The MJN Center Is A Magical Place

You know that feeling when you walk into a place and can almost hear the echoes of legends?

That's the MJN - Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center

Formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, but always the heart of Poughkeepsie.

On January 4, 2025, I had the surreal honor of stepping into the ring as the announcer for Awesome Championship Wrestling's inaugural event, "Poughkeepsie Rumble." Sure, it wasn't the exact same ring that legends like Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart wrestled in, but it stood right where theirs once did. And if the walls could talk, they'd be telling stories of countless historic nights.

This venue has hosted some of the most iconic moments in entertainment history. In 1984, KISS rocked the stage on their Animalize World Tour. The Headbangers Ball Tour of 1989 brought metal fans together for an unforgettable night.

Wrestling fans remember it as the site of WWF’s first-ever road taping of Monday Night Raw in 1993. These aren’t just events—they’re pieces of cultural history, and they happened right here.

Standing in that ring, looking out at the crowd, I realized something: the MJN Center isn’t just a building. It’s a storyteller. Each event, whether it’s a legendary concert, a family skate at the McCann Ice Arena, or a wrestling match, adds a new chapter.

If you’ve never been to the MJN Center, I implore you: go. See a show, catch a match, or experience one of the countless events they host.

This isn’t just a venue—it’s where history comes alive, and where anyone can be part of something extraordinary. Trust me, once you step inside, you’ll understand the magic.