​Martin, Connors, Miller Comprise Western PA Pro Wrestling HOF

Pittsburgh PA

27 September, 2021

4:27 PM

Description

By Thomas Leturgey An influential champion, a "notorious" promoter and a long-time promoter make up the Western Pennsylvania Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2021. Organization president Nels Cleath made the announcement on social media on Monday, September 27. This year's class includes "The Face of Pittsburgh" Lou Martin, a wrestler, philanthropist, multi-time champion and industry insider with the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) whose pedigree extends more than two decades in the city's grand history. Martin has been an anchor with the KSWA, the city of Pittsburgh's longest-running organization. He has also worked with dozens of charities, including Connecting Champions, which pairs young cancer patients with leaders in professions they aspire to join. "Notorious" Norm Connors, who was one of the region's most influential and important promoters stemming from the groundbreaking Steel City Wrestling and more recently, the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC). Connors was one of the first professional wrestling promoters who booked up-and-coming professional wrestling talent that had been on televisions major programs, and maybe more importantly, future stars. Many of the biggest names in recent professional wrestling got were viewed locally with a Norm Connors-based promotion. Jim Miller is one of the region's longest-tenured promoters and a one-time President of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). More than 26 years ago, Miller started Pro Wrestling Xpress (PWX), a training ground (WWE's Corey Graves is one of the many alumni from the PWX training facility) and significant promotion throughout Western Pennsylvania. For many years, PWX was the longest-running promotion in the area, but abandoned its brand and was re-named to a different group several years ago. This year, after significant upgrades to its McKeesport home-base, PWX has been re-invented. According to its website, the "The Western Pennsylvania Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame was established in 2009 to highlight the incredible, rich history of professional wrestling in our region. From legends like Bruno Sammartino, Dominic DeNucci, Larry Zbyszko and Shane Douglas to more recent names like Dennis Gregory, Bubba The Bulldog and Mitch Napier, our region's legacy of professional wrestling dates back to the early 1900s." "Also, legendary wrestling venues like The AJ Palumbo Theater, The Civic Arena, Spirit Hall, and The Rostraver Ice Garden will be highlighted. These legendary places play just as big of a part in our region's history as do the in-ring performers…These men and women are as important as the buildings and wrestlers in that without these people, there would be no professional wrestling in our area!" Starting in 2009, Cleath has honored professional wrestlers and personalities like Lord Zoltan (Ken Jugan), Dominic DeNucci, Mick Foley and Larry Zbyszko. Wrestlers Shawn Blanchard, "Nasty" Nick Crane and KSWA Owner Bobby O received certificates in 2010. In 2011, promoter/manager/referee/commissioner/personality "Gentleman" Joe Perri and KSWA ring announcer and magazine editor "Trapper" Tom were acknowledged. Wrestler Donna Christiantello was posthumously awarded. Cleath took nearly a decade off before his next class was announced. In 2020, a trio of vital Pittsburgh professional wrestlers—Paul Atlas, Bubba Brewer, and Headshrinker Samu—were awarded plaques.