One of the four wrestlers entering this contest will be introduced as an active Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) for the very last time. More than 1,300 pounds is represented in the ring as “Big Country” Matt McGraw, the 7-foot-tall Jack Massacre, multi-time champion “Big” Mike Malachi and the iconic, Hall of Famer T-Rantula hit the square circle as part of KSWA FanFest on Saturday, December 7.

This contest will, in essence, be the deciding factor that closes out the rivalry between these four huge powerhouse wrestlers. The loser who is either pinned or is forced to submit must leave the KSWA, as per this match stipulation.

T-Rantula is the overall leader in experience with decades of trials, tribulations, road trips and television exposure before first facing off with Jay Flash in the KSWA ring back in 2015. It was his overall history of professional wrestling that made him a KSWA Hall of Famer in 2016.

“Big” Mike Malachi first debuted in the KSWA in its inaugural year, 2000, against Soul Fighter. Since that time, Malachi has held nearly every title imaginable, including reigns as a KSWA tag team champion and World Heavyweight title holder. At one time, Malachi was so reliable and durable that he was voted the KSWA’s #2 most important Megastar, behind only “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin. While a devastating figure inside the ring, Malachi has cut back on his wrestling schedule.

Jack Massacre’s first KSWA match was in 2011 and he’s been a staple of professional wrestling in Pittsburgh ever since. He has won tag team gold and was in a long-standing rivalry with then-KSWA Champion Jay Flash along with Malachi and T-Rantula. After that, Malachi and Massacre both played their role in arguing who “really was” the “big man” in the KSWA. At one-time fan favorites, Malachi and Massacre both turned their backs on fans and became one of its most feared tag team combinations.

Matt McGraw may be the Megastar set to lose the most in this matchup. He’s the “new kid” on the block, first debuting against Shawn Blanchard in 2017. He was in the VIP’s cross-hairs ever since. McGraw is the only member of this match who has not yet scored KSWA gold and there’s a fear that his career could be over before it catches full-stride. He’s just not one who believes that will happen. In fact, he could find himself in contention for the Golden Triangle Championship if all goes well.

There’s very little that T-Rantula has not done inside the wrestling ring. A true fan-favorite who loves to take his opponents to “Nacho City,” he is the most-veteran member of the KSWA locker room. He has taken McGraw under his wing, and assisted others, most notably “The Jester” when he was looking for a FanFest championship-quality partner a few years ago. They won the tag team belts and remained a durable duo during their entire run. As for now, T-Rantula is having more fun in the ring than he’s had for many years. Recently, he made a high-velocity snack delivery to Officer Dan Murphy, and he has been placed on the shelf indefinitely as a result.

Massacre, who not long ago turned to Mayor Mystery for expertise and helped form the “Distinguished Gentlemen” with Malachi, Bubba the Bulldog and Dennis Gregory, has turned his individual ire on McGraw and T-Rantula. The giants Massacre and T-Rantula systematically got into each other’s way during pivotal matches and caused each other controversy. Massacre was the one who turned his back on T-Rantula and the Krazies. While the stable of “Gentlemen” really didn’t click, Massacre has upped his game and is looking forward to claiming championship trophies somewhere in 2020. He has improved in recent months and could position himself for success…if he prevails here.

Malachi has been in this situation before. He lost to Double-A Alexander at FanFest 2010, and was gone from KSWA competition for four years. He made a surprise return to Battle Bowl in 2014 and shocked the Krazyverse by winning that over-the-top-rope extravaganza. He’s since had a successful tag team championship run with Massacre as “Big and Bigger.” Even though Malachi doesn’t consider himself a full-time KSWA Megastar any longer, the “Irish Bear” does expect to hold onto his slot as the KSWA’s “original” Big Man for many years to come. In fact, there’s talk that Malachi and Massacre could look to regain tag team gold regardless of who wins that championship match at FanFest.

All four Megastars have battled each other over the past few years, so they are not unused to one another.

A “Loser Leaves” Match was last held at KSWA FanFest 2016 when Party Gras and Bobby O faced off against “King” Del Douglas and the Mercenaries (with Mayor Mystery). The loser who got pinned or submitted in that showdown was forced to retire. In the end, it was “Nasty” Nick Crane who was pinned. He was insulted by Mayor Mystery and Crane turned on his manager and tag team partner, Sniper. Crane left the KSWA stage in ultimate victory, having distanced himself from evildoers. (Crane did return to the KSWA this past March as the newest member of the KSWA Hall of Fame, and did take part in a Gauntlet Match against Bubba the Bulldog for the vaunted 5-Star Championship…so retirements are rarely permanent).