Lance Anoa’i Wins Super 8 Tournament
All participants were second and third generation wrestlers.
For the past decade, Lance Anoa’i has been grinding on the independent scene, trying to live up to his family’s legacy. His grandfather Afa and great uncle Sika are WWE Hall of Famers. So are his uncles Yokozuna and Rikishi. Other relatives include multi-time WWE champions like Roman Reigns, Umaga and the Usos.
But after this past Saturday, Anoa’i has one claim to fame that none of his more well-known family members have.
The son of Headshrinker Samu joined seven other second and third-generation wrestlers in the 23rd annual Super 8 Tournament at South Philadelphia High School. Over a hundred fans (the largest attendance for any ECWA show in recent memory) filed into the school gymnasium, bringing their memorabilia through the metal detectors to be signed by the children of their childhood heroes. This historic gathering of talent had stirred such a buzz that Rob Feinstein of RF Video was in attendance selling merchandise and filming the event. Even legendary ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta showed up, witnessing the action from the tippy top of the bleachers.
Anoa’i kicked off the event with Timothy Zbyszko, grandson of AWA founder and WWE Hall of Famer Verne Gagne and son of WWE Hall of Famer Larry Zbyszko. Inheriting his father’s tongue, the “Living Legacy” berated Philadelphia, lambasting the city’s love of a fictional boxer and its joy over winning the Super Bowl with a player who is now the quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thankfully, Anoa’i shut Zbyszko up with a superkick and big splash off the top rope.
His next opponent would be Marshall Von Erich, one of WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Von Erich’s sons. Wrestling barefoot like his father, Marshall had already survived a war with Wes Brisco (son of WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco) in the first round. Both men were flung into the crowd, crashing into chairs as fans fled like Stan Hansen had just entered Korakuen Hall. Marshall finally subdued the former Aces & Eights member with the Iron Claw, drawing a roar from the crowd.
Although Anoa’i had the crowd’s support in his first bout, he knew he wouldn’t get it against a Von Erich. So, he put prestige over popularity and fought dirty against Marshall, stomping on his bare toes and yanking his shoulder across the ropes. Anoa’i even teased the fans, telling them to move as he was ready to toss Marshall back into the chairs, only to send him back into the ring. Anoa’i had clearly been studying his competition, as he had the Iron Claw well scouted, breaking free after several elbows to Marshall’s face. After another superkick and big splash combo, Anoa’i had advanced to the finals.
He had his work cut out for him because his opponent was the odds-on favorite: Brian Pillman Jr. The first name announced for the tournament, as well as the most well-known due to his visibility in MLW, Pillman dazzled fans in the first round with a great match against Colby Corino (son of former ECW Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino). After being pinned, Colby rushed to the hospital because his fiancé’s water broke as the show started. (As of 11:30 a.m. EST on April 22, the baby has yet to arrive. Follow @ColbyCorino for updates!)
In the semifinals, Pillman faced Leland Race, easily the most despised competitor in the tournament. Straying from flashy moves and pleasantries with the fans, Race is certainly a chip off the block, grounding and pounding his opponents like his father – WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race. Leland had stunned the crowd in the first round, forcing Ross Von Erich (Marshall’s brother) to tap out to a version of the Indian Deathlock. He wouldn’t focus on Pillman’s leg, though, as his shoulder had already been wounded against Corino. Race targeted the shoulder, systematically wearing down Flyin Brian and even tossing his shoulder into the steel post. Back in the ring, Pillman went for his signature swinging neckbreaker, but Race countered with a school boy, grabbing a handful of tights. Somehow, Pillman kicked out, but Race quickly knocked him back down. Going for the Indian Deathlock, Race swung around, only for Pillman to snatch him into a pinning combination.
Thus, Anoa’i met Pillman in the finals – fans in attendance as well as following coverage online expected Pillman Jr. to take home the trophy. According to a Twitter poll conducted by The Wrestling Estate, 73% of respondents picked Pillman while 18% picked Anoa’i. However, Pillman was still nursing a wounded shoulder, and Anoa’i had a Samoan dynasty to live up to. The athletes let it all hang out, chain wrestling into a stalemate as a simultaneous dropkick drew polite applause. Then they took to the air: Pillman hitting a springboard dropkick, Anoa’i soaring into the front row with a suicide dive. They jockeyed for position on the apron, exchanging chops and elbows before Pillman snatched Anoa’i’s arms and stomped a mudhole a la his dad’s old partner Stunning Steve. Then he attempted a piledriver, but Anoa’i pushed off and nailed him with a superkick, sending both men crumbling to the floor.
Back in the ring, Anoa’i exploded onto Pillman in the corner with a Stinger Splash, followed up by a running ass smash that Umaga would have been proud of. Anoa’i then ascended the turnbuckle and splashed Pillman, just as he had throughout the night. Ever resilient, Pillman refused to stay down, kicking out at 2. Then Pillman took to the air with a crossbody reminiscent of his dad, but Anoa’i kicked out as well. Going for his signature swinging neckbreaker, Pillman was stopped in his tracks with a headbutt, and then stumbled into a Samoan drop. Anoa’i took to the top rope one last time, soaring into the heavens with a big splash that finally earned the three count.
As the crowd chanted “family,” Anoa’i hoisted the trophy above his head, thanking all of the participants, the ECWA and all the fans for coming out for such a historic moment.
— The Wrestling Estate (@TheWrestlingEst) April 21, 2019
Hard to believe that wasn’t the only history made at the 23rd annual Super 8. Ty Awesome defended the ECWA Heavyweight Championship in a six-pack challenge against Kekoa, BLK Jeez, Azrieal, Mid-Atlantic Champion Joey Ace and former heavyweight champion Mike Law. AJ Pan had the PCA functioning like a well-oiled machine for the first minute, but then Azrieal tried to pin Law and Ace tried to pin Azrieal, so it was clearly every man for himself. In the end, Kekoa hit Awesome with a Spanish Fly off the top rope and went for the cover, but Ace leapt off with a flying elbow onto Kekoa and then hopped on top of Awesome for the pin.
The crowd chanted “Bullshit” as Ace and Pan celebrated with two titles, bringing almost all the gold back to the PCA. Law limped to the back, apparently suffering an injury in the fracas. Awesome ate a superkick after the match as Ace rubbed salt in the wound.
Full results
Lance Anoa’i def. Brian Pillman Jr. to win the Super 8
Funky White Boy & Marcus Waters def. Nick Curry & Vinny Talotta to retain the ECWA Tag Team Titles
Pillman Jr. def. Leland Race in the semi-finals
Anoa’i def. Marshall Von Erich in the semi-finals
Joey Ace def. Ty Awesome, Azrieal, Mike Law, Kekoa and BLK Jeez to win the ECWA Heavyweight Title
Race def. Ross Von Erich in the quarterfinals
Marshall Von Erich def. Wes Brisco in the quarterfinals
Pillman Jr. def. Colby Corino in the quarterfinals
Anoa’i def. Timothy Zbyszko in the quarterfinals
About Author
