From Butler Street To Wall Street: How The KSWA Became The Toast Of America's Largest Newspaper

Ever since wrestlers from the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) first debuted at Peabody High School on February 18, 2000, the group has worked unlike any other independent organization.

At first, the events were scarce but enthusiastic. There were seven events that first year, and two Heavyweight Title Changes—Skippy Hawke won the best in the first event, and Shawn Blanchard captured the first of his record five titles on August 4, 2000.

After establishing itself in the Bloomfield area of the city—namely the Bloomfield VFW—the KSWA held its first event in Lawrenceville, at the Candlelight Lounge, on August 26, 2000.

Over the next few years, the KSWA was forming its base in those just-east-of-downtown neighborhoods. On August 14, 2004 the group settled into what would be its home for the next decade: the KSWA Arena, just off of Butler Street at 51st. Once established with a “home,” the organization was able to build off its base and start to spread its wings.

Shortly after the August 20, 2005  “Summer Time Bruise,” an feature article on the up-and-coming KSWA was commissioned by “The Front,” an advertiser-supported news weekly designed to compete with the larger “Pittsburgh City Paper.” The story centered on the rivalry in which wrestler Biker Al was defeated by Anthony Alexander for the Golden Triangle Championship.

On September 16 and 17, 2005 the KSWA made its presence known during Millvale Days. A year earlier, Hurricane Ivan pounded and flooded the borough just across the Allegheny River from the KSWA Arena. Once the Millvale Days celebration continued, the KSWA was brought it to boost morale. Action featuring Del Douglas and Lou Martin was captured during WPXI TV coverage of the borough’s rebound. It was also during this time that a friendship between the KSWA and then-Millvale Mayor Jim Burn began. The Millvale Days partnership and friendship with Burn continues to this day.

The “Front” cover story was well-received and popular. Not to be outdone, the Pittsburgh City Paper sent its own reporter to detail the burgeoning professionals.

On November 10, 2005, the Pittsburgh City Paper descended upon the Steel City with the popular La Lucha on the cover. Fans of the KSWA, now officially dubbed “Krazies” scooped up the news weekly in impressive numbers. To follow up the coverage, La Lucha and Justin Sane defeated Del Douglas for the KSWA World Tag Team Championship, despite Douglas not having a partner. The match was held at FanFest on December 3, 2005. This event would begin the promotion’s relationship with Allegheny County’s yearly toy-donation “Holiday Project” campaign. Over the years, thousands upon thousands of toys would be donated to needy kids in Pittsburgh and its surrounding boroughs, townships, villages, etc.

The year 2006 was the organization’s most ambitious to date. Only a few months after the feature story on the KSWA, the group was referenced again in the City Paper. On March 16, 2006 a professional “Krazy,” told a reporter that she moved to Pittsburgh from Central Pennsylvania and got hooked on the organization. She was so enthusiastic that she started to bring business clients to the KSWA Arena events.

Throughout this time, attendance at KSWA events continued to climb. There were 13 events in 2006, including a November 17 “Clash Against Cancer” fundraiser that became the first event in which more than 300 people attended at the KSWA Arena.

A couple of weeks later, more than 320 packed the Arena for FanFest/Toy Drive 2006. The second-installment of what would become the promotion’s biggest annual event included what many observers believe to be the bell-weather event for the KSWA at the time. In the Main Event, La Lucha defeated Shawn Blanchard for the KSWA Heavyweight Championship. Now with an International flare, this match—which included a roar of approval that could be heard down the Allegheny River—was considered the KSWA’s “Coming of Age” event.

In January 2007, Double-A Anthony Alexander won a “Megastar Melee” Battle Royal that would become a pre-cursor to the uber-popular “Battle Bowl” series. With the win, Alexander immediately became the #1 contender for the KSWA World Championship. The Battle Bowl Battle Royal would become one of the KSWA’s signature events in subsequent years.

Also in 2007 the KSWA would branch out like never before. In September 2006, the group host a fundraiser in McKees Rocks, but it would appear twice more at the Obey House tavern in 2007. Many athletes, as well as other KSWA personalities would also appear on the “Humanity Matters” cable TV show in the City of Pittsburgh. At FanFest 2007, the KSWA’s attendance would be broken again as ticket sales slightly trumped 2006’s installment. For the second year in a row, the KSWA World Heavyweight Championship would change hands, with Alexander besting Blanchard is a classic match.

In 2008, the KSWA would put on 14 events, including the first-ever Joe Abby Memorial Tournament on March 29. Named for the Studio Wrestling mainstay who was even better known as a pillar of the community, the Joe Abby Tournament would become the KSWA’s way of remembering its forefathers. Abby and Frank Durso, another Studio Wrestling workhorse, were very first members inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame. Blanchard, with Durso in tow, would beat Kris Kash in the finals of the first Joe Abby Tournament.

The KSWA would also that year begin its association with the Lawrenceville Community’s “Fireworks Celebration” at Arsenal Park. The July 5 outing included an Ali Kaida v. Lou Martin “Lawrenceville Street Fight.” Kaida would come out the victor.

FanFest on December 6, 2008 would include a KSWA first: famed western Pennsylvania native and WWF superstar Demolition Ax was the very first “name” wrestler to ever appear in a KSWA ring. Ax and Kris Kash would defeat VIP members Blanchard and Martin. It would not be Bill Eadie’s last time in the KSWA ring.

On January 17, 2009 the first Battle Bowl sweepstakes happened. Shawn Blanchard was the winner and he received a shot at the KSWA World Title. Lou Martin and a partner of his choice would vie for the Tag Team Championship and Ali Kaida earned a shot at the Golden Triangle belt.

The March 28, 2009 Joe Abby Tournament would be bitter sweet for a returning Demolition Ax. Mr. Eadie was installed as the 3rd member of the KSWA Hall of Fame by owner Bobby O, but he would lose to Shawn Blanchard during the night’s action. This would not be the last time in the KSWA ring for Demolition Ax.

The KSWA would return to the Lawrenceville Fireworks Celebration on July 3, 2009 and it would be a memorable event for many reasons. The most significant occurrence during the day was not the $5,000 earned by The Latin Assassin in the “Winner Take All” Battle Royal, but it was the debut of long-time Pittsburgh independent wrestler Lord Zoltan. This was his Lordship’s first appearance in the city of Pittsburgh in many years and it signified a coming home of sorts. Lord Zoltan’s imprint has been felt in the KSWA ever since.

The next day, Independent Day 2009, the KSWA appeared at Lake Latonka in Mercer County, PA. The match ended in a tag team match, of which Kris Kash chased Lou Martin into the waters of Lake Latonka.

On September 26, 2009 the KSWA made history with a “Drop Kick Diabetes” fundraiser at the Ross Township Community Center. A modern-day record of 406 fans attended the event, which included a world-class Chinese Auction. Untold thousands of dollars were raised for the diabetes sufferer, who had his legs amputated as a result of the disease.

On October, 17, 2009 the KSWA would debut in the Teamster Temple to held fundraise for St. John Neuman’s School.

On March 28, 2009, the KSWA would set a non-FanFest KSWA Arena attendance record when the combined Demolition—Ax and Smash—arrived to take on the Tag Team Championship—Shawn Blanchard and Lou Martin. In a physical confrontation, Smash drove Martin into the mat with a side slam and the legends captured the KSWA World Tag Team Championship before an elated crowd. The champions would not be able to defend the belts, so they were relinquished. The story was picked up in Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

At FanFest, on December 5, 2009, world-renown wrestler Dominic DeNucci made his very first appearance in the KSWA. In a match later discovered to feature the two-oldest participants in recorded professional wrestling history, the match was a treat for fans of Pittsburgh’s famed “Studio Wrestling.”

The two legends would face each other again as part of a six-man tag team match on March 27, 2010. That Joe Abby Memorial Tournament featured DeNucci and fabled female wrestler Donna Christianello’s ceremonial induction into the Hall of Fame.

Also as part of the Joe Abby Memorial Tournament, then-Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto arrived with a proclamation observing the KSWA’s first decade of existence. March 27, 2010 was deemed “KSWA Day in the City of Pittsburgh.” A few days later, several KSWA Megastars, including DeNucci, would go to Pittsburgh City Council for the official declaration. This would be Peduto’s first appearance in the KSWA, but wouldn’t nearly be his last.

In May 2010, the KSWA would tape a series of shows for Internet TV, but they chose not to continue with the concept.

On July 31, 2010 the group would travel to Monongahela, PA for a fundraiser benefiting a local football organization. In 2012 they would do the same for the Guyasuta Youth Football team and Cheerleading Association.

November 6, 2010 would be recognized as the day in which the KSWA formed a fundraising partnership with the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department.

As part of a stellar FanFest on December 4, 2010, former Pittsburgh Pirates announcer and current high school and college sports broadcasting legend Lanny Frattare made the first of his frequent appearances. He announced participants in the Gauntlet Match for the brand-new Jr. Heavyweight Championship.

It’s also of note that in the tag team main event, Kris Kash and Shane Starr–the title holders–were accompanied to the ring by the manager of champions James J. Dillon. However, as is customary for the leader of the Four Horsemen, Dillon turned on his team, blasted one in the head with his loafer and watched as Blanchard and Martin got the duke and a tag team championship win.

During the March 26, 2011 Joe Abby Memorial Tournament, the KSWA would honor Bobby “Hurricane” Hunt and Ron Romano with induction into the Hall of Fame. Leading up to the event, Hunt would be featured in an expansive feature story in the notable “New Pittsburgh Courier.”

On July 30, 2011, the KSWA would travel to Plum Borough for its annual Community Festival at Larry Mills Park. The group would return in 2012 but would be quickly rained out. In 2011, the KSWA would travel to more events than ever before in a single year. It would also boast 18 cards that year.

At FanFest, on December 3, 2011, some 500-plus would stretch the KSWA Arena’s capacity to catch a glimpse of George “The Animal” Steele. Tony Norman, columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, would serve as Special Guest Ring Announcer for one match, along with a returning Lanny Frattare. Norman would pen a piece about his experience for the city’s largest daily newspaper.

December 3, 2011 would begin with a “Roast” of Dominic DeNucci at the Sheraton Hotel in Green Tree. The fundraiser for the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, New York, served as the perfect setting to announce DeNucci’s induction into the PWHF. City Councilman Bill Peduto arrived to proclaim December 3, 2011 to be “Dominic DeNucci Day” in the city of Pittsburgh. The observance touched Peduto, who had emotional difficulties getting through the certificate, as he remembered watching Studio Wrestling with his grandfather. Although not an official KSWA event, the Roast was represented with the emcee, as well as remarks from Lord Zoltan. It was his time at the podium that convinced PWHF leaders to book Lord Zoltan to emcee its 2012 festivities.

Later that same night, several wrestling legends, including DeNucci, Irish Davey O’Hannon, Pretty Boy Larry Sharpe and Cody Michaels visited the KSWA FanFest, with Steele. Another attendee of both events, “The Battman” Tony Marino saved Lord Zoltan and Justin Sane from losing the KSWA Tag Team belts by re-starting their match.

Pittsburgh Police estimated at the time that between 200 and 250 wrestling fans were turned away from the 2011 FanFest because of fire marshal concerns. The Civil Air Patrol, out of the Pittsburgh Airport, presented the colors for the first time at FanFest that year.

In 2012, Lord Zoltan and photographer to the professional wrestling stars, Howard Kernats, were inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame. Zoltan became the first regularly-active inductee into the KSWA Hall of Fame, while Kernats was observed as the first non-athlete inducted. To add spice to the festivities, Councilor Peduto and then-County Commissioner Jim Burn were on hand to give proclamations to Zoltan.

When the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam held its induction ceremony on May 19, 2012 Sammartino said that he would induct DeNucci. Lord Zoltan was previously announced as the emcee. A contingent of KSWA Megastars, family and staff, accompanied the Pittsburghers. As a result the KSWA was the only professional wrestling group anywhere in the world to attend the ceremony in-mass.

On November 17, 2012 the KSWA held its first fundraiser for “Connecting Communities,” an organization that benefits people with mental disabilities. The event at the Teamster Temple was a huge success and another event followed.

At FanFest, December 8, 2012 a coup occurred when it was announced that the true “Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino would appear at FanFest. During his visit, Sammartino was presented with a Hall of Fame induction by KSWA Owner Bobby O. It would be months later when Sammartino would receive the same ceremonial nod from the WWE in Madison Square Garden. It would be announced that a record-shattering 523 attended FanFest with Sammartino, along with his guest Domenic DeNucci.

George “The Animal” Steele would return to Pittsburgh and receive a Hall of Fame nod in 2013. He would also receive a proclamation from County Councilman Burn. Steele would later say the honor stood with the recognition of having a baseball park named after him.

In addition, “Mr. Tenacity” Tommy Faime, the very first KSWA Original inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame, returned to the Arena during the Joe Abby tournament and accepted his trophy.

Leading up to Summertime Bruise on July 20, 2013, Pittsburgh Magazine would feature a short preview of the upcoming card. It focused on the overall atmosphere of the KSWA. Later in the summer the KSWA would land its spot in the “Best of Pittsburgh” for “Best Place To Stand Around With A PBR.”

At FanFest on December 7, 2013, Pittsburgh native “Luscious” Johnny Valiant and long-time referee Bucky Palermo would also be inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame. At four, this would be the largest HOF class in KSWA history.

And much like J.J. Dillon went with the VIPs at the end of FanFest 2010, “Luscious” Johnny accompanied the two newest VIPs–Edric Everhart and Tyler Cross–to the ring for their 2013 FanFest title defense. This time, the VIPs simply held on by besting Jay Flash and Tony Johnson.

In addition to the Hall of Fame nods, current wrestling superstar and one-legged athlete Zach Gowen entertained the crowd with his high-flying capabilities. In an exemplary match, Gowen defeated The Jester, who ultimately turned on his former employer Del Douglas, and danced with Gowen. The crowd, while not up to Bruno Sammartino and George Steele numbers, was buoyed by KSWA Krazies who went out of their way to donate a record-number amount of toys for needy youth.

With the turn of the 2014 calendar year, Battle Bowl was an unprecedented success. Then it was announced that some of the biggest Studio Wrestling legends—Dr. Chuch Martoni, “Jumpin’” Johnny DeFazio and “Chilly” Bill Cardille were among the class of 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. On March 29, 2014, during the 7th Annual Joe Abby Memorial Tournament, Peduto, now Mayor of the city of Pittsburgh would acknowledge Cardille with his own “KSWA Hall of Fame Day.” Now former-councilman Burn would soon thereafter arrange for an Allegheny County proclamation honoring all three Hall of Famers. A group of KSWA Megastars would attend that ceremony as well.

Not long after that, the Fayette County Commissioners—through the KSWA—would honor Bill Eadie with a proclamation of their own during the weekend of his induction into the PWHF in Amsterdam, New York on May 17, 2014. KSWA Owner Bobby O would read the proclamation, which Eadie would later frame and hang in his home office.

The KSWA would then announce that it was leaving the KSWA Arena and would ultimately set up shop at the Teamster Temple along Butler Street. The KSWA was also well-represented in the Memorial Day Parade 2014 along Butler Street.

Over the years, other “name” wrestlers have appeared with the KSWA, including Bushwacker Luke and Larry Zbyszko, but it’s the Megastars that keep Krazies truly want to see.

The KSWA has been featured prominently on Pittsburgh Sportsline TV, as well as the first edition of its magazine.

The work, officials say, is just beginning. The KSWA observes its 15thanniversary in 2015.