By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest
And just like that, the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance’s
(KSWA) final year is down to its last six precious months. Over the past 25
years, the KSWA has been the longest running, in Pittsburgh and Western
Pennsylvania. It’s influence continues as industry insiders, fans and the
Megastar themselves contemplate what’s next.
As of July 7, there are nine remaining KSWA events in seven
different communities in and around Pittsburgh. Whether it’s north, south, east
or west of downtown Pittsburgh, the KSWA has another stop scheduled.
If these proposed items are to happen, they may need “double
up” on at least one event. With December 6 at the American Legion in Sheraden
looming closer each and every day, the professional wrestling community cannot
wait for FanFest.
Over more than 400 sanctioned and consistent events over a
quarter century, countless memories have been made. Here are 10 more that would
be cool to witness:
10. One more match for “Big and Bigger.” The largest tag
team in KSWA history, “Big” Mike Malachi (KSWA Hall of Fame 2020) and the
seven-foot-tall Jack Massacre made for an impressive tandem. Whether they were
fan favorites or dastardly villains, the Krazies couldn’t get enough of the
former tag team champions. Both Megastars have moved on from a grueling
schedule of matches; however, long-time observers would like to see the Wall
Street Journal cover boys once again.
9. The Return of Curt Wootton. At KSWA FanFest 2015, “Pittsburgh
Dad” actor Curt Wootton was in Justin Sane’s corner against Harley T. Morris
and his second, David Marbell, in a “Flag vs. Flag” match. Wootton was in Sane’s
corner while the Morris and Marbell defended the Mountain State’s honor. With victory
at hand for the hometown Sane (although he has interestingly always hailed from
Haddonfield, Illinois), Wootton turned his back on Pittsburgh and joined forces
with Morris and Marbell. It turns out Wootton attended West Virginia University
and didn’t take kindly to the disrespect pointed toward his alma mater. A smashing
Battle Bowl appearance followed, and Wootton lost in a six-way match along with
his neighbors to the south against The Jester and Party Gras (Sane and Lord
Zoltan). A real-life cinema star, Wootton, who was influenced by the “Million
Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, among others, left the squared circle behind for fear
of permanent damage to his chiseled jaw. Might a FanFest visit be in his cards?
8. One more match: Bubba the Bulldog vs. Dennis Gregory. Multi-time
champions both, Bubba was “Two Belts Bubba” for a while and Gregory enjoyed an
entire year as the holder of the Commonwealth’s richest prize…the KSWA
Heavyweight Championship. “Team Don’t Care,” led by the Manager of Champions
and Mayor of Parts Unknown Mayor Mystery, held tag team gold and were among the
division’s most fearsome duos. After all three were inducted into the KSWA Hall
of Fame (2022), Bubba had had enough of Gregory and turned on his friend of
decades. Both Megastars who have forever lived exceptionally busy lives
(Gregory legitimately serves the United States in the military), have gone on
to other adventures; however, one more showdown isn’t too much to ask.
7. An incredible training class. Back in 2009 and 2010, an
incredible group of college students trained with former KSWA tag team champion
“Vicious” Vinnie Stone. Jay Flash, Tony Johnson, Keith Haught, Ty Cross and
Edric Everhart became friends thanks to Stone and busted their collected bumps
in the KSWA ring when it was located at the former Moose Lodge in Lawrenceville.
All won matches and titles in the KSWA. Flash was a KSWA Heavyweight Champion, and
“Team Elite” were etched in tag team history. Haught became “The Jester” and
for a while was as popular as any KSWA Megastar of his time. Once a foil to “The
King,” The Jester became his own man and earned a spot as one of the most
respected locker-room wrestlers Western Pennsylvania has seen. All have
followed their own path, but observers agree that “Ice Man” Tony Johnson was
the most athletically gifted of the lot. Had he stuck around, Johnson would
have assuredly been a KSWA Heavyweight Champion. It would be good to see those
gentlemen in a KSWA ring.
6. “Mr. Puniverse” Bob Atlas. A staple of the KSWA’s early
days, Atlas was a crowd-pleaser. What else can be said about “Mr. Puniverse”? While
he might have exaggerated 385 lbs. and 3 percent body fat, Atlas was a showman.
Especially in the KSWA’s infancy, fans showed up in droves for him. Might he
ride a big wheel to the ring one more time, even just to say hello to his
legion of fans?
5. “Mr. Tenacity” Tommy Faime. The first KSWA “original” to
be inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame (2013), Faime was 3rd KSWA Heavyweight
Champion in the company’s history in April 2001. He returned later to win the
Golden Triangle Championship 15 years later and challenged Bobby O as the owner
of the promotion. But life happens and Faime retired from the ring to pursue a
richer personal life elsewhere. A “VIP for Life,” Faime is a beloved Megastar,
whether he was breaking rules…or breaking rules.
4. Double A Anthony Alexander. For most of his KSWA career, “The
Prime Time Player” has been a fan favorite and once had a poster with his likeness.
When he turned his back on fans, they turned down those posters. Unfortunately,
“Mr. Big Stuff” has been injured several times over his legacy, but a return…and
a rebuff of the Dynasty…would chill spines.
3. Mitch Napier. One of the greatest KSWA Champions in
history, Mitch Napier is a two-time holder of the Commonwealth’s richest prize.
Napier, who stylistically was the region’s closest clone of Bob Backlund, was a
main event wrestler when the KSWA was holding more than two dozen events a year
who took on all comers, including his “Best Bros Around” partner BROhemoth. Arguably
the toughest and pound-for-pound strongest KSWA Heavyweight Champion of all
time, Napier was defeated in August 2018 by “The Gavel” David Lawless following
one of the most intense rivalries of that time. “The Best Around” has largely
returned to a wholesome, rural life, but made a shocking return to help KSWA
Owner Bobby O, Lou Martin and Shane Starr in the UnCivil War in 2023. While
Mitch may not be able to win with the Sioux Falls Slam anymore, it would be
great to see “The Champ.”
2. Bill Apter. Professional Wrestling’s most respected
journalist has long held a place in the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance. A member
of the KSWA Hall of Fame (2017), Apter would be the perfect professional to
interview key Megastars and staffers leading to the most important “Super Bowl”
in Pittsburgh wrestling tradition since Studio Wrestling.
1. Bobby O is the guest referee in KSWA’s final match. Book
it now. Whoever holds the KSWA Heavyweight Championship on the morning of December
6 has to defend in the Main Event at FanFest. And despite having the “Iron Man”
in Jimmy James, well-respected “Count” Mark Charles III and with Shawn Patrick now
serving as Chairman of the KSWA Championship Committee in the referee pool, Bobby
O must pull the seniority card. “The Man Who Saved Wrestling in Pittsburgh” has
the license, the pedigree and is the most qualified to count one, two, three in
the final contest.
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