2020 ECWA Super 8 Tournament Predictions
COVID-19 can’t stop the 24th annual tournament.
COVID-19 won’t stop the 2020 ECWA Super 8.
ECWA, considered the longest-running independent promotion in the United States, presents the one-night, eight-man, single-elimination tournament this Saturday at The Jersey Dugout in Morganville, NJ. The venue is home to WORLD-1 Wrestling, which ECWA purchased in June.
Originally scheduled for April at the Asbury United Methodist Church in New Castle, DE, – ECWA’s home for several years – the venue changed due to capacity restrictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The list of participants has also changed over the past few months: Jake Something (aka Cousin Jake in Impact Wrestling) has been replaced by Matt Tremont and Ricky Reyes (aka Cortez Castro from Lucha Underground) has been replaced by Devantes.
For almost a quarter century, the ECWA Super 8 Tournament has become a launching pad for undiscovered, up-and-coming talents to get noticed throughout the industry. Previous winners include former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki, former ROH World Champion Christopher Daniels, seven-time WWE Tag Team Champion Xavier Woods and many other notable names. In recent years, the Super 8 has propelled participants into MLW. Richard Holliday won the 2018 tourney and the Von Erichs competed in last year’s Legacy tourney, which featured all second and third-generation wrestler.
Even if you don’t take home the trophy, an impressive showing in the tournament can raise your stock. Look no further than Ty Awesome, whose breakout performance in the 2018 edition led him to the ECWA Heavyweight Championship.
Although the matchups won’t be announced until bell time, I’ll still play fantasy booker and give my predictions for the 2020 ECWA Super 8.
Quarterfinals
Vinny Pacifico vs. Devantes
Don’t Count Vinny Out! Nobody is more hype for the 24th annual Super 8 than Pacifico, who has been flooding social media with training updates since before the pandemic. A graduate of the Ring of Honor Dojo, Pacifico is destined for the big leagues, and winning the Super 8 could propel him to the top of the indie scene. However, he would have a major mountain to climb in Devantes, the rookie powerhouse who served as The Crucible’s bodyguard. Having lost eight pounds during training, perhaps Tha Kid can use his speed and agility to wear out the big man.
Just discussing my plans to win the @ECWA1967 Super 8 Tournament with Snap, Crackle, and Pop! @TremontH2O @VeryGoodProWres @ClassicEMartin @KTB_mauls @RickyReyes01 @ArchadiaBurner pic.twitter.com/EETOn9qtfa
— Vinny Pacifico (@VinnyPacifico1) August 27, 2020
Chris Rockwell vs. A Very Good Professional Wrestler
After CHIKARA closed its doors due to allegations levied against founder Mike Quackenbush as part of the #SpeakingOut movement, its performers have sought out new opportunities. For example, A Very Good Professional Wrestler is the former Dasher Hatfield – CHIKARA’s final Grand Champion. Winning the prestigious tournament would certainly add credibility to his new identity, but that’s just not in the cards this year. WORLD-1 Wrestling Champion Chris Rockwell is simply too talented to not make it passed the first round.
Archadia vs. Eric Martin
Similar to A Very Good Professional Wrestler, Archadia is tired of living off his reputation. The final Jersey All-Pro Wrestling Light Heavyweight Champion is ready for his second act. Anyone who saw his match against Joe Gacy at Synergy Pro Wrestling in August knows that Archadia has spent lockdown training his ass off. Unfortunately for ECWA Mid-Atlantic Champion Eric Martin, Archadia is just too focused to stop right now. (Bonus: Expect Archadia to get a future title shot if he does indeed beat Martin.)
KTB vs. Matt Tremont
A main event anywhere in the country. The stakes have raised for Matt Tremont since the deathmatch tournament legend has announced his “Separate Ways” Retirement Tour. This will be one of his few appearances outside his home base of H20 Wrestling. Of course, he’ll be the sentimental favorite to go the distance. As much as I would love to see him win it, I can’t deny KTB. He’s destined for greatness and he owes Tremont for beating him in the finals of the Synergy Championship tournament two years ago.
Semifinals
Archadia vs. Rockwell
It feels like this just has to happen, doesn’t it? One of the most underrated grapplers on the indie scene against the WORLD-1 Champion. A veteran of the mat against the new king. Despite Archadia’s agility and tenacity, don’t expect him to dethrone Rockwell (who may have to play dirty to secure the victory).
KTB vs. Pacifico
If he faces KTB, I’m sorry, but I’m counting Vinny out. KTB is just too powerful and too explosive to be contained. In a nod to Ty Awesome’s run in the 22nd annual Super 8, Pacifico will win over the crowd with his heart and determination, but come up short in the semifinals.
Finals
KTB vs. Chris Rockwell
PretzelMania comes early. Listen, you can’t expect the WORLD-1 Champion to not make it to the finals. Rockwell has all the tools to be successful and certainly the caginess to get passed two other foes. At the same time, KTB has been knocking on the door for years now, hungry to become the face of the indie scene. The Jersey Dugout is his stomping grounds and although I can’t say this is foreshadowing PretzelMania in November, I will place all my chips on KTB taking the trophy back to the woods.
The 2020 ECWA Super 8 takes place Saturday, September 19, at The Jersey Dugout in Morganville, NJ.
For tickets and more information, visit ecwaprowrestling.com.
You can also watch live via IndependentWrestling.tv.
You can also join the ECWA Pro Wrestling Facebook group for the latest news, match announcements, promos and more.
Check back with The Wrestling Estate for live coverage of the 24th annual ECWA Super 8.
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