I just dropped the first two words. Yes, young Kanakarakis has dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. Now he wants to wrestle. And he's been going to the North East Wrestling gym since it opened in May. By the time he turns 20, Kanakarakis says, he plans to turn pro.
Professional wrestling has a headlock on America's youth.
And WWF's Monday night Raw Is War telecast consistently tops the Nielsen ratings for cable programming. Enter North East Wrestling, an Astoria social club turned training facility opened by longtime pro wrestler drillmaster Ben Lagerstrom. His sweat factory is stocked with overzealous teens all with the same dream of strapping on the tights and making fistfuls of cash. Students range from 13 to 28 years old and vary in weight and size. I always loved watching those guys wrestle.