It’s been twenty years since the very first “Wrestling Legends of the Aud” fundraiser took place at Memorial Auditorium in honor of the late great Ilio DiPaolo.
“My father always believed that coming from Italy when they had nothing and to be able to come to America, the more you grew, the more you contributed,” said Dennis DiPaolo, son. “He was grateful for his life and his motto was to give back to others.”
And give back he did. Ilio DiPaolo, a pro wrestler who retired in 1965 and opened up his own restaurant, Ilio DiPaolo’s in Blasdell, New York always wanted to help his community. After he unexpectedly passed away, World Championship Wrestling held the Wrestling Legends of the Aud to raise funds for Women and Children’s Hospital and the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund.
“Half of the money goes to the hospital and the other half goes to the scholarship for the less fortunate that don’t have the opportunity to get in the ring or go to college,” said DiPaolo.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, July 23 at Buffalo RiverWorks, which follows the “Legends of the Aud” Friday Night Bash.
“The festivities begin Friday at Coca Cola Field with a meet and greet with pro wrestlers,” said DiPaolo. “There will be a lot of different stunts going on throughout the day and fireworks at night, so it will be a really great experience.”
And on Saturday, July 23 Buffalo RiverWorks wrestling will feature North American Heavyweight Champion “Big Time” Bill Collier, “The Franchise” Shane Douglas, “All Ego” Ethan Page, Blackjack Phoenix, The Apontè Twins, Team Canada and Tim Horner Jr. There will also be special appearances by former WCW kingpin Eric Bischoff, The Nasty Boys, Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart and Leaping Lanny Poffo Jr.
“Wrestlers are no different than any other sports star,” said DiPaolo. “They can’t be here on a weekly basis, but it’s still tremendous what they do to give back.”
DiPaolo has very fond memories of his father in pro wrestling. He said it was amazing when his father would give him tickets so he and his friends could attend a wrestling match. He also remembers the brotherhood he encountered as a son whose father was a professional wrestler.
“It was a great fraternity,” he said. “Everybody that was in that ring knew what life was all about and they stuck together and continue to do it all the time.”
DiPaolo was honored to meet The Rock’s mother recently in Las Vegas, especially when she told him that his father was her hero.
For more information on the Wrestling Legends of the Aud event or to purchase tickets, visit www.ticketpeak.com/ticket_details_res.php?id=12463 You may also visit www.iliodipaolos.com/scholarship.php3 to learn more about the Illio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund.
