2018 Super 8 Participants Revealed
One of the biggest indie wrestling tournaments in the country takes place Saturday.
ECWA is gearing up for its biggest show of the year, one of the longest-running, most prestigious tournaments in all of independent wrestling: the Super 8.
When Jim Kettner invented the event back in 1997, neither he nor anyone else predicted the influence the one-night tournament would soon hold. It has jumpstarted the careers of many household names like Daniel Bryan, the Hardy Boyz, Austin Aries, Christopher Daniels and many more stars. Generations of wrestlers from all over the country have grown up reading about it in Pro Wrestling Illustrated, hoping that one day they’d be given the opportunity to compete in the tournament and propel their career to new heights. As a matter of fact, current ECWA owner Mike Tartaglia says the Super 8 is the main reason he purchased the company in 2010.
This year the Super 8 takes place on April 21 in New Castle, Delaware. Here are the participants:
TY AWESOME
As the least known and least experienced member of the tournament, Ty Awesome could be the biggest underdog in Super 8 history. The Maryland native was trained by the Briscoe Brothers as well as Sonny Deeds at the Spinebusters Wrestling Academy in Delaware. A high flyer, Awesome has marveled crowds and stunned opponents with his moonsaults, hurricanranas and trademark 450 Splash.
BOLT BRADY
A veteran of the squared circle, Bolt Brady needs this victory more than anyone else in the tournament. Trained by Luke Hawx, Mr. Mexico II and Ray Campos, the “Supercharged Superstar” routinely dazzles fans and peers alike with his high dropkicks and flying crossbodies. The Texas native has adopted a lucha libre style to his repertoire, making him an extremely innovative and dangerous foe.
RICHARD HOLLIDAY
“The Most Marketable Man in Professional Wrestling” will have credibility for his self-appointed moniker if he’s able to outlast the seven other competitors. Hailing from Connecticut, Richard Holliday learned the ropes from Paul Roma, picking up the Horseman’s arrogance along the way. Straying from the top rope, Holliday tends to wear down a body part until his opponent begs for mercy.
CHASE OWENS
The Bullet Club invades ECWA as “The Crown Jewel” Chase Owens seeks another feather in his cap. The Tennessee native was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Morton of the Rock n’ Roll Express, and has surrounded himself with superstars like Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. A junior heavyweight, Owens can adapt to any style, blending technical proficiency with high flying and Strong Style. Consider him the favorite of the tourney.
ANTHONY GREENE
2018 is the Retrosexual’s coming out party: he’s competing not only in the Super 8, but also in CHIKARA’s Young Lions Cup. Straight out of the 80’s with his trademark track jacket, zubaz, sweatband and fanny pack, Anthony Greene is no joke. The junior heavyweight was trained by Spike Dudley and has developed a ruthless reputation on the indie scene.
MIKE LAW
The first participant announced for the 2018 Super 8, “Colossal” Mike Law has made sure everybody knows it. Trained by “Lowlife’ Louis Ramos”, the gruff New Yorker displays an impressive combination of speed and power, as evidenced by the giant barbell he carries to the ring. That’s not all he brings – manager AJ Pan is often ringside offering pearls of wisdom and an extra right hand whenever needed.
SMILEY
Here’s the wildcard: From the office of Dr. Earnest Price at Fairchild Asylum comes Smiley, “The Psycho Lucha.” While creative with his variety of aerial offense, Smiley loves to hurt himself just as much as his opponents. He’ll look to play mind games just as much as out wrestle the field.
CHEESEBURGER
Universally loved and well-traveled, Cheeseburger rounds out the Super 8 Tournament. Trained by respected vets Delirious and Mike Quakenbush at the ROH Dojo, the perpetual underdog throws everything he has at every opponent from punches, kicks, super kicks and aerial maneuvers. He’s also coming off two very impressive final two appearances in the New Japan Rumbles.
In non-tournament action, there will be an open invitational, over-the-top-rope battle royal. Plus, there will be a 10-person Tag Team Championship Jeopardy Match. If any of the champions are pinned or submitted, they lose their title to whoever beat them.
ECWA Heavyweight Champion Azrieal, ECWA Mid Atlantic Champion Chris Wylde, ECWA Tag Team Champions One Mean Team (Justin Pusser & Brian Johnson), and ECWA Women’s Champion Christina Marie
Vs.
“The Pro Wrestling Maniac” Joe Gacy, “The Hotlanta Hustler” Marcus Waters, DOA (Tahir James & Frankie Picard), and Damaris
The ECWA SUPER 8 Tournament takes place at the United Asbury Methodist Church in New Castle, Delaware, on Saturday.
You can purchase tickets at: ecwaprowrestling.com. or call 609-220-5598
You can check out ECWA on Facebook to keep up with all tournament and show information.
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