FanFest Alumni Battle Royal To Feature "Who's Who" Of Champions

The very first KSWA Heavyweight Champion, Skippy Hawke, is to participate in the "Alumni Battle Royal" at FanFest on December 6. Photo courtesy of KSWA archives.

By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

Battle Royals are among the most popular matches in professional wrestling. For decades, the match has been a showcase for talent to work for an ultimate goal: outlasting everyone else.

The way to lose a Battle Royal is simple. Participants must be tossed over the top rope and athletes aren’t eliminated until both feet touch the floor below.

In the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance, the Battle Royal has been a unique way for athletes to win in weighty fashion. In Millvale, “King” Del Douglas won the first “King of Millvale” Battle Royals, and this past September he won the last.

In Sheraden at the American Legion, the Timmy Moore Memorial Battle Royal has been memorable for that great city of Pittsburgh community. At the last KSWA event before FanFest, Commander Don Scholz was victorious when “Big Country” Matt McGraw celebrated his friend by stepping over the top rope and eliminating himself in respect.

Those are just some of the significant Battle Royals in KSWA history. The last Battle Royal will be the most important of all.

Each competitor has been a champion in the KSWA. From Shane O’Shea to QB Blitzz, Biker Al to Joey Quervo, the Alumni Battle Royal is one last chance for these pioneering Megastars to fight for KSWA history.

Here is a look at just some of the announced Megastars in the Final Battle Royal.

Skippy Hawke, the KSWA’s very first Heavyweight Champion, but he and “The World’s Strongest Cop” Bob Thomas were also tag team champions in the organization’s inaugural season.

KSWA Hall of Famer, “Big” Mike Malachi is one of the most decorated Megastars announced for the Battle Royal. In August 2000, Malachi defeated Justin Sane to become just the second Golden Triangle Champion and he won the KSWA Heavyweight Championship on November 9, 2002. At the time he was just the fourth man to hold the prestigious title. He held onto the title for 441 days. Malachi won the Golden Triangle Championship a second time in 2008, but he’d even accumulate more success as a three-time KSWA tag team champion. He held the belts with Tommy Faime in 2003, as a part of The International Thugs in 2006, and “Big and Bigger,” the “Wall Street Cover Boys” with Jack Massacre in 2014.

What else can be said of KSWA Hall of Famer La Lucha? La Lucha pinned “Mr. Tenacity” Tommy Faime on February 18, 2000, at the first sanctioned KSWA event. Neither could have possibly guessed their future successful, Hall of Fame careers. In 2001, La Lucha and Soul Fighter defeated The Prime Time Players and Shane O’Shea and The Great Toyota to become KSWA tag team champions. On September 12, 2002, after the title was vacated due to injury, La Lucha defeated Joey Quervo for the International Championship. He and Biker Al were star-crossed KSWA tag team champions in 2004, Justin Sane in 2005 and Joey Quervo in 2007. After a feud with Shawn Blanchard that culminated at FanFest 2006, “The Mayor of Mexico City” defeated the defending KSWA Champion Shawn Blanchard in front of what was then the largest KSWA and loudest KSWA crowd. La Lucha wasn’t pinned in the title change, and he never received a rematch.

In January 2002, Shane O’Shea won the Pittsburgh Championship in a Triple Threat Match between the Great Toyota and “Mr. Puniverse” Bob Atlas. May 17, 2003, QB Blitzz and Sam Slej were KSWA Tag Team Champions, before losing the belts to Shane O’Shea and “King” Del Douglas.

On November 9, 2002, “Mr. Puniverse” Bob Atlas won the KSWA’s Pittsburgh Title from The Great Toyota. In March 2003, Atlas won the KSWA’s Tri-State Title via a Battle Royal. And he collected the title again in 2004. But before that, he earned the KSWA’s International Title by outlasting everyone else in—you guessed it—a Battle Royal. During his time in the KSWA’s early days, “Mr. Puniverse” was a box office draw.

In the earliest days of the KSWA The Great Toyota was a fierce competitor. On July 13, 2002, the vintage Toyota defeated Shane O’Shea for the Pittsburgh Championship and then quickly lost it to Bob Atlas.

The Glamm Slam Duo, QB Blitzz and Sam Slej, helped define the KSWA tag team division in the formidable years. The pairing was Tag Team champions in 2003 and 2004. QB Blitzz will return for the Alumni Battle Royal.

On October 9, 2004, Biker Al won a strange Battle Royal in which the prize was the KSWA tag team championship. He was to pick a tag team partner, and he selected La Lucha as his foil! That reign didn’t long as Biker Al abandoned La Lucha in a match against “Mr. Tenacity” Tommy Faime and “King” Del Douglas. Four years later he would win tag team gold with “Vicious” Vinnie Stone a wrestler he duped into believe they were cousins. Biker Al was also the very first (and some would say “krooked”) Kommissioner in KSWA history.

Earlier this year, The Latin Assassin was inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame. Especially in the group’s earliest days, the battler from the Bronx was a VIP and then a long-time fan favorite. He was a Golden Triangle Champion in 2003, and again that title holder in 2005 and 2006. He was a two-time Tri-State Champion in 2005 and 2006 and also made an unusual “one half” of the KSWA tag team champions with the Blood Beast twice in 2008. He defeated Ali Kaida in May 2010 to become the KSWA Heavyweight Champion. The Latin Assassin is one of the most well-respected and beloved wrestlers to ever grace the KSWA ring.

Do you remember “The Mexican Connection”? La Lucha and his childhood friend Joey Quervo were tag team champions when they defeated the International Thugs at FanFest in 2007. They held onto the titles into May of 2008, but 2007 may have been “Joseph Q’s” most successful campaign. He won a Yeung in the Ring Battle Royal and was featured in Bobby O’s winning “Captain’s Series” team that spring.

“Mr. 8x10” Michael Cruz has wrestled for decades in West Virginia; however, Pennsylvanians know him best as the boa-wearing, picture frame carrying one-time KSWA Golden Triangle Champion. After a rivalry that last months, Cruz defeated Justin Sane for the title at FanFest 2007. He remains one of the most memorable Megastars of all time.

Exactly 15 years ago, "Iceman" Tony Johnson won a FanFest match to determine the very first KSWA “Jr. Heavyweight Champion.” In a Gauntlet Match, Johnson defeated Jay Flash, JP Goulet, The Jester and Drew Belanger, who all got their start in Western Pennsylvania in a KSWA ring. He would win the belt again in 2011. One of the KSWA’s greatest all-around athletes.

Jay Flash, “The Giant Killer” defeated all of the KSWA’s giant Megastars on his way to defeating Kris Kash for the Heavyweight Championship in 2016. But before that, he won the Golden Triangle Championship against Bobby Badfingers at a FanFest in 2011. Flash was one of the most popular KSWA Megastars during his time in Pittsburgh, and he was one of the most reviled after turning on his long-time friend, “Ice Man” Tony Johnson.

Nasty Nick Crane and Sniper, both experienced hands, are former KSWA tag team champions. In addition, Crane is a former Five Star Champion who Main Evented against Hacksaw Jim Duggan at FanFest. Both men have won individual and team awards over careers that span more than two decades.

During his time in the KSWA, Yinza, the Pittsburgh Luchadore, was one of the most popular Megastars on the roster. In 2021, he and McGraw were tag team champions. A year later, Yinza won the “Brawl Under the Bridge” Championship. A career-threatening injury forced him to vacate the tile the following year; however, he recovered and was a successful Golden Triangle Champion. He has won many accolades in the KSWA and reinvigorated the Pittsburgh Polka and Renegade.

Along with Harley T. Morris, Officer Dan Murphy made up “An Officer and a Gentleman.” The mix of technical prowess and brute strength made them KSWA tag team champions on two occasions in 2022. And while he was a frequent opponent of Anthony Alexander and others, Murphy never held individual gold in the KSWA. Officer Dan remains one of the most unique KSWA Megastars of all time.

There may be other Megastars added to the Final Battle Royal (the KSWA Championship Committee is very coy), but this one already promises to be one for the trophy room.

 Tickets are going fast for KSWA's last-ever event, the 20th anniversary of FanFest. Go to kswa.net for more information.

Family And Friends Remember "Sicilian Beast" Ken Cerminara

by Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest 

“We knew him before he had hair on his back,” noted a lifelong friend of “The Sicilian Beast” Ken Cerminara at a Celebration of Life Ceremony on Saturday, November 15. Cerminara passed away on September 25 at the age of 71, and just a few months after his beloved wife, Cindy.

A few days earlier, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller was in the same room at the Masonic Hall in Ross Township, speaking to a rapt audience about his career as a Super Bowl champion. The packed room on Saturday listened to family and friends reminiscing about the long-time professional wrestler with even more interest.

John Cerminara met with a lot of family and friends, including “Irish” Red Walsh. John unbuttoned a dress shirt to show off a “Sicilian Beast” t-shirt that he recently found in a closest. For his part, Walsh talked about the experiences he and “the Beast” shared at Geeto Mongol’s ring inside a barn near Butler on Rt. 8.

Ken’s son Michael Cerminara shared a fun and emotional slide show about his father’s wrestling career. “There were really notable figures,” he said. “There was a bear. Ginger the Bear.”

According to his son, “The Beast” wrestled in the Tri-State area and used to talk of a Canadian tour that Geeto booked him on in the early days. Michael then showed a photo of a “Beast” match on December 3, 1981. “What’s special about December 3^rd, 1981?” Michael Cerminara humorously detailed that he was “four days old” when The Beast was grappling.  

Professional wrestling was always big in the Cerminara family. The Beast grappled in what was then the WWF in the early 80’s, losing to the likes of Tony Altimore, The Hangman and drawing Bobby “Hurricane” Hunt on undercards with Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund.

The Beast became friends with Sgt. Slaughter, who created a core memory by telephoning Michael Cerminara on his birthday. “It was the most aggressive birthday message,” he joked.

The Beast travelled from his Dormont home and wrestled in a church not far from his grandmother’s home as well as the old Civic Arena. He remembered lying on the canvas with the Arena’s roof open and stars shining in the evening in Pittsburgh.

Cerminara was featured in newspaper articles over the years and was a popular wrestling personality and his family was always proud of his achievements. He wrestled on cards with Ivan Putski, Jesse Ventura, Baron Mikel Scicluna, among others.

There were matches at St. George’s Schram Hall with Walsh where he Main Evented and tagged with Dominic DeNucci and “managed” by B-94’s Tank Sherman.

The Beast wrestled in the 80’s, 90’s, took some breaks in action and wrestled “Jumpin’” Johnny DeFazio in his last match at Shaler High School in March 1988. “It’s viral,” Michael joked. “It has more than 5,000 views.”

Cerminara’s family and friends told stories of how he would always go out of his way to make them feel special.

After his wrestling days, “The Beast” lived in Ohio and managed at Rubber City (RCW) Wrestling. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2020. The independent wrestling group had a great showing. In addition, veteran photographer Wayne Palmer was also in attendance.

Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) Hall of Famers “The Mercenaries” Nick Crane and The Sniper were on hand, as was Kristen Klebanski Collingwood, a friend and sister of KSWA Hall of Famer Dave “Klubber” Klebanski was among those who paid their respects.

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.

Doyle And Starr: A Golden Series For The Ages

Freek E. Doyle has Shane Starr in a predicament. Photo by Yalina Yuschick.

By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

It goes without saying that Freek E. Doyle’s reign as the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) Golden Triangle Champion has been historic. At more than 450 days, Doyle has been a successful titleholder since defeating Tyler Grayson at Brawl Under the Bridge.

Freek, who began as a manager and then tag team partner with Man-Child, set his sight on gold. Last year’s “KSWA Digest Megastar of the Year,” Freek has successfully defended Pittsburgh’s championship against a premier array of challengers.

Doyle has set his sights on antagonizing Shane Starr, a former three-time Golden Triangle Champion and one of the most popular Megastars in KSWA’s remarkable, 25-year history.

Starr found himself attacked by the Freek Show and Doyle himself in his hometown of Sharpsburg. Perhaps cheated out of a fourth championship by Doyle, Starr (only Justin Sane with 5 reigns has more), went to KSWA Championship Committee head Shawn Patrick and KSWA Owner Bobby O with a unique idea. Suggesting a “Best of Five” series of matches, Starr offered his August 30 loss to Doyle at Gino Brothers as a 0-1 launching point.

Bobby O and Patrick quickly agreed, and Starr has won the last two one-on-one contests. With October 18^th’s second-to-last KSWA event right around the corner, Starr could wrap up the series. He would then enter FanFest as Golden Triangle Champion.

However, Doyle has the Freek Show at the ready. There isn’t a strategic mastermind more prepared than Freek E. Doyle. He assuredly plans on retiring the Golden Triangle Championship at the end of the year. Justin Sane, The Ram, the mammoth Man-Child and the Manager of Champions, Mayor Mystery will all be called upon to maintain Doyle’s clench on the Golden Triangle Championship. [Starr did take out Mayor Mystery last month.]

The importance of the Golden Triangle Championship cannot be understated. Except for the KSWA Heavyweight Championship, the Golden Triangle Championship is the most storied belt in Pennsylvania.

Justin Sane was the first titleholder in 2000, and Hall of Famers Bobby Badfingers, “Big” Mike Malachi, The Latin Assassin, La Lucha, Bubba the Bulldog and even Frank Durso have had their names etched in KSWA history with the Golden Triangle Championship.

“The Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin and Double-Anthony Alexander, Kris Kash and “King” Del Douglas have all gallantly hoisted the Golden Triangle Championship; however, perhaps no one has characterized the verve of the gold than the one-time “Future” Shane Starr. A self-made champion who entered the KSWA upon his 18^th birthday 20 years ago, Starr has encapsulated the fighting spirit of the Steel City’s tentpole championship.

This is what makes this best-of-five series so significant. Two of the hardest-working Megastars currently on Pittsburgh wrestling’s official roster, Doyle and Starr, take equal pride in the Golden Triangle Championship.

Starr was the reigning Golden Triangle Champion when he defeated Martin for the KSWA Heavyweight Championship nearly 12 years ago. The KSWA Championship Committee forced Starr to relinquish the Golden Triangle strap, but he fought tooth-and-nail to keep it.

The current champion, Doyle has worked himself into elite condition. While he has taken the occasional short cut, Freek clearly takes the Golden Triangle very seriously.

As Pittsburgh’s professional wrestling organization winds down, Freek E. Doyle and Shane Starr have made this best-of-five series one of the organization’s finest.

 

 

Pizza, Pints And Piledrivers Take Over Sharpsburg One More Time

By Trapper Tom, Editor, KSWA Digest

And just like that, the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance’s final Pizza, Pints and Piledrivers is this weekend in Sharpsburg.

The KSWA has had a long, illustrious history in the borough, starting with fundraisers for the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department and the Mario Ferraro, Sr. Memorial Tournament.

In recent years, Pittsburgh’s official professional wrestling group has moved to an outdoor venue just outside the doors of Gino Brother’s Pizza Bar along Main Street. The largest crowd ever on June 14 witnessed Shawn Blanchard defeat “The Apostle” Joshua Kavod for the richest prize in the Commonwealth, the KSWA Heavyweight Championship. Blanchard hoisted the championship high into the Pittsburgh-area sky for the 7^th time. It’s interesting to note that Blanchard’s win this year was the very first time he won the championship outside the city limits, specifically Bloomfield and then Lawrenceville.

It's only apt that Blanchard defend the championship against the ever-evolving Kavod, who after a short time as an “Apostle” is now a battling “Bishop.” Kavod is eager to get a chance to win the belt back with only a few cards remaining before the ultimate FanFest.

Once again, Blanchard will have the guiding light of the Dynasty, “King” Del Douglas in his corner, as he defends against Kavod. Since winning the championship, Blanchard has defeated long-time friend/foe Lou Martin, as well as newcomer Daniel Exotic, as well as Sharpsburg’s own Shane Starr.

Starr will (reluctantly) team with long-time friend/foe and tag champion Kris Kash to defend against the Freek Show’s Man-Child and The Ram. They will be accompanied to the ring by the Manager of Champions and Mayor of Parts Unknown, Mayor Mystery. Kash and Starr, who started with the KSWA together 20 years ago, don’t see eye-to-eye, but through a unique set of circumstances, are once again tag team champions. They cannot lose sight of the prize, as the Ram and Man-Child are a formidable team and have a distinct advantage when it comes to strength and power. But the one-time Lost Boyz have legendary experience together.

The Five Star Championship will see title holder Tyler Grayson defend against the Megastar he beat for the belt, J-Ru. What may “The Artiste” have in store for the new Five Star Champion? With the Hall of Famer looking to regain gold, this might be the match of the night.

“The Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin will take on Justin Sane. The two are among the longest-tenured KSWA Megastars and have battled together and against one another over 25 years.

Also appearing will be KSWA Golden Triangle Champion Freek E. Doyle, Daniel Exotic, Curly John, Hunter Huffman, Tony Onyx, BIG Country Matt McGraw and more!

The event is Saturday, August 30 with a 6 p.m. bell time.

For more information, call 412-781-4466 or 412-726-1762 to reserve your front row seats or tables.

“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.

Top 10 Wish For KSWA’s Final Six Months

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 3^rd 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.