This fall, Pure Pro Wrestling (PPW) was honored to be featured on the Emmy-nominated PBS series Start Up in its Season 13 premiere episode! The show, hosted by Gary Bredow, travels the country spotlighting small business owners whose work is shaping their communities — and when it came to telling the story of wrestling with a purpose, PPW was a perfect fit.
📺 Watch the episode below, or on PBS.org → Pure Pro Wrestling on Start Up
💪 More Than Wrestling — The Mission of Joe Byrd & PPW
The episode takes viewers inside the world of PPW, starting with our founder Joe Byrd. Wrestling isn’t just about body slams and championships for Joe — it’s about using the squared circle as a platform to mentor youth, raise money for charities, and inspire communities.
From running shows at schools and fairs to training the next generation of wrestlers at Camp Justice (PPW’s official training program), Joe has built a company that blends family-friendly entertainment with real-life impact.
“Mentoring youth, raising money for charity and teaching athletes how to execute the perfect body slam are only some of the things that Joe Byrd stands for.” – PBS Start Up
🌟 Highlights from the Episode
The PBS cameras capture not just the action, but the heart behind PPW:
- Youth Mentorship: The show highlights how wrestling becomes a vehicle for teaching young athletes confidence, discipline, and teamwork.
- Community Impact: Viewers see how PPW partners with schools, nonprofits, and festivals to raise money and awareness for meaningful causes.
- Inside the Training: Safety and skill are front and center, as Joe and the PPW team teach athletes how to take the bumps and protect their opponents in the ring.
- Diversity & Inclusion: The segment emphasizes PPW’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment for wrestlers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
It’s not just about what happens in the ring — it’s about what happens in people’s lives because of it.
🏆 Michigan’s Largest Touring Wrestling Brand
As the feature makes clear, PPW isn’t just another indie promotion — it’s Michigan’s largest touring wrestling brand, running 50+ shows a year across the Great Lakes State. From county fairs to historic theaters, PPW blends star-powered talent with family-friendly fun, while always staying true to its mission of community.
Over the years, PPW has been home to WWE, AEW, Impact, ROH, and NWA alumni, alongside international stars and homegrown Michigan talent. But what sets us apart is the mission behind the madness: pro wrestling with purpose.
🙏 A Big Thank You
Being featured on PBS’s Start Up is an incredible honor — not just for PPW, but for everyone who has supported our journey. From fans filling the seats, to wrestlers training in the ring, to the nonprofits and schools who’ve partnered with us — this recognition belongs to the entire PPW family.
We’re proud to showcase Michigan wrestling on a national stage and prove that pro wrestling can be a force for good.
📺 Watch Pure Pro Wrestling on PBS “Start Up” (Season 13, Episode 1):
👉 Click here to watch
👊 Very much like our matches, this is only the beginning — the fight goes on, and we’re just getting started.