Now What? The State Of Pro Wrestling In Pittsburgh

By Thomas Leturgey

[An Analysis]

When the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) ended an unprecedented 25 years of events in Pittsburgh on December 6, it left a void that cannot be filled.

Not only did the KSWA host more than 400 wrestling events (sometimes as many as 25 in a calendar year) in the city, as well as throughout Western Pennsylvania (and one in the Buckeye State!), the organization was a leader in community involvement and philanthropy. Through its charitable wing, “KSWA Kares” there were fundraisers for American Legions, Boy Scouts, Children’s Miracle Network, Fire Departments, Gilda’s Club, 2010’s Officer Paul Sciullo Memorial Wrestling Event, youth sports teams, stops with Partners For Quality and dozens of others since 2000.

Beginning with a proclamation from Pittsburgh City Council in 2010 up until “KSWA Heavyweight Champion Day” in December, no professional wrestling organization and its athletes have been more recognized than Pittsburgh’s official wrestling organization. KSWA has been accepted by Allegheny County, Pittsburgh’s Mayor’s office, Millvale Borough, the Pennsylvania State House, Pennsylvania Senate, the Pennsylvania Governor’s office and the U.S. Senate.

The KSWA has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh City Paper, Pittsburgh Magazine, the Valley Mirror, and several other publications. Add a KDKA television sports story, featured on ABC’s Good Morning America and other media outlets, KSWA is among the most visible promotions in the industry.

Beginning in 2008, the KSWA promoted professional wrestlers and personalities with a Hall of Fame recognition that is as revered as any in the sport. It has been featured in art museums, professional photography exhibitions, as several books.

What happens next to professional wrestling in Pittsburgh?

[This is an analysis of some of the pre-eminent professional wrestling brands in the region. It does not include promotions like McKeesport’s PWX which folded under dubious circumstances in 2025, and self-described “Interpretive Dance” demonstrations that an active and effective Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission would have shuttered if not for the brighter limelight of boxing and MMA. It also excludes Lancaster County and Ohio based groups that were limited to one-off shows in the Steel City. There has not been a shortage of options in recent years. There is a vast array of styles for fans to take in.]

While the KSWA has focused on the city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and beyond, there are a variety of other quality federations in Western Pennsylvania that might look to entertain in the historically established and significant “territory.”

The standout veteran organizations include Elizabeth’s International Wrestling Cartel (IWC), which will assume the role as the region’s longest-continually running federation at 25 years in 2026. Over nearly a quarter century, IWC has changed ownership often. However, it has defined the term “Super Indy” with a long history of showcasing up-and-coming talent, The professionally run group has prided itself on elevating wrestlers to bigger television stages like AEW and WWE. Strong on production value and sometimes top international talent, IWC has invested the most in its product in Elizabeth. IWC, which is headquartered about 16 miles south of Pittsburgh, doesn’t travel often but focuses on bigger venues like minor league baseball fields and hockey arenas.

Renegade Wrestling Alliance (RWA) in West Newton is one of the most consistently powerful brands in Western Pennsylvania. Exclusively located in a gymnasium 25 miles south of Pittsburgh, RWA is a collection of seasoned veterans in and out of the ring, as well as a steady array of newcomers. The RWA fan base is as devoted as anyone’s. RWA team of powerbrokers “in the back” is among the region’s best.

RYSE Pro Wrestling will enter its 10th season in 2026. Primarily based in the Uniontown Mall, RYSE embodies much of the same “family operated” vibe that has set the KSWA apart for 25 years. Over the past few years, RYSE has added dates to its impressive schedule and has dabbled with events in Pittsburgh, including one at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. RYSE, which is staffed by a qualified team of professionals, is the most likely to travel, despite having a training center and headquarters nearly 56 miles south of the city. Like IWC and RWA, RYSE streams its events with an experienced team of broadcasters. (Broadcasting KSWA events online was never as important as selling tickets to live events.)

There are other wrestling promotions with less history, but hearty fan bases.

Charleroi’s Mon Valley Pro (MVP) is one of Western Pennsylvania’s smaller organizations running shows. The Washington County-based company is more gimmick and comedy based than some of the others that have been in business for years but could fit into some of the smaller buildings a group like KSWA has attempted in recent vintage.

Pittsburgh’s Enjoy Wrestling, which capitalized on crowdfunding to create its first show, has built a niche success over the past few years. Starring independent talent from throughout the country and heavy on left-leaning political ideology, Enjoy Wrestling has pumped a lot of money into an event at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Side and was rewarded with an impressive return. Following in the footsteps of KSWA, Enjoy Wrestling began its journey in smaller buildings and gravitated toward those that offer adult beverages (once criticized as taboo for those running shows exclusively in high school gymnasiums and dry community centers). Enjoy has spent its vast resources wisely, with out-of-town talent, and cable-ready production values.

Pittsburgh’s Pros of Wrestling is a well-funded promotion that runs events periodically. “Pros” ran a successful event celebrating the career of Bruno Sammartino earlier this year (another is planned for the Spring of 2026) but had less success with a spot show in White Oak and another in Ross Township. Well organized, Pros of Wrestling will continue to succeed if they run select shows that can capitalize on funding bigger talent, instead of monthly events.

While none of the promotions included will recapture the magic of the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance in Pittsburgh’s landscape, each offer their own, unique brand.

[Thomas Leturgey is an award-winning sportswriter and author who also served as the ring announcer for KSWA Wrestling and studied the squared circle landscape in the Commonwealth for 20 years.]