Tim Rivera Discusses ‘Subway Mania,’ Bret Hart Watching The Performances
Wrestling fans may have seen the “Subway Mania” videos that have populated the internet over the years.
The videos, which are wrestling matches that take place in the New York Subway system, were started by Tim Rivera nearly a decade ago and have led to Rivera and others performing at concerts and wrestling events.
Rivera and his friend dress as legends like The Undertaker, Kane, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and more before engaging in an all out battle royal in subway cars.
“This is my art,” Rivera said in a profile piece with the New York Times. “I’m not only wrestling in front of five people, 60 people on the train. This is international. It’s like guerrilla filmmaking. We just got to make it happen. One take, that’s it, and make the best out of it.”
Rivera noted that he and performers are not paid, but he purchases the costumes himself or asks an artist friend to make them. Rivera said that Bret Hart has seen the videos.
“He and his family have sat down and watched our Subway Mania videos,” Mr. Rivera said of Mr. Hart. “He was down to earth.”
Rivera has shown up in House of Glory and done matches during concerts for A$AP Rocky and Westside Gunn.
Fans can watch Subway Mania in the video above.
