What is the King of New York? What does it mean for the 12 competitors in this year’s tournament?
In the past, the King of New York symbolized a crowning achievement, winning a one night tournament to become a king. Bragging rights, that would also put a spotlight on you before picking up a championship.
The first show of 2011. Deer Park Community Center. A 12-person tournament to crown the first ever King of New York. It would be Eric James (then known as EJ Risk) against Mister Tibbs (then known as K-Funk) surviving two rounds to advance into the finals and the main event. Tibbs with an injury fought valiantly but it would be James to claim the crown and win the tournament.
The King of New York would return in 2012. Another tournament, with Eric James and Mister Tibbs again in the finals. This time a healthy Tibbs was unable to overcome the 2011 King as James would win again. Eric James is still the only King of New York tournament winner to win back to back tournaments.
In 2013 it would be Jay Delta in the finals, and again Eric James. But this time, it would be Delta to win the tournament. Delta would win the King of New York again in 2016 and 2019.
Mister Tibbs would finally get his crown in 2014, his only time he would be King, but he would also be the only King to hold both the New York State championship and VPW Championship at the same time.
Filipinot Grigio (then known as Kai Katana) would win the first of two King of New York tournaments. The first in 2015, the second in 2018.
Church of Tibbs disciple Dorian Graves would win his King of New York tournament in 2017. In 2020, Kaide Lothbrok (then known as Stockade) would be crowned king. And Phil Cardigan would capture his first crown in 2022.
Every single King of New York winner – with the exception of Kaide Lothbrok – would capture a VPW Championship. Dorian Graves was a VPW Tag Team Champion. Phil Cardigan (as Grammar Cop) is a former VPW Tag Team Champion. Filipinot Grigio is a former New York State Champion, as well as a former VPW Champion. Eric James, Mister Tibbs, and Jay Delta are the only Kings to be Triple Crown Champions.
This year, Kaide Lothbrok, Dezmond Cole, Buffa AAYOOO, Dee Vibe, Bonez, JJ Doze, El Magnifico, Adam Cain, Anthony Gangone, Jake Lang, Brother Greatness and Alvin Alvarez each have a chance to earn their place in the record books, an opportunity at immortality. But the winner of this year’s King of New York will also earn a right to challenge for the New York State Championship.
The stakes are high this year.
What will happen when Victory Pro Wrestling returns to Pro Game Athletics in Bay Shore Saturday night February 16 for the first wrestling event on Long Island in 2024 VPW 172: The King of New York?
VPW PRESENTS THE KING OF NEW YORK
Saturday February 17 | Pro Game Athletics in Bay Shore
THE KING OF NEW YORK TOURNAMENT RETURNS
Twelve competitors will compete for the prestigious King of New York and an opportunity to challenge for the New York State Championship. Already announced…
- The Artist Jake Lang
- The Igniting Dynamite JJ Doze
- Da Big Boofa Dezmond Cole
- The Asgardian Beast Kaide Lothbrok
- El Magnifico
- Buffa Aayooo
- The CEO of Cain Industries, Adam Cain
- Absolute Alvin Alvarez
- Brother Greatness
- Dr Sleep Anthony Gangone
- The Sensei Dee Vibe
- The Voodoo God Bonez
NO HOLDS BARRED SIX MAN TAG TEAM BATTLE
VPW Champion Bryce Donovan, Bobby Orlando, and Stephen Azure team up against New York State Champion Dante Drago, Nick Robles, and the Cinematic Genius JGeorge!
VPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Pretty Wild challenges The Rat Bastards
VPW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Your Homie the Gnomie Gabby Forza challenges The Unwilting Tatiana
The original King of New York tournament returns February 17th – who will rise and become wrestling royalty?
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