THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT 4/10/25 - Ray Ray Marz

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done a THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT for HardwayHQ.com. A lot of things have gotten in the way. However, it’s time to get back on the saddle again and showcase a veteran in independent wrestling that has worked his way back into the industry and made his own niche in the game today.

He’s a rock star…he’s unstoppable…he’s RAY RAY MARZ.

—--

Ray Ray Marz began his wrestling career through the Bodyslam Wrestling Organization, training at their school in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. “Double R” gained the crux of his training from former ECW World Tag Team Champion and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Little Guido Maritato. To this day, he cherished and relished in the opportunity from learning from a cult favorite from the land of Extreme.

Almost immediately, the rock star Marz gained a following in BWO, especially with his rivalry against training-mate Darius Carter. Those two had some down-and-out donnybrooks during their time on the independents. Although their relationship has always been tension-filled, Marz and Carter had a wealth of respect for one another.

In this writer’s opinion, Marz might have been the greatest BWO United States Champion of all time. His rivalry with Joey Da Bull, the Italian enforcer, over said championship really brought the toughness out of him. I’ve always heard rumors that Joey Da Bull’s club to the back has left a permanent pain in-between the shoulder blades for Ray.

Regardless, Ray’s three reigns as United States Champion ranked as most in BWO history. He took pride in facing all comers. He has also never forgotten his past, and keeps in contact with BWO wrestlers such as Richie Rotten, Preacher, and Dan Murdoch to this day.

Doing my research, I geeked out knowing that Ray Ray Marz is a two-time former NWS Heavyweight Champion! The National Wrestling Superstars, run by New Jersey independent wrestling icons Johnny Dapper and the late, great Geno Moore, were a traveling promotion that went all across New Jersey.

Double R won his first championship in Brick, NJ on October 2, 2010, defeating the underrated Corey Havoc. However, in early 2011, Marz LOST the gold to the diabolical Rampage Rogers. Rampage was willing to do whatever it took to keep the gold, ducking Marz at all costs. However, 364 days after originally winning the NWS Heavyweight title, Ray Ray WON IT BACK in Brick, NJ in a classic match in front of a packed home in Brick.

Marz made his presence felt across the great Garden State, wrestling for JCW, ECPW, and NWA DAWG. Ray also competed for a match in Beyond Wrestling in November 2012 at the Charade Charity Chowdown, defeating Dave McCall.

Due to injuries and other responsibilities, Ray Ray took several years off from the independent scene. In 2022, just after the pandemic, he returned to the sport, co-founding a promotion called Gen Pro Wrestling.

Although GPW ran some events in the Monster Factory in Paulsboro, NJ and the Lakewood Estonian House in Lakewood, NJ, the company folded in 2023. In turn, Double R buckled down and founded Matt Pro Wrestling, in honor of his brother Matt. Along with his wife Joan and the rest of the Marz clan, the promotion aims to bring awareness and support of autism, which is an incredible thing to behold. They are currently running throughout the Ocean County area and bringing live wrestling to the masses.

Our founder, Jon Harder, had these words to say about Ray Ray:

I hold Ray Ray in the highest regard, especially as it comes to this website. Had it NOT been for Ray being the only sponsor for the initial Hardway Podcast, which went towards new microphones, HardwayHQ.com would not be here today.

Also, had it not been for Ray’s band Bricolage not developing the initial Hardway theme song “Create Control”, the podcast would not have taken off.

Ray Ray is a good egg. He loves this industry and is a true fan. There are not many people who keep a positive attitude in this business after a long time in it, and Ray is one of the few.  Also, starting Matt Pro in honor of his brother Matt is awe-inspiring. I truly wish him success, and I hope Matt Pro Wrestling builds a solid reputation in the Ocean County area.

—--

You can follow Matt Pro Wrestling on Facebook and on X at @ThisIsMattPro.

Congrats Ray Ray Marz for being in this week’s THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT.

Bankie Bruce

BankieBruce@gmail.com