2020 Garden State Invitational Predictions
Who will take home the trophy?
COVID-19 won’t stop the 2020 Garden State Invitational.
Synergy Pro Wrestling presents the one-night, eight-man, single elimination tourney based on the Jersey J-Cup this Saturday at the Polish Falcons Nest in Hillsborough, NJ. While last year’s event drew the largest crowd in company history, this one will be capped at only 40 seats due to the venue running at 25% capacity because of state-sanctioned restrictions. If you can’t snag tickets, the event will be streamed live on FITE TV.
If the inaugural Garden State Invitational is any indication, we’re in for one helluva night. “Retrosexual” Anthony Greene went the distance last year, defeating Jimmy Rave, Josh Briggs and Homicide to take home the trophy. This year’s tournament boasts a similarly stacked lineup, as revealed by an all-star panel: Chris Van Vliet, David LaGreca of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio, Emmy Award-winning host Jon Alba of Spectrum Sports 360, Anthony Suter of Smark to Death Radio and Wrestling News World’s Stephen Moree and Thomas Fenton.
“This is always the platform I’ve wanted for my crew,” Colin West, owner of Synergy Pro Wrestling, told The Wrestling Estate. “Talking about the GSI with this caliber of people opens up a whole bunch of new ears and eyes for the people on my roster.”
Predictions for the 2020 Garden State Invitational
KTB vs. SIMON GOTCH
With his previous WWE experience, Simon Gotch is the biggest name in this tournament. Most recently, he’s gained notoriety as a member of Contra Unit in MLW. Primarily working in tag team bouts and lightning quick $10,000 prize fights, perhaps Gotch doesn’t have the stamina to compete thrice in one night. Regardless, he’ll have his work cut out for him because KTB is the hungriest competitor in not just the tournament, but in all of professional wrestling. He was on a roll in GCW before the world shut down and now he’s lined up a spot in both the GSI and Super 8, as well as a title shot at WORLD-1 Wrestling’s PretzelMania. With his strength, surprising agility and explosive power, KTB will be too much for Gotch to bear.
GREGORY IRON vs. TONY DEPPEN
How’s this for an underdog story? Gregory Iron, battling cerebral palsy all his life, in his first booking since the coronavirus pandemic began, overcomes all obstacles and wins the second Garden State Invitational. We could certainly use some good news this year, but unfortunately, it won’t be a happy ending for Iron. After beating J.D. Drake at For The First Responders to qualify for the tournament, Tony Deppen is hellbent on becoming the next face of the indie scene, and winning the GSI will cement that.
MATT CROSS vs. GARY JAY
This is an intriguing matchup because both veterans have been overlooked for years, and winning this tournament could elevate their career to the next level. Well-traveled, Matt Cross has competed in Ring of Honor, Lucha Underground, CZW, Wrestling Society X and more, building a reputation for risk-taking and resilience. Meanwhile, Gary Jay is synonymous with St. Louis Anarchy, spilling blood throughout the city and maiming whoever he gets his paws on. Jay has competed twice in Synergy before, trading wins with Eric Corvis, so he’s due to break out.
MYRON REED vs. JORDAN OLIVER
According to West, he tried booking Myron Reed and KTB for the inaugural Garden State Invitational, but there were scheduling conflicts. Now that he has gotten both, they have to be considered the favorites. Reed vs. Jordan Oliver is the most anticipated match in the tourney. Injustice members collide in what is guaranteed to be a “don’t blink” frenzy. Call it an upset if you must, but Oliver will catch the MLW Middleweight Champion long enough for a three count.
SEMI-FINALS
KTB vs. TONY DEPPEN
Two GCW favorites will clash in what will probably be the show stealer. Both men have suffered huge losses in Synergy that they need to rebound from: KTB lost the finals of the Synergy Championship tournament to Matt Tremont in 2018 and Deppen unsuccessfully challenged Warhorse for the Independent Wrestling TV Championship in December. Expect something akin to Sting and Vader’s battles as KTB uses his size and Deppen relies on his quickness. Another close call, but a good big man will always beat a good little man.
GARY JAY vs. JORDAN OLIVER
This will get ugly. Oliver will frustrate Jay with his flashy offense and cocky demeanor, compelling the Midwest mauler to ignore the rules and unleash hell. Oliver’s pretty boy looks won’t survive the semi-finals, as Jay will carve him up with anything not nailed down. Even then, don’t be surprised to see him rip the turnbuckle apart and use that as a weapon. Of course, Jay’s transgressions will get him disqualified and Oliver will barely make it to the finals.
FINALS
KTB vs. JORDAN OLIVER
The damage will already be done, but Oliver won’t give up. He’ll take the fight to KTB, earning the respect of the fans. But there won’t be a fairy tale ending for MLW’s youngest signee. KTB is destined to become a star and his ascension begins at the 2020 Garden State Invitational.
The 2020 Garden State Invitational takes place July 25 at the Polish Falcons Nest in Hillsborough, NJ.
For tickets and more information, visit www.synergywrestling.com
Watch at 7 p.m. EST on FITE TV.
You can watch all of Synergy’s past events on independentwrestling
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