Missouri Wrestling Revival

From Hulkamaniac to Hercules
Evan Gelistico’s journey through professional wrestling

By Kari Williams
The first time Evan Gelistico stepped into a ring, he knew that wrestling was his calling—simply being a wrestler was his dream.

Before he was even old enough to lace up a pair of wrestling boots, one man—one hulk—caught the Streetwise Hercules’ attention instantaneously.

“Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan. Hulkamaniac,” Gelistico said.

According to the April 20th edition of the Nosebleed Seats, which featured Gelistico, he skipped out on his mother’s second wedding and went down the hall to watch Hulk Hogan wrestle Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III.

This Hulkamaniac’s journey began nearly four years ago while watching public access television.

“A show came on… and it said at the very end of the show, ‘Do you want to be a wrestler?’ and here’s the number to call, and I called that number, and I got in touch with Jordan Lacey. And from there my training went to Nick Tyson, Sam Richardson, [and] Adam Raw.” Gelistico said.

As a result of his training, he has had the opportunity to wrestle throughout the Midwest in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana and even as far as Texas.

When Gelistico makes his way to the ring, the song “Holding Out for a Hero” can be heard blaring through the speakers. According to the only member of The Bearded Men From Space Station Eleven that does not have a beard, he personifies the song.

“The nickname, [A Streetwise Hercules], does originate from the song “Holding Out For a Hero,” but it also applies to me because I grew up on the streets and am a product of such, plus I am pretty strong. So, it’s just an appropriate nickname,” Gelistico said.

The Streetwise Hercules has already acquired a taste for gold in a relatively short time.

“I’m a two time LWA Medallion Champion; I won the GCW Tag Team Titles with Pierre Abernathy, and we held them for like 5 or 6 months. And just recently Gary [the Barn Owl] and I won the AWA-PPW Tag Team Titles,” Gelistico said.

Prior to winning the titles with Gary, Gelistico had what he considers two of his favorite matches.
“There’s me and Dan Velten from the Jo-show, I had a really good match with him there. And then there’s the one where I wrestled Mike Quackenbush and Gary the Barn Owl in a three-way,” he said.

Despite his multiple title wins, Gelistico would be no match for the Hulkster’s 24-inch pythons.

“My dream match, that’s tough. There are so many people. Hulk Hogan, I’ll say Hulk Hogan. I’d lose to the Hulkster in a minute. I’d take the big boot-leg drop. Perfect,” he said.

For those who are “holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night,” they have to look no further than “the white knight upon a fiery steed,” the Streetwise Hercules, Evan Gelistico.