Patch Picks: Climb Into the Ring for WPSD this Sunday

Many different events come to mind when planning a fundraiser. Walks or 5K runs are popular. So are bake sales or crafts fairs. Auctions—silent or otherwise—certainly work. In a way, these are the staples of fundraising efforts nationwide.

So when it came time for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to create an annual event, officials naturally chose to present 12 matches of intense professional wrestling action. 

Certainly a more extreme option than a 5K.

The 2011 edition of Deaf Wrestlefest will take place at the school this Sunday at 6 p.m. Presented with the assistance of Keystone State Wrestling Alliance, a local independent wrestling federation, and sponsored by the WPSD Parent-Staff Organization, the event showcases some of the best local grapplers along with more well-known figures from around the country.

Chief among this year’s participants is Tony Atlas, a 2006 inductee into the WWE (former WWF) Hall of Fame. Atlas’ career began more than 35 years ago, and he’s wrestled at one point or another for nearly every major wrestling promotion in North America. Along with Rocky Johnson (father of wrestler and actor The Rock,) Atlas was the first African-American to win the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1983. He also is a former competitive bodybuilder and weightlifter, having won numerous titles at both—including the nickname he still uses today, “Mr. USA.”

In the main event, Atlas will team with Shane Douglas and Dynamite Dean to take on Bill Collier, Sean Alexander and Star 100.7 Morning Show DJ Bubba The Bulldog, who has long moonlighted as a pro wrestler in the area.

Atlas’ partner Shane Douglas should be known to fans as well; the Pittsburgh native was a staple on national TV for much of the 1990s and 2000s, competing in then-dominant promotions WWF, WCW and ECW. One of his signature maneuvers is still referred to as “The Pittsburgh Plunge.”

Famous one-legged pro wrestler Zach Gowen also will appear on the show, taking on Bobby Shields. Gowen overcomes his handicap by modifying wrestling maneuvers so that he can perform them on one leg or from his knees; he was featured on WWE programming in 2003 as an ally of a then-disguised Hulk Hogan.

Tickets are available by calling 412-678-3287 or emailing deafwrestlefest@ymail.com. General admission tickets are $20; a limited number of ringside tickets still are available for $25. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on Sunday.

For more information, including a full list of wrestlers scheduled to appear, head to deafwrestlefest.vze.com.