Professional Wrestling In Pittsburgh Turns 24

By Thomas Leturgey

Originating in February 2000, the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) began its journey. Little did anyone know that many of those wrestlers would be around 24 years later and define professional wrestling in and around the city of Pittsburgh.

There have been several other promotions in Western Pennsylvania which rich histories, but none have continually operated as one brand longer than the Pittsburgh-based KSWA.

Known for family-friendly action, community outreach, charity, renown Hall of Fame ceremonies, and unforgettable moments, the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance is the benchmark for professional wrestling in Pittsburgh and beyond.

The wrestlers, known locally as Megastars, are set to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the longest continually running brand of professional wrestling in Western Pennsylvania. And KSWA Owner Bobby O and the KSWA Championship Committee have fine-tuned a winning card.

In addition to all of that, Bobby O will hand out the Golden Tickets won from last month’s Battle Bowl. “The Regent” Joshua Kavod won the 15th annual installment, with Shawn Blanchard and Freek E. Doyle also earning opportunities at singles titles in 2024. There’s no telling what kind of drama that might entail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

KSWA Heavyweight Champion, “The Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin will defend against J-Ru, the veteran he defeated for the richest prize in the Commonwealth. J-Ru, who has wrestled in Western Pennsylvania and beyond for more than 25 years, is one of the most unorthodox athletes in KSWA history. A technical expert with surprising power, J-Ru sometimes lures opponents in with silliness, only to end up with a victory. He will take on Martin, professional wrestling’s most prolific champion. “The Face of Pittsburgh” has defended gold everywhere and against everyone, all the while maintaining an unparalleled schedule of charity and community service.

This championship defense comes at the KSWA’s 400th event. It’s arguable that this will be the most significant title defense in the past quarter century.

Dennis Gregory and Edric Everhart will defend their KSWA tag team championship for the first time against Harley T. Morris and Brother Lion. The new still-new champions, Gregory and Everhart, don’t get along but they will have to if they plan to retain the titles. Morris and Brother Lion haven’t teamed before, so this would be an ideal opportunity to reach the record books. Morris has been a tag team champion before and Lion has only taken part in a few KSWA matches, but stranger things have happened in Pittsburgh’s rich professional wrestling scene.

“Big Country” Matt McGraw has been charging through opponents since winning the Five Star Championship. He will have a difficult task on Saturday when he faces off against three former Five Star Champions in Sin Born, “The Regent” Joshua Kavod and Super Ginger. In the Fatal Four Way, McGraw doesn’t have to be pinned to lose the championship, and all of the competitors have enough experience to make this contest very interesting.

The Freek Show has made their intentions known by focusing on the Golden Triangle Champion Tyler Grayson as well as the team of “New Glory”—Hunter Huffman and “Big” Tony Onyx. Here the trio has added the iconic Hall of Famer T-Rantula in this 8-man battle against the Freek Show. Freek E. Doyle, Man-Child, “The Ram” Anthony Drake and their newest member—Justin Sane—are fit for battle. With a combination of power and brutality, this match promises to be a must see.

The one-time, long-time team of Kris Kash and Shane Starr exploded a few years ago. Their red-hot rivalry will continue this Saturday. The former tag team champions and one-time KSWA Heavyweight Champions started in the KSWA as 18-year-old rookies in 2005. They have battled with each other and against one another countless times in the years since. They know each other very well, which makes for a unique matchup.

“Rev” Ron Hunt and “Mr. Big Stuff” Anthony Alexander of “The Dynasty” will face off in another skillful showdown. These two Megastars have known each other for a very long time and have tangled in the past; however, this matchup will be more intense than ever before.

Other members of the Dynasty, Shawn Blanchard and leader of the squad, “King” Del Douglas will take on Yinza, the Pittsburgh Luchadore and American Legion Post Commander Don Scholz. Scholz, who admittedly is not a trained professional wrestler, has feuded with the Dynasty for more than a year. He has not backed down from fights against Blanchard and Douglas. Here he has Yinza as backup. Plus, the Renegade is a former tag team champion, so he will be able to guide The Commander in the right way.

Captain Curly John, who has immediately made inroads as a fan favorite with the Krazies, is preparing to wrestle the debuting Andrew Loveless. Little is known about Loveless, and the good Captain continues to improve, so this match will be one to watch.