Pittsburgh Filmmakers Jay White and Tale Stillwell Are Crafting the Great American Wrestling Comedy BLAM
Two Pittsburgh filmmakers, Jay “Ruffbone” White and Tale “Lay Lanskey” Stillwell, are in the final stages of postproduction on their independent comedy film BLAM, a project that has been years in the making. The film centers on a fictional, predominantly Black professional wrestling league that started in Pittsburgh, went national, and is now returning home to regain its spark.
White explains that “BLAM” is a Pittsburgh term for slamming somebody, adding that it’s probably not used in other cities. The story follows two struggling friends who stumble into a wild opportunity when they meet a former neighborhood wrestling promoter at a strip club. When they see a flyer for a $20,000 tag-team wrestling tournament, they decide to enter for a chance to change their lives. It’s a story about aspiration, friendship, and chasing dreams through the lens of offbeat humor and over-the-top wrestling theatrics.
After two and a half years of shooting and several setbacks — including a mourning period for a cast member and the sudden death of Nigel “Nasty Nige” Pryer, one of the film’s stars — BLAM is finally wrapping up editing. The film is dedicated to Pryer, who plays Mr. PerVeCT, a tag-team wrestler known for his charisma and physical comedy.
White and Stillwell, both in their mid-40s, plan to screen BLAM for supporters, crowdfund investors, and friends by spring 2026. The duo raised about $10,000 in a month through crowdfunding in 2022 but received no institutional or foundation support, making the film a true grassroots effort. BLAM will premiere in Pittsburgh before entering national and international festivals.
The filmmakers estimate a runtime of about 1 hour and 45 minutes, describing the tone as a mix of Black Pittsburgh’s humor, fatalism, and resilience with plenty of laughs for audiences anywhere. Most of the cast are first-time actors, including real wrestlers, comedians, and performers from cities like Cleveland, Baltimore, Buffalo, and Norfolk.
Despite the shoestring budget, the team managed to secure real locations that give the film authenticity. PWX Wrestling in McKeesport donated its entire gym, transforming it into BLAM’s home arena. The restaurant Señor Fries on West Liberty Avenue became “Finger Lickin’ Fried Chicken,” while the historic Don’s Diner on the North Side was reimagined as Dick’s Dogs, complete with cheeky humor.
BLAM features a colorful lineup of characters — from Bishop Backslide, a fake preacher managing rival gang wrestlers, to the Wing Dust Winos, The Jaggernaut Giggolos, and the outlandish champion Black Lobster, whose finishing move is the “Lobster Chop.” White even makes a cameo as a referee.
The project is deeply personal. Both men grew up in Pittsburgh — White in Beltzhoover and Stillwell on Larimer Avenue — and are determined to prove that successful filmmaking can happen outside Hollywood. White, who runs Future Stars Media, and Stillwell, a hip-hop promoter, have worked together for over 20 years.
In interviews with the Pittsburgh Independent and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, White said BLAM was originally conceived as a TV series pilot before growing into a full-length film. The wrestling scenes were too ambitious for television, but they now see potential for sequels or even a streaming series.
As for inspiration, White recalls watching classic WWF clips featuring Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Hulk Hogan, wondering why more Black wrestlers haven’t reached that same legendary status. BLAM aims to fill that gap with humor, heart, and a homegrown Pittsburgh edge.
Follow updates and behind-the-scenes clips on BLAM’s Instagram and stay tuned for its local premiere in 2026.
