New wrestling arena opens up in Dyersburg
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DYERSBURG, Tenn. — A bell sounded the debut of the Herb Welch WrestlePlex in Dyersburg. It also marked the return of the National Wrestling Alliance after a 15-year absence. Greg Anthony was a wrestler and a leader in this return. “The NWA kind of reconstructed over the years, and they have a new president,” Anthony said. “He’s actually made it his mission to have a lot more federations and better quality federations as well.” Anthony said Dyersburg has always had a rich wrestling history. “Over in Southtown, the Dyersburg sports arena, they had Hulk Hogan, Jerry Lawler, The Moon Dogs, Herb Welch,” Anthony said. He said that is why the arena was named after the famous wrestling trainer. About 100 seats were set up for fans. Anthony said it took six months and $25,000 to make this event happen. That includes setting the stage, leasing the building and hiring the talent. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Conway was in the arena. He said no audience is too large or too small. “I feel like a responsibility to give it everything that I have so that this is a company that does nothing but get bigger and bigger,” Conway said. Anthony said he hopes wrestling will continue to be a family tradition. “The more fans we can create, the more our business thrives, the more that tradition keeps going on and on,” Anthony said. This is a weekly event that will take place on Saturday nights at the arena.
