MV Young’s Dream for 880 Wrestling

The New Kensington born wrestling company moves to the Southside.

Michael Young can’t remember a time when he wasn’t watching wrestling. New Kensington native, known as MV Young in the ring, has been a professional wrestler since graduating high school. After training for years, Young was able to open his own school and venue in his hometown of New Kensington. “I’m from New Kensington originally, Lower Burrell to be specific. They were doing a cheap incentive to get businesses into Fifth Avenue because it was struggling. I gave it some hard thought and I told myself I can go back to my hometown and do this,” says Young. The venue opened in the summer of 2020, producing extraordinary shows and offering wrestling education to the community, but now it’s time for 880 and MV Young to turn a new page. Fast forward to the new year, 880 is relocating and expanding its audience to the South Side of Pittsburgh. Their new location will be in the former storefront of One Up Skate shop on the South Side. Stacks of skateboard decks, old ramps and colorful skate-themed graffiti remain scattered throughout the space. Sitting in the center of the dimly-lit storefront — a red velvet laced ring, awaiting its suitors.

If you’re not into wrestling you may not know what to expect from a local show, but at 880, you’ll see a roster of wrestlers that put their bodies on the line to create exhilarating matches each and every week.

“I had never built anything from the ground up like I did with training 80% of the people that you’re going to see on the show,” Young says. Having gained years of experience starting his own company in New Kensington, Young decided it was time for 880 to evolve. “I think starting 880 was a really big learning curve and when I found out there was an opportunity to be here in the South Side, I felt like we leveled up … I feel like our product is ready to be in the city,” he adds.

Along with high-flying action on Thursday nights, 880 offers classes to teach athletes of all skill levels. Their weekly classes shed light on technique, ensuring that everyone is safe while performing intense moves. “I definitely take pride in having an inclusive environment for students. I feel like I have a reputation that precedes me and that people know this is a safe space whether you are queer, trans, or any kind of marginalized group. Everyone is welcome to train here and become a wrestler if they put in the work to do so,” Young says.

880’s opening night on the South Side picked up right where they left off. As wrestlers warmed up for their fights, longtime fans of the show began to trickle in. One couple from New Kensington brought their kids to see the fights. They were sad to see 880 move out of their hometown but more than happy to make the trek into the city.

As smoke filled the garage, Matt Antonucci, known as “The Lyrical Gangster,” began introducing wrestlers. “This fight is scheduled for one fall!” Antonucci exclaimed. Like clockwork, the entire audience shouted back, “One fall!” Wrestlers square off in the ring attempting to pin their opponent for at least three counts. Performers fly off the top ropes, body check one another at full speed ,and slap each other until their torsos are beet red. During the first match, KC Warr and Gianni Michael Emricko began fighting outside of the ring. The crowd backed up to avoid the two until Emricko held KC’s arms behind his back and invited kids in the crowd to slap his stomach. One kid after another showed no mercy, slapping KC until he was thrown back into the ring. The performances that 880 Wrestling produces allow the fans to shine. Whether this is your first wrestling event or your hundredth, you are welcome to participate by heckling and cheering on wrestlers throughout the night. “I think our specialty is winning over people that have never seen professional wrestling,” Young says.

Young hopes for 880’s continued growth as they begin this new chapter on the South Side. “My dream is that this becomes profitable for everyone involved so they get to focus on their dreams as well,” he says.

You can catch the action of 880 every Thursday night for free at their new space located at 1010 Freyburg St. In addition, MV Young and company are presenting the Den of Desire Ball Drop show on Jan. 17, and tickets priced between $20 and $30 can be purchased from 880 Wrestling directly. If you are looking for a night of pure entertainment and fun, 880 and their passionate crew will deliver just that.

Ticket Link:

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/880-wrestling/den-of-desires-880-wrestling-ball-drop-1647268499

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