Rising Stars to Participate in MCW's Shamrock Cup

AJ Winkler’s life took a dramatic turn when he was just 6 years old.

It was during that time that he walked in on his father watching a pro wrestling match on TV. Winkler was mesmerized by the action in the ring and knew that was something he wanted to do one day.

Fourteen years later, Winkler is doing just that, as he is an up-and-coming pro wrestler on the independent scene. Going by the ring name Alexander James, he has attracted the attention of many of the pro wrestling promotions on the East Coast, including Maryland Championship Wrestling.

MCW, which is co-owned by Middle River resident Dan McDevitt, thinks so highly of Winkler that they have booked him as one of the eight participants in the 12th annual , set for July 7 at the New Green Room in Dundalk.

The Shamrock Cup is named in honor of the late Brian “Shane Shamrock” Howser, a popular wrestler in Maryland and MCW’s “Lifetime Light Heavyweight Champion.” He was just 23 when he was killed during an altercation with Anne Arundel County police in 1998.

The wrestling card is considered one of the premier events of the year nationally on the independent scene, Winkler said, and he considers it an honor to be involved.

Among those who have won the Cup are wrestlers Joey Mercury and Christian York, who have gone on to compete for national organizations such as World Wrestling Entertainment, Ring of Honor and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling and former companies Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling.

“Being involved in the Shamrock Cup is among the highlights of my young career,” said Winkler, 20, who wrestled his first match during the second semester of his senior year at Hereford High.

Winkler said he includes current Ring of Honor star and former WWE standout Matt Hardy as among those that have inspired him. Cole wrestled Winkler in his first ever singles match. Hardy was involved in that first match Winkler watched with his father all those years ago.

Also, Cole is among the participants in the Shamrock Cup while Hardy is also wrestling in the card in a tag team match with Tyler Hilton with Reba Sky in their corner against Ronnie Zukko and Adam Flash with in their corner.

“Getting to share a locker room with guys like Adam Cole and Matt Hardy is exciting,” Winkler said. “Those guys are a big reason why I’m here today.”

McDevitt, who has been involved in pro wrestling as a promoter and wrestler for 20 years, believes Winkler has all the tools necessary to make it big in the business. Winkler is currently the MCW television champion and takes additional bookings along the East Coast, including with New Jersey-based Combat Zone Wrestling.

“Alexander James is a talented kid,” McDevitt said. “He’s getting better every day and has a chance to go far if he keeps doing what he’s doing.”