RWA’s Spectacle raises over $3k for Special Olympics

The Renegade Wrestling Alliance teamed up with the Icebreakers and held their much-anticipated Spectacle event last weekend at the Johnston Indoor Recreation Center to raise funds for the Special Olympics.

The show was a success both in and out of the ring as pro wrestlers from all over the region participated in front of a crowd of 200 people and went on to raise over $3,000 toward the cause. The Icebreakers is a group of local individuals that raise funds for the Special Olympics each year.

“We were extremely happy, especially going into this as our first time doing it. It surpassed our hopes. To get over $3,000 for the Special Olympics was huge for us. Our goal for the year is $10,000 so to get this chunk of change was huge,” said Henry Fellela, who helped promote the event and raises funds annually with the Icebreakers.

In attendance were local lifelong wrestling fans as well as youngsters who were seeing their first live pro wrestling event. There were members of the Special Olympics community as well as state politicians.

Many wrestlers took the ring to perform and RWA crowned a new Ocean State champion in Denzel Jordan.

“Everybody had a great time. The energy and vibe in the building was great, everyone was laughing and entertained, they were into the matches. It fed off both ways. The kids loved the wrestlers, we gained some new wrestling fans, that’s for sure. RWA went well beyond what we expected and put on a great show,” Fellela said.

RWA will next be hosting an event on July 30 in Providence at the Columbus Theater. Fellela and the Icebreakers will also be helping organize fundraising events later this year including the Penguin Plunge and its annual Christmas party with proceeds continuing to go toward the Special Olympics. RWA and the Icebreakers plan on making this wrestling event an annual show and are excited to start preparing for next year.

Fellela was thrilled to see Spectacle come together and things trending in a positive direction for the Icebreakers’ fundraising efforts.

“Special Olympics runs on fundraising like this and during COVID, they took a big hit. Even getting back to it, they weren’t getting the numbers that they were getting (before the pandemic). It’s all about the (Special Olympics) athletes, and to help these guys be able to participate for free and to raise funds for them through sports, that’s what it’s all about,” Fellela said.