MARYVILLE, Tenn. (April 11, 2022) – Kross Fire Wrestling (KFW) Based in Sevierville is presenting “Off Da Hook” wrestling event featuring Shawn Andrews, a native of Jefferson County, who is teamed with JDL in a Tag-team challenge to current Champion Belt holders Hunter Drake and Brayden Toon at 7 p.m. this Friday, April 15, at The Bird and The Book, 1509 East Broadway in Maryville, Tenn.
The pro wrestling event will also feature wrestling favorites Toby Farley vs Keith Gavins in a hardcore match; Kenzie Paige Henry will face The Anti-American; Menace will compete against Jackson Drake, and Dillon McQueen will take on Rolando Perez. General admission is $15; VIP is $20.
“We try to keep the shows fresh by bringing in different wrestlers from other areas along with area recognized favorites. We have veteran wrestlers (Shane Andrews, Menace, and Shane Williams) that have been with us for 17 years. They mix it up with the fresh faces and help them become better wrestlers. I think that is a big key to us staying around for so long.”
Shane Andrews is a Jefferson City, Tennessee native. At the age of five, he participated in martial arts classes and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitions and was a member of the Jefferson County High School wrestling team.
“I was with my mom at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum when Ric Flair walked by and I touched his robe. He cussed me out and I thought, ‘it was the greatest thing ever’.” Tully Blanchard was a big heel (bad boy) in the 1980s and he was my idol, and the main reason I became a wrestler,” said Andrews.
“I told my mom that I was going to be a wrestler and wrestle at the coliseum.” It came full circle when Andrews wrestled Shawn Shulitz, at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum for Impact Wrestling in xxxx.
Andrews is a 24-year wrestling veteran. “When I started, I was very fortunate to be around wrestling veterans such as Ricky Morton, Tracy Smothers, Dr. Tom Prichard, Bobby Eaton, and several others. They took me under their wing and I learned a lot from them,” said Andrews. In his first years of working the wrestling circuit, Andrews frequently encountered Menace, a wrestler from East Tennessee who taught him a lot about the business side of wrestling.
Andrews’ wrestling style shows obvious MMA skills in the ring, he is known for incorporating kicks and martial arts maneuvers. He recently won the KFW Daredevils title by defeating former champion Toby Farley in a dog collar match. Andrews is also a two-time Greco-Roman State Champion and a two-time Freestyle State Champion. He learned the ways of the squared circle from the late WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Fuji. “Things change and everything has to grow. I use a mix of old-school and new-school wrestling. I think you need to have a happy balance,” said Andrews.
Kross Fire Wrestling has been running shows for 17 years and has maintained a loyal fan base from day one, according to Tommy Henry fans from the first shows still attend and we are grateful for that.
Tommy Henry and his family have been involved with wrestling for decades. The promoter’s daughter, Kenzie Paige Henry, has followed that tradition, she recently signed with the 73 years old National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), which is currently filmed in Nashville. The 19-year-old wrestler also has an eye for talent. “Kenzie meets new wrestlers all the time during her wrestling (travels),” Henry said. “We are able to get hooked up with some great talent at KFW because of her.