Ohio Promoter Finally Granted License To Promote

Three weeks ago, we told you about Brian LeVick and Future Great Wrestling. At the time, LeVick was denied a license to promote wrestling events at a local gym. (read about it HERE) As an update to this story, the Hamilton Planning Commission reversed their decision in a 7-0 vote and LeVick will now be able to promote events as part of a 90 day trial. The Journal News discussed the meeting that occurred Wednesday evening. You can read the article below (or read the article at the Journal News website)

“Professional wrestling events debated by the community were approved Wednesday for a gym facility on the West Side of Hamilton.

The first of the Friday shows will be Feb. 1, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and the first bell ringing at 7:30 p.m., members of Future Great Wrestling decided and announced after they won a reverse decision from the Hamilton Planning Commission.

During the Wednesday evening meeting, there was none of the rancor or controversy that happened during a December meeting, where the proposal to allow wrestling in the gym facility at 190 N. Brookwood failed on a 3-3 vote, with one member absent.

But on Wednesday, the commission voted 7-0 to allow wrestling events as a 90-day trial. If all goes well, the commission can vote to approve future events on an ongoing basis.

Residents of a nearby housing complex where mostly older people live had expressed concerns about traffic, parking and the possibility of rowdy, noisy fans possibly fighting in the parking lot after the events, which will end at 9:30 p.m.

Brian LeVick, who owns both the Future Great Comics comic-book store on Main Street and Future Great Wrestling, and the 30 wrestlers he is working with were offended about the misperceptions they said the neighbors have about wrestlers and wrestling fans.

The change in the commission’s vote came for two main reasons: The commission and neighboring residents were comforted by and 90-day trial; and also, city staff met Friday with the neighboring community and explained the steps, including guaranteed number of security forces and increased parking, that would be taken to ensure neighbors would not be disturbed.

“Mr. LeVick, happy wrestling,” Fay Baker, president of the Colonial Lake condominium association, told him during the meeting, indicating the neighbors gave their consent to the agreement.

Hamilton’s city council chambers were filled with an audience of wrestling proponents, about 15 of them wrestlers, and others people who plan to attend wrestling events.

At one point during the meeting, in order to show that the wrestlers are ordinary people with day jobs, LeVick asked the wrestlers to stand, and contrary to the images some of them offer as entertainers, a group of well-dressed, ordinary looking people stood. LeVick then asked those planning to attend events, and another group of friendly-looking people stood. LeVick suggested the display to demonstrate that the wrestling events, which will cost $6 for general admission and $8 for front-row seats, are family-friendly entertainment. Advance tickets will be available at Future Great Comics, 528 Main St., in Hamilton.”