Pro-Wrestler Finds Church a Familiar Arena

It’s a typical suburban fairytale: A Catholic altar boy grows up to become a professional wrestler, and with the switch of a name — Joe Ryan becomes Ripper Manson — a star is born.

Recently that sports star had the chance to perform in the same arena he lit candles in as a child — though coming about three decades later.

“Strike Out Diabetes with April Anarchy” was Morton Grove Lions Club’s ninth annual fundraiser, and the cast of characters included Chicago Style Wrestling’s Angel Rivera, Acid Jazz, Steve Boz and Jason Hades. Of course, the Morton Grove crowd was most excited to see one of its own in the ring, Ripper Manson, who grew up on Harms Road.

“It’s good wrestling [to watch], plus the community can come together and have fun for 10 bucks,” said Manson. “I know most of the people in the audience and it’s a comfort thing to come home.”

For the $10 admission, one could donate to a diabetes foundation through the Lions Club, buy a hot dog and heckle a referee. That is not bad for a Friday night at St. Martha Church  at 8523 Georgiana Ave. in Morton Grove, and a sizable crowd of about 600 people were in the audience.

“I just like yelling at the referee,” said Frank Mastro, who grew up in Morton Grove and attended St. Martha Church when it offered private schooling.

“I catch up with some of the guys I haven’t seen in a few years, and I enjoy coming back,” said Mastro, who now lives in Des Plaines.

Another St. Martha veteran in the crowd was Village Trustee Bill Grear, who presented the event co-chairman, Jim Simkins, with a proclamation from the village, declaring one day in April “Strike Out Diabetes Day.”

“We are all here tonight to strike out diabetes,” said Grear.

After the crowd stood for the National Anthem, the bell went off at 7:30 p.m. and the wrestling matches began. According to Manson, there were eight matches in all, including one in the “battle royale” style of one wrestler throwing another over the ring ropes into the audience.

“Doesn’t it hurt? Well, that’s why it’s good to be the bad guy,” Manson said with a chuckle. 

Bad guy or not, two 8-year-olds in the front row loved the action. With wrestling masks over their faces, Mikey Amato and Alex Kierna cheered and hollered with Mikey’s father, Gary, a jail supervisor in Niles.

“We just love this,” Gary Amato said.

Simkins, who has been organizing the event for nine years, said it's the families that make it fun. "That's the difference: How many families and kids enjoy the event," he said.