Verona to host its likely last pro wrestling fundraising event

Verona officials are hoping to pack Cribbs Field with hundreds of people for what may be the final pro wrestling event in “the spot that’s more than a dot.”

Battle in the Borough 7 on Saturday, Aug. 16, is the next event on the farewell tour of Keystone State Wrestling Alliance.

The Pittsburgh-based promotion is packing it in after 25 years of mayhem and memories.

“This will be a chance to for the KSWA to say hello to our friends in Verona one last time and to thank everyone for what will be seven years of great memories at Cribbs Field,” said owner and legendary promoter Bobby Orkwis.

All titles are expected to be on the line. Matches were yet to be finalized as of press time.

KSWA features a lot of local talent, including heavyweight champ Shawn Blanchard of Sharpsburg and tag team champs Shane Starr and Kris Kash, both 2005 Fox Chapel Area High School grads.

“We like to think of it as a big family,” Starr said. “Once you get in and get to know everybody, it just turns into a family.”

Starr, a Brackenridge steel mill worker by day and suplex specialist by night, has been with KSWA since graduating from high school. He and Kash have been friends, rivals and champions several times over throughout their career.

“I try to go out and give the best match I can put out there,” said Starr, 38. “I want to make it memorable for everybody. This is my craft. This is my art. Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Some people may say otherwise.

”My motto always was whether there’s 10 people out there or 10,000 people, I want to be the match of the night.”

Event history

Battle in the Borough started out as a Verona parks and recreation fundraiser in 2018. It was canceled in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The Lower Valley Athletic Foundation assisted with concessions and raffles at the start and steadily grew to a stronger presence. LVAF was founded by Vince Flotta and Timothy Long, who both serve on borough council.

There were 50-50 and basket raffles. Attendance and fundraising grew over the years with more than 300 people in the field and about $1,000 coming to recreation coffers annually.

“It’s been a blast to be able to put this on and have it,” Long said. “I’ve had fun doing it. I love setting it up and being part of it. This year it will be free (to get in) since it’s KSWA’s last year.”

“They’ve been a great partner. I have booked them every year as soon as the event ends. I talk to the owner and book them on the same Saturday. It’s always set in stone. They know every year they’re coming back here and they’re great people.”

The Lower Valley Athletic Foundation is covering the cost of admission for everyone.

Lifelong Verona resident Ryan “Bubs” Alberts became a breakout star with his singing of the national anthem. He is expected to perform this month.

Crowd size was noticeably smaller last year due to inclement weather. The event setup was being blown away just hours before the show.

Those who stayed were treated to some of the finest matches of the year.

Verona police, firefighters and Lower Valley Ambulance personnel served as “lumberjacks” in a battle between Blanchard and Starr.

When either one of the wrestlers found themselves outside the ring, they were unceremoniously forced back in by first responders who normally render aid.

“I love the outdoor shows,” Starr said. One of his Facebook profile photos is one from Verona several years ago. He is standing on the second rope holding up a title as the sun sets behind him.

”You don’t get that aesthetic indoors,” Starr said. “You don’t get that type of environment, and in all honesty, that crowd is always hot. (Verona fans) are not afraid to cheer. They’re not afraid to boo.”

Lower Valley Ambulance has been key to the event’s success.

The closer has been an ambulance match, a battle in which the victor must stuff hisopponent into an emergency vehicle and shut the doors.

Last year, “Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin successfully defended his heavyweight championship against J-Ru, who ended up going for a ride on a stretcher. It is unclear who will be in the main event this time.

Jen Igo has served as Lower Valley Ambulance’s general manager for about a year and a half.

She missed the last show but has seen photos and heard great things about it.

“I love how they get the crowd involved,” Igo said Tuesday, Aug. 5. “I love especially how they get our ambulance people involved. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Igo said she plans to be at the upcoming event and has invited all her personnel working that day to attend.

“We will have our trucks there not just supporting the borough of Verona, but also the wrestling organization,” Igo said. “I know this is their last year of performing. We will definitely be there in support. … It’s a shame that it’s going away because I think (KSWA) is a great organization in raising money. It will be sad to see it go.”

There are some changes to this year’s battle outside the ring.

Long said there will be no basket raffles or concessions beyond Fox’s Pizza and some drinks and snacks.

He said it was too much of a hassle to comply with new Allegheny County Health Department regulations to offer the same foods as in previous years. Also, the baskets did not net enough money to justify the donations, Long said.

Verona’s parks and recreation board is looking into other options for the future, Flotta said.

Verona-based Inner Groove Brewing will serve drinks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

More information is available at kswa.net.