Martoni, DeFazio, Cardille Honored By County Council & KSWA For Studio Wrestling Past

For a few fleeting moments, citizens of Allegheny County were transported from a Monday afternoon at the Grant Street Courthouse to the dizzying days of Studio Wrestling. County Council President John DeFazio, still widely remembered as “Jumpin’” Johnny, and Dr. Chuck Martoni received proclamations for their exploits in the world of professional wrestling.

Before its current incarnation as the WWE, professional wrestling’s top world-wide promotion was the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). DeFazio was the promotion’s most prolific World Junior Heavyweight Champion. He was only the second person to hold the title when he pinned Paul Degallas on October 15, 1965, but with four reigns he was the most prolific. DeFazio would hold onto the strap until he retired from the squared circle in 1972.

It’s interesting to note that the WWWF World Junior Heavyweight title has been vacated, and been rebranded the International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) Junior Heavyweight Championship, and has been a valuable wrestling trophy in Japan for years.

DeFazio would also team with Geto Mongul to win the WWWF International Tag Team Championship one time.

Martoni would wrestle under his own name, as well as “Cannonball” and at times, “The Masked Marvel.” Martoni would wrestle around the Pittsburgh “territory” from 1962 to Searches reveal dozens of “Masked Marvels,” but only one would go on to serve as the Mayor of Swissvale, PA. And only one became a doctor of education and long-time, well-respected politician. His last recorded match was with another Studio Wrestling mainstay, Frank Durso, at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown, PA on June 6, 1967. Some reports indicate that Martoni retired from the squared circle in 1971.

On Saturday, March 29, DeFazio and Martoni, along with the “Voice” of Studio Wrestling “Chilly” Bill Cardille were officially inducted into the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) Hall of Fame. In a touching ceremony in front of a capacity crowd at the KSWA Arena in Lawrenceville, all three men accepted their awards. The day was deemed “Bill Cardille, KSWA Hall of Fame Day” in the city of Pittsburgh by Mayor Bill Peduto.

On Tuesday, April 22, DeFazio and Martoni received proclamations from their peers at Allegheny County Council. Councilman James Ellenbogen made the presentation on behalf of his colleagues. Cardille was unable to attend the ceremony, but was included in the proclamation.

County Council member Tom Baker noted, “Congrats to my famous colleagues on Council! This is a terrific honor for John and Chuck!”

The KSWA was represented by Owner Bobby O, alongside former owner Shawn Blanchard. Former KSWA World Champion Lou Martin was also in attendance for the proclamation.

Bobby O noted that the KSWA has a rich tradition of recognizing the forbearers of Studio Wrestling, from Durso and Joe Abby to Bobby “Hurricane” Hunt, George “The Animal” Steele, Bill Eadie, Dominic DeNucci, Bruno Sammartino and others who helped paved the way for the current crop of professional wrestlers in and around Pittsburgh.

The Keystone State Wrestling Alliance was formed in 2000 and continues to provide family-friendly professional wrestling in a form Bobby O touts as “The Way You Like It.”