Pro wrestling returns to Verona, ribbon cut on new concession stand at Cribbs Field
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A ribbon cutting, a plaque dedication, bodies flying over the top rope and a Millvale man being taken away in an ambulance were all part of an ongoing 150th anniversary celebration in Verona.
Lawrenceville-based Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) superstars competed for about 300 fans at Battle in the Borough III at Cribbs Field in Verona on Aug. 21.
The event was a fundraiser for the borough’s parks and recreation as well as Lower Valley Athletic Foundation and Lower Valley EMS.
Festivities began that afternoon with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new concession stand. That was followed by a plaque rededication in memory of legendary Twin Boro soccer coach and referee Dan Kinzey. He was a crucial part of the youth organization in the 1980s and ’90s.
“It feels like Verona has reached a great momentum,” Councilwoman Trish Hredzak-Showalter said. “Things are really coming together. Not just for the 150th, but for the future. We’re in a good position.”
New facilities
The park is off Second Street and South Avenue. A new concession stand, pavilion and restrooms were built on the far side near the playground. It also features a handicapped-accessible walkway from Second Street.
The borough received a $200,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the recreational upgrades. It’s a matching grant, to go along with a borough contribution of $30,000.
Borough officials said previously that upgrades were needed because the old pavilion and restrooms were not up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards, among other issues.
Most of the park was shut down this year due to construction. Free Wi-Fi is also now available at the park.
“It’s really amazing to be able to open it to the community again in a whole different way,” Hredzak-Showalter said.
Lower Valley Athletic Foundation officials were the first to use the new amenities for the event. They also had a 50/50 raffle.
LVAF president Vince Flotta Jr. said the kitchen is more than double the size of the previous stand. There’s a refrigerator, a hot dog roller and a flat-top grill donated by Chelsea Grille in Oakmont.
“There is much more seating in the pavilion area and the bathrooms are ADA compliant,” Flotta said. “It’s so much easier than the last one. We can expand our menu and offer more things. The old concession stand, we were working out of coolers. Now we actually have something that resembles a kitchen and running hot and cold water, which is great. The other stand only had cold water. The pipes were all broken. We worked out of a closet for four years.”
Flotta said he expects more organizations to bring events to Cribbs Field now that the new amenities are available. Lower Valley Athletic Foundation raised just under $1,200 with raffles and concession sales.
The borough rec committee made a little more than $2,400, mostly from ticket sales, and the ambulance company made about $150 from its basket raffle. EMS staff donated their time and use of equipment.
Mayhem in the ring
KSWA halted shows in February 2020, shortly after its 20th anniversary show at Spirit Hall and Lodge in Lawrenceville, due to the pandemic.
Wrestlers returned to action via an outdoor tour in May with stops in West Deer and Homestead.
“It’s great to be here to celebrate 150 years for Verona,” owner-promoter Bobby Orkwis said shortly before belltime. “The fans are cool. The concession stand is awesome. The new facilities are great. We’re just so pleased to be a part of it.”
Riverview High School’s Grace Notes, a student treble ensemble under the direction of choral music director Nathan Hart, sang the national anthem and “Happy Birthday” at the event.
Matches began around 6 p.m. with tag team action between The Good Guys taking on Anthony “The Ram” Drake and Joshua “The Regent” Kavod. The sun shined down upon the latter group who pulled off the victory despite some good teamwork from The Good Guys.
J. Ru retained his Five Star championship over Johnny “Mr. Thriller” Mercury even after the Mercury Switch, a swanton bomb from the top rope. The champ was extra protective of his title and kept the belt stored in a briefcase.
Shane Starr defeated challenger Remy LeVay for the Golden Triangle championship, and crowd favorite “The Pittsburgh Luchador” Yinza made Harley T. Morris pay for his choice words about Pittsburgh’s sports teams.
A bulk of the matches were overseen by KSWA Hall of Fame referee, the pride of Springdale, Shawn Patrick.
One superstar who was not so pleased to be a part of the show’s return to Cribbs Field was Verona’s own BROhemoth, Ian Taylor.
He has been on a tear as of late after losing the tag team title a few months ago to “Big Country” Matt McGraw and Yinza.
BRO turned on his then-partner Mitch Napier and has vowed to lay waste to all in pursuit of the heavyweight title.
Accompanied to the ring by seven-time champ Shawn Blanchard of the VIPs, Taylor took out his frustrations on “The Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin of the North Side.
The borough native slammed Martin on the Cribbs Field grass while saying, “Welcome to Verona.”
He made similar comments while using a trash can, a plastic wagon and several fans’ chairs.
Taylor was ultimately defeated when he was knocked onto a table displaying Verona’s 150th birthday cake.
Champion Anthony Alexander defeated Del “The King” Douglas in what was thought to be the main event of the evening.
However, things changed when BROhemoth and Harley T. Morris jumped in after Alexander successfully defended his title.
The ambulance match: A borough tradition
Martin and Shane Starr rushed to the champ’s defense causing Orkwis to invoke what has become a tradition at Battle in the Borough — an ambulance match.
He requested Lower Valley Ambulance crews to bring their vehicle around the ring and a new contest began.
An intense battle that also spilled out over the wooden barriers and involved objects from the crowd — including the use of a woman’s wheelchair.
Alexander’s squad emerged victorious after a big boot sent Douglas into the ambulance and the champ slammed the doors.
“We’re 2 and 1 when it comes to ambulance matches, but I didn’t go in the ambulance,” Taylor said. “I came to entertain. Always glad to be back, but next year won’t be the same. BRO is going back to winning in Verona.”
Fans impressed
Resident Ryan “Bubs” Alberts, said he and 20 family members and friends were exited to attend the show. Some came from Monroeville, Gibsonia, Trafford and neighboring towns.
“I grew up a couple blocks away right behind the school,” said Alberts, 44. “It’s a good community event. Lots of laughs. We’re outside with the family. A couple buddies of mine came the first year. We had so much fun. When we got home I told my wife, my buddy told his wife how much fun we had.
”The following year my wife came, my mother-in-law came. It’s really funny when the wrestlers cut their promos. It’s really hilarious — and the wrestling’s good, too.”
He said most of the wrestlers tend to go above and beyond because some folks may not follow all the KSWA stories.
Alberts also commended borough officials for the new stand and field amenities.
“They did a really good job,” he said. “I thought the old one was sufficient, but now that I see what’s here it blows it way. I think this is a place where they can have (more) community gatherings.
“I think there are so many new people moving in here and want to be a part of the community. People want to move here for the school district because it has a good reputation. So many houses are on the market. I think this is going to be a good opportunity (for the borough to grow).”
Verona-based Inner Groove Brewing also served beverages from the concession stand.
Anniversary celebrations kicked off mid-August with the annual car cruise, which drew a record crowd and participation.
Celebrations continue Sept. 18 in Railroad Park near the borough building and Sept. 19 back at Cribbs Field.
More information about Verona activities is available at veronaborough.org.
More information about KWSA including a list of upcoming shows is available at kswa.net.