I reside in a bed room group of Metro Nashville, Tennessee.
Regardless of its historic significance as a regional territory, the wrestling scene domestically is stagnant at greatest however largely nonexistent. One of many many issues the twister in March 2020, coupled with the worldwide pandemic of 2020, affected completely was our native impartial promotion, Southern Underground Professional.
SUP was a promotion that ran sporadically and featured up-and-coming impartial skills in addition to many nationally recognized impartial wrestlers. Their exhibits have been good for my sensibilities, brief in size and rowdy as all hell. Throughout their abbreviated run, I used to be capable of see Darby Allin, Joey Janela, Kris Statlander, some man named Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and most significantly to this piece, Daniel Makabe.
In 2018, Dylan Hales and Kevin Ku booked Makabe primarily based on his viral match versus Timothy Thatcher. Daniel was a relative unknown regardless of being an expert wrestler for the reason that early 2000s. He was plying his commerce in western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, the place he had a little bit of a cult following. I used to be lucky sufficient to attend his first present within the southern U.S., which was towards the aforementioned Kevin Ku.
Their match was not an all time traditional, however what I noticed that day made me a fan of Makabe’s for all times.
The following yr, Hales booked Makabe for the Scenic Metropolis Invitational, even vowing to pay for the airfare himself if any of the opposite companions raised eyebrows at reserving a man from western Canada for a present within the coronary heart of the South. Fortunately, Dylan was spared the expense, and Makabe not solely made the present, however he additionally received the entire rattling match.
This win cemented him as a fixture on future Scenic Metropolis, Motion Wrestling and TWE exhibits within the Chattanooga and Atlanta space. It’s exhausting to fathom that this was 5 years in the past. Time flies, and a world pandemic appears to have sped the clock up.
In late 2023, Daniel introduced he can be ending up his profession in 2024 and meant to have his ultimate match on evening one of many 2024 SCI. This announcement served as a ‘Bat Sign’ to followers of his all through the nation and world to circle the date and clear their calendars for the pilgrimage to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to witness this second in particular person. Shortly earlier than your complete card was introduced in full, a second match that includes Daniel Makabe was introduced for the evening earlier than the beginning of the annual match. What follows is a stream-of-consciousness recounting my expertise of seeing 4 exhibits in three days whereas additionally witnessing historical past.
Present One
TWE Night time Earlier than 2024
July 11, 2024
TWE Enviornment
Pink Financial institution, Tennessee
Watch: independentwrestling.television
I have to be taught to essentially grasp how showtimes work. After thirty plus years of reside wrestling, I’ve but to be taught that door time and bell time can fluctuate drastically, thus we have been 90 minutes early to bell time. My twenty-two-year-old daughter humored me for the primary present, to which I’m grateful, however I used to be not stunned when, after three matches, she was prepared to depart. Fortunately, the match I got here for kicked off the evening. Daniel Makabe wrestled his final match in TWE towards Darian Bengston (present TWE Champion) final yr in a British Rounds match which Darian was capable of win. I used to be assured that Darian would as soon as once more pull off the win this time as properly.
It was an emotional match, from the opening notes of Makabe’s entry music to the ultimate post-match embrace. Darian has no drawback wrestling a mode that enhances Makabe in any respect. They confirmed their abilities at mat wrestling, grappling, and numerous limb work all through the match. Bengston pulled off the win after about quarter-hour in what might be considered as a passing of the torch. One thing that may be very cool to expertise every time I attend a TWE present is how the normal southern viewers fully accepts a wrestler with a glance as unconventionally southern as Bengston has. Seeing followers of all ages, ethnic teams, and existence chant “he’s our champ” in unison offers me hope for our future in not solely the wrestling world however our world at giant. This was a powerful exhibiting for each and because the weekend went on, Bengston would proceed to impress. Regulate Bengston, he’s nice.
Present Two
Title of the occasion: Scenic Metropolis Invitational Match 2024 – Night time
July 12, 2024
TWE Enviornment
Pink Financial institution, Tennessee
Watch: independentwrestling.television
My essential occasion of the weekend and the primary occasion for many in attendance occurred within the final match of Night time One. Daniel Makabe has chosen Kevin Ku as his ultimate opponent, placing a bow on his profession*. No matter how nice the primary occasion was, and it’s a barn burner, the remainder of the cardboard has its standout performances and needs to be acknowledged for its high quality.
The impartial scene is actually in a state of flux. The harm executed by the mass signings within the early 2020s by WWE, the bloodletting that was the Talking Out motion, and the emergence of AEW on the nationwide scene cleared the cupboards of a lot of the highest-quality wrestlers on the impartial scene. Restocking the cabinets has been a sluggish course of for positive. This contributes to the inconsistency that tournaments the scale of SCI can endure from. The opening spherical of this yr’s SCI could not have had any pocket book matches, however each one among them was good to superb. Some standouts from evening one have been Rico Gonzalez, Landon Hale, Channing Thomas with Sidney Bakabella, Mad Canine Connelly (a very insane particular person), the aforementioned Darian Bengston, Suge D, the zany Paul London, and Adam Priest.
All in all, it was a extremely entertaining first spherical which culminated with one of many best reside matches I’ve ever seen.
The droning notes of Daniel Makabe’s entrance music is such an acceptable theme for a match of this magnitude. It was additionally a pleasant contact to chop Kevin Ku’s entrance music earlier than the viewers may sing the refrain to “Zombie.” On an evening like this, the highlight wanted solely be on the Wrestling Genius. Kevin Ku revealed post-match that he was injured the week prior and was suggested by consultants to not wrestle. He defined that there was no approach he would cancel this chance to place the punctuation mark on his greatest good friend’s profession*.
The match begins with some pleasant banter and innocuous grappling. This continues for a time till the rivals start to indicate frustration leading to pushing and shoving. The most popular spot of the match and the one I’ll always remember is a tope suicida by Makabe onto Ku leading to a nasty unprotected headbutt which triggered the match to go up a number of notches. Daniel surfaces from underneath the ring sporting an Akira Hokuto degree crimson masks. Ku can be exhibiting harm however nowhere close to the extent of Makabe. Blood at all times enhances a match, however due to the stakes on this one, it was like throwing a match on nitrogen charged bomb. The ensuing ultimate moments of this match noticed a number of close to falls by Ku and determined defensive strikes by each. Makabe lastly discovered a gap to ship his ‘baseball punch’ ending Ku’s evening trying up on the lights. This was a fucking blast to witness and made the gasoline costs, dangerous Mexican meals consumed, resort prices, and PTO took price each penny for the weekend, and it is just Friday!
The group was scorching all through this whole match. There have been followers from everywhere in the nation in addition to Canada, Germany and Japan and the power within the room was palpable. I used to be lucky sufficient to be seated subsequent to Bucky Barnett of the Wrestling is Gross podcast whose power is infectious. His relationship with Daniel goes again over 20 years, so his journey from Peoria, IL to Chattanooga was a no brainer for him. You may hear Bucky all through the match on IWTV chanting for Daniel. I have to say, he made the evening an excellent higher expertise than it already was. I sometimes attend these exhibits on my own, so the chance to satisfy nice people who find themselves simply as if no more passionate than me, is at all times a bonus.
Daniel’s emotional post-match speech was glorious. He discovered the time and the phrases to thank so many individuals who’ve positively affected his profession. He reassured his new bride that regardless of being coated in blood, actually head to toe, he was tremendous. What a gentleman! Throughout his speech he gave a caveat to his retirement. *He’ll gladly come out of retirement for one purpose and one purpose solely, if Bryan Danielson agrees to wrestle him.* Together with his boots resting on the bloody mat, he thanked the gang, the bookers, and the crew, rendering the tip of present two. Two extra to go!
Present Three
ACTION Futures Showcase Match 2024
July 13, 2024
TWE Enviornment
Pink Financial institution, Tennessee, USA
Watch: independentwrestling.television
Every time I attend SCI, I at all times make sure that I’ve a ticket to this Saturday afternoon showcase match. I take pleasure in supporting the brand new expertise, and I’ve at all times discovered a minimum of one wrestler to start following via this match. This yr was no totally different, there have been three standout performances to me. Jameson Shook is a neighborhood TWE expertise and somebody I’ve loved every time I attend a TWE present. He was the eventual winner of the Future’s Medal, that means he’s entered into the Scenic Metropolis Rumble, kicking off subsequent yr’s match choice season. Shook has nice measurement, athleticism, and a reference to the gang. Although he didn’t characteristic within the match, Mortar was concerned in a match versus indie stalwart, Gary Jay. I’ve seen Mortar on Past and different Northeast Unbiased exhibits earlier than, however by no means in particular person. Mortar has a hybrid fashion that places me in thoughts of Jaka from the Evolve Wrestling days or Barbaro Cavernario from CMLL. I’m not positive if that may be a promoting level for you or not, nevertheless it works properly for me. There was scramble match as properly through which Eddie Hendrix impressed me with a maneuver I’ve by no means seen. He caught a wrestler in a mid-air rear bare choke that have to be seen to be believed. Unimaginable stuff.
An honorable point out is younger Tim Bosby. He’s a comparatively new trainee with a appear like Kurt Angle and a mode relative to Jason Jordan. He makes use of an offense that leans closely on his apparent newbie wrestling background. Bosby is one I will probably be maintaining a tally of and is in good fingers on the TWE college. All in all, this was a breezy and enjoyable present that’s solely advisable to completists or simply quick ahead to the Hendrix mid-air rear bare choke.
Rob Killjoy of the Ugly Ducklings deserves the credit score for reserving this showcase. He discovered an amazing group of younger individuals to characteristic.
Present 4
Scenic Metropolis Invitational Match 2024 – Night time 2
July 13, 2024
TWE Enviornment
Pink Financial institution, Tennessee, USA
Watch: independentwrestling.television
Talking to Bucky Barnett in the beginning of the present, I picked Adam Priest to win. I believe that is going to be Priest’s make-or-break yr as a professional wrestler who could make it on the larger stage. He has an unbelievable look and his moniker of ‘Any Model’ Adam Priest suits him to a tee. Anytime he wrestles, he appears to face out. Tonight was no totally different.
The evening kicks off with a scramble for an entry into the 2025 SCI. A number of younger skills have been featured, together with standouts Brayden Toon, Jameson Shook, and eventual winner Kody Manhorn. Manhorn is extra generally recognized on the impartial scene as referee ‘Shiny Sneakers’. Kody has been wrestling domestically for fairly a while and continues to enhance. Any of the aforementioned wrestlers may have received this and can be deserving of the chance.
Paul London has discovered a gimmick that might preserve him related on the impartial scene for months and years to return. His washed-up lounge singer schtick is extremely entertaining. Tonight, we have been handled to ‘Hiya’ by Lionel Richie via the Paul London distorted lens. Though it could not translate to tv on the similar degree, in particular person, he’s a blast. Rico Gonzalez was capable of beat London in an excellent match to advance to the finals.
Adam Priest defeated One Referred to as Manders in a great match. I’m a sucker for a cowboy gimmick, don’t decide me. Manders is a throwback to my early days as a wrestling fan. He has the requisite lariat and all-around big-man fashion paying homage to the person Stan Hansen. Because the 2024 SCI winner, having him put Priest over all however sealed the deal for me as to who was successful the entire thing.
A wrestler I’ve but to say, Mat Makowski received his first-round match and confronted off towards Darian Bengston in spherical two. One other strong, however unremarkable match that noticed Makowski surprisingly defeat native favourite, Bengston. Bengston is on a trajectory to win this tourney within the close to future, however this yr isn’t it. Weapon X Makowski’s matches don’t at all times hit me for no matter purpose and this weekend was no totally different. His place within the finals left me considerably disenchanted.
Subsequent up was a wild brawl between Northeast standout, Channing Thomas (w/Sidney Bakabela) and a private responsible pleasure, Tank. Previous to the match, we get a break aside between native impartial scene celebrity-fan Mike ‘Papa’ Hales and former WWF Corridor of Famer Bakabela. This was very entertaining as Papa is a shameless showman and proves it by ripping his shirt off in a face off with Bakabela. Very humorous stuff for the reside viewers and one which Dylan Hales certainly likes to see. Tank pulls off a shocking victory to advance to his first SCI ultimate! The sentimental a part of my mind now had a brand new favourite to cheer for. Tank is the southern model of ‘Homicide Grandpa’ and together with Rebecca ‘Dolly’ Parton, one of many TWO Tennessee Treasures. Put up match, Bakabela continued to get his comeuppance and in a real employee vogue laid immobile all through the 20-minute intermission so people may have their pic taken together with his lifeless physique for $10. Staff at all times work and I adore it.
Our finals are set with Tank, Priest, Makowski and Gonzalez vying for the title of Scenic Metropolis Invitational Trophy winner for 2024.
There are a few warm-up matches previous to the finals, with one being of observe. Mad Canine Connelly took on Erron Wade when Wade issued an open problem. This match was largely a messy however hard-hitting scrap that includes Connelly’s wild-man fashion. I’m not positive how Connelly is ready to work his fashion with out severely injuring every of his opponents. This match resulted in a count-out victory for Erron Wade, leading to a problem for the following Scenic Metropolis occasion in September between Connelly and Wade in a canine collar match. I’ve my entrance row ticket already bought for this one!
Because the finals started with Makowski and Gonzalez within the ring and Tank making his approach down the ramp, Priest hits Tank from behind with a chair adopted by an unprotected shot to the top. This seemingly eradicated Tank from the match making it a three-way elimination. Gonzalez regarded nice on this match. He’s somebody I really feel has an amazing future and must be booked extra locations. That stated, he’s the primary eradicated. Makowski and Priest have nice chemistry. Regardless that he didn’t do it for me, Weapon X is clearly over with the gang. It was to not be for him tonight. Priest eliminates him resulting in his return from the backstage space, Tank! Tank has a number of hero spots and manages to get a couple of close to falls, however it’s all however a foregone conclusion what the ending will probably be. Priest ends the comeback with a DDT onto a chair to say the 2024 SCI trophy.
The trophy presentation featured Manders, A.C. Mack, Jaden Newman and Makabe all previous winners presenting the trophy to Priest. Priest, ever the asshole, smashed the trophy over Manders head establishing the following program for the impartial scene within the southeast. It’s essential to tip your cap to Manders who bladed in a post-match section to finish the weekend. That’s old-fashioned wrestling, proper there!
It was a superb method to spend three days, and Chattanooga by no means disappoints. I like to recommend this match to anybody within the driving distance who enjoys southern-style professional wrestling. Exterior of the unbelievable retirement match, nothing was over ***3/4 stars for me, however every little thing was good. Professional wrestling is the fucking greatest!
