Wrestling makes a return to W’boro

In a politically correct world, Dan DiLucchio proudly says he is what he is — a midget wrestler.

“There are activist groups out there that think the promoter is doing me an injustice by booking midget wrestling,” he said from his Syracuse, N.Y., home. “These activist groups are trying to take a paycheck away from me. If they want to advocate for me and send me some paychecks, I’m all for that.”

But the 4-foot-2 DiLucchio, who wrestles on the independent circuit as Short Sleeve Sampson, embraces the opportunity to entertain and is excited about the return of wrestling to Waynesboro High School.

Sampson is on the card for the Night of the Superstars 6 in the Little Giants’ gym, an event returning after a one-year hiatus by local promoter Marvin Ward.

Ward’s first five events raised $60,000 for the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital — a place that is close to his heart after his two daughters were both born premature.

“They saved my daughters’ lives,” he said.

The Stuarts Draft resident said the reason for the one-year hiatus is a simple one — time.

“Last year it wasn’t like I didn’t want to do it, I told everyone that if I couldn’t devote 100 percent to it I wasn’t going to do it,” he said. “I didn’t think it was fair.”

This year, however, Ward is back on track and Sampson, who has seen time in the WWE, WCW and TNA, is excited to be on board.

“Unfortunately, there are a limited amount of promoters that like to give back to the community,” Sampson said. “One thing [Ward’s] all about is giving back. To see his heart and where it is and to be part of that is very rewarding.”

And wrestlers like Sampson, who have exited the curtain in front of full arena’s on national television, enjoy the up-close-and-personal feel a local show brings to the squared circle.

“What it comes down to is the fans,” he said. “Without the fans we wouldn’t have the opportunity to do what we want to do. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs. And here, we can be more up close and personal, that’s something you cannot do in front of big arenas.”

Other wrestlers on the card include Stevie Richards (formerly of ECW and WWE), “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, Danny Doring, Mikey ( formerly of the WWE’s “Spirit Squad”), Marty Jannetty and others. Tickets, on sale now, can be bought at the WHS Athletic Office, Seven-11 in Fishersville and Stuarts Draft, and Crossroads Music in Waynesboro and Staunton. Ringside seats are $15, with general admission costing $10.

“It’s gonna be the best one yet,” Ward said in typical wrestling-promoter fashion. Of course, he said that about the other five events as well.

Sampson, who said his matches provide much more than what most people envision when they hear “midget wrestling,” is not only happy to be part of the event again, but still relishes his role as an athlete and entertainer.

“I’m not going to make the roster cut for the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball,” he said. “In wrestling I can make the cut.

“The people in Waynesboro can expect to be entertained.”