The wrestlers had a brutal battle royale at Mattituck Cinemas on Saturday night. (Credit Nicholas Grasso)
Ding Ding! Live wrestling is officially at Mattituck Cinemas.
On Saturday night, about 30 exaggerated fighters in colorful costumes fought in a new wrestling ring erected in the Mattituck Cinema’s former screening room.
More than 100 spectators were seated for one evening, including dinner and show. Dinner is served by Lucharitos, a restaurant next door that handles the theater franchise. Each guest receives a red, blue, yellow or green flag representing the wrestler they support at various events.
Those involved in the new live entertainment series, including a pair of professional wrestlers Joseph Ocasio and Leonard Totora who partnered with theater administrator Marc LaMaina on the event, wanted to make Mattituck Cinemas a place for family entertainment, despite the fact that it No more showings of the latest blockbusters.
“Myself, growing up there, I know [the North Fork] Activities are limited in terms of people of a certain age group,” Mr Tortola said. “It’s great for people who want to have a good time, break reality, cheer and boo certain people. “
Crowds cheer as combatants face off in the ring during one-on-one matches, tag-to-play matches, and even battle royale.
“This is awesome,” listener Warren Bondarchuk said after his sons Bentley and Corey posed for a photo with battle royale winner “Man Bun Jesus” from donnybrook. “It was the best night I’ve had in a long time.”
The fighting series is the latest of several new entertainment projects Mr. Ramena has launched in recent months.He and several partners began showing second-run movies in the only remaining screening room of the cinema, and opened the Ax and Smash Ax Throwing Lounge and Smash Paint Studio.
After Memorial Day weekend, Mr. LaMaina said Mattituck Cinemas will host wrestling every Friday at 7 p.m. throughout the summer.
By the end of the year, a Ricky Saetta-designed ’80s pop culture miniature golf course will be added to the theater’s ever-expanding list of attractions.
The final game of the night – the Championship Game – saw Mr. Ocasio (aka Long Island Mines) take on Mr. Totora (aka Dixon). After Dixon “accidentally” knocked out the referee and tried to beat mine with a metal chair, Greenport High School basketball legend Ryan Creighton walked into the ring to serve Dixon with a powerful right cross Lesson learned.
The Long Island Mines took the championship belt and invited the dozens of kids in the audience—who were probably more violent than the fighters—into the ring to celebrate.
“I thought it would beat every expectation, and it did,” Mr Ramena said.
The Suffolk Times took to the inaugural wrestling event to capture the spectacle. Click through the slideshow below to see all of our stills from the night.
