WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND MAT MEMORIES AUTHOR JOHN AREZZI ENTERS INTO NFT SPACE WITH RARE 1973 ANDRE THE GIANT FOOTAGE
Nashville, Tenn. (July 1, 2021) — Mat Memories author and pro wrestling historian John Arezzi has partnered with New York-based 3 GuysNFT (Non Fungible Tokens) producers out of New York to release rare 8mm footage of mythical wrestling legend Andre The Giant. The footage includes his historic debut at the “Mecca of Wrestling,” Madison Square Garden.
Arezzi originally shot the footage as a 16-year-old fan at the Garden in 1973. These NFTs include a one of one 10-second clip of Andre’s Garden debut against Buddy Wolfe on March 26, 1973. Two additional NFT mini-movies of Andre are also being offered. They are from Andre’s second match at the Garden on April 30, 1973, against Professor Tanaka, and on November 12, 1973 when he teamed with Chief Jay Strongbow to battle Stan Stasiak and Blackjack Lanza.
“The NFT space is fairly new and I became interested in getting into the field because of these rare pieces of history I have in my archives,” explains Arezzi. “Here is a chance to own a digital print of this historic, mythical figure in not just pro wrestling, but in pop culture as well. In pro wrestling history, there are few legends as big as Andre, and these NFTs can now be owned as an investment, or for the collector. Another reason for listing these collectibles is to take advantage of the licensing of several seconds of my Andre footage A&E used on its WWE Lost Treasures show. Why wait?”
The NFTs are all 30-day auctions, with an entry point of under $250 for a bid. NFT’s OpenSea platform facilitates the purchases. The WWE also uses OpenSea for its current NFT offers.
Arezzi owns over 50 films from 1973 and 1974, all of which he filmed from ringside inside the iconic Madison Square Garden- featuring legends like Bruno Sammartino, Don Leo Jonathan, The Funks, Mil Mascaras, Pedro Morales, Freddie Blassie, John Tolos, and more.
“I plan on taking a careful look at the developing NFT marketplace for wrestling,” Arezzi continues. “With the WWE now active in the space, and selling a series of Undertaker NFTs, including one which sold for $100,000, I figured my never-before-seen footage of these matches from almost 50 years ago should have some value as investment collectibles.”
John “Alexander” Arezzi is an entrepreneur who splits his time living outside Nashville, Tennessee and on Long Island. He hosts the Pro Wrestling Spotlight Then & Now podcast, and the weekly video show Pro Wrestling Spotlight Live. He is beginning work on a feature film documentary about his illustrious life.
