Breaking Down the Field: Previewing the 2013 Ted Petty Invitational

Breaking Down the Field: Previewing the 2013 Ted Petty Invitational

On September 13th and 14th, IWA Mid-South’s Ted Petty Invitational tournament returns to Clarksville, IN to present one of their biggest shows to date. Ian Rotten and company have put together a great list of talent for this show with 24, YES 24, of the most talented independent wrestlers in the entire world today. With that being said, let’s breakdown the entrants below…

****Entrants are in no particular order****

Entrant #1 Andrew Everett- 1^st TPI Appearance. Also known as “Chiva Kid” in various promotions, Andrew Everett took the independent wrestling world by storm with a show stealing performance at “National Pro Wrestling Day” on February 2^nd, 2013. He followed that up by defeating former ROH World Champion Eddie Edwards at CWF Mid-Atlantic on February 22^nd, 2013 to become the new Ultra J Champion. After appearing for CZW, CHIKARA, and Dragon Gate USA, Andrew Everett is now looking to take the next step in cementing his place as a top 10 talent in independent wrestling. Look out for his Ricochet-esque double moonsault as that phenomenal move could spell certain doom for any of his opponents.

Entrant #2 B-Boy- 3^rd TPI Appearance. “The New Age Punisher” returns to IWA Mid-South after a lengthy hiatus. The former CZW World Heavyweight Champion is no stranger to tournaments as he has competed in CZW’s Best of the Best and PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles, along with several other indy tournaments. It has been, however, quite some time since he actually won one of the many prestigious tournaments that he has competed in. After a couple of brief retirements, he has returned to active competition, but the question now looms, can he compete and win at the level that he once did? He comes into TPI looking to prove himself to a whole new crop of IWA faithful.

Entrant #3 Bad Bones-1^st TPI Appearance. Quite possibly the most dominant wrestler in Germany right now, Bad Bones is looking to bring that same dominance to American soil. Now with a chance to do so at the Ted Petty Invitational, this could be his chance to showcase his talents on what is arguably a bigger stage. Could the big man from Bitburg become the first foreign wrestler to win IWA Mid-South’s TPI? Be on the look out for his spear and shadow driver as his major weapons in this tournament.

Entrant #4 Chris Hamrick-1^st TPI Appearance. Just a few weeks ago he had dropped out of this year’s TPI, but now that he has returned to the field, he could definitely be considered a favorite to win the whole thing. Though he’s only 1-1 since IWA’s return, his matches have been talked about by much of the IWA fanbase. His recent victory over BJ Whitmer certainly doesn’t hurt his momentum going into this tournament either. He comes into this tournament with an outstanding issue with Todd Morton, his first round opponent. Can Hamrick maintain his focus on the task at hand and prove that age is just a number? He’ll have to control his emotions and avoid a first round disqualification in order to continue to shock the fans.

Entrant #5 Bryan Skyline-1^st TPI Appearance. Has he bitten off more than he can chew? Ian Rotten asked him that question at IWA’s “Simply the Best 9” on July 20^th after choosing to enter TPI by virtue of his victory in the Pick Your Poison match. Pick Your Poison is now over and done. What lies ahead for the youngster is the chance of a lifetime. Can he shock the world and win the revered Ted Petty Invitational Tournament? He’ll lay it all on the line to do just that.

Entrant #6 Chrisjen Hayme-1^st TPI Appearance. “The Marathon Man” has been in and out of IWA for quite a few years, but what isn’t known to many of the IWA fans, is his will to compete and win. An ultimate competitor with several different sporting interests under his belt, he comes into the TPI with the belief that he can outlast the other entrants with a mixture of experience, cardio, and a skill set that very few wrestlers have. The former (current?) IPW Mid-American Champion has wins over the likes of EVOLVE Champion AR Fox and Tony Kozina under his belt, but the question is, with so many other interests, can he concentrate all of his energies on the goal at hand? His full attention must now be set on outlasting 23 other wrestlers to take the TPI trophy to the Deep South. His 450 Splash is a thing of beauty. If he hits this, expect him to move on to the next round.

Entrant #7 Christian York-1^st TPI Appearance. Christian York’s TNA release did nothing to slow down his determination. A veteran of professional wrestling, he knows exactly what it takes to succeed and win in this great sport. The almost 17 year veteran has a history of winning tournaments. As a 3 time Maryland Championship Wrestling Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup winner, and more recently, a winner of the TNA X-Division Championship #1 Contender tournament, York comes in as quite possibly the most experienced competitor of the field. Does he have what it takes to work his way through the grueling 2 nights of competition?

Entrant #8 Davey Richards-2^nd TPI Appearance. One half of the American Wolves comes into the 2013 Ted Petty Invitational riding a wave of momentum. After returning to IWA on July 20^th with a victory over Scotty Vortekz, Richards rolls into the TPI looking to add another indy wrestling accolade to his mantle. As a 2006 BOLA winner, former PWG and ROH World Champion, Davey Richards has consistently been at the top of the card for every promotion he has competed in for the last few years. Now he makes his second appearance in the TPI looking to conquer one of the few things that has eluded him on the indy scene. Could this be the year of the Wolf?

Entrant #9 Devon Moore-2^nd TPI Appearance. “The International Scumbag” makes his return to a place that helped make him a star on September 13^th as he looks to add to his list of accomplishments in IWA (and elsewhere) with what might be called an upset in this type of tournament. The former CZW World Heavyweight Champion and current IWA Light Heavyweight Champion may have slowed down a bit from his high risk style, but when motivated, he’s as hungry as anyone in the field. Moore has all the tools to go on a historic run to win this tournament. Now the question is can Moore push himself to victory?

Entrant #10 Drake Younger-3^rd TPI Appearance. Call him “The Psycho Shooter” or call him “The Golden Boy”, but what he undeniably is, regardless of time in between, is the reigning and defending Ted Petty Invitational Winner. He enters the 2013 TPI on perhaps the greatest roll of his professional career. From PWG title shots and main events to matches in Japan, Germany, and Mexico…Drake Younger has become the hottest thing in independent wrestling. In fact, if history weren’t working against him, it would be hard to argue that Drake isn’t the odds on favorite to repeat this year. With a devotion to IWA that very few have, along with being in the best shape of his entire life, Drake Younger comes in with nothing to lose…which is a very dangerous thing for both Drake and his opponents. The Drake’s Landing will most assuredly signal defeat for any of his opponents this year.

Entrant #11 Dustin Rayz-1^st TPI Appearance. Making his first appearance in the Ted Petty Invitational is a man that 911 Wrestling Magazine called “The #1 Independent Wrestler That You Should Know”. Big words, but Rayz has backed it up time and time again. From PWF to IPW to HWA to D1W, he’s torn it up in the Midwest for quite some time now. He’s also a former CZW World Tag Team Champion. This year’s TPI is his chance to prove that he belongs among the top athletes across the entire United States and he plans to do everything in his power to make that wish a reality. Rayz isn’t afraid to take to the air, brawl, or get hardcore when needed, which makes him an unpredictable opponent going into this tournament.

Entrant #12 Eddie Edwards-1^st TPI Appearance. The other half of the American Wolves is in by popular demand from the IWA “Kool-Aid drinkers” (myself included). A former Triple Crown holder in ROH, “Die Hard” has proven his moniker time and time again. Edwards consistently puts on some of the best matches on every show he appears on, but recently in singles competition, he’s faced some struggles in terms of picking up consistent wins. The 2013 Ted Petty Invitational is his chance to get out of the minor slump that he’s been in and add to his already impressive array of accomplishments. Can the former ROH World Champion ride the “Achilles lock” all the way to a tournament win this year?

Entrant #13 Eddie Kingston-3^rd TPI Appearance. Very few wrestlers represent what IWA Mid-South is all about better than “The War King.” The gritty New Yorker will fight, claw, and scratch his way to a victory, in much the same way that IWA has survived for as long as it has. Despite all of his successes and many nicknames in the world of wrestling, he has yet to win the Ted Petty Invitational. The man that never lost the CHIKARA Grand Title could make three times a charm as the former “King of Diamonds” could surprise his opponents with a stacked deck this year. Opponents will want to avoid his Back Fist to the Future as that could send him straight to the winner’s circle if he connects.

Entrant #14 Flip Kendrick-1^st TPI Appearance. Another first timer to the Ted Petty Invitational brings a unique variety of well…flips to this tournament. Flip Kendrick is another wrestler that has been doing his thing for quite some time in independent wrestling with very little reward. No big contract, no TV exposure, and no hype, but for Flip Kendrick, none of that has been needed. He consistently entertains crowds with his aerial offense that has to be seen to be believed. He can win a match at the blink of an eye. Look for him to make a tough out in this year’s tournament. His Shooting Star Senton, Spiral Tap 540, or Inverted Stardust Press could signal a victory for this young star.

Entrant #15 Hy-Zaya-2^nd TPI Appearance. It has been 13 years since “The Hood Ninja” appeared for IWA in a tournament of this magnitude. He was an entrant in the very first TPI in 2000 (then known as the Sweet Science Sixteen) and now returns as an older, but wiser wrestler. While you won’t see Hy-Zaya hit quite as many dives as he used to, what you will see from the veteran are the same “strong style” hard-hitting forearms, kicks, and punches that made Zero 1 Junior Champion Jonathan Gresham stoop to a low blow to score a cheap victory on 7/20. The miserable workhorse of IWA for all these years now has his chance to put his name right up there with everyone else who gets all the publicity…this is his chance to shine. His picture perfect Swanton Bomb could leave fans and opponents, alike, absolutely breathless.

Entrant #16 Jack Thriller-1^st TPI Appearance. Perhaps best known for some of his brutal wars with Jimmy Jacobs in Illinois, “The Serial Killer” comes to the TPI looking to make an impact. With a record of 2-0 since IWA Mid-South’s return, he has been in two of arguably the best matches on the cards. On Friday the 13^th, the Ted Petty Invitational kicks off, and who better to make their debut than a man like Thriller? Don’t believe me? Watch his Youtube videos and find out just how nuts he really is. Whether he focuses on the knee to set up for his Figure Four Leglock or connects with the Snapmare Driver, Thriller will be looking to take down the field.

Entrant #17 Todd Morton-1^st TPI Appearance. The entrant that almost wasn’t. Justin Credible’s busy schedule made way for Todd Morton re-entering this tournament. If Vegas were making odds, Morton could possibly have some of the highest odds, as he doesn’t exactly fit the “mold” that this tournament is known for. Don’t count him out though. Morton is a former IWA Heavyweight Champion and lives to prove the fans wrong. He comes in hoping to overcome the odds and piss the fans off one more time.

Entrant #18 Kyle O’Reilly-1^st TPI Appearance. If they didn’t know already, after July 20^th, fans of IWA Mid-South found out that O’Reilly is a force to be reckoned with. After having a must-watch match with the Necro Butcher and scoring the win that night, he returns to IWA seeking further success in the form of a Ted Petty Invitational Tournament win. The 2 Time ROH World Tag Team Champion has been lighting the indy scene on fire with impressive performances everywhere he goes, including the biggest victory of his career in PWG’s 2013 Battle of Los Angeles. With all of his success, some still feel that he is living in his trainer, Davey Richards’s shadow. TPI weekend is his chance to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he lives in no man’s shadow. Can he parlay his recent tag team success into yet another HUGE singles run?

Entrant #19 Louis Lyndon-1^st TPI Appearance. Like his partner in Aeroform (Flip Kendrick), Louis Lyndon comes in without all the press, but also like him, he comes in knowing he has every bit of skill any of the other competitors have. He also has a wealth of experience to go along with it. While much of his success has come recently in the form of tag team wrestling, this will test his merits in singles. There’s no doubt that he has what it takes to win this tournament, but will he be able to put it all together in September? The AIW Intense Champion may still be recovering from an insane ladder match at TPI, but that won’t detour him from going all out to claim the prize. His Running Shotay, CRANE KICK, Moonsault Press, or Dragon Suplex could all be useful tools to put his opponents away.

Entrant #20 Michael Elgin-2^nd TPI Appearance. “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin has been nothing short of phenomenal over the last year or more. His matches in PWG, ROH, and AAW alone have been something to go out of your way to see. That being said, aside from the AAW Heavyweight Championship, he has frequently been the bride’s maid and never the bride (don’t tell him I used those terms). From a finals loss vs. Adam Cole in the 2012 PWG Battle of Los Angeles, to a finals loss vs. Kyle O’Reilly in the 2013 PWG Battle of Los Angeles, to repeatedly coming up short of winning the ROH World Title, Elgin has had enough of coming just short. THIS is an opportunity for him to come back to his old home and flat out run right over the other competitors on his way to a tremendous tournament victory. The question is, can he finally live up to his potential? The buckle bomb, spinning back fist, and spinning power bomb are moves that will absolutely crush the competition.

Entrant #21 Kongo Kong-1st TPI Appearance. Replacing the injured Necro Butcher is a tall task. Luckily, the 6’6 400 pound behemoth doesn’t care about expectations. He has not been seen in IWA Mid-South since June as he was suspended for attacking a referee after defeating 3 men in one match. Some unlucky soul (winner of the 6 man play-in) will get the chance to stand in the ring with this monster. The question is…can anyone beat this beast? If Kongo Kong can wrestle within the rules of professional wrestling, he is no doubt a favorite to win this tournament.

Entrant #22 Prince Mustafa Ali-2^nd TPI Appearance. A former #1 in the Indy Power Rankings enters this tournament with much needed experience and momentum on his side. As I covered in a previous article (www.pwponderings.com/2013/…/prince-mustafa-ali-changing–perspectives), he has been absolutely dominating the Midwest lately. Can he duplicate that same success in the Ted Petty Invitational? One thing is for sure, you don’t want to overlook this young star in favor of some of the “bigger” stars in this tournament, because he lives to shut people up. The crowd will be solidly against him in this tournament, which is exactly what he wants. Can he continue to shove his success down the fans’ throats on September 13th and 14th?

Entrant #23 Roderick Strong-3^rd TPI Appearance. Recently returning from a tour of NOAH, “The Messiah of the Backbreaker” is as polished right now as he’s ever been. As a former ROH Triple Crown winner, he knows what it takes to succeed on every level. What he also knows is how to win an IWA Mid-South tournament. Though he has failed to win the TPI in his attempts so far, he was the 2008 Revolution Strong Style Tournament winner. The much leaner Roderick Strong makes his first appearance for IWA since getting into insanely good shape. Will this new found dedication to the gym lead him to his first TPI tournament win? His brutal array of kicks, chops, and backbreakers could soften up his opponents for their next opponent if he fails to defeat them, or those vicious moves could flat out put them away.

Entrant #24 The Play-In Match Winner: Gary Jay vs. Christian Rose vs. Matt Knicks vs. Blake Steel vs. Josh Crane vs. Trik Davis. This in itself is intriguing. You have Gary Jay who has been making waves all over the St. Louis area, vying for a chance at the Mid-West’s most prestigious tournament. Also included in the mix is a guy who is a former #1 in the Indy Power Rankings (not an easy task) who has been tearing it up all over the Chicago area (at DWW & AAW in particular) in Christian Rose. Matt Knicks has been garnering a lot of support in the Midwest recently with great performances as well. Speaking of making a name for himself, could Blake Steel be the man to do just that? Josh Crane stormed into this match with an outpour of much deserved support on Twitter & Facebook. Last but not least is indy veteran Trik Davis, who has been helping Reed Bentley commit heinous attacks on Zach Gowen & Jimmy Jacobs at IWA. Unfortunately for the winner, they get the “opportunity” to wrestle Kongo Kong in the First Round. While this match is “just” a play-in match, it’s going to be insanity personified. 6 men will fight it out just for the chance to compete in this tournament.