For 15 years, it has been said that the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) is about opportunity. It is a mantra that has been advanced annually and ostensively alike by Owner Bobby O. That opportunity is never clearer than it is with “New Year’s Knockout,” a “re-set” of the clock for challengers to the most important titles in the Commonwealth.

KSWA World Heavyweight Champion, Shane Starr, the holder of most sought-after championship in all of Pennsylvania, is set to defend against Bulldozer. Bulldozer, who lays claim that he is the main source of destruction for all of Detroit, will be lead to the ring by Mayor Mystery. This is basically a re-match of the April 12, 2014 contest between Bulldozer and Starr. The two met at the Guyasuta football fundraiser. Bulldozer won at chance at the belt by beating all others in a battle royal that opened the event. With Bobby O as guest referee, Dozer submitted to Starr’s Sharpshooter in Sharpsburg. Fast forward to January 15 and Bulldozer is fresh off a FanFest defeat to Kaida for the Golden Triangle Championship. Bulldozer, who called winning the Golden Triangle Championship the highlight of his 7-year-career, immediately refused to defend it. The Championship committee put an abrupt end to Bulldozer’s shenanigans and forced him to defend. He did against Kaida, Justin Sane and the mysterious Thunder at the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser. He lost to Kaida last month, but Mayor Mystery was able to swing a #1 Contender’s clause for the KSWA World Title leading into 2015.

Prospect has never been greater for the individuals who are collectively known as “System Elite.” Edric Everhart and Tyler Cross, the former KSWA World Tag Team Champions, have—as is customary—gone back to the bottom of the challenger’s list after a number of failed attempts to recapture glory. However, the Championship Committee appreciates the former VIPs and have given them shots at individual glory.

Everhart will have the first crack at new Golden Triangle Champion Kaida. The matchup is intriguing with Everhart, the younger, faster mat technician with one-time former KSWA World Champion Kaida, a hulking, bruising one-man-machine of mayhem who upended Bulldozer’s reign as Pittsburgh’s most prestigious title holder.

Meanwhile, Cross is preparing to take on the brand-new 5-Star Champion The Jester. This is another match that piques interest. The two Megastars broke in the KSWA around the same time and had the same ups-and-downs of any upstarts. The Jester was the first to find gold, with Del Douglas as Tag Team Champions on December 8, 2012. They would lose the straps to Everhart and Cross—then members of the most elusive club in all of independent wrestling—the VIPs—on August 17, 2013. Everhart and Cross lost the KSWA Tag Team belts to Jack Massacre and Mike Malachi on May 31, 2014.

Cross and Jester have wrestled each other countless times in smaller federations but have not wrestled for a single’s championship of his magnitude yet. They boast similar in-ring skills, with The Jester having a size and mobility advantage. Cross is more of a brawler.

Both matches have incredible chances of being highlights of New Year’s Knockout.

The KSWA Tag Team Champions—sometimes called “Big and Bigger,” and sometimes called “The Wall Street Cover Boys,”—“Big” Mike Malachi and Jack Massacre have what might be their most daunting challenge yet. The duo take on “The King” Del Douglas and “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin—cooperatively known as “The Double D’s” for tag team gold. Martin is a four-time former KSWA Tag Team Champion and Douglas has been a co-holder three times. None of the reigns have come as a team.

Another of the interest aspects of this match is that Martin, who was recently named the #1 KSWA Megastar of All Time, will be in the ring with Malachi, who was recently named the #2 KSWA Megastar of All Time. (Massacre ranked #21 and Douglas #16).

“The Enforcer” Shawn Blanchard, who defeated Kris Kash in decisive fashion at FanFest, is set to take on frequent foe Justin Sane in one-on-one action. Both Megastars appear to be ready for a historic KSWA 2015.

But the highlight of the New Year’s Knockout is indeed Battle Bowl 7. The over-the-top-rope spectacular has become a fan favorite due to the incredible KSWA Krazies, who add unbelievable enthusiasm by chanting “Battle Bowl (insert edition here).” They have also taken advantage of a sign-making contest of imaginative degree.

Last year, surprise entrant “Big” Mike Malachi burst onto the scene and won Battle Bowl. In one of the most remarkable moments in KSWA history, the Krazies jumped up and down when Malachi, who had been gone from the KSWA for five years, dispatched of his last opponent and scored victory. He later parlayed his Battle Bowl winning into a shot at the KSWA Tag Team Championship.

All of the KSWA Megastars are entered into the fray, and surprises often time abound. You're never quite sure who may show up. Last year, La Lucha made an appearance, as did long-retired Shane O’Shea. This year, Bobby O announced that Mayor Mystery had made himself too much of a sideshow, so he will be entered into the “Every Man For Himself” experience.

This was also announced recently that the KSWA’s first-ever Heavyweight Champion, Skippy Hawke, is taking part in the spectacular. Hawke, who was named Champion of the then-KSWA Board of Directors, had a short, but impactful career in the KSWA.

You never know who else may step through the curtain and onto the grandest stage in Pennsylvania.

New Year’s Knockout is Saturday, January 10 at the Teamster Temple, 4701 Butler Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood within the city of Pittsburgh. Bell time is 7:30. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Card is subject to change.