“Friends And Family” Are The Backbone Of Wrestling Success

The Anthony Trozzo family celebrates Shane Starr's at Millvale Days this past September.
Thanks to the Trozzo family for the photo.

 By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

In Indy professional wrestling, there used to be a derisive phrase called “Just friends and family,” who attended events. This was used especially when a new promotion started and there were just a few people eating popcorn in the folding chairs that circle the ring.

At one time there were also critics who complained that a federation that was growing in popularity was only buoyed by the venue offering adult beverages alongside carbonated sodas, nachos and cheese. This nag was issued even when ignoring professional sports teams in baseball, basketball and football were offering much more expensive beers along with more fanciful snack food. The crying never really made sense on both accounts, and some have borrowed that playbook themselves.

Family and friends supporting loved ones is always key to any kind of success. A brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, mother, father or grandparent (or even a “work bro”) going out of their way to encourage their family members is elementary. And special.

For a quarter of a century, family and friends have attended more than 400 Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) matches to support the Megastars. When those wrestlers have their own families, it can make for a special bonding exercise and core memories.

Family and friends bring more family and friends. Then there are neighbors, co-workers and more. In an era of social media, consistent and positive word of mouth remains the best way to sell tickets and grow a fan base.

Kris Kash takes a moment to sign an autograph for a young fan. Courtesy of Trapper Tom.

A wrestler may have children, and those wrestling fans in the making form their own friendships at events. Next thing you know, a wrestler has a corner of the arena flashing hand-drawn signs and cheering on their favorites.

In an ever-growing niche market, the “family-friendly” market for Indy wrestling remains the most grounded, and in a way groundbreaking. Just short of wholesome, it’s something a family of four can attend together, and for more than 25 years in Pittsburgh, for a family-friendly price tag.

In 25 years, Megastars in the KSWA have experienced the support and love of spouses who film matches and sell merchandise. Behind the scenes, they have offered words of encouragement and support far from the squared circle. Wives and girlfriends have befriended each other. Their children have taken robes back to the locker room or led rooting sections. Their grandparents sat in lawn chairs during outdoor shows.

In the KSWA marriages have been formed and other life-long friendships have been forged. Family and friends have bolstered a group of upstarts from Peabody High School and Bloomfield to Lawrenceville, Sheraden and hundreds of cards in between. One never knows who has or will step inside the doors of a wrestling event.

Family and friends need to be celebrated, as they are the unsung backbone of the KSWA. Here’s to all who have made this the most remarkable professional wrestling organization in Pittsburgh’s grand history.

Former Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Named To KSWA Wrestling Hall Of Fame

Bill Peduto was elected Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh in 2013. Here he holds up the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) Championship. Pittsburgh Tribune Review photo.

By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

On December 5, 2009, then Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto walked into the Lawrenceville Moose near the corner of 51^st and Butler Streets (which has been dubbed the “KSWA Arena”) for the 5^th annual KSWA FanFest. He had agreed to serve as the ring announcer for the match between rivals Lord Zoltan and Justin Sane.

Pittsburgh's "KSWA Day" in Pittsburgh City Council, 2010. Photos are from KSWA archives.

Peduto presents Lord Zoltan with a proclamation.

A few months later, on February 10, 2010, the lifelong fan of wrestling returned and presented the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance with its first “KSWA Day” commemorating what was then the professional group’s 10th anniversary.

The day was special for everyone involved, as the burgeoning group was starting to hit its stride with a growing number of events, and fans each year. A small group of the KSWA roster—KSWA Owner Bobby O, Lou Martin, Shawn Blanchard, Lord Zoltan and Trapper Tom—went to Pittsburgh City Council and received the proclamation in City Council chambers. Included in the group was Dominic DeNucci, the legendary grappler and vaunted trainer who would soon become just the 5^th member of the KSWA Hall of Fame. He joined a group that includes Frank Durso, “Killer” Joe Abby, Bill Eadie and Donna Christiantello. Peduto was taken aback when DeNucci strode in and exclaimed in open council, “Dominic’s here.”

Dominic DeNucci came to the KSWA Day celebration in Pittsburgh City Council.

The friendship between politico and pro wrestling continued December 3, 2011, when Peduto attended the lighthearted and charitable “roast” of Dominic DeNucci in Green Tree. No one could say anything nasty about DeNucci, and that included Peduto.

The policy maker would grow up not far from Green Tree. He and childhood friend Ron Russitano (KSWA Hall of Fame, Class of 2024) would play with other neighborhood kids and “Studio Wrestling” would be an activity of choice. Ron would call dibs on imitating Bruno; Bill quickly assumed the role of Dominic.

Russitano, who grew up to own a comic bookstore at the old Parkway Center Mall, served as a Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission agent and earned a spot as one of the most well-respected men in both industries. The two remained the best of friends until Russitano’s untimely passing in September 2023.

Peduto continued as a fan of KSWA wrestling and Lord Zoltan. They were friends and when Zoltan was inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame in 2012; Peduto presented a city council citation recognizing the accomplishment.

With KSWA Hall of Famer Angie Minelli.

When Peduto won the election to be Mayor of Pittsburgh in 2013, Lou Martin and Shawn Blanchard were among those in attendance to help celebrate. In a remarkable moment, as TV and news photojournalists were preparing to set down their tools of the trade, the KSWA Heavyweight Championship was handed to Peduto, and he raised gold into the Pittsburgh night. The cameras suddenly returned, and lights flashed. The next morning, Peduto and Pittsburgh’s championship were front and center on WPXI TV’s morning newscast. At that moment, the KSWA became the city of Pittsburgh’s identified and undisputed professional wrestling organization.

On March 29, 2014, Peduto arrived right before the main event of the Joe Abby Memorial Tournament, threw ticket money at the door, and took a seat next to the ring. He was just in time for the 7^th Annual Joe Abby Memorial Tournament finals between Zoltan and “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin. When Martin taunted Peduto, he got up into the ring and the two had a tense, albeit lighthearted moment.

That visit included Peduto taking a cell phone picture of the Joe Abby Memorial Tournament trophy and posting it on Twitter. Kris Maher, a Pittsburgh-based writer for the Wall Street Journal saw the photo and wondered, “What is the Mayor of Pittsburgh doing at a pro wrestling event?”

The KSWA would move its home base (temporarily) to the Teamster’s Temple, also in Lawrenceville. On May 31, 2014, Maher and a videographer visited KSWA, took photos and videos and interviewed wrestlers. On June 20, 214, the KSWA was on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, all because of a Mayor’s fun photo.

The job of the Commonwealth’s second largest city is daunting and kept him from attending any live events for a while. However, his attention was still there.

On December 3, 2016, legendary pro wrestling journalist Bill Apter was surprised with induction into the KSWA Hall of Fame for the Class of 2017. Peduto wrote Apter an official letter acknowledging the award.

"NWA Day" in Pittsburgh, 2018.

During KSWA FanFest in 2018, then-National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis defended the 10-pounds of Gold against KSWA's former 6-time KSWA Champion. Prior to the event, Mayor Bill Peduto proclaimed it "NWA Day in the City of Pittsburgh." Aldis relayed the news to the owner of the NWA, Billy Corgan. 

On Saturday, February 22, 2020, as part of the KSWA’s historic 20^th anniversary and back at the KSWA Arena, Peduto returned to an overflow crowd and once again to proclaim that day “KSWA Day in the City of Pittsburgh”, this time from the Mayor’s Office. Always affable, Peduto had brought a group of friends, including Russitano, to the anniversary. He would later say that he had friends from the west for the weekend. That day they attended a Pittsburgh Penguin game (the home team lost to the Buffalo Sabers 5-2), had dinner at the Roberto Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville and then swung by the KSWA.

Peduto visits KSWA during the 20th anniversary in 2020.

Peduto called himself “Bike Lane Bill” after his penchant for bicycle safety lanes and had a fun time with his friends and took in cheers and jovial jeers. Weeks later, COVID shut down the world.

On May 15, 2021, under a massive tent provided by the Peduto Administration as a rental to the Langley American Legion Post #496 in Sheraden, the KSWA held its second post-COVID outdoor event (the first was the night prior).

Peduto left the public eye in 2021 but remained an ally to the KSWA and a close friend to many of the Megastars.

Peduto with Yinza, the Pittsburgh Luchadore.

As part of the Joe Abby Memorial Tournament and KSWA Hall of Fame, the Championship Committee is proud to announce that Bill Peduto, former Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 12 at the American Legion, Langley Post in Sheraden.

“I’m at a loss for words,” said Peduto as he walked in Frick Park along with his beloved bulldog, Bertha. Peduto joins Russitano, along with the likes of Sammartino, DeNucci, “Battman” Tony Marino, Bobby “Hurricane” Hunt, Angie Minelli, “Mad Dog” Tony Lutz, “The Beast” Ken Cerminara, as well as “Chilly” Bill Cardille and an elite roster of others.

Peduto also finds himself in the distinguished company of “Jumpin’” Johnny DeFazio and Chuck Martoni, politicians and local leaders who served on Allegheny County Council after their wrestling careers ended.

The KSWA Class of 2025, the organization’s final season, includes “King” Del Douglas, multi-time champion and former KSWA Heavyweight Champion J-Ru, the KSWA’s first Heavyweight Champion Skippy Hawke, popular former Heavyweight Champion the Latin Assassin as well as veteran and former tag team champion, Sniper.

The Hall of Fame ceremony takes place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the American Legion, Langley Post.

Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall Of Fame Dinner To Honor 10 April 27

 

By Thomas Leturgey

Organizers are diligently planning to celebrate 10 new inductees into the Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. KDKA radio’s Larry Richert will once again serve as the Master of Ceremony for the April 27 event at the Marriot Bonvoy Hotel at Station Square that’s expected to draw as many as 400 attendees.

This year’s class of nine men and one woman encompass much of the Western Pennsylvania landscape, which stretches from Erie County in the north to Greene and Somerset in the south. The territory stretches from the Ohio line in the west to McKean, Elk and Cambria to the east.

“In the class of 2024, we are recognizing another absolutely outstanding group of individuals who have played a major role in the Western PA sports world as players, coaches, administrators, and luminaries,” he continued.

Reilsono, who has attended the banquet in the past, called it a “class act.”

Artwork from the Western PA Sports Hall of Fame website.

To help promote this year’s inductees and the dinner, Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame President Jack Teitz was recently on an episode of the Claudio Reilsono Show to talk about the upcoming dinner.

Teitz, a former Big 10 official, is the 7th president of the organization. He succeeded Robert “Tick” Cloherty, who successfully helmed the Hall of Fame for 30 years and more recently, immediate past president Dan Carr.

Teitz talked about how the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame is the largest of the 30 regional Sports Halls of Fame in the Commonwealth with 650 voting members.

“Our whole schtick is to try and help promote athletes, coaches, officials and sports personalities and contributors who have done exceptional things in the world of sports in Western Pennsylvania,” he told longtime Carnegie Mellon University baseball coach, author and podcaster Reilsono, and his co-host, Steve Mancini, an associate professor at Robert Morris University.

Teitz noted that the Western Pennsylvania Chapter has 750 members, and some 650 inductees that date back to 1963. “We induct about 10 to 12 each year,” he said. He noted that some 105 of the Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame have advanced the umbrella organization, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Some of those members are Roberto Clemente, Arnold Palmer and Bruno Sammartino.

“We skipped a year because of Covid,” Teitz said. “This year we have 10 great inductees.”

In addition, others received special awards. Carol Zaleski, a leading proponent of swimming, recently retired after 45 years of service to the sport. She will receive the prestigious Darrell Hess Award.

And Mel Blount will receive a $5,000 donation from the William Campbell Foundation for his Mel Blount Youth Home and Youth Leader Initiative. Teitz mentioned that William Campbell was originally involved in sports, but then became a successful businessman. Last year, the Campbell Award was shared between the Roberto Clemente Foundation and the Franco Harris Foundation.

Teitz then talked about the inductees, including Central Cambria High School coaching legend Randy Wilson. He said that for 23 years, Wilson has successfully coached the Boys and Girls cross country teams and served as a school counselor in the Cambria County seat of Ebensburg. “His record is 225-5,” said Teitz. He said Wilson “has had a number of wonderful kids go onto to college careers.” Mancini touted Wilson’s incredible training and recruiting abilities as a coach.

Next up is Central Catholic Alumnus Jim McCoy also scored 2,734 points on the basketball court at the University of Massachusetts, which remains a school record. Ever since his freshman year in college, the 6’4” McCoy was unstoppable on the court. “He played in Sweden and Spain for more than 10 years,” Teitz continued. McCoy is also a member of the Pittsburgh Basketball Hall of Fame.

Darelle Porter played basketball Perry Traditional, was a Dapper Dan U.S. East All Star Team member, as well as a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fab Five” and was the all-time assist leader at the University of Pittsburgh. He was head coach of the Duquesne University basketball team. Porter currently serves as the Executive Director of the Ozanam Cultural Center, a community group and sports program for both boys and girls in the Hill District. “A lot of successful players have come out of the Ozanam Cultural Center,” Teitz added.

At 6’7”, Bruce Atkins, an All-State player at Wilkinsburg High School and played in the Roundball Classic is arguably the tallest member of this year’s class. Atkins went on to have a stellar collegiate career as a Duquesne Duke and was drafted in the 4th round by the Philadelphia 76er, in 1982.

Meghan Damico is an “all time tennis star at Fox Chapel,” he said. She was a Triple A Single’s Champion who went on to play at Denison University. She was a North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2007-2008, said Teitz.

Teitz recognized Terry Russell as “a long-time Pittsburgh football player, coach and contributor.” Russell played at Central Catholic and then Duquesne University Football. He was a star player for Coach Dan McCann and then took over the program for several years. He remains a “lifetime supporter of Duquesne,” said Teitz.

The President touted Seneca Valley’s Mark Perry as “a very successful soccer coach.” Perry played and graduated from Springdale High School and went on to play at Wheeling Jesuit College. He has led remarkable teams at Seneca Valley, Fox Chapel, Hampton and Central Valley.

Ambridge’s “Mick” Marotti is a Strength and Conditioning Coach with some 44 years of skills. He served in that capacity in several places, including Notre Dame and the University of Florida and is currently on the staff at Ohio University. Teitz noted that he is also a member of the United States Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame, Class of 2012.

Oakmont’s Mike Berger has worn different hats in his 45 years of professional baseball, from player, coach, front office, and coach. He’s worked for the Montreal Expos, Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. “He’s in Milwaukee now,” said Teitz.

Peabody High School’s Carl Kohlman will be honored posthumously. He was a contributor to many youth programs, but most notably served as the Executive Director of the Ozanam Cultural Center for more than 50 years.

“There are so many people who are so deserving, who don’t see a whole lot of media attention around them,” said Teitz. “Very successful people with very successful sports careers.

This year’s event is Saturday, April 17 at the Sheraton Station Square. Teitz explained that there is a room at the hotel where patrons and participants can see plaques with the names of all of the members. They also hope to find a more permanent home, and they have talked to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in the Strip District.

For more information on each of these 2024 Inductees ticket information for the April 27th induction ceremony, please check our website at westernpasortshof.org or call 412-855-7625.