Pro wrestling stars leading showcase to benefit Tunnel to Towers, share what being an American means to them
Maclin, Purrazzo Host Wrestling Benefit for Tunnel to Towers
Pro wrestlers Steve Maclin of TNA Wrestling and Deonna Purrazzo, Ring of Honor women's pure champion, will host the Battle for the Brave: Wrestling Showcase for Heroes on June 6 at the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway, New Jersey. The event starts at 7 p.m. ET and benefits the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports first responders' families and wounded veterans. The showcase coincides with America's 250th birthday celebrations.
Maclin and Purrazzo developed the idea after collaborating with Josh Lentin of the Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament. Purrazzo said the response from the wrestling community has exceeded expectations. The event features the Hardy Boyz in a headline appearance; the tag team stated they aim to raise funds for those injured while protecting the public, including military personnel and first responders.
Maclin, who served as a machine gunner in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Weapons Company with tours in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from 2007 to 2011, enlisted in 2005 after 9/11 impacted his life growing up near New York City. He described Tunnel to Towers' work paying off mortgages, building smart homes for wounded veterans and covering college tuitions for families of fallen first responders and veterans. Maclin enters the Battle for the Brave Memorial Cup gauntlet match as the first of 13 competitors, including Richard Holliday, Megan Bayne and BDE; it culminates in a final-two singles match.
Purrazzo, Maclin's wife, highlighted post-9/11 unity and her deepened commitment as a veteran's spouse, stressing support for veterans facing identity challenges after service. Both wrestlers addressed declining national pride in Gallup and Fox News polls, urging vocal patriotism and backing for military ideals. Floor seats sold out, with general admission and Hardy Boyz meet-and-greet tickets remaining.
