Pro wrestling stars leading showcase to benefit Tunnel to Towers, share what being an American means to them
Maclin, Purrazzo Host Wrestling Showcase for Tunnel to Towers
Pro wrestlers Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo 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. Maclin of TNA Wrestling and Purrazzo, Ring of Honor women's pure champion, drew inspiration from Josh Lentin of the Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament.
The showcase features a Battle for the Brave Cup Gauntlet Match, an over-the-top battle royal with Maclin entering first against competitors including Richard Holliday, Megan Bayne and BDE. Purrazzo plans commentary involvement but no match. Jeff and Matt Hardy of the Hardy Boyz headline the card and praised Tunnel to Towers in a statement for aiding military personnel, first responders and police.
Maclin, a former U.S. Marine 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. Purrazzo, his wife and a New Jersey native, described a post-9/11 sense of national unity from second grade. Both emphasized Tunnel to Towers work paying off mortgages, building smart homes and covering college tuitions for affected families.
The event ties to 9/11 remembrances and America's 250th birthday celebrations, amid reports of declining U.S. pride in Gallup and Fox News polls. Maclin and Purrazzo called for vocal patriotism and veteran support, noting daily suicide struggles among ex-servicemembers. Floor seats sold out; general admission and Hardy meet-and-greets remain available.
