Pride month is here, and pro wrestling is more than ready for the celebration. As the calendar of Pride-focused events and LGBTQ-led promotions putting their best forward expands every year, nearly every area of the country provides an opportunity for LGBTQ people to delve into their rainbow revelry with the beautiful artform of grapples.
The options don’t stop at the U.S. border either. With the continued growth of pro wrestling’s LGBTQ presence, so too do the boundaries, possibilities and imagination of the people fueling it and those it touches with its unique ability to connect and engage audiences.
With so many options available, leave it to us to provide a comprehensive guide to every Pride month wrestling event with LGBTQ tie-ins. After all, who better than a queer to form an agenda, right?
POWW Entertainment “Summer Pride” — June 1, Fox Lake, Ill.
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Chicagoland’s POWW Entertainment kicks off the month with its second annual Pride event. Boasting a card of notable area names including Joey Mayberry and “Bombshelly” Shelly Benson, the queer-on-queer violence reserved for Mateo Valentine and “DFB” Greg Murray should provide quite a highlight.
Schenectady Pride/The Dynasty “Sounds Gay, I’m In” — June 1, Schenectady, N.Y.
The New York Capital region gets its first taste of Pride month, graps, thanks to out trans pro wrestler Taylor Oneshot and Schenectady Pride. The free show kicks off Schenectady’s Pride festivities with plenty of action for fans in Upstate New York.
DEFY Wrestling “For Pride” – June 1 – White Center, WA
DEFY Wrestling brings the stars of the Pacific Northwest to White Center Pride to kick off Pride month in Cascadia. “The Weirdo Hero” Randy Myers is scheduled to appear, admission is free, plus the event is being held outside Lariat Bar, the only pro wrestling-themed bar in the Seattle area.
880 Wrestling “Thursday Night Fights” — Every Thursday,- New Kensington, Pa.
Helmed by LGBTQ pro wrestling cornerstone MV Young and Ganon Jones Jr., 880 Wrestling continues its year-round schedule of weekly pro wrestling programming featuring plenty of queer talent all during Pride month. Shows stream live via Twitch every Thursday night, providing ample opportunity to discover new favorites.
Pro Wrestling EVE “Once More With Feeling” — June 7 – London
Saying goodbye is difficult but we all must stomach it at some point. And what better way to go out than with an entire event dedicated to it? Charlie Morgan and Jetta get that chance during Pride month, wrestling their final match against fierce rivals and close friends on a card peppered with plenty of Europe’s best LGBTQ women.
Purpose Wrestling “Rainbows & Hand Grenades” — June 7, London
U.K.-based Purpose Wrestling brings back its own Pride event for the second year in a row, showcasing top and emerging names among the nation’s LGBTQ pro wrestling ranks. The show features a non-binary faceoff between Skye O. Shure and Riley N.B.F., plus British wrestling historymaker Helen Charlotte Campbell.
Hoodslam “Dazzling” — June 7, Oakland, Calif.
It can’t be a first Friday of the month without “The Accidental Phenomenon.” The Dark Sheik-helmed promotion is set to deliver its trademark brand of creative chaos yet again, including matches featuring EFFY, Allie Katch, Mylo, Anton Voorhees, Brittany Wonder and Lara Frazier just to name a few.
PrideStyle Pro “Change of Heart” — June 7 – Las Vegas
Vegas’ rising LGBTQ-owned promotion puts its namesake first every month, but Pride month means it’ll go even harder. With a PrideStyle title clash between Papa Jace and Sonico, a dream clash between Sandra Moone and Jada Stone, a tag team survival match including Tommy Purr and the return of “Speedball” Mike Bailey, PrideStyle looks to meet that expectation.
PCW “Pride In The Ring 3” — June 8, Blackpool, England
The event that started them all over in the U.K. returns for its third go-around, bringing top LGBTQ names from British wrestling to Blackpool. PCW staples Priscilla and Commander Stephanie Sterling return alongside former TNT Extreme World champion Che Monet, France’s own La Maison Mère, Sassy Bear Clarence and Skye James.
Wrestle Drag “Sounds Gay, I’m In Too” — June 8, Phoenix
Arizona’s longest-running queer-focused wrestling promotion is stocked back up and ready for Pride month. Featuring talents like Jamie Senegal, Gypsy Mac, Da Shade, Bryn Thorne, Parada and Oceano Avery (plus a Wrestle Drag title bout between G-Sharpe and Bryce Saturn), the night is sure to be an in-ring scorcher.
Fightertainment “Ghoulyard” — June 8, Las Vegas
“Speedball” Mike Bailey and Veda Scott’s artistic and off-the-wall DIY interpretation of the grappling sciences (they are fighters after all and definitely not wrestlers) makes a stop in Sin City for a Twitch stream that will surely be unique.
Full Queer “Pride or Die II: America Has A Problem” — June 9, Richmond, Calif.
The 2023 QWI Promotion of the Year celebrates its third anniversary of marrying activism with action. Thrussy (EFFY, Allie Katch and Dark Sheik) are set to debut with several more of the West Coast’s top LGBTQ talents, including producers Marco Mayur and Rosie Fingers, set for the company’s most ambitious card to date.
Venom Championship Wrestling “Breaking Point” — June 15, Portsmouth, England
Venom Championship Wrestling, founded by out LGBTQ wrestler Jensen Theory, gets into the Pride month festivities for the first time this year. The show features four title matches (including two featuring Theory himself) as the young promotion continues to grow its audience in Portsmouth.
Urban Combat Wrestling “Mimosa Slam III” — June 16, Asheville, N.C.
North Carolina’s biggest pro wrestling party returns. UCW celebrates its fifth anniversary with an evening of action featuring UCW champion Mook Massacre, Beauxx Bombshell, Khan O’Kelley and other queer names from the Mid-Atlantic region.
Peak Sports Entertainment “Escape From Oakes Ave.” — June 16, Everett, Wash.
The inaugural year of the Seattle area’s only LGBTQ-owned promotion wouldn’t be complete without a card during Pride month. Featuring out names like Zeb Saint One, Nathan Foxx, Rashad Tyson, Lux, Zaye Perez, Nick Radford and Zelda Foxx, the Peak packs plenty of rainbow firepower for the PNW.
Enjoy Wrestling “Immaculate” — June 16, Pittsburgh
Enjoy Wrestling always stands out for its commitment to featuring queer talent on its cards, and “Immaculate” is no different. Headlined by an Enjoy championship battle between Edith Surreal and Sonny Kiss and a cage match between Mr. Grim and David Lawless, Enjoy is packing quite a punch, not to mention looks thanks to The Runway and Dirty Breeze.
F1RST Wrestling “Wrestlepalooza” — June 16 – Minneapolis
Minnesota’s premier independent promotion returns with its annual Pride event from the historic First Avenue. Wrestlepalooza champion Devon Monroe is set for prime positioning on the card alongside a collection of top queer and allied independent names.
PrideStyle Pro/Loko Wrestling “Party Monster” — June 21, Houston
PrideStyle makes its Texas debut during Pride month thanks to a partnership with Loko Wrestling, and there are plenty of bouts featuring that Vegas vs. Texas flavor. From Sandra Moone and Hyan to Brick Savage and Can’t Stop Jamaal to Sonico, Low Rider and Larry Miranda Jr., there is plenty on the menu.
Big Valley Wrestling “Loud & Proud Vol. 4” — June 22, Las Vegas
Big Valley Wrestling’s annual fundraiser for the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada returns for its fourth year with plenty of action on deck. The event features national names EFFY and Dark Sheik, local standouts Papa Jace, Noah Anderson, “Black Swan” Zoe Dubois, Tommy Purr and Da Shade and emerging names including Stxrm Garcon and AJ Aven.
Naptown All Pro “Euphoria” — June 23, Indianapolis
Naptown’s hiatus ended just in time for Pride month, and the company pairing pro wrestling with gun violence advocacy rushes into June looking to prove they not like us. Headlined by Isaiah Broner defending the NAP title against Myron Reed, the show will showcase top queer and allied names from Indiana and beyond.
Primos Premier Pro Wrestling “Joan Jetson’s Big Queer Launch 3” – June 23, Denver
For the third straight year, Denver-based promotion Primos Premier Pro Wrestling turns the reins over to out trans pro wrestler Joan Jetson for a queer wrestling showcase. While no talents have been officially announced, expect to see out LGBTQ Primos favorites like Erza Menagerie Tinker and Pixi Pulsing.
Wrestle Drag — June 23, Denver
Wrestle Drag will pull double duty during Pride month, carrying its queer-positive brand of wrestling to Denver for the first time ever.
Underground Wrestling Alliance “More Gay Shit 3” — June 23, San Francisco
Pro wrestling in the Bay Area just has a different vibe and UGWA fits that bill all too well. Its third annual Pride event collects the queer riches of the area (Dark Sheik, Anton Voorhees, Marco Mayur) and the greater West Coast (Papa Jace, Richie Coy, Keita) for an event that puts managers Doc Atrocity and Pollo Del Mar on a collision course.
Alliance For All Wrestling “Over The Rainbow” — June 27, Azusa, Calif.
The youngest promotion on the list, Alliance For All Wrestling’s third event ever carries an excitement special to Pride month. Founder Barbie Boi, Mylo, Keita and several more of Los Angeles’s favorite independent names welcome EFFY, Mateo Valentine, Joey Mayberry, “DFB” Greg Murray and Sandra Moone, all capped off by a five-on-five elimination match featuring New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Shane Haste.
Fightertainment “Return To The Worldwide Dojo: Episode II” – June 27, Philadelphia
One event during Pride just wasn’t enough for TNA star “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Veda Scott and their contingent of fighters. The outside-the-box promotion takes over Philadelphia’s Worldwide Dojo, the wrestling school operated by former Ring of Honor star Cheeseburger, for a day of matches featuring out LGBTQ wrestlers Ashley Buchannan and Harleen Lopez. The event will be capped off by a match pitting Team Speedball against Team Cheeseburger with the winners of previous matches on the card making up the two’s respective squads.
BOOM! Pro Wrestling “Hot Tag Tournament” — June 28, Vancouver, B.C.
Vancouver’s offbeat world of wrestling kicks off a doubleheader with its first tag team tournament. The one-night, eight-team tournament should pack plenty of athleticism and even more wacky antics.
BOOM! Pro Wrestling “The Biggest One” — June 29, Vancouver, B.C.
The second night of BOOM!’s back-to-back has become known as its biggest show of the year: The Biggest One. A night of culmination keenly dubbed the company’s season finale, expect the apex of the company’s engaging storytelling and an array of the Pacific Northwest’s best wrestlers.
Uncanny Attractions “It’s Just Gay” — June 29 – Austin, Texas
Color Texas pink and black with a little touch of rainbow because Uncanny Attractions is back with its distinct presentation of queer pro wrestling. Unchampion Billy Dixon, Eddy McQueen, Dillon McQueen, Devin Carter, Zakai Living, Sky De Lacrimosa, Ashton Starr, Caleb Jean Cartier and several more are set to do battle and kiki all the same.
Dropkick Depression “Be Good” — June 29, Old Bridge, N.J.
Out LGBTQ retired wrestler Terra Calaway’s wrestling promotion positioning mental health awareness alongside fun graps returns just in time for Pride month with a fundraiser for homeless youth organization Anchor House. Out talents Shea McCoy, Chas D’Amato and Gabby Ortiz are scheduled to appear along with several well-known names from the Northeast independent scene including Jeff Cannonball, Kennedi Hardcastle, Razerhawk and Kwesi Asante.
BLOWW “BLOWWLYMPICS: Bradlee’s Backlot Games” — June 29, Somerville, Mass.
The Boston League Of Wicked Wrestlers brings an irreverent attitude steeped heavily in queerness any time they set up the ring, so a Pride event made way too much sense. The event pairs wrestling with drag, circus acts, local merchants and much more, creating a communal aspect with something for anyone, even if they’ve never attended a wrestling event.
