A Vermont organization has delivered heated rivalries, daring smackdowns, and unique athleticism for decades — and now, it’s back in Barre.
Green Mountain Wrestling (GMW) was founded 30 years ago, when Vermont lacked a professional wrestling scene and was rarely the target for major industry events. Launched by Gary Langevin, the group operated out of Newport from 1996 through 2003.
During the organization’s early years, Adam Lash began helping with events. A wrestling fan and teenager eager to join the industry, GMW became a career springboard.
“As I got older, I became more involved in the broader professional wrestling industry beyond Vermont, traveling the country and working in a production capacity for a variety of companies,” Lash said. “Eventually, I slowed down and decided that I wanted to help rebuild professional wrestling in Vermont.”
With Langevin’s support, Lash relaunched GMW in May 2023. Today, the team runs events throughout the state and has cultivated a devoted following at their home base in Barre.
“My [GMW] partners and I are Vermont boys. We grew up in Barre and we love this state and its communities,” Lash said. “Vermont does not have a wide range of entertainment options, so Green Mountain Wrestling is our way of helping to change that.”
Building a Powerful Roster
According to Lash, there are thousands of wrestlers across the United States and Canada who are not signed to major professional wrestling organizations. While the most recognizable companies typically include World Wrestling Entertainment and All Elite Wrestling, GMW also provides valuable opportunities for entertainers to get in front of fans, to train, and to network.
Adding talent to the Green Mountain Wrestling roster happens in a variety of ways.
“Many wrestlers reach out to us directly, and I also scout talent by watching other events,” Lash said. “In addition, we maintain strong relationships with wrestling training schools throughout the region.”
Overall, the current roster features wrestlers predominately from the Northeast and New England. Despite the current lack of a wrestling school in the state, Lash said the organization has a solid core of local wrestlers from Vermont and hopes to open a school in the near future.
Going Live, Local, and Loud
The energy at a professional wrestling event is best experienced first-hand, especially for first-time attendees.
“Even those who are not diehard wrestling fans quickly find themselves caught up in the action, yelling at the bad guys and cheering for the good guys,” Lash said. “The energy is infectious and it is hard to leave one of our events without a genuine appreciation for the athleticism and talent of the wrestlers.”
At a March 15 “Shamrocks and Headlocks” event at the Barre Elks Lodge, a packed venue experienced multiple unique match-ups featuring wrestlers from GMW’s roster as well as challengers from neighboring states.
Audience members taunted wrestlers, heckled referees, and braced for impact as 6-foot, 5-inch “Loverboy Lex” Lozano dove from the ring and landed on the front row in a highly interactive afternoon of entertainment.
The main event — a planned head-to-head featuring reigning Green Mountain Champion “Moonlight Son” Mike Skyros versus “The Yoga Ninja” Tyler Payne — featured a last-minute change when Vermont’s own Travis “Mullet Man” Hinton faced Skyros instead.
Hinton, who was raised in Coventry and now resides in North Troy, began his wrestling journey at the age of 19 after exposure to a professional wrestling organization in Quebec. Now, he looks to make an impression on the next generation of wrestling fans.
“I hope professional wrestling can bring families together and create long-lasting memories like legends such as Paul ‘The Butcher’ Vachon and André the Giant did for families in my region over 40 years ago,” Hinton said.
At the March 15 event, a divided crowd cheered for both GMW-rostered wrestlers before Skyros, a Syracuse native, won the match to defend his title as the Green Mountain Champion.
For the Mullet Man, however, winning comes in more forms than a championship belt.
“I just hope that guests walk out with memories, much like me when I was a young fan,” he said. “At the end of the day, fans won’t remember what moves we did. They remember how we made them feel.”
Finding Connection Through Feeling
When it comes to connecting with fans, “Rabid” Ryan Mooney — whose tag team of four won their match — agreed that the emotional side of professional wrestling brings people together.
“One of the cool things about professional wrestling is that we are able to make people feel things,” Mooney said. “I’ve always wanted to do things in my life that evoke an emotional reaction in someone else. You really can’t replicate that connection with the crowd — whether they hate you or love you — like you can in professional wrestling.”
That connection, Mooney claimed, spans state lines. Hailing from Hamilton, New Jersey, he said the Green Mountain State has welcomed him with open arms.
“I’ve been coming up here for a few years on and off and, even though I’m not from Vermont, people embrace me like I’m one of their own,” he said.
Becoming “Barre Cool”
Nearly three years after its relaunch, Green Mountain Wrestling has built a loyal fanbase by offering affordable live entertainment in an inclusive, family friendly environment.
“Our events are truly a communal experience, bringing together people from all different backgrounds for a fun night out,” Lash said. “Some attendees are longtime pro wrestling fans, while others come simply because it is affordable and gives them something exciting to do.”
In addition to partnering with local businesses and offering Vermont-based wrestlers a platform to perform, the team hopes to support the local economy and create a sense of community and connection.
“Ultimately, we take great pride in our state. We are Vermont natives building something for Vermont,” Lash said. “By creating positive, energetic events and giving people a fun show to enjoy, we aim to strengthen communities and contribute to them in a meaningful way.”
If nothing else, “Rabid” Mooney explained that wrestlers and fans alike simply need a space to unwind.
“We all have lives and jobs and wild sides that we need to unleash sometimes,” Mooney said. “This is an outlet to do that.”
Videos from “Shamrocks and Headlocks,” as well as other matches, can be found on the Green Mountain Wrestling YouTube channel and on social media by searching @GMWProWrestling.
The next big event, “That’s Barre Cool,” features former WWE star and Intercontinental Champion Carlito Colón. It will take place May 17 at the Barre Elks Lodge. For more information, visit GMWrestling.com.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source thebridgevt.org ’
