The club was founded as the Pittsburgh Vipers, and joined the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) as an expansion team for the 2010 season.

In 2011 they were one of seven teams to depart the AMNRL to form the USA Rugby League, adopting their current name shortly thereafter.

In June 2015, it was announced the Sledgehammers would be coming out of hiatus and participate in the USARL in the 2016 season under new management.

They joined the American National Rugby League as an expansion team for the 2010 season, replacing the Bucks County Sharks, who had suspended operations for the year.

[1][2] They played their first game in round 2 of the 2010 AMNRL season, where they lost 80–4 against the Fairfax Eagles.