The Steelers were knocked out of the playoffs by the Browns of all teams in the first round of the playoffs in January.
The Penguins once again were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round and again it was the New York Islanders who did it.
The Pirates are currently 20-34 overall and 11.0 games out of first place.
Simply put, it’s been a rough six months for Pittsburgh sports fan.
But, there is a glimmer of hope Pittsburgh.
On Sunday, professional wrestler Dr. Britt Baker, a Punxsutawney native, captured the All Elite Women’s Championship beating Hikaru Shida (who held the championship for over a year).
Speaking after the match, Baker acknowledged the year Pittsburgh sports have had.
“What a brutal year for Pittsburgh, so somebody’s got to do it right, somebody’s gotta be the hero of Pittsburgh, so I’m happy to do it, we’re reppin’ the 412,” said Baker.
Baker’s family was also in attendance for the Pay Per View event in Jacksonville, FL, with one member even twirling a Terrible Towel after she won.
Baker, who is also a full-time dentist, attended Puxy high, where she graduated in 2009. She then went to college at Penn State and was then accepted to Pitt Dental School, where she would graduate. (Baker currently practices at a dental office in Orlando when she isn’t wrestling in Jacksonville.)
While in Pittsburgh Baker trained to also become a wrestler in the South Hills, spending four years on the independent circuit and spent a brief time in WWE before signing with AEW in early 2019.
Baker quickly established herself as one of the most entertaining and skilled wrestlers on the program.
Baker showed just how much she loves Pittsburgh and vice versa. During a show at the Petersen Events Center in October 2019 Baker came to the ring with Steelers mascot Steely McBeam with fans twirling AEW versions of the Terrible Towel.
But an injury last March sidelined her for a length of time.
Baker took advantage of that situation, using that time to get even better talking on the microphone and was able to “get over” as a heel (or bad guy or girl in this situation) even during the pandemic when fans were not allowed in attendance.
Then, in March this year, Baker took on Thunder Rosa in an unsanctioned “Lights Out” match that redefined what women’s wrestling can be.
During the match, Baker was slammed onto the mat that had actual thumbtacks on it, while blood ran down her face.
Baker’s stock as continued to shoot up since then and she’s now been awarded with one of the highest honors in women’s wrestling, all while fixing people's teeth.