Streets of rogue wrestler11/23/2023 ![]() ![]() The main streets are closed and children’s rides, makeshift bandstands, and food vendors fill the streets. ‘Millvale Days,’ as it was called, is a 2 day county fair like festival that happens every September. “It was a Saturday afternoon in September in a small town called Millvale, a few miles from downtown Pittsburgh. The Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) began its run in February, 2000 at a high school gymnasium. “The first time I encountered the wrestlers of the KSWA was about 10 years ago,” says photographer David Aschkenas who has been documenting these events since they started. Through the years professional wrestling and the athletes who came from the region-such as Johnny Valiant and including former World Champions Larry Zbyszko, Shane Douglas and Kurt Angle-all represented Pittsburgh well.Īnd while the enormous companies were supported by television, territorial and “outlaw” groups ran home-grown shows for decades. It’s where athletes like Joe Abby, Frank Durso, Bobby Hunt and Bucky Palermo became beloved personalities and household names in many Pittsburgh neighborhoods. ![]() Wrestlers © David Aschkenas Wrestlers © David Aschkenas Dillon, and “Big Bully” Nick Busick considered their time here to be the genesis of their careers. ![]() Together Cardille and the Saturday evening staple became synonymous with the term “professional wrestling” in Pittsburgh and defined the sport until 1974.ĭuring the “Studio Wrestling” era World Wide Wrestling Federation (Established stars like Dominic DeNucci would call Pittsburgh home, and others like Bill Eadie, James J. The Channel 11 program was hosted for almost all of its run by the iconic “Chilly” Bill Cardille. Professional wrestling was on television in Pittsburgh during the early 1950’s, but the sport would not really resonate until 1958 when Studio Wrestling joined the WIIC broadcast schedule. Wrestlers © David Aschkenasįrom the historic Duquesne Gardens to Islam Grotto, Zivic Arena, and Forbes Field, Pittsburgh played host to countless wrestling cards. From Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Lou Thesz to “Whipper” Billy Watson and “The French Angel” Maurice Tillet, the top and most unique professional wrestlers in the industry grappled in and around Pittsburgh for generations, well before star Bruno Sammartino immigrated with his family from Italy in 1950. ![]()
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