| R 427 |
| 2023 -- H 6528 Enacted 06/14/2023 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING JUNE 13TH TO BE "PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING DAY” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Tanzi, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Cortvriend, Fellela, and Fogarty |
| Date Introduced: June 14, 2023 |
| WHEREAS, Professional Wrestling is an amalgamation of theater and sport that is |
| extremely popular in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 90 million Americans |
| follow World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), All Elite Wrestling (AEW), local independent |
| wrestling promotions, and other forms of professional wrestling; and |
| WHEREAS, Professional Wrestling events such as WrestleMania have attracted more |
| than one hundred thousand paying customers in person, and millions more paying to watch their |
| broadcast. These events also bring in millions to help local businesses and communities grow |
| during a difficult time; and |
| WHEREAS, Professional Wrestling, which got its start after the American Civil War, |
| developed by the turn of the 20th century into performance art in which matches are |
| choreographed to better entertain the customers while ensuring the physical safety of the |
| wrestlers. One of the biggest influences on the development of Professional Wrestling in the |
| United States was carnival culture and its reliance on theatrics to entice the public to buy tickets; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island has long been a haven for the wrestling world, with an |
| independent company dating back to the early 1990’s known as the New England Wrestling |
| Alliance (NEWA) which gave a platform for people to live out their dreams while also giving |
| back to communities across Rhode Island. Local programming like Public Access, independent |
| companies like the Rhode Island Wrestling Alliance (RIWA) and the Renegade Wrestling |
| Alliance (RWA) were formed and grew on the basics of NEWA where they were able to bring |
| wrestling into events, such as helping the Sport Celebrate Carville for the Special Olympics of |
| Rhode Island, and so many more great charities; and |
| WHEREAS, Professional Wrestling is a significant part of American culture and its |
| landscape, giving fans a place to feel free and to enjoy their time, and to except everyday life. |
| Wrestling has given back by visiting our troops overseas and stars like John Cena have granted |
| the most Make A Wish dreams come true to date. Professional Wrestling and its wrestlers have |
| contributed so much to fans around the world, including the State of Rhode Island, so much so |
| that the ‘Official Wrestling Museum’ was founded by Dino Ruggiero which was formed to show |
| respect to the industry. Just like America today, it is diversifying its performers, productions, and |
| the people it appeals to, and contributes much to local economies as it sells out venues and |
| provides employment for many people; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims June 13th to be “Professional Wrestling Day” in the State of Rhode Island; and be it |
| further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to The Official Wrestling Museum, Dino |
| Ruggiero, and the Renegade Wrestling Alliance. |
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