Professional wrestling returns to Poughkeepsie this Saturday, January 3rd, as Awesome Championship Wrestling kicks off 2026 with its biggest event of the year: the Poughkeepsie Rumble. The Poughkeepsie Rumble is set to take over the MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, this Saturday, January 3, 2026. The festivities kick off with a Fan Fest at 4:30 PM, giving WWE fans and local wrestling enthusiasts a chance to get close to the action before the first bell rings at 6:30 PM. You can secure your spot by grabbing event tickets here or picking up meet and greet packages here.

The Ultimate Collision: Matt Cardona vs. Mike Santana

The main event features a massive clash for the ACW Heavyweight Championship. The reigning champion, Matt Cardona, is set to defend his title against Mike Santana. This rivalry traces back to Mischief Night in October, where Matt Cardona outlasted Nic Nemeth, Matt Riddle, and the former champion Richard Holliday in a grueling four way match to capture the gold. Immediately after the win, Mike Santana made his presence felt by laying down the challenge, setting the stage for this high stakes encounter.

Championship Stakes and Grudge Matches

The undercard is filled with title defenses and personal vendettas that have been building for months:

• ACW Women’s Championship: Indi Hartwell defends her title against Shotzi Blackheart in a match that promises to be a highlight of the night.
• ACW National Championship: Real1 (formerly known as Enzo Amore) puts his championship on the line against the challenger Zack Clayton.
• 6 Man Grudge Match: The newly crowned ACW Tag Team Champions, The NOW (Hale Collins and Vik Dalishus), team up with the legendary Tommy Dreamer to take on Sent 2 Slaughter and Josh Shernoff.

Chaos in the Poughkeepsie Rumble

The centerpiece of the evening is the 20 Man Over-The-Top-Rope Poughkeepsie Rumble. The winner of this match earns a future ACW Heavyweight Championship shot. The field includes names like Big Trouble Ben Bishop, Dante “El Jaguar” Casanova, Danny Doring, and Little Guido, alongside several surprise mystery entrants.

The night will also feature a 3-Way Dance Hardcore Match with Crowbar, Joey Janela, and Mance Warner, plus an appearance by Dave LaGreca from Busted Open Radio.

Get your tickets here or picking up meet and greet packages here.