IWF Wrestling School Celebrates 21st Anniversary In Nutley

NUTLEY, NJ — The following article comes courtesy of IWF Wrestling. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Since 1999, men and women from all walks of life have traveled to the IWF Wrestling School for three days a week in the hopes of becoming the next Rock or Hulk Hogan. And from bodybuilders to accountants to lawyers, IWF has made championship dreams come true for aspiring WWE grapplers.

The nationally-accredited IWF Wrestling School, now located at Enforcer Fitness Boxing Gym in Nutley, is celebrating its 21st anniversary this December 2020. The program initially launched December 18, 1999.

The head coach is Kevin Knight, a 24-year professional who teaches students basic holds and maneuvers, while providing the knowledge necessary to be successful in the lucrative sports entertainment industry.

“Like anything in life, you are born to do certain things – whether it be a world-renowned musician or an NFL quarterback – and professional wrestling is no different,” Knight explained. “You either have it or you don’t. My job is to provide some guidance and pointers to our athletes that already have ‘it’ and allow them to harness their God-given talent and skills.”

Knight has worked for major organizations, including WWE and NWA, battling Hall of Famers like Bob Backlund, King Kong Bundy, Brutus Beefcake and Iron Sheik. And he has experience in all aspects of sports, entertainment and marketing, and combines his knowledge into formulating a strategy for success.

“I am fortunate to have learned from the greatest legends in this sport, and I pass along all that key insight to the students,” said Knight. “I still consider myself a student, as I get in the ring and practice at our classes to keep my skills sharp. No matter how long you’ve been wrestling, or playing guitar for that matter, you still need to practice.”

IWF Wrestling School, based in Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) from 1999 to 2012 and in Nutley from 2014 to the present, had 52 graduates receive WWE, NXT, IMPACT, NJPW, ROH and NWA tryouts with 14 employed. The IWF trains hundreds of athletes from 20 states and nine countries, including Canada, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Puerto Rico and United States.

“Many graduates compete in matches around the world while some branched out into other entertainment genres and appeared on stage and screen in movies, television shows, commercials and theater productions,” Knight added. “From WrestleMania to Broadway…IWF has made its mark throughout the sports and entertainment industries.”

Famous graduates include WWE Superstar Darren Young from Union, WWE Referees Shawn Bennett from Butler and Danilo Anfibio from Woodland Park, NXT Manager Robert Stone from Woodbridge, and IMPACT Star Fallah Bahh from Bloomfield.

"Never forget where you came from,” said Darren Young. “Salute to IWF School for giving me my first start."

"A proper start in pro wrestling is imperative,” Shawn Bennett said. “I am thankful for mine at IWF School."

IWF Wrestling School is endorsed by WWE Hall of Famers and Legends who serve as periodic guest coaches, including Tito Santana, Honky Tonk Man, Tom Prichard, Jim Powers, Bushwhacker Luke, Rip Rogers, John Bradshaw Layfield and more.

“If you want the best school to become a professional wrestler, it’s all about the IWF,” said Tito Santana. “From learning how to wrestle, from learning how to do interviews. There have been many wrestlers who have had the door opened for them in the WWE, why, because they know what they are doing in the IWF. The number one school is the IWF, and I guarantee you, the students do learn.”

The private training program, open to high-performance athletes ages 18 and up, begins a three-month winter semester this January 2021. For information or to apply, visit CampIWF.com, or find IWF on social media @WrestlingIWF.

Each spring, IWF’s anniversary event supports a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with American Cancer Society the beneficiary since 2012. Other events benefited Semper Fi & America's Fund, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tomorrows Children’s Fund, Twin Towers Orphan Fund, American Red Cross, United Way, Nutley Policemen and Firefighters’ Benevolent Associations, and high school athletic programs in Middletown, New Providence, Nutley, Verona and West Orange.

IWF conducts autograph sessions and speaking engagements at schools, libraries, hospitals, youth and civic organizations. Food, clothing and supply drives hosted for American Red Cross, United Way, Nutley Family Service Bureau, and Animal Shelters in Montclair and Bloomfield. Toys For Tots drive hosted for United States Marine Corps Reserve.

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