VFW Post 10209 and Hernando County Veteran Services partnered with Veteran Pro Wrestling (VPW) to bring a must-see wrestling special to Vetoberfest attendees at Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill, Florida, on Oct. 3.
The event, spearheaded by Post 10209 Commander Timothy Stokes and his members, honored veterans and their families by welcoming the Hernando County, Florida, community to Anderson Snow Park from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees enjoyed a wide range of entertainment, including a classic car show, food trucks and vendors, a special concert by the country rock band Crossfire Creek, and a pro wrestling performance by veterans for veterans.
Founded by veterans and former first responders, VPW collaborated with Post 10209 and set up the ring to host matches between pro wrestlers from major companies, including WWE, Shine, ROH, AEW, NWA and ECW.
“Myself, ECW original Gary Wolf and former American Gladiator and law enforcement Deron McBee feel it’s a therapeutic way to express through the performance arts,” said VPW co-founder Christopher Annino, a former first responder and Auxiliary member of VFW Post 3263 in Mystic, Connecticut. “This also encourages people who might have PTSD or depression to socialize. Our mission is to utilize the VFW's for these fun and therapeutic performances.”
Teal Piper, the daughter of WWE Hall of Fame inductee Roddy Piper, received Women’s Wrestler of the Year on behalf of the Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame during the event, which also included a mixed-tag match between Army veteran Johnny Faith and Michaela against Psycho Chase and Ravyn Knight.
Faith, a VFW Life member, received a standing ovation.
Other VPW veterans on the roster, according to Annino, include Jesse Neal, Noah Starinsky and Jared Keefe.
This article is featured in the 2026 October issue of Checkpoint. If you're a VFW member and don't currently receive the VFW Checkpoint, please contact VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org.