family. The meet and greet includes an autograph and selfie (bring your own item/camera). Meet and greet tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event.
TNA star Cody Deaner, a mainstay at NEO since its inception in the early 2000s, as well as close friend and training partner of Jesse Scott, became the No.1 contender for NEO’s Grand Independent Championship in June, and will challenge TARIK for the title.
Deaner told The Niagara Independent he wants fans to remember Jesse Scott as more than a wrestler.
“I don’t think Jesse wanted to be remembered for his wrestling and his wrestling career,” said Deaner, who is also a motivational speaker that goes by his real name, Chris Gray. “Jesse was a father of three young boys, and he loved his kids with a passion – ever more than wrestling. And that’s saying a lot because Jesse loved wrestling. He loved nothing more in this world than his three boys.”
“Yes, he had a storied career, he helped out so many important professional wrestlers, but what I will remember Jesse for is his sons. I think his true legacy will be his boys.”
TNA star Rosemary, (as her alter-ego Courtney Rush), was a key part of NEO’s women’s division during her tenure in the 2010s. She returns to her old home to pay respects to the man that gave her the spotlight, the late Jesse Scott, and will challenge Kc Spinelli for the women’s Grand Independent Championship.
“This is shaping up to be our biggest show of the year. All our old friends are coming home in order to raise as much money as possible for their mentor’s family,” NEO co-owner Carmen “Primo” Scordino said.
Scordino will also be wrestling in a tag-team match with partner Stickball Tony Carbonie against the returning Bodycount. Bodycount has been retired from in-ring competition for the past 12 years, ending their retirement for one night to honour their late friend.
In addition to the star-studded lineup featuring Spears, Deaner, Rosemary, and Scordino, NEO’s Jesse Scott Memorial Show will feature the following match card [may be subject to change]:
- Daddy Davis (friend turned enemy, former training partner of Jesse) vs. Vince Valor (Jesse’s final graduate of the NEO dojo wrestling school)
- A 10-man over the top rope rumble elimination match, featuring stars from NEO’s past, present, and future
- Sinn Bodhi vs Tornado (both competitors are mentors of Jesse Scott)
- Fan favourite Crazzy Steve vs Tyler Tirva
- “Irish” Jake O’Reilly vs “The Half-Baked Kid” Kris Chambers (NEO originals from the company’s founding in 2001, competing against each other for the first time in 20 years!)
Tickets are now on sale. Reserved seating and general admission tickets can be purchased online at www.goNEOpro.ca
General admission tickets are also available at Niagara Entertainment Exchange “NEX” at 314 Lake St Unit #6, St. Catharines, ON.
All proceeds from the event will go directly to Jesse Scott’s family to help them during this challenging time.
For more information on the event and updates, visit goneopro.ca
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
