{"id":2376164,"date":"2026-04-16T15:58:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2376164"},"modified":"2026-04-16T15:58:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:58:06","slug":"vermont-natives-provide-entertainment-through-community-connection-and-headlocks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/vermont-natives-provide-entertainment-through-community-connection-and-headlocks\/","title":{"rendered":"Vermont Natives Provide Entertainment Through Community, Connection, and Headlocks"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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A\u00a0Vermont organization has delivered heated rivalries, daring smackdowns, and unique athleticism for decades \u2014 and now, it\u2019s back in Barre.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During the organization\u2019s early years, Adam Lash began helping with events. A wrestling fan and teenager eager to join the industry, GMW became a career springboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs 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,\u201d Lash said. \u201cEventually, I slowed down and decided that I wanted to help rebuild professional wrestling in Vermont.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Langevin\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy [GMW] partners and I are Vermont boys. We grew up in Barre and we love this state and its communities,\u201d Lash said. \u201cVermont does not have a wide range of entertainment options, so Green Mountain Wrestling is our way of helping to change that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\u201cRabid\u201d Ryan Mooney battles during Green Mountain Wrestling\u2019s Shamrocks and Headlocks matches in Barre, VT, USA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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during Green Mountain Wrestling\u2019s Shamrocks and Headlocks matches in Barre, VT, USA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Travis \u201cMullet Man\u201d Hinton grimaces as Moonlight Son (Mike Syros) takes charge during Green Mountain Wrestling\u2019s Shamrocks and Headlocks matches at the Barre Elks Club.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Travis \u201cMullet Man\u201d Hinton lies at spoectator\u2019s feet after being ejected from the ring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Brody Jackson steps into the match already involving Mr. Elegant (Preston Douglas) and David Coles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Building a Powerful Roster<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Adding talent to the Green Mountain Wrestling roster happens in a variety of ways.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMany wrestlers reach out to us directly, and I also scout talent by watching other events,\u201d Lash said. \u201cIn addition, we maintain strong relationships with wrestling training schools throughout the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
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Fans keep their seats, despite the mayhem in the ring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u201cRabid\u201d Ryan Mooney en route to the action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u201cVile, The Final Girl\u201d checks her cell as Kayla Lopez, \u201cThe Bombshell Beauty,\u201d awaits a match (below).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Going Live, Local, and Loud<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The energy at a professional wrestling event is best experienced first-hand, especially for first-time attendees.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven 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,\u201d Lash said. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a March 15 \u201cShamrocks and Headlocks\u201d event at the Barre Elks Lodge, a packed venue experienced multiple unique match-ups featuring wrestlers from GMW\u2019s roster as well as challengers from neighboring states.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Audience members taunted wrestlers, heckled referees, and braced for impact as 6-foot, 5-inch \u201cLoverboy Lex\u201d Lozano dove from the ring and landed on the front row in a highly interactive afternoon of entertainment.<\/p>\n

The main event \u2014 a planned head-to-head featuring reigning Green Mountain Champion \u201cMoonlight Son\u201d Mike Skyros versus \u201cThe Yoga Ninja\u201d Tyler Payne \u2014 featured a last-minute change when Vermont\u2019s own Travis \u201cMullet Man\u201d Hinton faced Skyros instead.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope professional wrestling can bring families together and create long-lasting memories like legends such as Paul \u2018The Butcher\u2019 Vachon and Andr\u00e9 the Giant did for families in my region over 40 years ago,\u201d Hinton said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For the Mullet Man, however, winning comes in more forms than a championship belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope that guests walk out with memories, much like me when I was a young fan,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the end of the day, fans won\u2019t remember what moves we did. They remember how we made them feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
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The Cotton Candy Princess, Tiffani Avatar, in between matches during Green Mountain Wrestling\u2019s Shamrocks and Headlocks matches in Barre, VT.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Selena Hekate, \u201cThe Hellcat\u201d, meets with young fans at intermission at Barre\u2019s Elks Club. More photos at thebridgevt.org.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u201cRad\u201d Ryan Mooney and Travis \u201cMullet Man\u201d Hinton take it somewhat outside.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Finding Connection Through Feeling<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When it comes to connecting with fans, \u201cRabid\u201d Ryan Mooney \u2014 whose tag team of four won their match \u2014 agreed that the emotional side of professional wrestling brings people together.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the cool things about professional wrestling is that we are able to make people feel things,\u201d Mooney said. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to do things in my life that evoke an emotional reaction in someone else. You really can\u2019t replicate that connection with the crowd \u2014 whether they hate you or love you \u2014 like you can in professional wrestling.\u201d<\/p>\n

That connection, Mooney claimed, spans state lines. Hailing from Hamilton, New Jersey, he said the Green Mountain State has welcomed him with open arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been coming up here for a few years on and off and, even though I\u2019m not from Vermont, people embrace me like I\u2019m one of their own,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n
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Mr. Elegant, Preston Douglas, and assistant enter the arena during Green Mountain Wrestling\u2019s Shamrocks and Headlocks matches in Barre, VT.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u201cThe Swords of Damocles,\u201d Derrick Conway, faces the jeers of a young fan, as if getting tossed out of the ring wasn\u2019t bad enough.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Fan holds an autographed photo of \u201cVile, The Final Girl.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Becoming \u201cBarre Cool\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur events are truly a communal experience, bringing together people from all different backgrounds for a fun night out,\u201d Lash said. \u201cSome attendees are longtime pro wrestling fans, while others come simply because it is affordable and gives them something exciting to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately, we take great pride in our state. We are Vermont natives building something for Vermont,\u201d Lash said. \u201cBy 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

If nothing else, \u201cRabid\u201d Mooney explained that wrestlers and fans alike simply need a space to unwind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have lives and jobs and wild sides that we need to unleash sometimes,\u201d Mooney said. \u201cThis is an outlet to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Videos from \u201cShamrocks and Headlocks,\u201d as well as other matches, can be found on the Green Mountain Wrestling YouTube channel and on social media by searching @GMWProWrestling.<\/em><\/p>\n

The next big event, \u201cThat\u2019s Barre Cool,\u201d features former WWE star and Intercontinental Champion Carlito Col\u00f3n. It will take place May 17 at the Barre Elks Lodge. For more information, visit GMWrestling.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source thebridgevt.org \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A\u00a0Vermont organization has delivered heated rivalries, daring smackdowns, and unique athleticism for decades \u2014 and now, it\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2376165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[462482,21741,462483],"class_list":["post-2376164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-barre-vermont","tag-entertainment","tag-green-mountain-wrestling"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Vermont-Natives-Provide-Entertainment-Through-Community-Connection-and-Headlocks.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2376164"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2376166,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376164\/revisions\/2376166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2376165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2376164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2376164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2376164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}