Turning a Dream into Reality by Tawnya Rockwell

Local Entrepreneur Becomes a Champion of the Wrestling Belt World

“When someone tells you that you can’t do something, use that as motivation to prove them wrong.” – Andrew Lazarchik

February 5, 1988 was nothing short of a usual evening at the Lazarchik family residence in Latrobe, PA. Eleven-year-old Andrew Lazarchik was mesmerized as he watched the World Wrestling Federation’s “The Main Event” on television, unbeknown that this evening would play a pivotal role in his future. Watching his all-time favorite wrestler for the past four years since being introduced to the wrestling world by his brother and neighborhood friends, Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) World Heavyweight Championship. Although that moment was extremely exciting for this ultimate professional wrestling fan, it wasn’t the moment that would change his life forever. Hogan gave a pre-match interview wearing the heavyweight belt, but when he came to the ring, he had a brand new completely redesigned belt, which became known as The Winged Eagle. The moment it was put on display for the winner of the match, Lazarchik was “awe-struck.” He would rewind and pause this part of the show on the VCR a hundred times to look at the design of the belt created by the legendary belt maker, Reggie Parks. This was the moment Lazarchik went from a wrestling fan to a passionate “belt mark.” (In the wrestling business, a fan is referred to as a mark.)

Lazarchik’s aunt Lois worked at Commercial Bank and Trust and she would bring him scrap computer paper home. In those days computer paper was long, perforated and folded every 11 inches. If he was fortunate enough to find three sheets that were still connected to one another, he could draw a Heavyweight Championship belt and cut it to fit perfectly around his 11-year old waist. One day, while his parent’s house was getting new siding installed along with a new roof by John’s Roofing, he came across some excess scrap siding. He knew he could sand down the aluminum thereby giving it

Lazarchik on his 10th Birthday

a silvery look. The rubber roofing that went on before the shingles made a great replica of leather. At that moment, this young man discovered that one person’s scrap would become not another man’s treasure, but his treasure. Lazarchik began making belts that were no longer made just out of paper. As time passed, most of his friends grew out of the wrestling craze during the 90’s; however, he never did. Lazarchik went on to attend La Roche College where he enrolled in the graphic design program. His aspiration was to one day work for the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). The fundamentals he learned in the design program would fuel his drive towards his passion but a major turning point in his life was the relationships he formed during that time that would eventually lead to his big break.

In 1996, Lazarchik attended his first independent wrestling show where he met Rob Mazzie, a professional wrestler who was promoting shows in the surrounding Pittsburgh area. The two became friends and thanks to Mr. Mazzie, Lazarchik met numerous influential wrestling stars who jump started his reputation throughout the independent wrestling scene. Once he got his foot in the door, he started doing whatever he could to be a part of making his dream come true. He started videotaping wrestling shows around western Pennsylvania, commentating the events and refereeing until he started his own business of designing and printing flyers for other promoters. Notorious Norm Connors, a veteran Pittsburgh wrestling promoter, was a notable connection he made while in the wrestling scene. Eventually their friendship flourished leading them to becoming business partners. Together they ran their own shows called “Steel City Wrestling.” Lazarchik went by the name “Hot $hot Lazario,” doing everything from manager, ring announcing and promoting.

After several years, Lazarchik was barely breaking even, so he decided to give his belt making business a serious try by selling his service of making custom designed belts on eBay. Being self-taught on how to make these belts through months of research, determination, and trial and error, he came up with a streamlined process to make quality belts worthy of selling to customers. “Where there is a will, there is a way,” became Lazarchik’s motto. On May 15, 2005 he made his first official sale to the National Wrestling Alliance – a pair of tag team belts. At that moment, Wildcat Championship Belts was established and he found something he truly loved to do while making money with his lifelong passion.

On Independence Day in 2006, Lazarchik’s friend Ray Kuchinka was watching the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest and noticed the quality of the belt awarded to the winner was not to the same standard of those made by Wildcat Championship Belts. He sent Lazarchik a