New venues, events with WWE legends: What Xcite Wrestling has planned in Southern Tier

Cody Rhodes recently headlined WrestleMania, knocking off The Rock and Roman Reigns to claim the WWE championship belt at an event that set records for viewership and attendance.

Rhodes’ journey to the top of the pro wrestling world included a stop in Binghamton with Xcite Wrestling.

The Southern Tier circuit is confident it won’t be the last time a superstar in the making gets in the ring for Xcite.

“I’d like to think Cody would have good things to say about us if anybody asked him how Xcite is to work for,” said Steve Popoloski, Xcite’s EVP of Sales & Marketing.

“Through making connections and bringing in guys from out of the market, you grow and the talent level increases. The local talent wrestles these guys who have been doing it for years and they get better and make more connections. It kind of snowballs from there.”

Xcite was founded in Binghamton in 2013. It expanded to Horseheads in March 2023 and hosted its first-ever show in Hornell a few weeks ago. The independent promotion has made some changes and announced upcoming attractions throughout the Southern Tier.

Here’s the latest.

Xcite changes venues, builds fan base

Xcite previously held monthly shows and its wrestling school at the Oakdale Mall, a format it duplicated at the Arnot Mall in Horseheads. The Johnson City space was no longer available following major renovations to the mall, though, forcing Xcite to find a new home in Broome County.

It landed at the Polish Community Center in Binghamton, which has hosted shows since January.

“We’re thrilled with the relationship and how it's grown,” said Popoloski. “Although we don’t have a permanent fixture for the school – the only operating school is at Arnot right now – at least we’ve got a regular home here in our home city.”

Popoloski expects Xcite to remain at the Polish Community Center through at least the rest of 2024. Xcite recently renewed its Arnot Mall lease after a successful Year 1, providing some long-term security in the Elmira area. The company was pleased with the turnout at its first-ever Hornell show last month and has already committed to a return to the Maple City sometime this summer.

Pat Sawyer was among Xcite’s first students. He has since wrestled all over the Northeast with matches against former WWE standouts like Tommy Dreamer and Billy Gunn. Sawyer said Xcite has been on the rise in the Southern Tier.

“COVID took a hit, but now I think we’re back to doing well,” said Sawyer. “It’s all about being consistent. One show could do really well and another could flop, but Xcite has been on the rise and consistently getting better.”

WWE legend Trish Stratus coming to Spiedie Fest

One of Xcite’s biggest events has become its annual appearance at Spiedie Fest in Binghamton.

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus was announced last week as a special guest appearing Aug. 3 for autographs and photos. Xcite promises more "huge" Spiedie Fest announcements in the coming weeks and months.

“That’s been a huge deal for us the past couple years as far as eyeballs on the product and chances to work with some top-level names,” said Popoloski. “We provide live entertainment for everybody that’s got a ticket. We’re set up right on the midway.

“They’re great to work with and we’ve been a big hit with the festival goers. We’ll be back doing that.”

Xcite's next show is May 11 in Binghamton, followed by a June 9 event in Horseheads.

Xcite talent includes locals, national figures

Xcite features many homegrown wrestlers who have come through the wrestling schools in Binghamton and Horseheads over the years. The Hornell show was inspired by a handful of wrestlers from Steuben County. The promotion also draws talent from the Long Island, New Jersey, Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo markets.

“They range from 15-year veterans who have been on TV in large promotions, sometimes as large as ECW or WWE, to some of the students they’re currently training and breaking in and making a name for themselves,” said Popoloski. “There’s a really good upstate New York scene to pull from. They’re on the road every weekend whether it be an hour or five hours from home doing shows for all these different promotions.”

Popoloski likened the independent wrestling circuit to Minor League Baseball, with a mix of wrestlers climbing the ropes and others staying active in the business as their career winds down.

Sometimes, Xcite will land a big name you can find on TV, like Rhodes or its current heavyweight champion, Ethan Page, and international champion Matt Cardona, both AEW wrestlers.

“These guys have elevated and now they’ve got that AEW name attached to them they’re a bigger draw than they were on the way up, and everybody is winning,” said Popoloski. “We’re getting a little bit more exposure. People are asking what’s this Xcite promotion about, who are the next guys that could be featured on national TV in a couple years?”

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Xcite Wrestling adds new venues, events with WWE legends in 2024