Ventnor resident has created a monster

Last Updated on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 02:07 pm Written by SHAUN SMITH Tuesday, March 19, 2013 04:59 pm

Anthony Graves greets the crowd at National Wrestling Alliance Force 1 Relaunch Feb. 18 in Hammonton.

Anthony Fermonte, 27, will affect his ‘monster zombie’ persona when he wrestles in Bodyslam event benefiting the PBA

VENTNOR – The squared circle will bring professional wrestler Anthony Fermonte full circle when he performs for his hometown crowd this weekend in “From the Ashes,” a wrestling event presented by the Bodyslam Wrestling Organization.

Fermonte, 27, of Ventnor is on the card under his moniker Anthony Graves. The Galloway native and 2003 graduate of Absegami High School said the event almost falls on the five-year anniversary of his first match.

“If you told me five years ago when I began in this wrestling business I was going to be wrestling in my hometown, I wouldn't believe it,” he said Monday, March 18.

“It’s an awesome feeling going into it. I have lot of friends that can't travel out to where I go. It’s really cool to have a wrestling show in our neighborhood, and the crowd is going to go nuts for this show.”

Fermonte said he always envisioned himself as an entertainer, but acting, music and stand-up comedy weren’t the right fit.

But when he laced up his wrestling boots for the first time, he said he knew he belonged on the mat.

Fermonte began wrestling in the National Wrestling Alliance Force 1 Pro Wrestling Dojo in Egg Harbor City in 2009.  A year later, he met his tag team partner Jon Dahmer. As the Monster Squad, the two would win a championship before the company closed.

Graves’ character, as his alias would have one believe, is similar to that of the Undertaker from World Wrestling Entertainment. His theme song is "Would You Love a Monsterman?" by the Finnish heavy metal band Lordi.

His finishing move is the choke STO, which is a combination of a choke slam and a space tornado ogawa, in which Fermonte grabs an opponent by the throat and kicks out their legs, essentially bringing his foe to the canvas by his neck.

“I always call him monster zombie. I love zombies and horror movies, but I didn't want to be a zombie; I wanted to have more of an edge,” the wrestler said.

Outside of the ring Fermonte is nearly the opposite of his character – wearing glasses, smiling and happy. He is a security guard at the Chelsea in Atlantic City, and when he’s not doing that he is training at the gym, spending time with his girlfriend and making YouTube videos.

“Everybody calls me the Clark Kent of this business,” he said.

He said one aspect of his character whenever he plays the bad guy is running around the arena scaring children in his deathly face paint. Fermonte said his trainer Sami Callihan gave him the concept and helped him develop the character.

“Normally, when the crowd boos at you, you don't know what to do. As a wrestler, when the crowd boos, you want to give them a reason to hate you so they come back to watch you lose a match,” Fermonte said. “When you do win, you have to do something more dastardly so they come out next time to see you lose.”

Fermonte said his favorite wrestlers from WWE lore are the Undertaker, Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Hulk Hogan. Another one of his favorites, Delirious, will be in the ring at Saturday’s match.

Fermonte said he aspires to reach the WWE someday, but he gets a thrill out of wrestling nearly every weekend.

“It's almost like an addiction, especially when you go out there for a 10-minute match and you’re feeling the crowd presence and you have the crowd going on your side – It’s a good time,” he said.

On Saturday, Anthony Graves will face "Showtime" Shawn Sheridan – and he is looking forward to the rematch.

“In our first match he got the upper hand, but this time I'm ready for him,” Fermonte said.

He said Saturday’s show is going to be exciting and absolutely worth the price of admission.

“It’s family-friendly, hard-hitting, good old-wrestling entrainment with the top guys in the independent company, Ring of Honor, which is one of the best companies to work for,” Fermonte said.

And, as his character would say, “You can take that … to the grave.”

Connect with Anthony Graves at www.facebook.com/Agraves13, on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

“From the Ashes” will benefit Ventnor City Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local 97. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex, 400 N. Lafayette Ave. The first match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Snacks, soda and water will be available during the show in the cafeteria.

Tickets can be purchased through the Police Benevolent Association by calling (609) 705-8168 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or through Bodyslam Wrestling at (973) 902-2345 or www.shopbodyslam.webs.com/apps/webstore.

Anthony Graves psyches up the crowd at the NWA Force 1 Relaunch Feb. 18 in Hammonton.   Jon Dahmer and Anthony Graves perform the Monster Squad Device against a member of Black Wallstreet.   Anthony Graves gets a high-five from a fan after defending his tag team championship title Feb. 18 in Hammonton against Black Wallstreet.