Rockland gets rocked

As director of the Rockland teen center, Bill McCormack has had to go the mat for various causes.

But perhaps none as much fun as Saturday when McCormack literally served as a referee for a wrestling match, as the teen center was transformed into a temporary stomping grounds for a group of muscle-bound wrestlers.

Saturday night, the teen center hosted members of the World Wrestling Alliance and highlights of the show included wrestling performances by former World Wrestling Entertainment stars Matt Anoai — best known as “Rosie the Superstar” — and Dustin Rhodes, a.k.a. “Goldust.” 

“It was fun,” McCormack said of being guest referee for Goldust’s match.

 “It was exciting to do something like that with those big, giant people.”

McCormack said the event was a success, and drew nearly 250 spectators. In addition to ticket sales, fans in attendance consumed 18 boxes of pizza, which had been donated for the cause.

Proceeds from the event were split between the WWA and the teen center. McCormack said the funds would help send members of the teen center to either a Brockton Rox baseball game this summer, or fund a cookout for the kids at George’s Island.

Between 25 and 30 of Saturday night’s spectators were members of the teen center.

“It was something that all the kids were talking about,” McCormack said.

The estimated 25 pro wrestlers who performed served as good role models for the teens, McCormack added.

“Those guys are cool,” McCormack said. “Every one of them thanked us for letting them use the facilities. They were polite. When they were done wrestling they stayed and signed autographs.”

Rosie was a WWE superstar from 2000 to 2006. He was the eighth wrestler in his family to become World Tag Team Champion as part of WWE (formerly the WWF and WWWF).

Possibly his most famous family member is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, his cousin, whose wrestling gimmick included uttering such phrases as “can you smell what the Rock is cooking?” Johnson is currently an action movie star.

Rosie is also the son of former professional wrestler, Sika Anoai, who one once competed as a member of the “Wild Samoans” duo. Rosie’s other cousins include Jamal Rikishi, known as “Umaga” on WWE Raw, Sam Fatu known as “Tonga Kid” and Rodney Anoai who’s known as “Yokozuna.” 

“I’ve got a legendary wrestling family,” Rosie said. “My family is the largest actively wrestling family in the country.”

During Saturday’s performance Rosie was a clear crowd favorite. Fans chanted his name in unison and booed his opponents.

“That’s the best part of being Rosie the Superhero,” he said. “Because for nine years they did nothing but boo me when I was a bad guy.”

Rosie said his character was originally a “bad guy,” but changed sides and became a superhero under the suggestion of his wrestling partner, Gregory Helms, who’s known as “Hurricane.” The crowd embraced his new persona, Rosie said.

“Instead of living a life of crime, I’d be fighting it,” he said. 

Three members of the Rockland Teen Center agreed that Rosie was the highlight of the evening. 

“He’s the one that everybody likes,” said Will Donadini, 17, a five-year member of the center.

“’Cause he’s been on the WWE before,” agreed his friend Jesse Tufts, 14. 

“’Cause he’s the man,” Donadini added.

“And ‘cause he’s a superhero,” their friend Josh Tulip, 15 chimed in.

The teens said they follow professional wrestling and were excited to see the stars in person. 

Like Anoai, Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes was born into a wrestling legacy. He is the son of ‘70s and ‘80s WWF wrestling star Dusty Rhodes, who still occasionally wrestles, and makes a living writing scenes for the WWE. Like his father, Goldust said he took up wrestling because he loves to entertain.

“My dad did it. It’s in my family,” Goldust said. “I love to entertain, that’s all I knew. I was trying to fill his shoes… but I’ve made my own shoes basically.”

Goldust has built up an extensive wrestling resume, which includes stints with the WWF, the WCW, the WWFE and the WWE. Goldust said working with the WWE required non-stop traveling and a lot of hard work.

Rosie agreed that wrestling was not without its physical drawbacks.

“Wrestling hurts,” Rosie said. “Regardless of what anybody tells you, it hurts. I split my head open about 20 or 30 times.”

Rosie also underwent knee surgeries and extensive physical therapy on his hip to rectify injuries sustained in the ring, he said.

Goldust said he left the WWE to work in small arenas where he could have a more intimate relationship with the crowd. Working in a smaller arena is “a lot more fun because you can interact with the fans. Everyone’s having a good time,” he said.

For more information on the WWA, check out http://www.wwaentertainment.net. For more information on the Rockland Teen Center, visit www.rocklandteencenter.com.