Independent wrestler Anthony Nicometi Jr., who wrestled as Anthony Gaines has died at the age of 30.
Reports of Gaines’ passing circulated throughout the industry on Saturday, although the cause of death has not been revealed.
We are devastated to hear of the passing of Anthony Gaines. He was a remarkable performer in the ring who also touched the hearts of many lives outside of it.
You will always be loved and never be forgotten. Without a doubt, you were authentically "None of a Kind". pic.twitter.com/RDjY1v6LFX
— Empire State Wrestling (@ESWWrestling) February 24, 2024
Gaines was born on July 22, 1993, and became a fixture on the independent scene in Western New York after being trained by Colin Delaney, Pepper Parks, and Jordan Lennox.
He made his debut in 2014 for Upstate Pro Wrestling and would continue to develop as a performer working for Pro Wrestling Rampage, and Empire State Wrestling. He wrestled a handful of matches for the Toronto-based Smash Wrestling in Toronto.
Gaines was part of a widely-circulated clip from a match in North Tonawanda for Empire State Wrestling in 2018. Gaines was wrestling Ace Romero, who delivered a Pounce that sent Gaines flying out of the ring and became a heavily shared highlight that brought notoriety to both the performers and the promotion.
The wrestler reacted to the circulation of the clip when speaking with SLAM Wrestling in 2018:
I thought the clip would be popular between my friends, the small group of wrestling people I know in Buffalo, and my co-wrestling people in Canada but nothing too big. Then I saw that Sami Callahan shared it, Jessicka Havok and Scott Hall shared it ,and Mikey Whipwreck shared it. The next thing I know is that I am at a million and a half views. It is almost unfathomable to even think it has gone this far. The morning after that I am the number one trend on Twitter. ABC News is covering it and SportsCenter showed it and it is all very, very surreal.
Gaines, who was known as “None of a Kind” was a tag partner with Jet Rebel as The Homewreckers – winning tag titles in Pro Wrestling Rampage and Southern Tier Wrestling.
On November 25, 2017, Gaines won the vacant ESW Interstate Championship and held the belt for one year.
His last match occurred in September 2023 at a Revenge Pro Wrestle Rage event in Erie, Pennsylvania in an eight-man tag.
Last night we lost Anthony Nicometi Jr. one of the greatest friends I've ever had. A super talented wrestler, a fun guy all around but mostly a loving friend. He was one not only None of A Kind but he was One Of A Kind. I love you man I miss you and I will never forget you 💜 pic.twitter.com/BAtHd7MbCs
— Chris Gullo (@ChrisGullo) February 24, 2024
We send our condolences to the family and friends of Anthony Nicometi Jr.
