Killian McMurphy Wins Super 8 Tournament
The 25th annual tournament ended in historic, yet controversial fashion.
Killian McMurphy got a lucky break at the 2021 Super 8.
“The Shamrock Shooter” rolled into the 25th annual tournament with a ton of momentum, having won the ECWA Legacy Championship one month earlier at ECWA Night of Unusual Matches. McMurphy met Bam Sullivan in the first round in front of a capacity crowd at The Jersey Dugout. Fresh off losing the H20 Danny Havoc Hardcore Title, Sullivan was full of piss and vinegar, but McMurphy outwrestled the brawler before knocking him out with a lariat. I would be remiss in not mentioning that McMurphy’s manager Big Dust interfered every time Sullivan tried to fight back.
In the second round, McMurphy had a tall task in Crowbar. The former WCW star cut his teeth in ECWA as Devon Storm, having competed in the first Super 8. When Ricky Morton’s flight was canceled the morning of the tournament, ECWA officials contacted Crowbar, who had been waiting for such an opportunity.
The veteran certainly didn’t disappoint, taking the fight to Mike Law in the first round. Jumping Law from behind, Crowbar continued the assault by driving him into the ring post and dropping him face first onto the ring steps. Law attempted a comeback with a missile dropkick and a blockbuster, but in the end, Crowbar was simply too much for the “Colossal One” to handle.
Having learned from his first-round match, Killian McMurphy pounced right away, trying to wear down the 47 year old. Crowbar merely absorbed the blows, tossing McMurphy overhead. That’s when Big Dust interfered, tripping and choking Crowbar, allowing “The Shamrock Shooter” to lock in the crossface. Crowbar returned the favor, trapping McMurphy in a surfboard stretch. Turning back the clock, Crowbar went to the top rope, but as McMurphy distracted the referee, Big Dust got involved yet again, crotching the veteran. McMurphy capitalized by unleashing another lariat for the victory.
— Killian the McMurphy (@TheShooterKM) May 2, 2021
After beating two hardcore specialists, Killian McMurphy had a new challenge in the finals: A Very Good Professional Wrestler. The revered grappler grounded “Airborne” Alex Anthony in the first round and in a technical clinic, pinned Matt Makowski (who forced Timmy Lou Retton into submission) to advance to the finals. Having gone the distance at last year’s tournament, he was close to making history as the first back-to-back winner in the men’s Super 8.
Unfortunately, we’ll never know if he could have done it. After applying several submissions, A Very Good Professional Wrestler bounced off the ropes and nailed McMurphy with a running boot. As soon as he made contact, AVGPW grunted and rolled to the ropes before falling to the floor. Referee John Finegan immediately checked on him, asking if he could continue. For what seemed like an eternity, AVGPW writhed in agony on the floor as fans wondered what was going on. Finally, he admitted to being unable to continue and McMurphy was declared the winner by ref stoppage.
A first in Super 8 history, and certainly not the way anyone, especially the competitors, wanted the match to end. A Very Good Professional Wrestler has since revealed that he broke his ankle in two places. Whenever he recuperates, you can guarantee they’ll run it back.
Until then, Killian McMurphy sits atop the indies, clutching the ECWA Legacy Championship in one hand and the Super 8 trophy in the other.
Wym it’s not the way I wanted? I won. Are you joking? What’re you going on about? I WON. Idgaf how, you fool https://t.co/UO2EUCrh0F
— Killian the McMurphy (@TheShooterKM) May 2, 2021
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