"Championship Cavalcade" Gives Blanchard A Chance To Prove His Greatness
December 2, 2015
by Trapper Tom, Ring Announcer/Wrestling Journalist
In an unprecedented move, the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) Championship Committee has devised a one-of-a-kind match to headline the biggest event of the year.Simply put, the “Championship Cavalcade” will consist of KSWA Heavyweight Champion Shawn Blanchard defending the most prestigious title in the Commonwealth against all other of the organization’s champions.
Not only is the KSWA World Championship—without a close peer—the most revered in the state, Blanchard has established a pretty fair argument that he is the only “Heavyweight Champion that Matters.” While the current heavyweight champion on television has had three reigns totaling just over 170 days, Blanchard’s existing reign will exist of 192 days on December 5.
An analysis of the “Cavalcade”—a match in which Blanchard will face the Golden Triangle Champion, 5-Star Champion and both Tag Team champions simultaneously—proves that this might be the most grueling and lopsided contest in the history of professional wrestling.
Here’s exactly how Blanchard will walk out of FanFest as the KSWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Golden Triangle Champion: earlier in the evening, “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin will defend against “The Jester.” This match will be key to Blanchard’s continued success. Martin has to go into this match as the favorite. Martin has successfully defended the city’s most prized possession against all comers in recent months, and “The Face of Pittsburgh” has never been more confident. Martin has not been this sure of himself, even during his two time in power as the KSWA Heavyweight Champion. The Jester, the younger and more unpredictable Megastar, has been pulled in many different directions outside of Pittsburgh. One of the most sought-after young stars around, The Jester may not comprehend the significance of holding the second most important championship in the Keystone State. He was a supreme tag team champion with Del Douglas, and a serviceable 5-Star Champion earlier this year, but hoisting the Golden Triangle Championship is heavier than the 10-pounds of gold might suggest. But then again, he may cartwheel himself to the corner and a perfect frogsplash may fall into Martin’s lap.
Five Star Championship: With a depleted roster of challengers, 5-Star Champion Mitch Napier will roll in his title defense. As of press time, the Championship Committee was looking at potential challengers for the biggest night of wrestling in Pittsburgh. The Championship Committee likes to lock up FanFest opportunities weeks, if not months, in advance. With different matches, feuds, and injuries (not to mention releases), the field of qualified challengers is slim. As a result, Mitch Napier (a one-time KSWA Heavyweight Champion who won the best at FanFest, 2011) is the wild card in the entire Cavalcade.
Tag Team Championship: The Mercenaries—“Nasty” Nick Crane and Sniper—along with Mayor Mystery, find themselves facing a rejuvenated tandem of “Lost Boys.” Kris Kash and Shane Starr, now in their 10th year of wrestling in the KSWA, have re-embraced the “Lost Boys” moniker that got them into the organization and into the record books at tag team champions. This match will undoubtedly be one to watch at FanFest. The Mercenaries will have Mayor Mystery in their corner and the Lost Boys will have KSWA Owner Bobby O in theirs. More than any other match at FanFest, this brawl could sway who is Blanchard’s friend, and who isn’t.
If Lou Martin retains, expect him to have Blanchard’s back. There’s little chance of Martin going rogue on Blanchard. The two are more than founders of the VIPs, they are battle-worn brothers. Watch for Martin to pave the way for Blanchard’s retention.
If The Jester wins the Golden Triangle Championship, look for his to try and capitalize. Shane Starr held both the Golden Triangle and Heavyweight Championships, and he had a highly-successfully tour with both straps, before he vacated the Golden Triangle Championship to give someone else an opportunity. The Jester might do the same thing if victorious, or he may just be silly enough to defend both belts throughout 2016.
Again, Mitch Napier is the wild card. No one really knows where the Sioux Falls native stands, but he does “want to fight.” Arguably the strongest pound-for-pound wrestler in KSWA history, look for Napier to whip everyone who stands in his way of the belt.
If there’s a new 5-Star Champion: he may have a distinct advantage. Rumored opponents include Ric Rumsky, who missed a shot at the Golden Triangle Championship last month, as well as Kaida. It’s safe to say that Napier would wipe the mat with Rumsky, despite the younger’s verve and excitement. Mitch just wouldn’t put up with it. As for Kaida, that former KSWA Champion would show up rusty; however, no one (not even Blanchard) has been as prominently featured in FanFests past than Kaida. He would be rusty, but ready for the action.
As for the Mercenaries and if they hold onto the tag belts: “Nasty” Nick Crane is a loyalist to Mayor Mystery. While the Mayor of “Parts Unknown” would absolutely want the KSWA World Title in his stable, he would convince Crane to wait. And he would.
Sniper is more of a scoundrel in this situation. Mayor Mystery might be convinced that the South African refugee would play by his rules, there’s no telling what might happen. Sniper could take the opportunity and blindside his own teammates, but look for him to also do what’s best for Blanchard.And if there are new tag team champions: Kris Kash. It’s possible that no one has faced Blanchard more for the KSWA World Heavyweight Championship than Kash. The matchups are always action-packed and hard hitting, but Blanchard has always come out on top. Whether it’s the Sharpsburg Screwjob in 2014 or “Superman” convincingly laying out two opponents in almost effortless Triple Threat Match this year, Blanchard always seems to plant Kash with a piledriver. When on, no KSWA Megastar is more passionate and determined than Kris Kash. Maintaining that level of excellence through two championship matches would be tough…for anyone.
Shane Starr. The former KSWA Champion—also one of the organization’s most successful and popular—recently pinch hit for Kris Kash in Morningside and didn’t win. In the no DQ match, Blanchard looked strong, and Starr looked capable. But will that be enough? If anyone has a distinct advantage over Blanchard in this match at this time, it’s Shane Starr.
However, with Martin nearby and another VIP—KSWA Owner Tommy Faime in the hopper—look for the enthusiastic, confident, cocky, conniving and elite competitor Shawn Blanchard to find a way to go home with championship gold still around his waist.
[KSWA FanFest is Saturday, December 5, at the Teamster Temple, 4701 Butler Street, in the Lawrenceville neighborhood within the city of Pittsburgh. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for kids and $15 in the Mezzanine. Expected to appear is local actor Curt Wootton, who portrays “Pittsburgh Dad,” as well as WWF legend Hillbilly Jim. Card subject to change. Bell time is 7:30 p.m. Call 412-726-1762 for more information.]
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