Doug Yasinsky (born 1964) is an American retired professional wrestler and promoter , better known by his ring name "Dashing" Doug Flex , who competed in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit during the late 1980s and 1990s. He frequently teamed with Brick Bronsky throughout his career and, along with manager G.Q. Bronsky, were together known as The Brat Pack .
89-583: Yasinsky was popular in Pennsylvania, especially Lehigh Valley , not only as a wrestler but also for his volunteer work with teenagers and organizations such as the Special Olympics . He also promoted amateur boxing and mixed martial arts . His first boxing card in 1992 showcased fighters from six towns and was the first held in Lehighton, Pennsylvania in seven years. He was the co-owner of
178-517: A U.S. Department of Commerce program. The Lehigh Valley as a whole leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the 18-to-34 year old demographic, according to 2020 census data. The Lehigh Valley's population growth is partly a result of a growing influx of residents from New Jersey and New York drawn to the Lehigh Valley's lower cost of living, its employment opportunities, and its close proximity to Philadelphia and New York City,
267-511: A 6-man tag team match at a show for Extreme Championship Wrestling at The Flagstaff in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania . They defeated Stevie Richards & The Pitbulls ( Pitbull#1 & #2 ) when Yasinsky pinned Richards. Sidelined by a serious knee injury, Yasinsky would not return to wrestling full-time until 1996. By that time, he and Bronsky had started their own Harrisburg -based promotion, International Pro Wrestling, where they formed
356-577: A borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania . It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania . The population was 937 at the 2010 census. The borough is at an elevation of 437 feet (133 m). It is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Palmerton and 4 miles (6 km) south of Lehighton off Pennsylvania Route 248 . Bowmanstown is located in southern Carbon County at 40°48′3″N 75°39′44″W / 40.80083°N 75.66222°W / 40.80083; -75.66222 (40.800737, -75.662167), on
445-448: A dramatic related economic downturn in the region. Bethlehem Steel continued functioning on a vastly reduced scale for a period, but ultimately ceased steel manufacturing entirely at its primary Bethlehem -based manufacturing plant in 1995. In 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy protection and, in 2003, the company was dissolved. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the downturn and ultimate demise of Bethlehem Steel, once one of
534-491: A friendlier regulatory environment, provide the area with a comparatively favorable business climate compared to surrounding metropolitan areas. Due in large part to this comparably favorable business climate and mature business support programs, the Lehigh Valley has been very successful in luring established businesses as well as new startup companies from higher cost areas such as New York and New Jersey, generating thousands of new jobs and significant new investments in
623-634: A future WWE star, also made his Pennsylvania debut. During the next year, according to independent wrestler Tommy Idol, Yasinsky and booker Ed Zohn stopped running shows in the Lebanon area following a dispute with rival promoter Larry Brown allowing his Lethal Wrestling Federation to take over the "open town". Prior to his official ranking in the 1998 PWI 500 , he put out an open challenge to any wrestler rated higher than him (#433) to meet him in IPW. Yasinsky brought in many high-profile wrestlers into IPW during
712-423: A global leader in steel and other heavy manufacturing industries, which represented a considerable portion of its employment and economic production for most of the 20th century. Beginning in the early 1980s, however, the region's heavy manufacturing sector experienced a rapid downfall, highlighted by the downsizing and ultimate closure of Bethlehem Steel , the world's second-largest steel manufacturer for much of
801-414: A gym in the former silk mill in 1983. The three-story brick building housed a furniture-stripping business as well as the gym. Town officials raised concerns that the building may be unsafe, such as the absence of proper fire exits, to accommodate the hundreds of people that the gym was bringing in on the weekends. Yasinsky was the first to sign and acknowledge the town's letter. Within a few years, Yasinsky
890-418: A local zoning controversy involving their gym. On August 17, local building inspector Peter Kropf sent a certified letter to Keith Boyer and the four people leasing the building that the building had numerous violations and that Boyers had 45 days to bring it into compliance with state and local codes or face daily fines of up to $ 1,000. Kropf also claimed that Boyer never secured a necessary permit when he opened
979-482: A movement to reestablish manufacturing activities in the U.S., driven by customer demand for American-made products, faster product delivery, increased overseas wages, and inflated costs and extended timeframes for shipping has led to some renewed growth in the Valley's manufacturing sector. Several large companies from China and Germany have invested tens of millions of dollars into developing significant operations in
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#17328026040391068-594: A number of various independent promotions during the first three years of his career, including the U.S. Heavyweight Championship in 1989 and the Galaxy Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship in 1990. He also scored victories over Sgt. Slaughter , Ken Patera , Nikolai Volkoff , and Bam Bam Bigelow on the independent circuit. By the end of 1991, Yasinsky had wrestled in Japan , Canada and almost every state in
1157-462: A popular maker of juice drinks and other fruit products, produces 40 percent of its total national beverage volume at its Lehigh Valley plant in Breinigsville. Due to Pennsylvania's lack of an excise tax on cigars and the Lehigh Valley's close proximity to major markets, the region is home to some of the nation's largest cigar distributors and retailers. The largest retail shopping area in
1246-511: A population of 873,555 as of 2023. Lehigh County is among Pennsylvania's fastest-growing counties, and the Lehigh Valley leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, which constitutes a significant portion of the labor workforce . The region's core population centers are located in southern and central Lehigh and Northampton counties along Interstate 78 , Interstate 476 , Pennsylvania Route 309 , and U.S. Route 22 . The Lehigh Valley has historically been
1335-410: Is Allentown , the third-largest city in Pennsylvania and the county seat of Lehigh County, with a population of 125,845 residents as of the 2020 census . The Allentown– Bethlehem – Easton metropolitan area, which includes the Lehigh Valley, is Pennsylvania's third-most populous metropolitan area after those of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , and the nation's 67th-largest metropolitan area with
1424-750: Is a geographic and metropolitan region formed by the Lehigh River in Lehigh and Northampton counties in eastern Pennsylvania . It is a component valley of the Great Appalachian Valley bounded to its north by Blue Mountain , to its south by South Mountain , to its west by Lebanon Valley , and to its east by the Delaware River and Warren County, New Jersey . The Lehigh Valley is about 40 miles (64 km) long and 20 miles (32 km) wide. The Lehigh Valley's largest city
1513-540: Is expected to have a total size of 1,100,000 square feet (100,000 m ) square feet and employ over 3,000 people. The Boston Beer Company operates its largest U.S. production brewery facility in Breinigsville in the Lehigh Valley, which produces over 2/3rds of all Samuel Adams beer globally. The company continues to upgrade and expand operations at this facility and has cited the location as central to its overall corporate success. Additionally, Ocean Spray ,
1602-453: Is located geographically within a one-day drive to over a third of the U.S. population and over half of Canada's population, which has been a factor in its 21st century emergence as a North American leader in light manufacturing and commercial distribution . Gains in these and other industries have helped offset the significant losses the region had experienced from its late 20th century decline in heavy manufacturing. Since its settlement in
1691-407: Is located within the U.S. Northeast megalopolis with ease of access and close proximity to many of the nation's largest population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including New York City , the nation's largest city , which is 90 miles (140 km) to its east, and Philadelphia , the nation's sixth-most populous city, which is 60 miles (97 km) to its southeast. The region
1780-532: Is one of the fastest-growing and largest economies in Pennsylvania with a total GDP of $ 43.8 billion that saw a five percent increase between 2016 and 2017 alone driven by strong manufacturing, financial, health care, and professional services industry segments. It is centrally located in the Northeast megalopolis with ease of access and close proximity to several of the largest U.S. markets, population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including
1869-592: Is sometimes referred to as the nation's "second Inland Empire " for freight. Large national companies that own and operate warehouses and distribution centers in the Lehigh Valley include Amazon.com , B. Braun , Boston Beer Company (brewer of Samuel Adams brand beer), BMW , Bridgestone , FedEx SmartPost , FedEx Ground , Home Depot , J. C. Penney , Nestlé Purina , ShopRite , Stitch Fix , The Coca-Cola Company , Ocean Spray , Phillips Pet Food and Supplies, True Value , Uline , Zulily , and others. Most of these warehouses and distribution centers are located along
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#17328026040391958-559: Is water. As of 2013, there were 8.40 miles (13.52 km) of public roads in Bowmanstown, of which 3.11 miles (5.01 km) were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 5.29 miles (8.51 km) were maintained by the borough. Pennsylvania Route 248 is the main highway serving Bowmanstown. It follows a northwest-southeast alignment across the southern and western portions of
2047-749: The 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment , which was established on August 5 and later proved influential in expanding the Union Army's reach into the Deep South , permitting it to launch successful attacks against Confederate positions in the Battle of St. Johns Bluff in 1862 and throughout the Red River campaign in the Trans-Mississippi theater and Sheridan 's Shenadoah Valley campaign across Virginia in 1864. These victories helped to tip
2136-565: The Coal Region , Lehigh and Northampton counties in the Lehigh Valley, and Warren County in the Skylands region of northwest New Jersey . As of 2023 census estimates, it is the 67th-largest metropolitan area in the nation with a population of 873,555. In July 2023, the area was added to the newly created Allentown - Bethlehem - East Stroudsburg PA-NJ Combined Statistical Area (CSA). This area also includes Monroe County in
2225-748: The Great Depression , feeding ports up and down the Delaware River , the Pennsylvania Canal , and transoceanic demand, and was integral to the industrialization of the greater Delaware Valley region. The Morris Canal , the 22–23 miles (35–37 km) anthracite coal feeder of the Delaware and Raritan Canal . and locks at New Hope on the Delaware Canal were built to fuel anthracite energy needs of Trenton , Newark , Jersey City , and New York City. In 1899, Bethlehem Steel
2314-629: The Harrisburg -based International Pro Wrestling with longtime tag team partner Brick Bronsky from 1997 until 2004. Doug Yasinsky was born in Andreas, Pennsylvania in 1964. He attended Tamaqua High School in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania , where he graduated in 1982. He then attended Penn State , where he met his future tag team partner Brick Bronsky . During this time, both Yasinsky and Bronsky became known for their volunteer work with local youths in
2403-507: The Lehighton, Pennsylvania area and counseled high school students across the United States about the dangers of drug and steroid abuse . The two would typically lecture at the local high schools of wherever they were wrestling and would donate to a local charity if the promoters received a fee for their appearance. They had both used steroids for several years before serious health risks and side effects forced them to stop. Yasinsky
2492-763: The Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg, PA-NJ CSA had a population of 1,030,216, the 59th-largest CSA in the nation. The Lehigh Valley has four distinct seasons, which typically include hot and humid summers, cold winters, and short and mild springs and falls. It has a humid continental climate ( Dfa / Dfb ) and the hardiness zone ranges from 5b in higher elevation locations in northern Carbon County to 6b (the principal zone in Lehigh , Northampton , and southern Warren Counties). The 1991-2020 hardiness zone for
2581-882: The Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City and Merchandise Mart in Chicago . Among major bridges, the company's steel was used to construct the George Washington Bridge and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco , and the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario . The Roosevelt administration relied heavily on Bethlehem Steel during World War II , utilizing
2670-754: The (WCC 3) "Brawl at the Hall", on October 9, 2010, 'UFC' veteran Carmelo Marrero defeated former 'Bellator' fighter Steven Banks with a neck crank tap out at 2:33 of Round 2 to win the vacant World Cage-fighting Championships Heavyweight Title. As of June 2018, the World Cage-fighting Championships had held 19 events and (in addition to the numerous undercard fights), has presided over approximately 134 professional matches. Lehigh Valley 40°42′N 75°30′W / 40.700°N 75.500°W / 40.700; -75.500 The Lehigh Valley ( / ˈ l iː h aɪ / )
2759-472: The 18th century, the Lehigh Valley has been the birthplace or home to several notable Americans who have proven influential across a broad range of fields, including academia, art and music, business, government and politics, the military, professional and Olympic -level athletics, and other fields. The Lehigh Valley was settled over the first half of the 18th century largely by German immigrants fleeing war and religious persecution . Prior to their arrival,
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2848-463: The 1980s, however, the region's manufacturing sector declined rapidly as a result of foreign competition, trade practices, operational costs, regulations, and other factors. The most prominent example was the plight of Bethlehem Steel , the world' second-largest manufacturer of steel for much of the 20th century. Headquartered in Bethlehem , Bethlehem Steel abruptly suspended most of its operations in
2937-415: The 20th century, Bethlehem Steel 's ascent was prominently associated with the emergence of the U.S. as both a world leader in global manufacturing and as the world's largest economy, and its late 20th century downfall has often been cited as an example of one of the nation's most prominent first stumbling points in the face of growing foreign trade competition and other economic challenges that contributed to
3026-478: The 20th century, and other Lehigh Valley–based manufacturing companies. The Lehigh Valley's economy struggled considerably before ultimately rebounding and since emerging in the 21st century as one of Pennsylvania's largest and fastest-growing economies. As of 2021, the Lehigh Valley's gross domestic product (GDP) is $ 50.960 billion, driven by diverse industry sector contributions from its finance, manufacturing, health care, and education, and information sectors. In
3115-548: The 21st century, the region also has emerged as a national center for the U.S. logistics industry, especially in warehousing and intermodal transport . The region's primary commercial airport is Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township ; the airport's air traffic has grown considerably in the 21st century, largely as a result of considerable growth in its commercial air cargo traffic, which exceeded 210 million pounds in 2016. The Lehigh Valley
3204-812: The Battle of Trenton, Washington returned to the city and region several additional times during and following the Revolution. Allentown also played a historical role in protecting the Liberty Bell from British capture following the fall of Philadelphia to the British Army on September 26, 1777, concealing the Liberty Bell for nine months from September 1777 to June 1778 under floor boards in Allentown's Zion Reformed Church . After Washington and
3293-751: The Civil War in the Union's favor. On October 19, 1899, a monument in honor of the Lehigh Valley men killed in their volunteer service to the Union 's preservation, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was erected at Seventh and Hamilton streets in Center City Allentown , where it still stands. The opening of the Lehigh Canal in 1827 contributed significantly to transforming Allentown and
3382-570: The Continental Army's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia was left defenseless and Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council , anticipating Philadelphia's fall, ordered that eleven Philadelphia bells, including the Liberty Bell, then known as the State House Bell, be taken down and moved to present-day Allentown, which was then called Northampton Towne. In Allentown,
3471-491: The Lehigh Valley from a rural agricultural area dominated by German -speaking people into one of the nation's first urbanized industrialized areas. The Lehigh Valley underwent significant industrialization throughout the 19th and most of the 20th centuries and was a major manufacturing hub in the American Industrial Revolution . The Lehigh Valley is named for the Lehigh River , which runs through
3560-559: The Lehigh Valley in the Walking Purchase during the colonial period . Lenape Indians subsequently retaliated with raids against European settlers in the region throughout the 1750s and early 1760s, but were moved out of the region by the mid-1760s. In 1752, the region became part of Northampton County , and Lehigh County was later separated from Northampton County and formally established in 1812. Allentown and its surrounding communities played an important and historic role in
3649-800: The Lehigh Valley is the PA Route 145/MacArthur Road corridor, just north of Allentown in Whitehall Township , which is anchored by Lehigh Valley Mall and Whitehall Mall . Other Lehigh Valley malls include Palmer Park Mall in Easton, South Mall in Salisbury Township , and Westgate Mall in Bethlehem. In October 2006, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley , located off Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township in
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3738-413: The Lehigh Valley was recognized by Site Selection magazine as the second-best performing region of its size for economic development in the nation and the best performing region in the Northeast U.S. . It was ranked by Fortune in 2015 as one of the top 10 best places in the U.S. to locate corporate finance and information technology operations, including call and IT support centers. Allentown,
3827-641: The Lehigh Valley's largest city, was cited as a "national success story" in April 2016 by the Urban Land Institute for its downtown redevelopment and transformation that has led to $ 1 billion worth of new development projects there between 2015 and 2019, one of only six communities nationally to achieve this distinction. The Lehigh Valley is one of the leading areas on the East Coast for warehouses and distribution centers . Because of this, it
3916-590: The Lehigh Valley, opened. The Promenade is roughly half the size of the Lehigh Valley Mall but features higher end stores not available in Lehigh Valley Mall. In 2011, The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem opened at Wind Creek Bethlehem in Bethlehem, becoming the Lehigh Valley's first outlet mall. The Lehigh Valley is part of the Philadelphia television market, the nation's fourth-largest television market, and also receives television stations from
4005-849: The Lehigh Valley, which has generated thousands of new jobs in the region. As of 2024, the Lehigh Valley's five top private sector employers are: 1.) Lehigh Valley Health Network (headquartered in Allentown ); 2.) St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network (headquartered in Fountain Hill ); 3.) Amazon (with a 1,100,000 ft (335,280.0 m) square foot facility in Palmer Township ); 4.) Mack Trucks (with manufacturing headquarters in Macungie ); and 5.) Air Products (globally headquartered in Trexlertown ). The Lehigh Valley
4094-634: The Liberty Bell and other bells were hidden under floorboards at Zion Reformed Church on West Hamilton Street to protect them from being seized and melted down by the British Army for use as munitions. The region again proved influential in the American Civil War . Following the Union Army 's defeat at the Battle of Fort Sumter and Lincoln's April 15, 1861 proclamation calling for state militia to provide 75,000 volunteers to defend
4183-448: The New York City and Scranton / Wilkes-Barre television markets. Lehigh Valley–based stations include WBPH-TV , a Christian television licensed to Bethlehem with studios in Allentown, WFMZ-TV , an independent commercial television station on South Mountain in Allentown, and WLVT-TV , the PBS station licensed to Allentown with studios in Bethlehem. Bowmanstown Bowmanstown is
4272-474: The New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. The Lehigh Valley is within a one-day drive to over a third of the U.S. population and to over half the population of Canada . The Valley has a lower cost of living, more affordable real estate, lower taxes, and a larger and more affordable labor pool than many other Northeastern U.S. metropolitan regions. These attributes and others, including sizable investments in business development incentive programs and
4361-612: The Revolution, establishing the first hospitals for treatment of wounded Continental Army troops at various city locations, including at the current location of the Farr Building at 739 Hamilton Street . As the Revolutionary War progressed, Washington and his commanders also established two POW camps in Allentown, one at 8th and Hamilton streets and another on Gordon Street, to house captured Hessian mercenaries . In addition to visiting Allentown after his victory at
4450-503: The United States. In early 1992, Yasinsky and Bronsky began promoting amateur boxing from their Lehighton gymnasium called The Racquet and Fitness Factory. On April 9, 1992, their first card featured the Twin Mountain Boxing Club of Bowmanstown as well as similar clubs from Lebanon , Shenandoah , Scranton , Bethlehem , Allentown , and Reading, Pennsylvania for 9-12 bouts. It was the first boxing matches held in
4539-521: The Valley's north and South Mountain in the Valley's south. The Lehigh Valley is the lower part of the drainage basin of the Lehigh River. The Lehigh Valley has three principal cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The region is located between two of the nation's largest population centers, 90 miles (140 km) west of New York City , the nation's largest and world's 11th-largest city, and 60 miles (97 km) north of Philadelphia ,
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#17328026040394628-442: The Valley's southern U.S. Route 22 , Interstate 78 , and Interstate 476 corridors, which provide direct access to numerous major markets throughout the Northeast U.S. and beyond. In September 2018, FedEx Ground constructed their largest distribution hub in the country near Lehigh Valley International Airport at a cost of $ 335 million. This hub can process up to 45,000 packages per hour and employs over 2,000 people. By 2030, it
4717-496: The World Cage-fighting Championships, then joined forces with TYHG' , and Yasinsky's former, and Sibbach's original, Professional Wrestling Tag-Team Partner Brick Bronsky (Jeff Beltzner of Evolving Pictures Entertainment). On November 20, 2009, the World Cage-fighting Championships (WCC 1) "The Steel City Beatdown”, was the first sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts event to be held in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. At
4806-404: The airport and lower elevations is 7a. The Lehigh Valley has a total population of 861,889 residents as of the 2020 U.S. census , making it the third-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania and 68th-largest metropolitan area in the nation. A 2018 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau found that 87.1% of the Lehigh Valley's population was White American , 4.6%
4895-423: The area include transportation, retail trade, and restaurants and hospitality. As of 2020, the Lehigh Valley's total gross domestic product was $ 42.9 billion. The Lehigh Valley is known historically for its production of steel , Portland cement , silk , and apparel . Bethlehem Steel , founded in 1899 and based in Bethlehem, was a foundation of the Lehigh Valley's economy for nearly a century from 1899 through
4984-733: The area since October 1984. On March 22, Yasinsky and Bronsky held a wrestling show at The Racquet and Fitness Factory to raise money for the Carbon County Association of Retarded Citizens. Yasinsky faced Satanic Warrior while Brick Bronsky wrestled Morgus the Maniac . The card also featured wrestlers from the Wrestling Independent Network and independent wrestlers including The Cheetah Kid , J.T. Smith and Cream Team ( Dino Casanova and Rip Sawyer ). That summer, he and Bronsky became involved in
5073-1432: The area's rapid growth, lower operational business costs, and its proximity to popular destinations as significant reasons for expanding their Lehigh Valley International Airport flights. Other large national and international companies either based in the Lehigh Valley or with significant operations there include Broadcom Corporation (in Allentown), Avantor Performance Materials (in Allentown), Air Products (in Trexlertown ), Crayola (in Easton), Buckeye Partners (in Emmaus ), HeidelbergCement (in Fogelsville ), Just Born (in Bethlehem, maker of Peeps candies), Mack Trucks (in Allentown), Martin Guitar (in Nazareth ), Olympus Corporation (in Center Valley ), OraSure Technologies (in Bethlehem), PPL Corporation (in Allentown), Wind Creek Bethlehem (in Bethlehem), Dun & Bradstreet (in Center Valley), Victaulic (in Easton), and others. In 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019,
5162-466: The borough was 99.44% White , 0.22% Asian , and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population. There were 389 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who
5251-448: The borough, parallel to the Lehigh River . Pennsylvania Route 895 begins at PA 248 in Bowmanstown and heads southwestward across the Lehigh River. As of the census of 2000, there were 895 people, 389 households, and 257 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,156.2 inhabitants per square mile (446.4/km ). There were 417 housing units at an average density of 538.7 per square mile (208.0/km ). The racial makeup of
5340-477: The card were Julio Dinero , Mike Quackenbush , The Patriot , Eddie Kingston , Gran Akuma , Hallowicked , Sonjay Dutt , Ruckus , Bobcat , Al Snow and Jerry "The King" Lawler . Yasinsky continued to promote sporting events, mostly boxing and mixed martial arts, in Pennsylvania during the 2000s. He also collaborated with screenwriter Dale Schneck to create a drama television series based around professional wrestling. In 2009, Yasinsky and Jeff Sibbach launched
5429-404: The company to produce the steel necessary for shipbuilding, ammunition, and other military equipment that proved essential to the Allies ' ability to prevail in these conflicts. In the late 20th century, however, a variety of factors, including the practices of foreign competitors, began eroding Bethlehem Steel's once historical global leadership in steelmaking . In 1982, the company announced it
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#17328026040395518-484: The early 1980s, declared bankruptcy in 2001, and was dissolved in 2003. Since the late 20th century, the Lehigh Valley has begun to recover from the loss of its once powerful manufacturing base and other industry sectors have emerged in the region, providing a more diversified regional economy. As of 2020, the Valley's top five industries were finance, manufacturing, health care and education, professional and business services, and information. Other major industry sectors in
5607-427: The early 1980s. At the pinnacle of its success, Bethlehem Steel was the nation's second-largest and one of the world's largest steel manufacturers. Bethlehem Steel was instrumental in the development of many of the nation's most prominent 20th century infrastructure projects. Its steel was used to build 28 Liberty Street , Chrysler Building , the Empire State Building , Madison Square Garden , Rockefeller Center , and
5696-442: The emergence of the American Revolution . Some of the first resistance to British colonialism began in Allentown and its surrounding Lehigh County communities in the Lehigh Valley. As early as June 21, 1774, patriot forces in Allentown began meeting to formulate resistance plans to British colonial governance. On December 21, 1774, a Committee of Observation was formally established by Allentown-area patriot militias. Following
5785-521: The first time on July 8, 1776 at noon. Following their victory at the Battle of Trenton several months later, Washington and his Continental Army staff traveled through the present-day Lehigh Valley, proceeding up Lehigh Street , which was then called Water Street. Washington and his staff stopped at the foot of Lehigh Street at a large spring on what is the present-day Wire Mill Arboretum in Allentown. They rested there, watered their horses, and then proceeded to their post of duty. Allentown supported
5874-406: The following year. In December 1991, he and Bronsky became the owners and operators of the Lehighton Recreational Complex in Lehighton, Pennsylvania . Hoping to encourage teenagers to take up bodybuilding, they offered karate lessons, dance classes, weight training and a power-lifting team. Their partner George Harris, a former commissioner for the Lehighton Recreational Adult Basketball League, ran
5963-487: The gym while Yasinsky and Bronsky continued wrestling. Having a mutual interest in both bodybuilding and professional wrestling , Yasinsky and Bronsky eventually entered professional wrestling , and Yasinsky making his debut in 1988. They won the Canadian International Tag Team Championship in 1988 and 1989, the Galaxy Wrestling Federation Tag Team Championship in 1990, and the North American Wrestling Federation Tag Team Championship in 1991. Yasinsky won singles titles in
6052-463: The heavy manufacturing companies that had been the region's foundation for decades, the Lehigh Valley began developing other economic sectors, including financial services, health care, life sciences, and technology. The Lehigh Valley also began emerging as a national warehouse and distribution hub, due in part to its proximity to many of the largest U.S. markets and relatively lower operating costs compared to other Northeast U.S. regions. More recently,
6141-548: The heel stable "The Brat Pack" with manager G.Q. Bronsky. On January 11, 1997, he lost to 911 at a show for the Century Wrestling Alliance at The Sports Palace in New Britain, Connecticut . Five months later, he met 911 in a rematch at an IPW event at Flagstaff Hall in Jim Thorpe. Their match was part of a triple main event including a match between Bam Bam Bigelow and Glen Osbourne , and IPW Heavyweight Champion Brick Bronsky defending his title against Frank Stalletto . A cruiserweight match between Reckless Youth and Julio Sanchez
6230-427: The most iconic and prominent symbols of American global economic power and leadership, emerged as an example cited by those who believe American global economic leadership is now in either gradual or even rapid descent. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Lehigh Valley the ninth-best place in the nation to retire. Also in 2023, realtor.com ranked the Lehigh Valley "the 21st hottest housing market" in
6319-464: The nation's sixth-largest and world's 68th-largest city. The region borders Carbon County and the Coal Region to its north, the Delaware River and Warren County, New Jersey to its east, Bucks and Montgomery Counties in suburban Philadelphia to its south, and Berks and Schuylkill Counties to its west. The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area is a Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes Carbon County in
6408-437: The nation's emergence of its Rust Belt . In 1982, following nearly a century of global leadership, growth, and profitability in steel manufacturing, Bethlehem Steel abruptly reported operating losses of $ 1.5 billion, citing foreign competition from Asian economies and costly U.S. governmental regulations and labor costs for the losses. The company abruptly reduced operations, resulting in considerable Lehigh Valley layoffs and
6497-461: The nation's sixth and largest cities, respectively. The Valley's population is expected to increase by 227,000 people by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the state and nation. Median household income for the region increased from $ 57,288 to $ 62,507 between 2015 and 2019. The Lehigh Valley's economy has been known historically and globally for its leadership throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in heavy manufacturing. Beginning in
6586-476: The nation. The Lehigh Valley is geologically and geographically part of the Great Appalachian Valley , a geographic region made up of limestone that stretches along the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains . The Lehigh Valley is so named because it is located geographically within an actual valley formed by the Lehigh River that lies between two mountain ridges, Blue Mountain in
6675-610: The national capital in Washington, D.C. , Allentown immediately deployed its Allen Infantry, which defended Washington, D.C. from Confederate attack following Fort Sumter 's fall. Also known as the Allen Guards, the Allen Infantry mustered in for duty on April 18, 1861. During the late summer and early fall of 1861, members of this unit and other volunteers from within and beyond the Lehigh Valley came together to form
6764-749: The next few years. On March 31, 2001, he wrestled George "The Animal" Steele in Bushkill, Pennsylvania . He also appeared with Adam Flash at an event for Future Wrestling Alliance in Reading on October 13, 2001. The event was covered by Smart Mark Video and was commentated by Reckless Youth and Jeff Gorman. Prior to its close, Yasinsky wrestled Hosaka Sato at an IPW show in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania on March 19, 2004. Later that night, he served as IPW Heavyweight Champion Salvatore Sincere 's bodyguard in his match against The Hungarian Barbarian . Also on
6853-429: The northeast bank of the Lehigh River . It is bordered on the east and north by Lower Towamensing Township , on the southeast by the borough of Palmerton, and on the southwest and west by East Penn Township . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough has a total area of 0.80 square miles (2.07 km ), 0.77 square miles (1.99 km ) of which is land and 0.03 square miles (0.07 km ), or 3.59%, of which
6942-471: The region was inhabited by Lenape Indian tribes, who hunted, fished, and quarried jasper in the region. The region was initially established in 1682 as part of Bucks County . Shelter House in Emmaus , constructed in 1734 by Pennsylvania German settlers, is the oldest still-standing building structure in the Lehigh Valley and believed to be one of the oldest in the state. In 1737, sons of provincial Pennsylvania founder William Penn acquired much of
7031-561: The region. Large companies such as Amazon.com have praised the Lehigh Valley for its commitment to business support, infrastructure investment, and incentive programs, citing these as major reasons for their continuing expansions and increased hiring in the region and Allegiant Air , a low-cost budget airline, opened a new flight base at the Lehigh Valley International Airport in February 2020, noting
7120-465: The region. It owes much of its development and history to anthracite coal , timber , and ore that was only commercially possible with the development of the Lehigh Canal and the Lehigh Valley's extensive railway infrastructure that permitted these minerals and later the region's manufactured steel to be transported for sale in major national and overseas markets. The Lehigh Canal operated into
7209-610: The signing of the Declaration of Independence , the Colonial British government in Allentown began dissolving and these patriot militias seized control, pressuring Tories out of the region. In recognition of the strong pro-revolutionary sentiment in the region, Easton was one of only three designated locations, along with Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey , where the Declaration was read aloud in public for
7298-486: Was Black or African American, 0.1% was American Indian , 2.3% was Asian American, 0.1% was Native Hawaiian , 0.1% were Pacific Islander Americans , 4.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% belonged to two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 11.3% of the population and represent the Lehigh Valley's fastest-growing demographic. Lehigh County is in the top 1% of all U.S. counties for inward migration from international locations, according to Select USA ,
7387-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.77. In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males. The median income for
7476-669: Was also a volunteer for Carbon County Special Olympics and a counselor for juvenile delinquents in Carbon County. On April 13, 1991, Yasinsky beat the "California Darling" Mr. Anthony in a fundraising event for Colonial Championship Wrestling at Lehighton High School with the proceeds going to the Carbon County Special Olympics. The event was attended by about 1,200 people and featured Bam Bam Bigelow , Dusty Wolfe and The Super Destroyers ( Doug Stahl & A. J. Petrucci ). His bout against Mr. Anthony
7565-408: Was discontinuing most of its operations. In 2001, the company declared bankruptcy. In 2003, it was dissolved. Throughout the late 20th century, other heavy manufacturing companies in the Lehigh Valley that once served as backbones for the region's economy suffered similarly, either downsizing significantly or dissolving, which destabilized the region considerably. In the early 2000s, seeking to replace
7654-643: Was featured on the undercard. On December 5, 1997, Yasinsky faced Cueball Carmichael wrestled Doug Flex at Flagstaff Mountain Park in Jim Thorpe. One of the biggest IPW shows of the year, the event raised money for the United Cerebral Palsy of Carbon County organization. The event also included many top independent stars including 911, Glen Osborne, Reckless Youth, Julio Sanchez, Mike Quackenbush , Jimmy Cicero and King Kong Bundy . Gene Snisky ,
7743-773: Was formed in Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley. The company developed into the nation's second-largest manufacturer of steel , and its steel was used in developing many of the nation's earliest and largest infrastructure and building projects, including the Empire State Building , Madison Square Garden , and Rockefeller Center in New York City, Merchandise Mart in Chicago , the George Washington , Verrazzano , and Golden Gate Bridges, and warships and other military equipment that proved essential in American-led victories in both World Wars. During
7832-442: Was preceded by a verbal altercation while speaking at a Lehighton Area Chamber of Commerce function to promote the event. When Yasinsky made comments about the flamboyant Californian wrestler's pink ring attire, Anthony responded by calling his opponent a "country bumpkin". He faced Mr. Anthony in a battle royal later that night and slammed him into a door. Two months later, Yasinsky broke his ankle and would not be able to wrestle until
7921-458: Was running wrestling events with Ed Zohn. Although based in Pennsylvania, they were holding shows on the East Coast and in New England . Among the wrestlers who appeared at their shows included Don Montoya and a young Reckless Youth who made his first Connecticut appearance with the promotion. On May 20, 1995, Yasinsky teamed with The Public Enemy ( Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge ) in
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