This Year’s Sharpsburg VFD Fundraiser Pays Homage To Long-Time Member


November 13, 2013
by Trapper Tom, Ring Announcer/Wrestling Journalist

This year’s Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser boasts a new angle. Who will be the first-ever winner of the “Mario Ferraro Sr. Memorial Tournament”?

Mario Ferraro Sr. was an Italian immigrant who arrived in the United States in January, 1954 and worked for Pennsylvania Railroad. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957 and after receiving an Honorable Discharge, opened up the Corner Superette market in Sharpsburg. He owned and operated that neighborhood store for 14 years, honing his craft as the “Sausage King,” before moving onto Giant Eagle as a Meat Cutter. He worked at that job until retirement. All the while, Mr. Ferraro served his neighborhood as a Firefighter for the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department. A Life Member, he passed away on July 9, 2013, leaving his wife of 53 years, Grace, three children and three grandchildren.

A huge wrestling fan, particularly of the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA), Ferraro’s memory will be preserved with a tournament bearing his name.

The Quarterfinals of the first match will pit Justin Sane against frequent foe, “The Enforcer” Shawn Blanchard. [Since that announcement, “Mr. Puniverse” Bob Atlas has been added to the scrum, making it a Triple Threat Match. The KSWA Championship Committee informed Kommissioner “Gentleman” Joe Perri that the new Owner of the KSWA—Blanchard—has been overstepping his powers as authority, so Atlas was added to the mix.]

In addition, new fan favorite Kaida will take on tag team partner-turned adversary The Blood Beast. In the other single elimination bouts, Kris Kash will face off against Del Douglas, and “Canada’s National Treasure,” “Nasty” Nick Crane will battle The Jester is an intriguing matchup of contrasting styles, and neither are particular fan favorites.

The winners of those four matches will wrestle in the Semi-Finals. The Finals will also take place on Saturday and the first Mario Ferraro Sr. Memorial Tournament winner will be crowned.

Other non-tournament matches have also been announced. Lord Zoltan will continue Party Gras’ feud with the Mercenaries by taking on Sniper in one-on-one competition. All year long the Mercenaries have taken credit for Party Gras losing the KSWA Tag Team belts. It also looked like they were responsible for ending the dancing duo of Zoltan and Justin Sane altogether. However, Zoltan has been involved in a mini-feud with long-time nemesis “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin, the KSWA World Heavyweight Champion. Now, it’s time for Zoltan to get back to the business of straightening out the devious Mercenaries and the always elusive Sniper is back in the Legend’s sights.

Sharpsburg has always been good to favorite son, “The Sharpsburg Shooter,” Shane Starr. The Golden Triangle Champion and Lou Martin, the KSWA World Champion, will face off in a “Pick Your Partner(s)” contest. The KSWA Championship Committee will announce that day whether this will be a tag team, or six-man affair. Once determined, Starr and Martin will be able to select partner(s) of their choice.

It should be noted that Owner Blanchard recently announced that the FanFest challenge that Starr has laid down for Martin on December 7 will now be a “Title-versus-Title” winner-take-all match. Nothing like this has ever been seen in the 13 years of professional wrestling in Pittsburgh. The fundraiser for the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department (featuring the Mario Ferraro, Sr. Memorial Tournament), 1611 Main Street, Sharpsburg, is this Saturday, November 16. Bell time is 7:00 p.m. All tickets are $10. Card is subject to change. For more information, call 412- 726-1762.




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