This year’s recipients of the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance’s Bill Cardille Legacy Award were among the Studio Wrestling and Chiller Theater host’s most ardent fans and closest friends.

This year’s recipients are Rich Dalzotto, Sandy Stuhlfire and Michelle Linhart of Horror Realm Con and the Hollywood Theater in Dormont.

The Bill Cardille Legacy Award was created by the Owner of the KSWA, Bobby O and the KSWA Championship Committee as a way to honor leaders in the entertainment, business and philanthropic community of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania who support KSWA Wrestling.

Dalzotto, Stuhlfire and Linhart organized and operated Horror Realm Con in Pittsburgh’s South Hills for 11 years. The weekend convention was the leading Horror-entertainment themed convention of its kind on the East Coast and beyond. Actors, artists, authors, entertainers, producers, and celebrities all found their way to Horror Realm over its tenure.

Wrestling fans had the opportunity to meet not only KSWA Megastars at Horror Realm, but industry legends such as George “The Animal” Steele, James J. Dillon and Shane Douglas attended in recent years. It was at Horror Realm where Steele was inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame by Bobby O, and in a very poignant moment, Dillon had the opportunity to talk with Cardille for the first time since their time together on Studio Wrestling.

In 2017, Horror Realm Con ended as organizers decided that real-life responsibilities, job changes and circumstances didn’t allow them the time and financial resources to continue. Organizers thanked everyone, from volunteers to vendors, as well as anyone else who helped Horror Realm Con remain one of the most affordable conventions anywhere. They also said that this “won’t be the end of Horror Realm in Pittsburgh. We will still do some of our small events at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont and other venues from time to time.”

Dalzotto, Stuhlfire and Linhart have also been instrumental in operating the Hollywood Theater in Dormont. In August, 2013, Horror Realm hosted a “Best of KSWA” question and answer session with Shawn Blanchard and Lou Martin, as well as a viewing of the 1974 movie “The Wrestler” starring Ed Asner and Verne Gagne. In October, 2013 Horror Realm hosted Cardille for a Halloween event, and a 35mm, 3D viewing of the “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” Conversely, Cardille was honored by then-County Councilman Jim Burn with his “Day.”

According to its website, “The Hollywood Theater is operated by the Friends of the Hollywood Theater (FOHT), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The nearly 300-seat Hollywood Theater is located just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh in the heart of the Borough of Dormont.

“Originally opened as a silent cinema in the 1920s, the Hollywood Theater is one of the last surviving single-screen movie houses in the Pittsburgh area. Recently renovated, it features a balcony, a large concession area, and a lobby with spacious comfortable seating.” Organizers are working to keep the Theater locally-owned and a venue for original and unique programming.

As for the Cardille Legacy Award, “Very honored to receive this award from an organization of great people. And for it to be an award named after a man who I respected more than any other makes it that much more humbling,” said Dalzotto in a Facebook post.

Added Stuhlfire on Social Media, “Having grown up in Pittsburgh watching Bill Cardille on Chiller Theater and Studio Wrestling, it is an absolute honor to be receiving an award named after him with my good friends and Horror Realm partners Rich and Michelle. I'm touched that the fine folks of KSWA selected us as this year's recipients.”

Cardille’s daughter Lori, who often accompanied her father during his Horror Realm Con appearances, endorsed the award last year. The very first awardees were Michael and Margie Migut of Johnstown’s Valley Printing and Design.

The KSWA, which celebrates its 18th anniversary on February 24, is the longest-running professional wrestling organization in Pittsburgh’s history and this year becomes the second-oldest promotion in the state. The KSWA event will be held on Saturday, February 24 at Spirit Hall in Lawrenceville. Bell time is 7 p.m. For more go to kswa.net.