Hometown wrestler returns to Burgettstown for benefit
By SUMMER WALLACE-MINGER, Staff writerArticle Photos
BURGETTSTOWN, Pa. - Eric Schwab, a 2000 Burgettstown Junior/Senior High School graduate, will return to his alma mater Dec. 4 to help raise money for the high school wrestling team as the headline act in the Championship Wrestling Federation's Burgettstown Brawl.
"I've always wanted to wrestle in my hometown," said Schwab.
The event will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the high school gymnasium and will feature seven bouts, including a tag-team match pitting Schwab, who wrestles under the name Eric Xtasy, and Justin Idol against Pittsburgh radio personality Bubba the Bulldog and Jimmy Vegas. Also scheduled to appear are Doink the Clown, Powerhouse Hughes, Raymond Rowe and Shima Xion.
"Don't be afraid to bring kids or grandma," said Schwab, adding that the organization doesn't use foul or suggestive language. "We do a family-friendly show."
Schwab said he has been fascinated with wrestling since he was a small child, and he went to a wrestling school when he was 16, and he has been wrestling with Monessen-based Championship Wrestling Federation, which he described as the "minor leagues" of professional wrestling, since.
"In high school, I was very heavy and out of shape," he said. "So it's very exciting to be able to come back now that I am in shape and have accomplished my dream."
The World Wrestling Entertainment organization has expressed an interest in Schwab, who has been called up three separate times to appear on WWE Raw, where he has appeared both as a wrestler and in a "backstage skit."
"It's a real good sign," said Schwab.
He added that he has received advice on how to improve his wrestling persona from the organization and regularly makes tapes, especially on closing skits, to send to the organization.
"You have 30 seconds to sell it to the audience," he said of the skits.
Tickets are $12 for ringside seats, $10 for general admission and $6 for children 12 and under. They are available in advance at the high school and at the door the night of the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Burgettstown wrestling team.
Schwab is the son of Todd and Judy Schwab of Burgettstown.
For information on the Championship Wrestling Federation, visit the Web site at www.cwf-online.com.
Those businesses interested in sponsoring the event to defray costs can contact Schwab at (724) 255-4580.
(Wallace-Minger can be contacted at swallace@pafocus.com)
