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Tony Stetson
Tony Stetson
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Anthony Matteo (born March 21, 1959) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Hitman" Tony Stetson. He is best known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) during the 1990s.[1]

Key Information

Stetson was one of ECW's initial stars, appearing at the company's first event in 1992. He quickly rose to success as a tag team competitor, winning the promotion's Tag Team Championship twice while also achieving singles success by winning the Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship during his career. He later joined Raven's Nest and adopted a character called The Broad Street Bully.

Early life

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Matteo grew up on the corner of at South 11th Street and West Ritner Street in South Philadelphia. He attended Saint John Neumann High School.

Professional wrestling career

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Early career

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Matteo trained as a professional wrestler at Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory in Burlington County. Stetson would eventually debut in 1985 facing fellow Monster Factory alumni Bam Bam Bigelow at a World Wrestling Federation television taping at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, on December 9, 1985.[1][2] Matteo originally wrestled as "Tony Matteo", adopting the ring name "Tony Stetson" after overhearing color commentator Bruno Sammartino mispronounce his name.[1]

Tri-State Wrestling Alliance

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Tony Stetson made a name for himself wrestling in Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance as well as other promotions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. He employed a hardcore wrestling style and was an early contributor to the Philadelphia wrestling scene, including his feud with Johnny Hotbody. Stetson and Hotbody traded wins in a variety of matches, including a Taped Fist First Blood match on March 31, 1990.[3] Several months later, Stetson defeated Hotbody in a Hair vs Hair match.[3] On March 2, 1991, the two resumed their feud when Stetson won a Barbed wire match.[3] When Stetson first started in the Business, he had a manager who went by the name of "The Godfather". The Godfather, was later known as "The Equalizer" and then ended his career as "Gianni Corleone" while working with Stetson toward the end of his career in the CWC.

Eastern/Extreme Championship Wrestling

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Tag team competition and championship reigns (1992–1994)

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Stetson joined the upstart National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) promotion Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1992, where he was one of the company's first stars along with Rockin' Rebel, J.T. Smith, Glen Osbourne, The Sandman, Max Thrasher, and Jimmy Jannetty. The company was a successor to Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. Matteo competed as a fan favorite at the company's first event Market Street Mayhem on February 25, 1992, where he defeated Ivan Koloff.[4] The following month, in March, he lost to Koloff in a Russian deathmatch.[5] He was involved in many high-profile rivalries with the company's top stars throughout the year, making a name for himself during the initial days of ECW. His first success came when he began teaming with Larry Winters on December 19, where the duo lost their match[6] due to interference by the Tag Team Champions The Super Destroyers.[7] As a result, Stetson and Winters began feuding with Super Destroyers for the Tag Team Championship, with the former defeating the Super Destroyers to win the tag titles on the May 11, 1993, episode of NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling.[8][9] Stetson and Winters lost the titles to The Suicide Blondes (Chris Candido and Johnny Hotbody) on the May 25 episode of Eastern Championship Wrestling.[9] On the June 8 episode of Eastern Championship Wrestling, Stetson turned on Winters during a 16-man battle royal for the new Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship, thus becoming a villain.[8] Stetson defeated Winters in a first blood match at Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular on June 19.[10]

Stetson moved on to singles competition, during which he defeated Tommy Cairo to win the Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship on the September 14 episode of Eastern Championship Wrestling.[8] Stetson successfully defended the title against Cairo at UltraClash.[11] The title was neither defended nor mentioned on television again, thus being retired with Stetson as the final champion.[12] The following month, Stetson began teaming with Johnny Hotbody when duo were awarded the Tag Team Championship at NWA Bloodfest: Part 1 on October 1, after the title was vacated due to Eddie Gilbert and The Dark Patriot (Eddie's brother Doug Gilbert) quitting the company.[9] They made successful title defenses against Badd Company,[13] The Sandman and J.T. Smith[14] and The Bad Breed[15] before dropping them to the team of Tommy Dreamer and Johnny Gunn at November to Remember.[9][15]

In 1994, Stetson made only one televised appearance on the March 8 episode of Eastern Championship Wrestling, where he teamed with Johnny Hotbody against Bad Breed in a losing effort.[16] He went on a hiatus and returned to the renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling at a live event on September 30, where he was pinned by Tommy Dreamer.[17]

The Broad Street Bully (1995–1996)

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In February 1995 at Return of the Funker, Stetson and his tag team partner Johnny Hotbody joined the Raven's Nest group after Raven made his ECW debut[18] and their tag team was named "The Broad Street Bullies", a reference to the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team. At Three Way Dance on April 8, the Bullies were defeated by The Pitbulls in a match which stipulated that Bullies would be fired by Raven's Nest should they lose.[18][19] As a result, Stetson reverted to being a fan favorite. He continued to develop his "Broad Street Bully" character as he began wearing a hockey jersey and gloves and carrying a hockey stick to the ring.[18] At Barbed Wire, Hoodies & Chokeslams, Broad Street Bully defeated The Jersey Devil in a quick match, avenging the Philadelphia Flyers' upset elimination from the 1995 Stanley Cup by the New Jersey Devils.[18][20] Matteo reprised the Broad Street Bully character at Hardcore Heaven[21] and November to Remember,[22] both events took place in Philadelphia.[18]

Matteo continued to perform as Tony Stetson and feuded with Raven's Nest following the events of Three Way Dance,[18] once challenging Raven and Stevie Richards for the ECW World Tag Team Championship alongside Don E. Allen at Heatwave '95: Rage in the Cage!, where Matteo's team won by countout, meaning Raven and Richards retained the titles.[23] Stetson competed as a mid-card wrestler for the remainder of the year, suffering losses to Hack Myers,[24] Val Puccio,[25] Bull Pain[26] and JT Smith[27] before departing the company in 1996, ending his four year-run with ECW. His last match took place at the House Party event, where he teamed with JT Smith against The Bad Crew in a tag team match, which ended in a no contest.[28]

Later career

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Going into semi-retirement by the mid-1990s, Stetson worked coordinating supply distribution for Methodist Hospital. In 1999, he joined promoter Lisa Constantino's Central Wrestling Coalition based in South Philadelphia. Teaming up with his old Manager Gianni Corleone (also known as "The Godfather" and The Equalizer early in his career), he feuded with Breaker Morant over the CWC Heavyweight Championship during the next two years in the promotion.[2]

Stetson retired in 2002 after accumulating a number of nagging injuries.[1] He returned to wrestling in 2009, facing Breaker Morant at a TWA reunion show. In the same year, he served as a consultant for the production "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" by the InterAct Theatre Company.[1] He retired from wrestling in 2015.

Personal life

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Stetson is married with three children.[1] He is an Italian American.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Anthony Matteo (born March 21, 1959), better known by his ring name "Hitman" , is an American professional wrestler from , . Trained by Larry Sharpe, he debuted on December 9, 1985, and competed until 2015, amassing over 30 years of in-ring experience as a brawler and in singles and matches. Stetson built his career primarily in Northeastern independent promotions, including the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA), where he briefly held the TWA Heavyweight Championship on April 11, 2010, and the Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), a precursor to Extreme Championship Wrestling. In ECW, he achieved significant success, winning the ECW Pennsylvania Championship on August 7, 1993, by defeating Tommy Cairo, and the ECW World Tag Team Championship twice: first on April 2, 1993, with partner Larry Winters, and again when awarded the titles on October 1, 1993, alongside Johnny Hot Body. On July 15, 1995, Stetson and Don E. Allen defeated Raven and Stevie Richards by countout in a title match, though the win was controversial and the titles did not officially change hands. Throughout his tenure, Stetson wrestled in other regional circuits such as the (ECWA), (HWA), and (NWA), facing notable opponents in over 60 documented matches, including a appearance. Known for his tough, street-fighter persona—sometimes under the gimmick ""—he contributed to the gritty style of 1990s independent wrestling, particularly during ECW's formative hardcore era. Now semi-retired, Stetson remains a figure in wrestling nostalgia, with appearances in interviews and archival footage, and was inducted into the ECWA Hall of Fame on November 8, 2025.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Anthony Matteo, better known by his ring name Tony Stetson, was born on March 21, 1959, in , . Details on his family and childhood remain limited in public records.

Education and pre-wrestling interests

Matteo had a background in football prior to entering .

Professional wrestling career

Training and debut

Tony Stetson began his training in the mid-1980s under renowned trainer Larry Sharpe at the wrestling school in . There, he honed the fundamentals of the industry alongside other aspiring wrestlers, including future stars like . His roots in helped shape his tough-guy persona that would become a hallmark of his in-ring presence. Stetson made his professional debut on December 9, 1985. Early in his career, he competed under the "Hitman" Tony Stetson and was billed at a of 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and a weight of 238 pounds (108 kg). Through his rigorous regimen at the , Stetson developed an initial wrestling style centered on brawling prowess combined with technical proficiency, allowing him to execute stiff strikes, holds, and submissions effectively in his opening bouts.

Independent circuit and Tri-State Wrestling Alliance

Following his training at the under Larry Sharpe and professional debut in late , Tony Stetson spent the years 1986 to 1989 building experience on the Northeastern independent wrestling , primarily in and promotions. His early bookings emphasized a brawling style suited to the region's gritty, territorial scene, where he competed in singles and tag matches against local talent, honing his approach that blended technical holds with hard-hitting strikes. Notable appearances included at least one bout in in 1988, a New England-based promotion known for its regional rivalries and emerging hardcore elements. These independent runs established Stetson as a reliable midcard performer, drawing on his roots to portray a tough, streetwise competitor. In early 1990, Stetson transitioned to the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA), a prominent independent promotion founded by Joel Goodhart that bridged the gap between regional territories and emerging national indies, where he quickly rose as a key midcard talent. His TWA tenure was defined by an extended feud with fellow Philadelphian , a rivalry that showcased intense, stipulation-laden encounters and elevated both wrestlers' profiles within the promotion. The feud began on , 1990, at McGonigle Hall in , where Stetson lost to Hotbody via disqualification after 10:12, setting a tone of escalating aggression. This was followed by a Taped Fist match on March 31, 1990, at the same venue, which ended in a no contest after 12:45 due to interference, further intensifying their personal animosity. The rivalry continued with a six-man elimination match on June 9, 1990, at McGonigle Hall, where Stetson teamed with Larry Winters and against D.C. Drake, Hotbody, and Mondo Kleen; Hotbody eliminated Stetson via pinfall in the final stretch, prolonging the bad blood. A singles bout on July 21, 1990, at Max Myers Playground in resulted in a double countout after 8:23, leading to calls for a decisive showdown. The feud peaked at TWA Autumn Armageddon on September 15, 1990, at Penn Hall in , in a Hair vs. Hair match that lasted 16:32; Stetson emerged victorious with a roll-up pin, forcing Hotbody to have his head shaved in a post-match ceremony that drew strong crowd reactions and solidified Stetson's fan support. They clashed once more on December 4, 1990, at Original Sports Bar in a Falls Count Anywhere match, which Stetson won via pinfall after 14:20, using weapons like chairs to emphasize the no-holds-barred intensity. Throughout these TWA storylines, Stetson embodied his emerging "Hitman" persona—a no-nonsense enforcer from —through alliances like his temporary partnership with Winters and Rebel, which highlighted themes of loyalty amid betrayals in multi-man bouts, and solo runs that portrayed him as a resilient underdog against cocky heels like Hotbody. This character development, rooted in his brawler roots, positioned him as a fan favorite and paved the way for higher-profile opportunities, with the Hotbody feud particularly boosting his popularity by blending personal stakes with athletic brutality.

Extreme Championship Wrestling tenure

Tony Stetson joined in early 1992, debuting at the promotion's inaugural event, Market Street Mayhem, on February 25 in , where he defeated in a singles match. As one of the company's founding performers, Stetson quickly established himself as a reliable midcard talent, leveraging his brawler style honed on the independent circuit to compete in a variety of matches against early ECW stars like The Sandman and . Stetson's tag team prowess became his hallmark in ECW, leading to two reigns as ECW World Tag Team Champion in 1993. On April 2, 1993, he and Larry Winters defeated (A.J. Petrucci and Doug Stahl) to capture the titles for the first time, holding them for approximately two months before dropping them to The Suicide Blondes (Chris Candido and Lance Wright) on June 4. Later that year, on October 1 at Bloodfest, Stetson and were awarded the championships after the previous champions no-showed the event, embarking on a 43-day reign marked by defenses against notable teams including The Sandman and J.T. Smith, as well as and . The duo's run concluded on November 13 at when they lost to and Johnny Gunn. These successes highlighted Stetson's versatility in ECW's increasingly hardcore tag division, with key encounters underscoring the promotion's emphasis on intense, no-holds-barred competition. In addition to his tag team achievements, Stetson captured the ECW Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship on September 18, 1993, defeating in to become the second and final holder of the title. His reign lasted only four days before the championship was deactivated in late September 1993 as ECW shifted focus to its core titles, though Stetson defended it successfully in house shows during this brief period. By 1995, Stetson underwent a significant shift, adopting the "Broad Street Bully" —a tough, street-tough inspired by Philadelphia's gritty —and teaming with Don E. Allen as the Broad Street Bullies. On July 15, 1995, at , they defeated champions and by countout to win the ; however, the victory was controversial due to the countout stipulation and the titles were vacated shortly thereafter. This iteration aligned him with , where he participated in angles involving servitude to , including high-stakes matches where losses risked expulsion from the group. Notable storylines saw the Bullies attacking rivals like , culminating in a loss to them at Three Way Dance on April 8, 1995, which led to their removal from and the 's short-lived end by mid-1995. Stetson's time in the stable added to ECW's warfare dynamics before his role diminished in 1996.

Post-ECW and later appearances

Following his tenure with , Tony Stetson entered semi-retirement in the mid-1990s due to accumulating injuries, shifting focus to a career in healthcare supply coordination at Methodist Hospital. Despite stepping back from full-time competition, he maintained occasional bookings on the independent circuit, including sporadic appearances that kept his presence in the Northeast wrestling landscape. Stetson returned to the ring in 2009 for a nostalgia-driven match at the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Reunion Show, where he defeated in . These intermittent outings continued over the years, reflecting his enduring connection to the regional promotions that defined his early career. After more than 30 years in , Stetson announced his full-time retirement in 2015, following a series of matches in promotions like Blue Collar Wrestling. However, he made a final comeback in 2025 for the TWA "One and Done" reunion event at the in on May 3, facing Michael Tartaglia in a TWA Alumni Lumberjack Match billed as his last in-ring performance. In November 2025, Stetson was inducted into the ECWA Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to independent wrestling in the Northeast. In reflections on his career, Stetson has emphasized the physical toll of the ring— including knee replacements—but highlighted the lasting bonds formed in promotions like , where his persona became a highlight of gritty, local storytelling that influenced generations of wrestlers in the region. His longevity, spanning four decades, underscores his role as a foundational figure in Philadelphia's hardcore and independent scene.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Tony Stetson is married—his third marriage—and the father of three children from previous marriages. He has resided in the area throughout his life, where he was born and raised. Little additional public detail is available regarding his children's names, ages, or potential involvement in wrestling, as Stetson has maintained privacy around his personal relationships. He is of Italian American heritage.

Health and residence

After retiring from full-time wrestling in 2002 due to nagging injuries, Tony Stetson has continued to reside in the area. He remains actively involved in the local wrestling community, participating in regional promotions and events centered in . In 2025, Stetson competed in his billed final match on May 3 at the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance () "One and Done" reunion event at the in , facing Michael Tartaglia in a lumberjack match surrounded by TWA alumni. This appearance underscored his ongoing ties to the scene, including a tribute ceremony honoring his contributions alongside fellow pioneers like Joel Goodhart and . Earlier that year, on November 8, he was inducted into the ECWA Hall of Fame, further highlighting his enduring community presence.

Championships and accomplishments

Major titles won

Tony Stetson captured several key championships during his career in the Northeast independent scene, particularly in Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), where his title wins helped solidify his status as a reliable midcard performer and tag team specialist. His accomplishments in the ECW World Tag Team Championship stand out as his most prominent, with three reigns that showcased his versatility in both traditional and hardcore-style tag matches.

ECW World Tag Team Championship

Stetson's first reign occurred alongside Larry Winters on April 2, 1993, at the NWA Bloodfest event in , where they defeated the reigning champions, ( and Doug Stahl). This victory marked the second-ever title change in ECW history and lasted 1 day until they lost the belts to The Suicide Blondes ( and ) on April 3, 1993, at an ECW event in . During this brief period, Stetson and Winters had no recorded defenses, reflecting the fluid early days of ECW's division amid its transition from traditional wrestling to a more extreme style. His second reign came with partner on October 1, 1993, when ECW awarded them the titles following a vacancy created by the previous champions' departure. This 43-day run ended on November 13, 1993, at ECW's event in , where they were defeated by Johnny Gunn and in a match lasting just 10 seconds. Notable defenses included bouts against The Sandman and J.T. Smith, highlighting Stetson's role in high-stakes, fast-paced feuds that boosted ECW's reputation for unpredictable action. These reigns elevated Stetson's profile in the Northeast, positioning him as a cornerstone of ECW's early landscape before the promotion's full embrace of . Stetson's third and final reign occurred alongside Don E. Allen on July 15, 1995, at '95 in , where they defeated the champions and by countout in 2:10. This win was controversial, as countout victories typically do not result in title changes under standard rules, and it is not always recognized as official; the titles were not retained, effectively ending the reign immediately without defenses or formal acknowledgment.

ECW Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship

In singles competition, Stetson won the short-lived ECW Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship (also recognized as the NWA Pennsylvania Heavyweight Championship) on September 18, 1993, at ECW UltraClash in , defeating the inaugural champion in a match lasting approximately 6 minutes. As the second and final holder of the title, Stetson carried it for roughly 42 days until it was retired in late October 1993, with no successful defenses recorded due to its regional focus and the promotion's shifting priorities toward national expansion. This victory underscored Stetson's local appeal in wrestling circles, serving as a bridge between his tag team success and brief forays into singles prominence, though the title's deactivation limited its long-term impact.

Other Major Titles

Stetson also secured the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA) Heavyweight on April 11, 2010, at the TWA Adopt-a-Pet event in Voorhees, , by defeating champion III (Tommy Thunda). The reign was extremely brief, as the title was vacated later that day following Stetson's loss to in a match for the vacant championship, reflecting his enduring presence in regional promotions during TWA's intermittent revivals. Earlier, in 1991, he won the inaugural TWA Bar Wars on August 20 by defeating D.C. Drake in a tournament final, holding it for 32 days and adding to his early independent credentials in the promotion that preceded ECW. Additionally, Stetson held the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) Tri-State in 2001, defending it until losing a vacant title match to on August 18, 2001, at HWA Rampage in . These achievements reinforced Stetson's foundational role in Northeast wrestling, bridging his ECW peak with later independent work.
TitlePartnerDate WonDurationKey Opponents DefeatedSignificance
(1st reign)Larry WintersApril 2, 19931 dayMarked early title change in nascent ECW tag division.
ECW Pennsylvania Heavyweight ChampionshipN/ASeptember 18, 1993~42 daysHighlighted local singles talent before title retirement.
(2nd reign)October 1, 199343 days(Awarded; defended vs. The & J.T. Smith)Contributed to ECW's chaotic, short-reign tag era.
(3rd reign)Don E. AllenJuly 15, 1995Immediate (controversial countout win) & Noted for controversy; not always officially recognized.
TWA Heavyweight ChampionshipN/AApril 11, 2010<1 dayMr. Wrestling IIIDemonstrated longevity in regional promotions.
HWA Tri-State ChampionshipN/A2001 (date unclear)Until August 18, 2001(Defenses unknown)Added to mid-2000s independent accolades.

Awards and hall of fame inductions

In 2025, Tony Stetson was inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame as part of a class honoring pioneers of the wrestling scene, with the ceremony held on May 3 at the One and Done event in the . This induction recognized his foundational role in the local hardcore style, alongside inductees including D.C. Drake, Joel Goodhart, , and Larry Winters, during an event that also featured the raising of a commemorative banner celebrating originals. The honor underscored Stetson's influence on the independent promotions, where he helped shape the region's and hardcore traditions through key rivalries and performances. Later that year, on November 8, 2025, Stetson received induction into the (ECWA) Hall of Fame at the Jersey Dugout in , , with the ceremony commencing at 6 p.m. prior to the evening's matches. Announced on October 18, the event highlighted his appearances in multiple ECWA shows, where he competed against fellow hall of famers such as JJ The Ring Crew Guy, Scotty Charisma, and Mr. Ooh La La, further cementing his legacy in Northeast independent wrestling. Doors opened at 5 p.m., allowing fans to witness the tribute to his contributions across promotions like the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance and . Stetson's post-retirement recognitions include a shoot conducted by Cheap Heat Productions, which served as a tribute to his career spanning from 1985 to 2015 and explored his experiences in ECW alumni discussions. These honors reflect his enduring impact on the wrestling community, influencing subsequent generations through his hardcore approach and regional prominence.

References

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