Upper Michigan Today enters the madness of UPW’s Marquette Mania IV

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - Friday’s episode of Upper Michigan Today met UPW in the ring.

Get ready to GO BIG OR GO HOME because Marquette Mania IV is coming to town April 25. UMT was LIVE at Lakeview Arena for a conversation with UPW stars ahead of the big day.

The madness begins when doors open at 5:30 p.m. If you’ve got a ticket but can’t wait that long, you’ll have a chance to meet your favorite Marquette Mania wrestlers between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the mania of the fourth annual Mike Shaw Memorial Battle Royal, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. You can buy tickets here to see who the last man standing will be. Then, the first bell goes off at 7:00 p.m. You don’t want to miss a special appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley!

But that’s not all. Your ticket will give you a real-life view of who holds onto the Championship belt by the end of the night. Will it be Sampson, once again defending his UPW Heavyweight Championship? Or will WWE superstar “The Original Bro” Matt Riddle take on the title? There’s only one way to find out: right there in Lakeview Arena.

Upper Michigan Today met with not only UPW’s current champ Sampson, but also its most diabolical and sadistic wrestler: J-Sin. Watch below to meet all the stars and more with John Redfield and Audrey Stetson.

For those who are not (yet!) pro wrestling fanatics, UPW owner LLoyd Sarrel gave some insight on how Marquette Mania started and how it’s grown since 2023. Watch below to find out Marquette Mania IV’s card full of big names in the business.

Next, Escanaba native and UPW Hall of Famer Peter Sischo joined John and Audrey with his signature hand sign. Sischo shared the impact Skandia native Mike Shaw had on his life, as well as the importance of honoring him with the battle royal memorial.

Can’t make it to Marquette Mania IV? “UPW UPRISING” has you covered for all your entertainment needs. The UPW program airs Saturday nights at 12:30 a.m. You can catch it weekly on FOX UP, where the best local professional wrestlers hit the mat and entertain the U.P.

UMT got to know some of the faces (and voices) behind “UPRISING”: Ronnie Dayvault, Matt Grau and “The Best Dressed” Ryan Ness.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for... John and Audrey met the current UPW Heavyweight Champion, Sampson! Watch below as the Marquette native comments on the growth of professional wrestling in the U.P., as well as how he’s prepared to defend his title.

Next, a fan favorite heel joined John and Audrey in the ring. Diabolical, sinister and coming out-of-your-worst-nightmare... it’s J-Sin! Get to know J-Sin’s affection for Marquette Mania and what makes UPW stand out to him amongst 24 years’ worth of in-ring experience.

John and Audrey intended for UMT to wrap by learning a few new moves from J-Sin, but in the nature of LIVE television... things didn’t quite go to plan. Watch chaos take over below as a schmozz breaks out between two of UPW’s brightest stars.

Marquette Mania IV tickets are available to purchase here. GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Marquette Mania IV is sponsored by: TV6 & FOX UP, Travel Marquette, Double Trouble, Lakeview Arena, Loyaltees, Pride Printing, Target, Mama Russo’s, Texas Roadhouse, Lake Superior Pizza and Dry Dock.

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