This Saturday September 29th, NWA Upstate returns to action with the inaugural “Indytational” tournament. This one-night tournament will feature six of the top stars on the indepnedents today. Some of the wrestlers are established names in the wrestling business while others are still making a name for themselves. Now unlike most tournaments, this one will have a very unique and interesting structure. The first round will feature 2 singles matches, decided by a random draw. That will leave 2 men with an automatic bye into the second round where they will face the winners from round 1. The winners from round 2 will square off in the finals to decide the winner. And not only will the winner become the first Indytational Champion, they will also receive an open contract to book themselves in ANY match they see fit, ANYTIME they want. With tensions and anticipation building and so much at stake, here’s a preview of the six participants that will be competing in the Indytational Tournament:
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1. Sterling James Keenan (Representing The Star Foundation)
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Since his debut in 2000, Sterling James Keenan has been entertaining crowds up and down the East Coast. The heavily tattooed star from the Sunset Strip combines a sound technical wrestling style with a vast array of high impact moves, such as his MK Ultra finisher. Never short on words, SJK spends as much time beating his opponents verbally as he does physically. 2007 as already been a breakout year for SJK from wrestling for Big Japan in May to wrestling Mark Henry on WWE Smackdown in August to the Ballpark Brawl a few weeks later where Keenan not only won the six-way Futures match to earn a shot at the Natural Heavyweight Title, he also became the new Natural Heavyweight Champion later that night defeating Samoa Joe and Kishi (WWE’s Rikishi). This victory, also with the money and guidance of his manager Star Rider, should give SJK plenty of momentum going into the tournament Saturday night.
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2. “Fabulous” John McChesney (Also representing The Star Foundation)
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It looks like Star Rider has used his money and influence to sign yet another one of his charges for the Indytational in “Fabulous” John McChesney. McChesney has made a name for himself all over the East Coast, from wrestling/apperaring several times for WWE (once against Umaga in Rochester, New York), to being a former NWA Upstate No Limits Champion, to defeating Low Ki to become the Super Indy IV Champion for IWC, where he is the reigning 4-time Super Indy Champion. “Fabulous” is never short on confidence and has taken on AND beaten some of the biggest names in the indepenents today. Things though might get interesting if both McChesney AND Sterling James Keenan make it to the finals. What will happen then? And who will Star Rider be rooting for? One thing is for sure: This could be a make-or-break night for The Star Foundation.
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3. Judas Young
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Trained by the late Rocco Rock of the Public Enemy and having worked with Les Thatcher, & Simon Dimond, Judas is one of the finest light heavyweights on the East Coast. Young has held gold in several promotions has wrestled several on both house shows and dark matches for WWE. Young is also no stranger to tournaments himself as he won the inaugural JCW (Jersey Championship Wrestling) J-Cup trophy back in 2001, defeating both Homicide and Senshi in the same night. Coming into unfamiliar territory as he makes his Upstate debut, Young’s experience and high-flying, all-out style could make him the wild card to win it all this Saturday.
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4. Ruckus
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The “Jake The Snake of Getting Baked” is the current 3-time CZW World Champion and is a member of The Blackout (BLKOUT) stable. Ruckus also has a made a name for himself in other top indy promotions like CHIKARA, JAPW (Jersey All-Pro Wrestling), and MCW (Maryland Championship Wrestling), where he recently held the tag team titles with fellow BLKOUT member Sabian. Since his deubt, Ruckius has also spread his talents to numerious coutnries aroudn the world including Canada, England, Italy, Japan, and Germany. Ruckus has only wrestled a few times in Upstate, but has both Upstate officials and fans alike with his unique, unpredictable aerial attacks and uncanny athleticism. Ruckus also had what many considered match of the show in his match with “MDogg 20” Matt Cross last month in Buffalo at Ballpark Brawl VII. Watch out as this offensive daredevil takes to the air and will look to once again wow fans, and his opponents, in the Indytational.
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5. Danny Doring
Danny Doring is a man whose track record speaks for itself, although Doring is never shy about telling you about it or anyone else who’ll listen. Originally trained by Tazz, Danny Doring was one of the first few graduates from ECW’s House of Hardcore Wrestling School. Shortly after making his debut in a match against his former trainer Tazz, Doring embarked on a successful career as a tag-team wrestler.
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Doring teamed up with another House of Hardcore alumnus, Amish Roadkill, and together they formed one of the oddest, yet most successful pairings within the ECW tag team division. The womanizing Doring, and the Angry Amish Warrior displayed a phenomenal tag-team dynamic, which led them to capture the coveted ECW Tag Team Championship.
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Gaining the gold was a hard-fought battle, as they had to face tough competition throughout the tag ranks. Their quest for the Tag Team Championship was eventually successful, as they defeated The F.B.I in a knock-down, drag-out battle. After leaving ECW, “The Danaconda” moved on to become a household name on the indy circuit, winning the NWA Florida title, Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW) Heavyweight title and Tag Team Titles, and is a former NWA Upstate World Champion. For a short time, Doring was also part of WWE’s ECW roster until being released in December of last year. Doring has all the knowhow and the tools to be the Indytational champion, assuming he can keep focused on winning and not badmouthing his opponents and the fans which he’s been infamous for doing in the past.
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6. Jimmy Olsen
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2007 has already been a tumultuous but successful year for Jimmy Olsen. Olsen lost the Upstate World Title in controversial fashion to former best friend and fellow Bruise Crew member “The Right Stuff” Brodie Lee in the WarGames steel cage main evernt at Annirversary Anarchy III. Olsen would bounce back and regain the title at Continuing The Tradition in June in one of the most, brutal, violent, hard-fought matches in Upstate history. But instead of sitting on the sidelines and resting on his laurels, Olsen has competed in CHIKARA, New Vision Pro Wrestling, NWA Empire where here successfully defended his Upstate title against Mastiff about two weeks ago, and recently started competing in CZW with his twin brother Colin. Olsen’s work ethic, strong fan support, and never-say-die attitude make him one of the favorites to win it all. But how much did his war with Brodie Lee take out of him? Will he be in shape both physically AND mentally to possibly wrestle three times in one night? And what will “The Boss” Hellcat have in store for the champion? It’s no secret the hatred the NWA Upstate owner has for Jimmy but what kind of plan does he have, if any, to take Olsen’s coveted title away from him? And if he does have a plan, who’s going to benefit from it?
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All of these questions AND a whole lot more will be answered this Saturday night when NWA Upstate returns to the Minett Hall in Henrietta New York for the Indytational.