THE ACE ARENA: 15 Years Later
It was around this time fifteen years ago when I got the call that the ACE Arena was no more.
The building on 725 Sip Street, off of Kennedy Boulevard, in Union City, NJ was a genuine foundation for my dreams in independent wrestling. Not just mine, but countless other men and women that began their careers and grew as performers.
Through three versions of the Arena, each time grew into an even greater destination for a pro wrestling show. Mike Morgan really had a unique feel for creating and developing each vision with passion and creative vigor.
The first version was upstairs on the third floor. The venue was extremely tight, but so many future stars performed with their hearts up there. The room was so small that the talent would have to change on the fire escape to compete.
The BS Express, Dan Murdoch, Thomas “the Gate” Rodriguez, “the Magnificent” Giovanni Marranca, Too Hot Steve Scott, and Junior Soba all developed inside the 2nd installment under the tutelage of the great Jay Lethal, while I had the privilege and honor of learning behind-the-scenes with Mike. It truly felt like a mini studio, complete with a spacious locker room, a Tron, bleachers, and a concession area.
The third and final version might have been the creme-de-la-creme. Even more space, a bigger locker room, and a real good area to shoot backstage interviews. The venue could hold upwards of 200 people, maybe even a little more. Mike even had an office backstage and across the hall.
With the third ACE Arena, so many companies booked events there. Gabe Sapolsky booked his first Style Battle and multiple Dragon Gate USA events, including the finals of the inaugural DGUSA Open The United Gate Titles, which were won by CIMA and the late, great PAC.
Photo Credit: The Great Scott Finkelstein
CHIKARA, during its run, ran a stellar show during the height of the BDK storyline. Even smaller promotions like MVW, 2KW, Jersey Wrestling Elite, and Women Superstars Uncensored had their events there as well.
However, it was always home to American Championship Entertainment first.
So many wrestlers walked through the doors of 725 Sip Street. Obviously, Mr. Lethal, but Azrieal, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Rhett Titus, Gail Kim, Christopher Daniels, Mo Sexton, Danny Maff, Envy, Manslaughter, and Bryan Danielson, just to name a few. In fact, it was Danielson in his book Yes: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania that described the venue as a “fight club” style atmosphere.
He also chased Ken Carrera around with a tie, so there’s that.
I was lucky and spoiled to have begun my commentary career at the building. Teaming with John Fallon, Classic Mikey D, MVW’s Brandon Gold, and that rodent scumbag Mike Lewis really helped sharpen my skills and made me realize the importance of calling a match.
But it was the experiences that really mattered. Being able to watch my friends make their professional wrestling debuts while holding a ringside camera. Being lucky to meet some of my closest friends in the world Tim Hughes and Kenny.. Coming up 1-2 times a week to learn about wrestling from Mike, Will Wyeth, Kenny, and the late great Mike Morgan Jr. I even recorded the first few interviews of the Hardway Podcast with Jay Lethal and Mo Sexton.
The venue wasn’t just wrestling. There was a photo studio across the hall, and Neeno Capone actually ran a studio and made gear directly upstairs. Downstairs was a welding shop. There was a lot going on inside the venue. I was always in awe every time I entered it. Something different was always going on.
Those are the days you think will never end.
However, there’s something that is never ending in life called change. A few weeks after Collision Course on 9/10/11, where ACE Heavyweight Champion Jorge Luis Rivera defeated the Sheik, accompanied by Ayatollah Morgan, the word came down that the building was going under some massive renovations and the ACE Arena was no more.
Privately, I was heartbroken. It felt like the end of an era in so many ways.
It took me fifteen years to finally revisit where the ACE Arena once stood. In a way, Union City had changed a lot. As busy as ever, it felt a little more upscale, as compared to the gritty days of the late 2000s and early 2010s. I parked my car across the street from the old Five Star Diner, which is now the Silver Star Restaurant, and walked over to Sip Street. I stood in awe, looking at the completely renovated building.
In the bluntest of terms, it felt very bougie. Very upscale. I sometimes wonder if people know about the local history of that venue.
In some places, you just know when a place is HOME. I am forever grateful for stepping into that building close to twenty years ago. 725 Sip Street in Union City, NJ will be home in so many words. It was that for so many people, most importantly Mike. As long as I have a website, the legacy of the ACE Arena will never be forgotten.
Jon Harder
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