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03/14/2018 08:30 AMFormer professional wrestler Paul Centopani, 58, best known by his ring name, Paul Roma, is enjoying his new role as the head instructor at Paradise Pro Alley Wrestling in East Haven.
“‘Big’ Steve Tracey and Mario Mancini, other former WWF (World Wrestling Federation) wrestlers, they contacted me and we’ve been friends for over 30 years now, and says ‘we want to open a wrestling school,’” he says. “They says, ‘we’re going to do a charity event, we’ll go to all the different places,’ and I was like ‘this is me, this is what I’m all about.’”
With 23 pro wrestling students, Paradise has put on a number of charity events during its two years of operation, raising money for causes including Mission 22, Camp Rising Sun, autism, athletic programs for local schools, and scholarship funds. Next on the list is the Thrill-o at Melillo ‘18, a fundraiser for the East Haven Hockey Club at Joseph Melillo Middle School on Saturday, March 24.
“Anything and everything you can think of, we do,” he says. “If you don’t come to us, chances are we’re going to come to you [the charity organization].”
Paul says that sometimes they make a large profit from their shows and are able to donate to many causes, other times they end up taking from their own pockets, and that his guys (the wrestlers in the shows) understand when this happens.
“My school is basically family,” he says. “I’m the father and they’re the kids and they get it they’re on board with this. I’m one and now I have 25 that are willing to get into my footsteps and travel that road with me. I think it’s a great cause, that’s probably why we stay up and coming.”
Giving back to the community is a commitment that Paul made many years ago, when he became a spokesperson for St. Jude’s hospital, enjoying regular visits with the children. He plans to stage a show at Paradise Pro Alley Wrestling soon to raise more funds for the children’s hospital.
“I ran into a woman from St. Jude’s, and then I really enjoyed what I heard as far as what they do for these kids,” says Roma. “And I says, you know, ‘how do I get involved? Do you want to bring any of them to the show we are having tonight?’ She brought at least 8 or 10 kids. They had a blast and that was what started me on my journey as far as a cause.”
Paul’s long and successful career as a pro wrestler wrapped up in 1998 and he now works full-time selling IT technology. Growing up in Trumbull, he discovered his passion for wrestling at a young age.
“I got into the Pro Wrestling Foundation in 1983 or 85, somewhere in that range,” says Roma. “The reason I got into it is because my parents had a little girl and she was born with downs [Down syndrome], so I wanted to become a role model for kids. I thought it was unfair that my little sister had these issues and I have no issues and I wanted to do something different.”
Wrestling is still a family affair for Paul. His daughter, aged 10, whom he called a “little monster gymnast,” comes and helps out at the Paradise Pro Alley Wrestling shows, selling concessions to the fans.
The Thrill-o at Melillo ‘18 is at Joseph Melillo Middle School, 67 Hudson St., East Haven on Saturday, March 24, with doors open at 6 p.m. The cost is $20 VIP seating; $15 floor seating; $10 general admission. For more information and tickets, call 203-500-8028 or visit paradisealleyprowrestling.com.