Fight Factory Wrestling is set to host its third annual 'War on the Shore' event on July 14, returning to the sands of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. The promotion, co-founded by Dave Sturchio and Chris Payne, aims to bring a unique beachside wrestling experience to fans.
This year's event will feature a variety of matches, including a highly anticipated bout between independent wrestling stars Joey Janela and Jay Lethal. The card also includes the reunion of the tag team The Heavenly Bodies, with Justin and Mark Corino wrestling together for the first time in seven years. Other notable matches include Lady Frost against Allie Katch and Steph De Lander, and a Fight Factory Premier Championship match where Ben Bishop will defend his title against Richard Holliday and Jack Vaughn.
"The card is stacked. I’m very excited about all of it. There’s not one lull," said Dave Sturchio in an interview with Fox News Digital. "We’re just going to roll right through and I think it’s going to be one of those nights that we remember for a very, very long time."
Sturchio described the promotion's approach to building its roster and card, focusing on wrestlers who have performed well previously. "We’re trying to build a roster, build a core roster. Meaning, if we used you before and you’ve done good work, we’re gonna use you again," he explained. "Instead of saying, hey, random guy over here, who I don’t know who you are, but let’s give you a shot. So we’re trying to build stories and there are a lot of stories that are culminating."
The event will also feature a rumble match and a unique "tiki totem on a pole" stipulation, which Sturchio described as Fight Factory Wrestling’s version of a "Money in the Bank" style match.
Fight Factory Wrestling's 'War on the Shore' has grown since its inception. The first event in 2024 saw significant positive reception, with Sturchio noting that even a contracted wrestler like Matt Cardona, who appeared despite suffering an injury, was impressed by the production. The event is scheduled to take place near Martell’s Tiki Bar.
Sturchio and Payne, who initially began wrestling in 2012 before re-connecting in 2024 to launch the "Fight Factory Podcast," found success with their beach show concept. "As the buzz started to develop and build over prepping for the show, I said to Payne, ‘I don’t know if this is a one off. I think that we have something here,’" Sturchio recalled. "And Payne and I, we’ve been in the industry since 2012, we’re life-long fans, I’m already an entrepreneur at heart, so how can I take my entrepreneurial stuff for the last three-four years of being my own boss, how do I spin this into becoming a pro wrestling promoter?"
The 'War on the Shore 2' last year also drew a strong crowd, with Sturchio noting that independent wrestling often sees a lull in the summer due to heat, making their beach venue a unique draw. "People are actually jones-ing for some wrestling in the summer," he said. "Typically, when you go to a VFW or your gymnasiums, independent wrestling kind of takes off and they don’t run as much in the summer because it’s hot."