UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., June 8, 2005 - Former Penn State wrestling All-American Pat Cummins claimed the 264-pound title during the first season of Real Pro Wrestling, the new professional league contested within the framework of international wrestling rules. Competing for the Pennsylvania Hammer, he defeated top seed and 2004 Olympic Trials finalist Tolly Thompson of the California Claw in the finals. During the match, Cummins capitalized on two early throws and rode the momentum to a 10-3 victory.

Cummins, a two-time All-American and 2004 NCAA runner-up at heavyweight for the Nittany Lions, wrestled three matches during the tournament. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Angelo Borzio of the New York Outrage, 10-4. He then won a dramatic 9-8 match over the Iowa Stalker's Wes Hand to advance to the finals. The inaugural season of Real Pro Wrestling was filmed in secret during a tournament last October 8-9. The matches were then broadcast on a weekly basis on both the PAX-TV and FoxSportsNet networks leading up to the finals. Cummins placed sixth at the 2004 Olympic Trials and is currently ranked seventh by the TheMat.com in the senior freestyle rankings.