BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There’s something about pro wrestling that feels different these days.
It’s not just nostalgia or spectacle — it’s passion, participation and one big party.
And with the surge in wrestling’s popularity, a brand-new independent promotion is looking to capitalize on the shared experience between performers and fans, and all for a good cause.
5XW Wrestling will make its Lehigh Valley debut at 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at Country Club Brewing with an outdoor parking lot party that also will include bands, drinks, food and a party DJ.
And the best part? You can come for the suplexes and stay for the puppies.
Admission to the event will be free with a donation to Pitties Love Peace, an organization dedicated to the rescue, education and advocacy of pit bulls and bully breeds.
Think of it as a party with purpose, said Lindsey Zimmerman, co-founder of 5XW and one of the organizers behind the event.
From the Backwoods to the South Side
5XW Wrestling is part of the 570 Wrestling Experience, a grassroots wrestling and videography project Zimmerman started with her fiancé, John, a longtime pro wrestler.
“My fiancé has been a professional wrestler for approximately 25 years, and he originally grew up, as well as myself, in the 570 area, so like Lackawanna County,” she said.
“We had originally started the 570 experience so we could help promote new talent that was up and coming. And with my videography, I was able to give them copies of their matches, so they can use that to help promote themselves with other companies and help them grow and develop.”
5XW also is the spiritual offshoot of Smash Master Wrasslin’, a promotion out of Lancaster County known for backwoods pro wrestling parties.
But instead of rural Pennsylvania fields, 5XW will plant its ring in the heart of Bethlehem — and bring the mayhem, including larger-than-life characters and cinematic storytelling — just a few blocks from Musikfest.
“We had over 300 people come out and watch and say it was a great experience, and how much they really enjoyed and loved that it was just a different vibe.”Lindsey Zimmerman, co-founder 5XW
“We actually ran a show at Country Club Brewing in the parking lot last year for the first time, and we decided right off, no matter what we do, we don't want to bring in any money for ourselves," Zimmerman said.
“We wanted to be able to donate that money to a cause to help somebody or something improve their situation.
“So last year, we originally had done this in May, and so the weather was crazy. We didn't know what was going to happen, and we still had a great turnout.
“We had over 300 people come out and watch and say it was a great experience, and how much they really enjoyed and loved that it was just a different vibe.”
‘Smash Yard Rules’
Zimmerman said 5XW’s inaugural event — dubbed ‘X Gonna Give It To Ya’ — will feature Bethlehem local fan favorites, including Big Dan Champion and The Morning Star.
There also will be masked wrestler Stunt Cat, the unpredictable Dirty Love and New Era Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Sal Mistretta.
There also will be a special "Smash Yard Rules" match that starts in the parking lot, but pinfalls only count inside Country Club Brewing.
“The audience can come right up to their ring. They can participate. They can cheer along with the ones they love, they can boo the ones they hate. They can dance to all of their entrance music."Lindsey Zimmerman, co-founder 5XW
Zimmerman said the goal is to provide a fun and fresh style of professional wrestling with some extra edge and creativity.
“The audience can come right up to their ring," she said. "They can participate. They can cheer along with the ones they love, they can boo the ones they hate. They can dance to all of their entrance music.
“We will also have a tent set up, so if somebody wants to bring a lawn chair or something to sit on, we will offer them tent seating for probably a $20 donation that would include their entry fee, nothing extra.
"So then this way they have somewhere in the shade they could be comfortable and still watch the event.”
The bonus is showcasing emerging regional wrestling talent during the biggest festival of the year in the Lehigh Valley.
“Musikfest brings in hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, millions of eyes, and [so we said] let's bring them something new to look at, and let's get Country Club some more people and a great environment.”
Giving back to dogs in need
Zimmerman said pro wrestling is so popular right now because it knows exactly what it is — unapologetically over-the-top and proudly fan-first.
It’s equal parts sports, soap opera, cosplay and combat all rolled into one exciting event.
And — pardon the pun — fans are often rooting for the underdog.
It’s why Pitties Love Peace, which focuses on medically fragile dogs, was chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s inaugural outing from 5XW.
“This is about wrestling, but it’s also about community,” Zimmerman said.
“The wrestling will probably go until 4 or 5 p.m. The audience is welcome to stay, hang out, enjoy, meet the wrestlers, drink with the wrestlers and just have a great time.”
EVENT DETAILS
📍 Country Club Brewing, 323 Pierce St., Bethlehem
📅 Friday, Aug. 9, 2025 (Rain date Aug. 10)
🍔 Food from The Burger Shack, Oulade Lemonade and Latin with Flavor
🍺 Craft beverages, including Musikfest mug refills (21+ to drink)
⏰ DJ at noon | Wrestling starts at 1 p.m. | Music until 7 p.m. | Lehigh Lounge pop-up
🎟️ Suggested donation: $20 for shaded seating. General entry is donation-based.
🐶 All proceeds benefit Pitties.Love.Peace
📲 Follow @570Experience on Instagram and Facebook for the latest.
570 Wrestling Experience Upcoming Events
Aug. 15 — New Era Pro Wrestling Pioneer Fight Night 2, Carbondale, Lackawanna County
Aug. 16 — New Era Pro Wrestling Power Slam, Mayfield, Lackawanna County
Aug. 24 — Smash Family Picnic, Throop, Lakawanna Couny
Sept. 6 — Frontier Pro Wrestling ColossalCade 4 (part of ColossalCon), Kalahari in Mount Pocono, Monroe County.
