BANKIE'S HOT TAKE #113 - THE NEW MATT PRO WRESTLING GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
- Bankie Bruce
- May 2
- 2 min read
On June 13, 2025 at the Mantoloking Road Playhouse in Brick, NJ, Matt Pro Wrestling will present Bayside Thriller. The Ocean County, NJ based promotion has been on a wild road since debuting last year, and it’s finally time to crown its first ever Grand Champion.
There has only been ONE Grand Championship in independent wrestling - the CHIKARA Grand Championship, which existed for close to a decade from 2011-2020.
Now, Matt Pro has taken on the mantle of creating its own version of the Grand Championship, and two men will do battle for the right to be the first champion: “Wrestling’s Richest Prize” Darius Carter and “the Rad Dad” Radley Belmont.
However, not even I could imagine how beautiful the new Matt Pro Wrestling Grand Championship would be.
Given exclusive photos of the title belt from Matt Pro Wrestling management, it is a breathtaking belt and perfect representation of what the title and promotion is all about.
The center plate, which reads MATT PRO WRESTLING GRAND CHAMPION, to me, is very reminiscent of the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. I love the boldness of the gold eagle on the front as well, bringing a hint of the “Winged Eagle” WWF Championship belt.
There are three side plates on each side of the strap of the title, all with the Matt Pro logo, which is a puzzle-piece hand, dedicated to those who have autism, particularly Matty Marzarella, namesake of the company. With custom side-plates being the name of the day for modern championships, the emphasis on these is a throwback to the titles of yesteryear.
Who will win this majestic championship? Darius Carter, the finest independent wrestler in the tri-state area? Or Radley Belmont, who not only is fighting through injuries, but has a chance of winning both the Grand AND Tag Team Championships on 6/13.
Needless to say, the two men will be fighting over my new favorite championship belt. And trust me, it is GRAND.
Bankie Bruce
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