The Commander Does It! Scholz Wins Timmy Moore Battle Royal

Lou Martin (l) and Matt McGraw hoist "Commander" Don Scholz after he won the Timmy Moore Memorial Battle Royal. Photo by Tim Steiner.

By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

The Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) first debuted at the American Legion Langley Post 496 in the Sheraden neighborhood within the city of Pittsburgh in October of 2018. The Timmy Moore Memorial Battle Royal was initiated in August 2019.

KSWA’s biggest proponent since the very onset has been Post Commander Don Scholz. A Navy veteran from 1985-1993, Scholz has been a member of the Langley Post since 2012 and one of the primary faces of the community organization. A beloved family man and military brother, Scholz welcomed the KSWA to Sheraden as the group’s new home base after COVID.

Officials with the KSWA have acknowledged that the American Legion staff has embraced the Megastars unlike any other home in 25 years. And Scholz, as well as his wife, Diane, early volunteers like Kurt Pelucci and others who have made a modern-day KSWA experience special.

Over the past few years, the hard-working and jovial Scholz has had professional problems with some of the KSWA wrestlers like “King” Del Douglas and the current KSWA Champion Shawn Blanchard.

Scholz once hit Douglas with an artificial Christmas tree and threatened to do it again. Scholz earned an appearance in Battle Bowl and after being eliminated, struck Douglas with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) decoration yet again.

Commander Don Scholz hits "King" Del Douglas with a Christmas tree. Howard Kernats photo.

The Commander beat Douglas in an Arm-Wrestling match in October 2023, before losing to Shawn Blanchard in a single’s match at FanFest 2023 with Nikita Koloff and Magnum T.A. in the audience.

In 2024, Scholz teamed with Yinza, the Pittsburgh Luchador to defeat Douglas and Blanchard in a tag team match.

That all led to October 18^th’s Timmy Moore Battle Royal, the last such tournament named for a member of the American Legion and a proud 19-year veteran who passed away in 2018 at the age of 54.

The tournament has offered a remarkable feather in the Megastar’s caps. Shane Starr won the initial tournament in 2019, with Dennis Gregory winning in 2021, in KSWA’s second event back from COVID, Lou Martin was victorious in 2022, J-Ru took home the trophy in 2023, and Yinza won in 2024.

Scholz chops KSWA Hall of Famer J-Ru. Photo by Tim Steiner.

Scholz pulled some strings with Owner Bobby O and Chairman of the KSWA Championship Committee Shawn Patrick to enter this last installment. A Commander known for a quick smile and upbeat demeanor, Scholz turned serious, knowing the gravity of this monumental match. He posted heartfelt social media messages about training, forgoing his legendary libations and focusing on letting that all-important trophy stays in hits Langley American Legion home.

He entered the match with a large assortment of veterans and newcoming Megastars alike. Dressed in classic blue Batman garb with matching basketball shorts and white sneakers, Scholz was on the receiving end of offense, and delivered is own overhand chops to Hall of Famer J-Ru.

After a bombardment of activity, the once-crowded ring started to empty, with Megastars being tossed over the top rope and having both feet touch the cement floor below. Referees Jimmy James and Chris Caldwell were kept busy as Megastars were dispatched. Scholz held on as bigger, rougher rivals like Douglas and Damian Greene were forced to elimination.

Last among the Final Five were favorites “Big Country” Matt McGraw and The Ram, the always steadfast Hartley T. Morris, the classic J-Ru and the single-minded Scholz. He was forced into the ropes. McGraw muscled the Ram as only he could. Morris and J-Ru both saw an opportunity to remove Scholz from the fray. They raced for a double clothesline, but the resourceful Scholz dropped down, pulling the top rope with him. Morris and J-Ru shot over onto the floor and their ouster.

That left McGraw and Scholz looking at each in the center of the ring. McGraw, a multi-time champion and the Commander. McGraw sensed the opportunity. He bent down to one knee in the corner to talk to God. He got up circled around a firm, but outmatched Scholz.

Final two: Matt McGraw and "Commander" Scholz. Photo by Tim Steiner.

Something was said between the two, McGraw walked to the top rope and in a moment of paramount class, stepped over the top rope, dropped to the apron and allowed his feet to touch the floor below.

Don Scholz was the winner of the Timmy Moore Memorial Battle Royal! The supportive crowd got to their feet and waved commemorative red, white and blue towels provided by Scholz himself. It was in celebration of one of their own and they appreciated their hero.

McGraw re-entered the ring, along with long-time friend Lou Martin to lift Scholz high into the Sheraden sky in celebration.

The Timmy Moore Memorial Battle Royal trophy does stay home after all.