![\"wrestlers](\"https:\/\/www.amny.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Stairwell-march.jpg\" "\\"Subway")
<\/a>Subway Mania brings wrestling underground, literally, to the subway system.Photo courtesy of Zach Buchner and Mind Museum ![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.amny.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Match-fight-2.jpg\" "\\"Subway")
<\/a>A wrestling match taking place in the subway during Subway Mania.Photo courtesy of Zach Buchner and Mind Museum<\/p>\nRivera claims he\u2019s had fans of Subway Mania traveling from Europe, including Germany, to see his events live in New York, stating most kids can\u2019t buy a wrestling ticket but can see one of his matches on the trains for a simple $3 fare.<\/p>\n
Subway Mania has had notable appearances from prominent wrestlers such as the Hardy Boys, Zilla Fatu and Mike Santana that have wrestled for one of the biggest wrestling companies in America, TNA Wrestling.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur first guests were the Hardy Boys, Matt and Jeff Hardy, and they were so psyched to be part of the series and make their Subway Mania debut,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n
Rivera had always enjoyed the storylines and characters of WWE that he integrates into his Subway Mania matches.\n<\/p>\n
As to why Rivera wanted to host his wrestling shows on the subway, he claims the subway system is where so many social gatherings occur in New York.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, a lot of times people that witness our matches don\u2019t care. People just want to go home. But then you have a lot of people that do care about what we do. It\u2019s definitely an audience whether they want to watch it or not,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n
Subway Mania collectively has almost 200,000 followers on social media, including millions of views. This consists of their YouTube channel with about 100,000 subscribers, their Instagram with over 50,000 followers and their TikTok with over 20,000 followers.<\/p>\n The first Subway Mania match that went viral in May 2016 was a triple threat or 3-way match between Triple H, Kane and Stone Cold Steve Austin.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe did the whole match on the train and then we took the match outside to 14th Street and Union Square. It was something completely different at the time that people didn\u2019t get to see. It\u2019s been ten years doing Subway Mania and keeping it fresh,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n Rivera claims that every time he posts skits on social media, revealing their location, their gatherings on the subway become \u201cflooded\u201d with so many fans.<\/p>\n Many of Rivera\u2019s cosplayers have always been his friends and colleagues from his neighborhood. This led to professional cosplayers wanting to be a part of his subway series.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the beginning, it was hard to find people that were committed and now we\u2019ve built a whole community. We got people driving from Boston and flying from California to be a part of our show,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n Rivera notes that constantly switching up cosplays to fit more modern wrestling, such as costumes representing Jey Uso, Penta, or Roman Reigns, helps them consistently go viral online.<\/p>\n When choosing the right train or subway station to host wrestling shows, Rivera notes that each station is special in its own way and carries its own personality to connect to a skit they\u2019ll perform that day for social media.<\/p>\n Tim Rivera is widely known throughout the wrestling business due to the success of Subway Mania between the wrestlers, the fans and even WWE executive Triple H has acknowledged the online series.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter this, there will never be another Subway Mania ever. It\u2019s a type of thrill that you get once we start filming. It\u2019s just something you won\u2019t experience anywhere else,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n You can follow Subway Mania on social media @Timmhannrivera on YouTube<\/a> and @Subwaymanianyc on Instagram<\/a> and TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>A wrestling match taking place in the subway during Subway Mania.Photo courtesy of Zach Buchner and Mind Museum <\/a>A wrestling match taking place in the subway during Subway Mania.Photo courtesy of Zach Buchner and Mind Museum<\/p>\n<\/a>A person cosplays at P\u00e9ntaPhoto courtesy of Zach Buchner and Mind Museum <\/a>A person cosplays as Rey Mysterio.Photo courtesy of Zach Buchner and Mind Museum<\/p>\n