Scott Dominate In CWA Debut; Whitetails Go 3-0 In Pittsburgh
It was a nearly packed house at Live! Casino Pittsburgh for CWA Showcase IV as the Central PA Whitetails went 3-0 on Saturday night in Greensburg.
A total of seven matches took place, including a High School Showcase match to kick things off between Beau Fennick (Franklin Regional (PA)) and Michigan State Champion, Cyrus Woodberry (Cass Tech (MI)). Fennick came away with a 5-3 win, but it took everything he had to hold off Woodberry who put together numerous scoring attempts in the final three minutes of the match.
In match 2 of the night, we saw the debut of Mercenary, Nate Smith, take on local talent and 4-time NCAA Qualifier for the University of Maryland, Geoff Alexander at 162lbs. The only takedown of the match came off of Alexander’s attempt to cement mix Smith, but the Mercenary was able to come out on top on the roll through attempt where he almost had Alexander caught on his back. A pair of escapes for each athlete and a riding time point for Smith gave us the final score of 4-1.
Kicking off the main card, it was a pair of 140 pound athletes making their debut in 2x All-American for Lock Haven, Anthony Noto (CPA) and Brian Courtney (Mercenary).
It was a back and forth affair between the two with Noto notching a takedown part way through the first period. Courtney returned the favor with a slick overtie shrug to bring Noto to a knee and get behind for his own two-point takedown. As the match progressed, Noto began to wear down from Courtney’s pace. Still, Noto was able to get a takedown midway through the third period and hold off a late funk roll scramble from Courtney to secure a 6-4 win.
At 160lbs., the home town kid, Cody Law (PIT), made his return to the mat to take on an always dangerous Mike Van Brill (PHI). Both were making their CWA debuts. At one point in the match it looked as though the two were going to break out into fisticuffs as the exchanged heavy collar tie clubs to the back of each other’s heads.
Cody Law (PIT) celebrating with fans as he walks off the mat. Law won 4-3 over Mike Van Brill at CWA Showcase IV on Saturday Night.
In the first period, the Skywalker (Law) was able to get to a high crotch and finish. MVB, though, was able to get to his feet quickly and escape making the score 2-1 at the end of the first. A lot of shots traded, but not a ton of scoring had Law up late in the match by a score of 4-3. The last 15 seconds Van Brill pummeled in double underhooks and tried to send Law for a ride, but MVB couldn’t get close enough to make a full fledged attempt leaving the final score at 4-3 for the Pittsburgh Skywalker in his CWA Debut.
Ed Scott (CPA) scored early and often on his way to a 16-2 major decision over John Van Brill (PHI). Scott came out immediately and hit a slick fireman’s carry in the first 30 seconds of the match. Scott’s pace was constant as he racked up takedowns, near fall points, and riding time points the entire match.
Part way through the second period, JVB went for a cement finisher/elevator and briefly had the Whitetail in danger, but could not cover Scott’s hips or prevent him from rolling through to secure a takedown of his own. Scott actually was able to attack the Founder’s leg on a single and finish clean on a trip with the leg elevated.
In the third period, Scott attempted to get the first technical fall in CWA history, but couldn’t get a turn in the final 20 seconds of the match and had to settle for the 16-2 major decision.
At 195lbs. Scott Joll (PIT) got his first win in the CWA against Mercenary, Matt Weinberg, by a score of 8-7. Joll was in a hole early on as Weinberg was able to get to his legs and not allow the Skywalker to scramble out like he’s known to do.
Weinberg was up 5-1 off of a pair of takedowns, but an awkward mat return that seemed to cause the Mercenary to land on the top of his head stopped the match and changed momentum. After head official, Joe Makara, blew the action dead to check on Weinberg, Joll began to mount his comeback. A pair of takedowns, a reversal, and a riding time point in the 3rd period that proved to be the difference was what it took for the Skywalker to secure his first win in the Championship Wrestling Association.
In the final match of the evening, at 220 lbs. we saw 2x NAIA Champion and 2025 US Open 3rd place finisher, Zane Lanham (PIT), take on Ohio State All-American and Central PA Whitetail, Gavin Hoffman.
Zane Lanham (PIT, left) engages in a hand fight with Gavin Hoffman (CPA, right) at 220 lbs. at CWA Showcase IV at Live! Casino Pittsburgh. Hoffman won 7-3.
Hoffman came out early and got to his patented low single and finished clean running to the far leg with his forehead in the knee. Lanham was able to get out quickly for an escape to make it 2-1 at the end of the first period.
The Whitetail added a pair of takedowns throughout the match including a nice go behind off of a far ankle grab to seal the match and come away with his first CWA victory by a score of 7-3.
CWA Showcase IV Results:
Highschool Showcase
112 lbs. Beau Fennick (Franklin Regional (PA)) dec. Cyrus Woodberry (Cass Tech (MI)) 5-3
CWA Showcase IV Undercard
162 lbs. Nate Smith (Mercenary) dec. Geoff Alexander 4-1
CWA Showcase IV Main Card
140 lbs. Anthony Noto (CPA) dec. Brian Courtney (Mercenary) 6-4
160 lbs. Cody Law (PIT) dec. Mike Van Brill (PHI) 4-3
170 lbs. Ed Scott (CPA) MD John Van Brill (PHI) 16-2
195 lbs. Scott Joll (PIT) dec. Matt Weinberg (Mercenary) 8-7
220 lbs. Gavin Hoffman (CPA) dec. Zane Lanham (PIT) 7-3
Next up on the CWA Calendar is CWA Showcase V at RWJ Barnabas Health Arena in Toms River, New Jersey. Tickets are on sale now. Click the link below to get yours today!