Smack dab in the middle of Harlem, New York sits Rucker Park. The iconic basketball court has been the host of a countless number of street ball challenges. Some of the best players of the game have shot hoops there. Dr. J and Wilt Chamberlin have spent some time honing their skills in the park. Some may see the court merely as a place to play, when others may refer to it as sacred ground.
There is one baller who has graced the courts in Harlem, he now shows off his athletic skills in the wrestling ring. Jermaine Marbury can slam dunk a basketball, and he can body slam his opponents to the mat. That competitive edge that Jermaine has demonstrated in the game of basketball has carried over to inside the ropes. Jermaine is always accompanied by his personal mascot; Benny the Basketball is with him every step of the way.
“The basketball gimmick came over time. I played basketball when I was younger, but I am a die-hard Knicks fan,” Jermaine Marbury said. “I didn’t want to be compared to MVP or the other dozen guys that wear basketball shorts on the independent scene. I eventually put my name on my uniform, I got some custom-made shorts, and I got my own theme music.”
Living in the New England region of the United States has plenty of opportunities for the young wrestler. There is no shortage of places to wrestle at and one can find several small promotions peppered throughout those small states.
This time last year, Jermaine struggled with securing consistent bookings. However, just one year later that all has changed. Jermaine has connected with the fans and they cannot get enough of him. The promoters putting on the shows love having Jermaine on the roster because he is such a ticket draw.
“I wrestle a lot with Wrestling Open on IWTV. I believe that company has helped me put my name on the map,” Marbury explained. A lot of my bookings are in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhodes Island. It’s in those three states that I do a lot of my business at and it’s where I have made a name for myself.”
Learning the art of wrestling at the school, Paradise Alley has been beneficial for the in-ring performer. Having teachers like Mario Mancini and Paul Roma who share decades of experience between them in the sport, ensure that valuable knowledge and expertise will be passed on to Jermaine.
Paul and Mario had the honor to step into the ring with some of the biggest names in pro wrestling. Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Paul Orndorf, King Kong Bundy, and Curt Hennig are just a short list of grapplers that the two men have worked with. The traits that were instilled into Paul and Mario by the men that came before them, are now being taught to the students who join their school.
“They really put an emphasis on the psychology that is in wrestling. There has to be a reason why you do what you do, when you are wrestling,” Marbury continued. “Mario and Paul know what needs to take place inside the ring and when it needs to be done.
Initially after high school, Jermaine’s family had hoped that he would continue with his education and go onto college. However, after seeing the efforts that Jermaine has put into becoming the best wrestler that he could be, his family couldn’t help support and encourage him.
Currently, aside from wrestling nearly three times most weekends, Jermaine also has a full-time job. He is putting in all of his energy so that he can eventually get to the grandest stage, but if that never happens that won’t be the end of Jermaine’s world.
“Right now, I am just saving as much money as I can while focusing on getting better in wrestling,” Marbury replied. “If I’m not where I want to be at the age of 26, I will join the military or enroll into a school, but I will figure it all out then.”
