Empire Supporters Club
First. Last. Forever.
An annual charity wrestling event that uniquely combines indie wrestling with New York Red Bulls soccer fandom. Hosted by the Empire Supporters Club from 2014–2017 in Newark, New Jersey.
Forza Lucha was an annual charity professional wrestling event hosted by the Empire Supporters Club — the oldest and largest supporters group for the New York Red Bulls. It represented a unique cultural crossover: bringing together the passionate world of independent professional wrestling with the fervent soccer supporter culture of Section 101.
According to IWTV (IndependentWrestling.tv), Forza Lucha is described as:
"an annual Wrestling event that combines the love of indie wrestling and New York Red Bulls soccer!" — IWTV [1]
The events ran annually from at least 2014 through 2017, typically held during summer months when the Red Bulls schedule allowed — often during bye weeks. Matches featured prominent indie wrestling talent (particularly from CHIKARA), soccer-themed gimmicks, and proceeds directed toward community nonprofits.
Forza Lucha wasn't just entertainment — it was charity. Every event was designed to raise money for community nonprofits while creating an unforgettable crossover experience between two passionate fan cultures.
Four years of wrestling, soccer, and charity in Newark, New Jersey
The inaugural Forza Lucha event. Details are sparse in available sources, but the event established the foundation for what would become an annual tradition. The Red Bull Rant podcast (Episode 112) covered the event in a post-game recording celebrating both a successful show and a Red Bulls victory.
Venue: Newark, NJ area [2]
The fourth event — and the most documented. Held in an outdoor parking lot in Newark, New Jersey on a hot summer afternoon, this show featured the Forza Lucha Cup tournament and a stacked card of CHIKARA talent.
According to the BackBodyDrop review:
"We're in a parking lot somewhere in Newark, New Jersey on a summer's afternoon for this show." — BackBodyDrop [3]
Duration: 1h 50m | Featured: Forza Lucha Cup tournament, Dan Champion Memorial Big Man Match, Hipster Craft Beer Championship
At the heart of Forza Lucha was The Forza Lucha Cup — a tournament featuring indie wrestling's finest, competing for a championship title that exists in wrestling databases to this day.
The 2016 tournament tells the story best: a field of CHIKARA stars and indie talent battling through semi-finals to a dramatic final. The heel Matt Macintosh — wearing an NYCFC shirt as part of his villain gimmick — tried to cheat his way to victory. But Silver Ant (of CHIKARA fame) emerged as the rightful champion, capturing the Cup and the crowd's admiration. [3]
The Forza Lucha Cup Championship is tracked on CAGEMATCH.net — a testament to its legitimacy in the wrestling world. [4]
Notable participants who stepped through the ropes for ESC
CHIKARA
Forza Lucha Cup Champion (2016)
Tournament winner who defeated Matt Macintosh in the finals. A CHIKARA fan favorite who brought technical excellence to the parking lot.
Heel
Tournament Finalist (2016)
The villain of the 2016 tournament, wearing an NYCFC shirt as part of his heel gimmick — a perfect nod to the Red Bulls vs. NYCFC rivalry that was heating up in MLS.
CHIKARA
Part of the CHIKARA contingent that brought lucha-inspired action to Forza Lucha. Part of the unique ant-themed wrestling stable.
CHIKARA
Another CHIKARA standout who brought his masked, high-flying style to the Forza Lucha ring.
Gentleman's Club
Before AEW fame, the "King of Sloth Style" wrestled as part of The Gentleman's Club at Forza Lucha — his signature laid-back demeanor already winning crowds.
Gentleman's Club
Indie wrestling legend and comedy king who brought his unique brand of humor to the ESC faithful.
Gentleman's Club
Part of the intergender trios match featuring The Gentleman's Club. Known for his power and intensity.
Big Man
Featured in the Dan Champion Memorial Big Man Match. Later appeared on the Red Bull Rant podcast as a guest. [2]
Comedy
The wrestling accountant brought his comedy gimmick to the charity event, proving Forza Lucha had something for every wrestling taste.
And of course, Commissioner Eric Corvis (also known as Eric Haraksin) — the ESC member who served as the face and organizer of Forza Lucha. [5]
Forza Lucha was built on a foundation of giving back. As noted in ESC's mission statement:
"hosts Forza Lucha, an annual charity wrestling event featuring professional wrestlers and ESC members, with proceeds directed toward community nonprofits" — Grokipedia / ESC Mission [5]
Exact dollar amounts raised and specific named charities for each event were not fully documented in publicly available sources. However, the charity intent and execution are well-established in ESC records and media coverage.
Note: In 2020, ESC held a separate scarf sale fundraiser for the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children. This was NOT Forza Lucha — it was a separate charity initiative.
What the wrestling press and podcasts said about Forza Lucha
"The card's got a lot of CHIKARA names on it, which may tip you off as to what sort of crowd to expect." — BackBodyDrop (2016) [3]
"This is already annoying me, but hey, this is a charity show, so I shouldn't complain too much." — BackBodyDrop Reviewer [3]
"Jason & Truman in a short post game recording revel in the New York Red Bulls 4-2 win over the Montreal Impact, and a successful Forza Lucha Event." — Red Bull Rant (2014) [2]
"Forza Lucha is an annual Wrestling event that combines the love of indie wrestling and New York Red Bulls soccer!" — IWTV [1]
Forza Lucha events are preserved and available for viewing on streaming platforms:
Available matches: Forza Lucha Tres! (2015), Fourza Lucha! (2016), Forza Lucha 5 (2017)
The Red Bull Rant podcast covered multiple Forza Lucha events, including:
A detailed review of the 2016 event covering the tournament, match-by-match breakdowns, and the unique atmosphere of an outdoor parking lot wrestling show in Newark. The review notes the heavy CHIKARA influence and the charity show spirit.
Read Full Review →Moments from Forza Lucha events (archival images sought)
📢 Have photos from Forza Lucha? ESC is seeking archival photos from any of the 2014–2017 events. If you attended or participated and have images to share, please contact us or reach out on social media. Help us preserve this unique piece of ESC history.
Forza Lucha wasn't just a wrestling show with a soccer twist — it was a genuine fusion of two passionate, theatrical, and deeply committed fan cultures.
The overlap was uncanny. Both wrestling fans and soccer supporters understand:
That's why Forza Lucha worked. It wasn't a gimmick — it was a natural marriage of two cultures that understood each other perfectly.
Forza Lucha hasn't been held since 2017. But the spirit lives on in ESC's commitment to creative, community-driven events. If you're a member who wants to see wrestling return to the South Ward — or if you're a wrestler, promoter, or fan who wants to help make it happen — we want to hear from you.
Reach out to ESC leadership to express interest in reviving Forza Lucha or similar crossover events.
Board ContactsConnect with fellow members on social media and in the South Ward to gauge interest and share ideas.
Not an ESC member yet? Join the oldest supporters group in MLS and help shape the next generation of fan culture.
Join ESCResearch limitations: CAGEMATCH.net requires login for full event details. Attendance figures and exact charity donation amounts were not found in publicly available sources. Social media archives and event photos were not accessible during research.