It’s time once again for one of the biggest independent wrestling tournaments of the year. The 2022 Scenic City Invitational is set to go down on August 5th and 6th at Soddy Daisy High School in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. Tournaments of years past have touted such past winners as Daniel Makabe, current IWTV Independent Wrestling World Champion AC Mack, and the late great Jimmy Rave. This year’s field of competitors is looking to stack up against strong lineups of past tournaments. And here are the matchups that will usher in SCI 2022.
Dominic Garrini vs Kevin Ku
Together, Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku hold 4 sets of Tag Team gold (ACTION, BLP, C*4 & SUP) as one of the most dominant Tag Team on the indies: Violence is Forever. Separately they each also hold a singles championship (Garrini as Timebomb Champion and Ku as ACTION Champion). And against each other, Garrini has bested Ku three times in singles competition. Coming off of a dominant run on Uncharted Territory, Kevin Ku may have the momentum to topple his partner for the first time.
Cole Radrick vs Adam Priest
Both these men are entering this match as potential Breakout Star nominees. Cole Radrick has racked up big wins this year against the likes of Joey Janela, Mike Bailey and Kevin Blackwood. Adam Priest reached a 13-0 record on Uncharted Territory; defeating talents like Anthony Henry, John Wayne Murdoch, and Kevin Ku. Either man could make a strong push for the Finals but only one can win it here.
Myron Reed vs Eli Knight
Eli Knight was the second official entrant of this year’s tournament. He’s been tearing it up this year as a singles competitor and as a member of Culture Inc. Eli has everything to gain with a win here but first he must defeat current MLW Middleweight Champion, Myron Reed. Reed has tournament experience in him with Candido Cup, SCI Trios and MLW Flyweight Tournament wins under him. But “Hot Fire” might need to light it up with all he’s got to prevent Eli from getting the upset.
Billie Starkz vs Robert Martyr
Billie Starkz: …to state one fact, Robert didn’t pin me in the Futures tournament so I don’t consider that him beating me…he never beat me in the matchup.
This is a match thats been a year in the making. Robert Martyr won last year’s Futures tournament; pulling the win out from under Billie in the process. Billie Starkz last eliminated Martyr to win the Scenic City Rumble, granting her a choice in her first round opponent. Now these two finally face off in a heated tournament matchup with heavy stakes on the line.
Robert Martyr: Billie I don’t hate you. I just hate what you represent…everyone was rooting for you at the age where everyone was telling me that I didn’t even deserve to be here.
Jaden Newman vs Ashton Starr
Through Uncharted Territory, Jaden Newman had a massive showing out; even going 6 Rounds with Jonathan Gresham under Modern Age Grappling Rules. At the same time Ashton Starr was embroiled in a feud with Futures contestant, Rico Gonzalez; a feud which Ashton Starr came out on top of. Many would say Ashton has the chance to pull off the ultimate upset by defeating Jaden in the very same school he once attended. But with this hometown momentum behind him, can Jaden push on to the Finals?
Trish Adora vs Masha Slamovich
This is a main event anywhere across the country in the first round of a tournament! Masha is has been a runaway freight train of momentum between the indies and IMPACT Wrestling. Trish Adora has also been on a tear between fighting for the ROH Women’s World Title in AEW and matches against Taya Valkyrie and Kris Statlander. This match has the potential to steal the whole weekend, let alone Night 1.
Trish Adora: …[Masha’s] been breaking down all sorts of barriers…I don’t take Masha lightly at all. And I know her style very very well…I’m bringing my A-game and I’m ready to surprise her and I’m ready to surprise everybody.
Daniel Makabe vs Damyan Tangra
Damyan Tangra is entering this match having earned his spot on Night 2 of last year’s SCI. After all this waiting, Tangra is greeted with 2019’s winner, Daniel Makabe in the First Round. Makabe is already 1-0 over Tangra in singles action. But Tangra has the chance to snap Makabe’s Finals streak with a victory on Night 1.
Daniel Makabe: I hope [Tangra’s] learned and grown…I hope that wrestling me last year was a learning experience for him and he took whatever lessons he took and he expanded upon them and he grew as not only a human being but as a professional wrestler.
HoodFoot vs Orion Bishop
HoodFoot has been showing out all year between GCW, ICW No Holds Barred and Paradigm Pro Wrestling. And many would probably look at this matchup and consider HoodFoot to be the easy victor. However, Orion Bishop has the experiential edge over HoodFoot. In the past year, Bishop has mixed it up with Ron Bass Jr., Alex Kane, and then ACTION Champion, Arik Royal. Orion may be considered the “least known” of this year’s field, but that might be the chip on his shoulder he needs to pull off the upset.
Along with these matches you can see some non-tournament action. This includes the Scenic City Scramble, and the first time collision between NWA National Champion Jax Dane and Tank. You can catch this, plus the second night of SCI action on August 5th and 6th at 7:30 PM EDT on IWTV. You can also catch the ACTION/SCI Futures Tournament showcasing some of the best upcoming talent on August 6th at 2 PM EDT on IWTV.