“Melee In Mt. Washington” Fundraiser Is Saturday

 By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

For a quarter century, professional wrestling in Pittsburgh has been defined exclusively by the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA), and the group’s historic run has begun its final six months. That means that each match means more than ever before.

This Saturday, the KSWA returns to Mt. Washington for “Melee in Mt. Washington 3!” It’s a fundraiser in remembrance of Tanner Morton. Sixteen-year-old Morton was shot and killed in 2020. His memory has left an indelible mark on family and friends in Mt. Washington.

The richest prize in the Commonwealth, the KSWA Heavyweight Championship will be defended as 7-time KSWA champion “The Enforcer” Shawn Blanchard will defend, for the very first time, against the mischievous cat Daniel Exotic.

Of course, Pittsburgh’s reigning and undisputed royalty, “King” Del Douglas will be in Blanchard’s corner as the leader of the Dynasty.

This is an interesting opportunity for the young Exotic. He has cut his teeth in other areas of the Commonwealth and has had some stellar matches, especially against the Golden Triangle Champion Freek E. Doyle.

However, he is up against something different in the tough-as-nails Blanchard. Sparked by his re-emergence as the top wrestler in Pennsylvania, Blanchard will do whatever he can to hold onto the belt. The styles are much different and should lead to a fantastic contest.

Golden Triangle champion Freek E. Doyle, along with Mayor Mystery, will defend the city’s premier title against the former KSWA Heavyweight Champion, "The Apostle" Joshua Kavod. Doyle has become one of the great Golden Triangle Champions of recent times, and Kavod remains a staunch young challenger. Might Doyle overlook the likes of The Apostle? What might the forever sneaky Mayor Mystery have up his tuxedoed sleeve? There’s only one way to find out.

The 5-Star Champion J-Ru has his work cut out for him when he takes on Tyler Grayson. Grayson was the Golden Triangle Champion for a year, beginning in July of 2023. Might the seventh month be lucky for the Leader of the Grayson Nation? Or will J-Ru continue to hold onto the 5-Star championship? This promises to be an explosive showdown between one of the most tenured veterans in KSWA history and one of the most respected upstarts.

The Dynasty’s Kris Kash, with King Del Douglas has been intense since his return to action, and he will face off against former friend, “The Face” Lou Martin. Kash, who is one half of the KSWA tag team champions along with one-time pal Shane Starr, has been an interesting grappler. Gone for long stretches of time, Kash comes back and never misses a beat. Here he goes up against one of the KSWA’s all-time most versatile players. It was announced recently that “Mad Dog” Tony Lutz, a KSWA Hall of Famer and legend in Mt. Washington has received his manager’s license and will be in Lou Martin’s corner. It’s not often Douglas has to worry about anyone across from the Dynasty but the “Mad Dog” will certainly make the King tick.

The KSWA’s former tag team champions, New Glory—“Big” Tony Onyx and Hunter Huffman—will be back together again. Onyx had missed some time due to illness, but he’s back at the side of the military veteran Huffman. Here they take on a formidable duo representing The Freek Show, Man-Child and The Ram with Mayor Mystery. There won’t be much in the way of “chain wrestling” in this hard-hitting affair. Each Megastar is powerful. The Freek Show may have the edge in power, but it will be close. Plus, Onyx continues to improve by leaps and bounds, while Huffman is on a tight trajectory to success. Don’t miss this one.

"Big Country" Matt McGraw returns after several missed events, and he will take on the long-time veteran Justin Sane. Sane has been an unstoppable force, might he be able to get by the extraordinarily powerful McGraw? Might Mayor Mystery be in Sane’s corner? If he isn’t he will still have a presence.

Harley T. Morris, one of the industry’s premier “wrestlers you love to hate,” goes mano-a-mano with Captain Curly John. Morris has vastly more experience, but could the unpredictability of the Master of the Seven Seas bring something besides barrels of rum to the match?

KSWA returns to Mt. Washington and Olympia Park on Virginia Avenue at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. Front row tickets are $15 and general admission is $10. For more information, call 412-726-1762. Card is subject to change.