Pro wrestling fans looking for nonstop action and to support a local group of performers have just one place to be Friday night.
It’s not PPG Paints Arena in Downtown Pittsburgh for WWE Smackdown.
The venue is the Donald C. McGhee Fieldhouse for Keystone State Wrestling Alliance’s Springdale Slam 4.
Western Pennsylvania ring veterans and current competitors will be on hand to raise money for the Springdale Junior-Senior High School marching band.
Band parents will be working the concession stand and ticket booths.
The hope is to sell out the 700 seats to help offset costs for band festivals, equipment and trips.
“We’re hoping for a good turnout,” said Susan Blanchflower, president of the Springdale Parent Band Association. “We’re going to have plenty of food and 50-50 (raffles) and just looking for a good time. It’s a good experience for the kids. It’s a great family affair that you can take all levels to, elementary all the way up to the high school, and it supports a good thing.
“It seems to be growing every year, and we’re hoping that it grows each year. We want to make this a major event with the band.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youths. Bell time is 7 p.m.
“This is a family-friendly show,” said Shawn Patrick, former association president and a 1983 graduate. “Compared to something like a Friday Night Smackdown, it’s much more affordable. You’ll see a lot more action and a lot less talking.
“If you go down to the arena, they have to stop for commercials. They have to stop for interviews. There’s very little straight up wrestling compared to an independent show like ours. You have constant action top to bottom. You’re closer to the action. You can shake hands with the wrestlers, get an autograph. Guys are selling their own merchandise.”
Known in local wrestling circuits as “The Pride of Springdale,” Patrick is KSWA’s senior official. He has about 16 years of experience with the promotion and more than 35 years wearing the black-and-white stripes in Western Pennsylvania. He will referee some of Friday’s matches.
About 25 students are in the band.
“They’re small but mighty,” Blanchflower said of the band. “We have one color guard that’s left, and she is phenomenal. We’re hoping to build that up next year.”
Patrick, who had three daughters and one son in band years ago, helped organize the first Springdale Slam.
“It’s always good to give back,” Patrick said. “I’m a former band parent. I used to be one of the guys cooking the french fries and selling the tickets and doing all the stuff to help keep the band funded. One of the things I tried to explain to them is if you get a wrestling show going, it becomes an event that people look forward to. It’s a way to generate future funds and the word of mouth continues.”
The annual event benefiting the seventh through 12th grade musicians and color guard returned last year after a two-year pandemic hiatus.
“Things went well,” Patrick said of the event’s return. “People remembered it from the pre-covid era. We were the first weekend of cancellations (at the start of covid). Once our (show) got canceled, everything else just went down like dominoes.”
KSWA shows usually have an intermission, during which some of the athletes will interact with fans.
Patrick, 57, said he has no plans to retire despite life in the ring taking its physical toll.
“I’m trying to stay involved, and we’ll see what my future holds,” he said. “There’s always a new crop of guys I try to mentor. I’d rather people remember me as someone who was fun to be around and help make the show memorable. That’s why I try to always engage with people.”
Matches
There are seven matches on the card including three title fights:
• Justin Sane takes on “The Ram” Anthony Drake.
• KSWA Hall of Famer T-Rantula battles Man-Child.
• Dennis Gregory competes against Edric Everhard.
• Former heavyweight champs Shane Starr and Anthony Alexander go one-on-one, or perhaps two-on-one as the crafty “King” Del Douglas will be in Alexander’s corner.
• Odds are stacked against Five Star champ Sin Born as his title is on the line in a Fatal Four Way match with Tyler Grayson, The Beastman and “The Regent” Joshua Kavod.
• Shawn Blanchard hopes to reclaim the Golden Triangle belt from “The Pittsburgh Luchador” Yinza. The Steel City high-flyer will have to watch his step as “The King” Del Douglas will be at ringside for Blanchard.
• Heavyweight champ and “Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin hopes the third time will not be the charm for the King, as Douglas is expected to join challenger Kris Kash for the night’s last match.
