On March 29th, 2025, I attended a IUP Wrestling event in Syracuse, NY at the NY State Fairgrounds. The opening of the show featured a brand new wrestler to the scene named Jermaine Marbury. Marbury was a wrestler that I had not ever heard of previously, and he was using a gimmick that I also had not seen before.
Marbury’s character is that of a basketball player. The name is inspiring by a combination of Jermaine O’Neal and Stephon Marbury. Being a fan and avid watcher of mid to late 90s to mid 2000’s NBA on YouTube, I loved the name. For those who may not understand, Jermaine O’Neal was a top power forward in the early 2000s and Stephon Marbury was an outstanding point guard in the late 90s to the early 2000s.
Jermaine fell in love with professional wrestling at about five or six years old. The love for the business started when he played the RAW vs. Smackdown 2007 video game with his older cousin. It wasn’t until a year later while channel surfing that he realized the characters in the game were real people and upon seeing Rey Mysterio square off against bigger opponents peaked his interest in pro wrestling. Thus, at the age of 15, Marbury decided to follow his career after doing a class presentation on his career after high school.
In the summer of 2020, Marbury attended Paradise Alley Pro Wrestling training with Paul Roma and Mario Mancini. After training for two years, Marbury had his first match with Brad Baylor (WWE ID) in August 2022. As of 2025, Marbury continues to train there along with BIO Pro in Boylston, MA with Antonio Thomas and Elite Pro Wrestling with Mike Hollow.
As for 2026 and beyond. Marbury would like to keep the momentum he has built since 2024 and compete in new states and promotions. Marbury notes that he’d like to work for NWA POWER, GCW, MLW and Defy.
Marbury’s ability is undeniable, and his presence in the ring is engaging. Being a basketball player on the indies is a unique one and it stands out on the show. In an era where a lot of wrestlers feel the same, Marbury stands out with his colorful jerseys and energy. Often times, Marbury is accompanied to the ring with a basketball mascot named Benny. Yes, it’s a person in a basketball costume. Especially for a kid-friendly environment (such as 1UP), this works incredibly well.
Marbury was kind enough to take the time to assist with information for this article, and also sent along a couple of matches he is especially proud of and believes shows his growth as a performer. These reviews are my genuine reaction whether it be good, bad or indifferent.
JERMAINE MARBURY VS. BRAD BAYLOR — WRESTLING FEDERATION OF AMERICA
They lockup for a moment, but they avoid each other trying to deliver strikes with Baylor going into the ropes. Baylor takes Marbury over with a side headlock. Marbury is met with a kick to the midsection. Marbury avoids Baylor in the corner and delivers a step fake neckbreaker for a near fall. Baylor drops Marbury over the middle rope throat first and hits a neckbreaker of his own. Baylor strikes Marbury on the mat to keep control of the match. Baylor follows up with a snap suplex and taunts the crowd by showing off his body. The crowd is chanting ‘defense’ for Marbury. Baylor keeps Marbury on the mat with a sleeper, but Marbury doesn’t give up. Marbury strikes Baylor several times to break free. Marbury elbows Baylor, but runs into a snap powerslam for a two count. Baylor misses an elbow drop coming off the ropes. Marbury nearly wins with an inside cradle. Marbury strikes Baylor several times and decks Baylor with several clotheslines. Marbury breaks Baylor’s ankles on a crossover and dunks Baylor to the mat. Marbury heads to the top rope, but rolls through on the attempt. Baylor stops Marbury’s momentum with a spinebuster. Baylor hits a twisting neckbreaker, but Marbury gets his foot on the ropes. Baylor believes he has won, but the referee waved it off. Baylor argues with the referee and Marbury almost wins with a rollup. Baylor grabs Marbury on his shoulders, but Marbury shoulder rams Baylor from the apron and hits a top rope crossbody to pickup the win!
Bob’s Take: The usage of basketball moves and terms fit very well in pro wrestling. For some reason, I never thought of the audience chanting defense in a wrestling setting, but it’s perfect to rally Marbury. The match flew by as both men were engaging and kept my interest throughout with their offense and charisma. Marbury comes across as a pure babyface and the crowd was heavily behind him in the match. His entrance had great positive reaction and Benny enhances his presentation. Marbury pinning a WWE ID prospect cleanly is notable and should show the audience of WFA that he’s a viable contender in the promotion.
Match Rating: ***
JERMAINE MARBURY VS. PRICE PUREGOLD — 1UP WRESTLING
Marbury is air dribbling a ball when Puregold kicks the invisible ball away. Marbury gets a headlock on Puregold and takes Puregold down to the mat to keep control. Puregold counters with a headlock and grabs Marbury by his afro to keep the advantage a couple of times. Puregold shoulder blocks Marbury after coming off the ropes. Puregold taunts the crowd, but is met with an arm drag by Marbury. Puregold kicks Marbury in the corner and strikes Marbury in the corner a few times. Marbury misses a chop and is met by Puregold with a chop in the corner. Marbury hits the step fake neckbreaker for a two count. Puregold bails to the floor to regroup and asks for a timeout. Benny is on the floor and Puregold bumps into Benny. Benny waves his hand at Puregold, but Marbury rolls Puregold into the ring. Marbury leaps off the top, but lands on his feet. Marbury misses a splash in the corner and is met with a kick by Puregold. Puregold delivers a seated dropkick and shoulder rams Marbury in the corner. Puregold clotheslines Marbury in the corner followed by a backbreaker for a two count. Puregold stops Marbury from making a comeback with strikes, but Marbury almost wins with a backslide.
Marbury ducks a clothesline, but is met with a powerslam for a two count. Puregold pummels Marbury on the mat with right hands. Puregold lifts Marbury onto his shoulders, but Marbury wiggles free. Puregold gets Marbury on his shoulders in the corner and drops Marbury face first over his knee followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Puregold keeps Marbury on the mat with a chin lock. Benny gets the fans to chant defense for Marbury. Marbury stops Puregold with a jawbreaker and elbows Puregold. Marbury boots Puregold followed by clotheslines and delivers a cutter after several basketball moves. Marbury climbs to the top rope hitting a crossbody for the win.
Bob’s Take: Marbury knows what works for his character and his matches. This had a good flow to it and Marbury had another showing where his basketball references connected with the crowd. Marbury has good babyface fire and it’s clear the character is easily able to connect with the audience. I liked the cutter spot as it wasn’t in the previous match with Baylor. The basketball moves setting up the wrestling move is a good bit, too. This was a good match to open the 1UP event. Match Rating: ***
If the wrestling promotion CHIKARA was still going on in 2025, Jermaine Marbury’s character would fit well in that kind of environment. Marbury’s energy is similar to the energy fans get at a Harlem Globetrotters game. He’s full of fun and uplifting vibes along with Benny the Basketball. As a viewer it’s difficult to not feel connected to the character and rooting for him. When the crowd chants defense, it’s just like watching your favorite basketball team and rooting for them to make a comeback. You catch yourself rooting for Marbury.
Marbury regularly competes of Wrestling Open (Beyond Wrestling), which airs on IWTV. Wrestling Open takes place in Worcester, MA and Rhode Island. Marbury has also been appearing for NWA Exodus in Cleveland, OH.
To follow Marbury’s career growth you can follow him on X HERE. You can also check out more of his matches as they are uploaded onto his YouTube page HERE. Also, he’s got some great basketball related t-shirts for purchase on Pro Wrestling Tees HERE.
Thank you to Jermaine for his assistance in this article. I look forward to seeing him grow his reach as a performer.
Thank you for reading.