Here Comes the Pain: Why You Should Attend a KWSA Show

“Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin stands victorious after winning the Brawl Under the Bridge Championship in KSWAs first ever TLC match.

Local independent wrestling promotions are ran around the country by hard working men and women that partake in normal everyday life like the rest of us. By night they’re doing something that most people don’t do and that’s fueling the passion of being a professional wrestler. Unlike larger, more known promotions like WWE, NJPW, AEW, performers in local independent promotions are working as stage and light crew, cameramen, and bookers to ensure they put on the best show possible. The Keystone State Wrestling Association (KSWA) held one of their more popular events July 20^th, Brawl Under the Bridge 5, which indeed took place under a bridge – Homestead Grays to be exact. After attending this event, I encourage anyone and everyone in the Pittsburgh area to attend at least KSWA event and I’ll tell you why.

1.     Theatrics – We all know professional wrestling is a show as much as a sport and with that you’re going to get ups, downs, funny, and frustrating moments. Brawl Under the Bridge 5 served good hearted moments with matches that had a fair shenanigans to serious ratio, legends getting their praise, dastardly heel tactics to retain championships. Every match pertained to the wrestling palate in various that you never knew what was around the corner, which kept everyone in attendance on their feet.

2.     Workers – When I arrived to the event, there was a handful of final touches being put in place. Most of the people rushing around prior to the show, were making their way to the ring to compete shortly after. Seeing how different the performers were from prior to the show as regular people to during their respective matches in character is a testament to how much they love and care about the profession. A major part during the show that I thoroughly enjoyed was during the intermission, where the wrestlers came out and was interacting with the fans as everyday people. Selling their own merchandise, taking pictures with all patrons young and old, and letting kids play around in the ring, make the local promotions so special as it gets you into the action, something that you typically couldn’t do at a WWE show.

3.     Atmosphere – Last but not least, the atmosphere at this event was pretty insane. As the show went on, more and more people were on their feet as the action was getting intense and unpredictable. Fan favorites making their entrances on motorcycles through the crowd, action spilling outside the ring and running ramped through the entire venue, it was thrilling to not know what was going to transpire next. By the end of the night, the crowd was deafening and the ovation after the 6-man ladder match was one that is hard to come by now a days.

Wrestling fan or not, attending a KSWA show or any show from a local independent wrestling promotion is something everyone should do at least once in their lives. For anyone that hasn’t watched wrestling in years or ever, it is a nice change of pace event that is a wonder to attend.

-        Sterling Jeffries