In Philadelphia, the 2300 arena has become home to a bloodthirsty wrestling fan that makes you work for the pop. The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York is another venue where the fans and space collectively bring out the best in a wrestler. In the historic block of downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, The White Eagle has become the venue for the North East’s independent scene.
A Building With a Strong Foundation
Originally built in 1888, Father Mathew’s Hall was an Irish refugee center for the Catholic Church. Later, in 1937, it was established as a Polish Membership Club. The building served as the home for the Polish Falcons of America Nest #250. The private club would continue to be a strong community center for the Polish community in Worcester.
In the 1990s, the club and bar would open to the public, giving the locals a taste of Polish tradition. By 2017, the Worcester Preservation Society would place a plaque marking it as one of the historical buildings in the city.
Becoming a Destination for Independent Wrestlers
BREAKING: @Janai_Kai 🆚 @K3nn3diCop3land has been added to “Lights…Camera…Wrestling!” two weeks from today at White Eagle in Worcester!
🎟️ @ShopIWTV
Plus:
– @Walking_Weapon 🆚 @TJCWrestling
– @ThePrizeCityOG 🆚 @BigBaconBrad
– @ZaydaSteel 🆚 @the_gnomie📺 @indiewrestling pic.twitter.com/sumFgnEGLK
— Beyond Wrestling (@beyondwrestling) January 14, 2024
Founded in 2009 by Drew Cordeiro, BEYOND Wrestling would travel a lot during its early days. By 2017, the North Eastern-based promotion would settle down in the Massachusetts area, finding a home with the Electric Haze venue and the White Eagle.
During this time in the infancy of IWTV and other streaming services, we saw the birth of BEYOND Dojo Wars and Uncharted Territories. The unique shows and variety in talent made BEYOND stand out as a destination for talent all over the country. By 2019, the White Eagle was the full-time home for BEYOND Wrestling.
“Great product, great exposure, great locker room, a young locker room that wants to work hard and push, push, push.”
– WCW Legend Crowbar
In 2022, Cordeiro would continue to add to the Eagle’s resume by hosting the hottest independent shows. With the birth of Wrestling Open, the Eagle would become a cornerstone for young stars wanting to break into the NE scene.
One of the superstars who has been there since the beginning is Dustin Waller. Waller is one half of “The Miracle Generation”, the multi-time IWTV Tag Team Champions. He would say Wrestling Open was one of the healthiest locker rooms he had been a part of. Waller would also go on to say that starting out, they would have maybe drawn in 50 fans, and in recent tapings, they had closer to 350.
“I used to get so nervous working BEYOND wrestling because it was a destination spot in New England.”
– World Class Channing Thomas
The Fans and The Environment Make the Venue
The fans at the Eagle have been described by many as hungry and enthusiastic. Tristen Thai, BEYOND and Wrestling Open alum, said that the crowd was there for it all.
“If it was raining or snowing outside. They were waiting to get in.”
This dedication to the homegrown talent coming through the curtain is unparalleled. From Anthony Greene to Alec Price, these fans have seen some of the top stars come through the doors. The crowd is into everything these wrestlers do, good or bad.
“They’re a place, man, where you gotta work. You gotta work if you wanna get that reaction.”
– Da Big Boofa Dezmond Cole
The White Eagle has gone from a Polish Cultural Center to Massachusetts’s 2300.
All quotes pulled from “Tea + Hot Takes” credit Will Gray. Interviews are found here.
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