Indies and Insanity: August 1, 2019

Well, football is back, or at least a football-like substance as Denver faces Atlanta in the preseason.

The trade deadline came and went with every single team stonewalling the Yankees. So as a Mets fan, I take some solace in that, even if our team is a dysfunctional front office run by criminals.

RIP Harley Race. The world is worse off for your absence.

Let’s get to the meat of this column, our look at the independent scene… because it’s kind of a big weekend.

The place to be this weekend is Chattanooga, TN, as we have shows going on all weekend. Here’s the list:

• Tonight, Crux Wrestling takes the spotlight with Hey Jealousy! We have a huge Fans Bring The Weapons main event as Matt Tremont and the legendary Tank team up against Kerry Awful of the Carnies and Jesse Butler! Meanwhile, Sage Philips defends the Tri-State title against Jaden Newman, and B-Boy goes against Chip Day!
• The centerpiece is the Scenic City Invitational, to be held tomorrow and Saturday! It’s a 16-man tournament held every year around this time and it’s attracted a heck of a field this year! Check out the first-round matchups (bracket not released):
  • AC Mack vs. Jaden Newman
  • Anthony Henry vs. Joey Lynch
  • B-Boy vs. Slim J
  • Billy Buck vs. Marko Stunt
  • Brett Ison vs. Matt Tremont
  • Daniel Makabe vs. Tony Deppen
  • JD Drake vs. O’Shay Edwards
  • Kevin Ku vs. Nick Iggy
• Traditionally, the four survivors of the first two rounds meet in a four-way elimination match to see who takes home the title!
• Meanwhile, also on Saturday, Action Wrestling is hosting their Futures Tournament! Nine up-and-comers face off in three matches of three to advance to the final. The field this year has some good new talent — Benjamin Carter, Bobby Flaco, Damyan Tangra, Jake “Gnarls” Garvin, James Bandy, Kevin Giza, Lutha X, Steve Manders, and Zachary Cooper! (I have seen Garvin and Manders in person, and if they’re indicative of the field’s talent, Chattanooga’s in for a treat!

But wait, there’s more this weekend!

• AIW is in Cleveland tomorrow for their flagship event, the 14th annual Absolution! Tom Lawlor defends the big gold against Eddie Kingston! Matthew Justice and Joshua Bishop have a falls-count-anywhere match! Tim Donst fights Dominic Garrini on Garrini’s terms — an I Quit match! And Jock Samson challenges Mance Warner to a Bunkhouse Brawl!
• Revolution Pro comes to you Live From the Cockpit on Sunday, and they’re running a tag team tournament! The opening round is Sunday, and the winners will get an IWGP Tag Title match! The eight teams are Aussie Open, Brendan White/Kenneth Halfpenny, Dan Magee/Kurtis Chapman, Dan Moloney/MK McKinnan, Gabriel Kidd/Shaun Jackson, Josh Bodom/Sha Samuels, the Rascalz, and Team White Wolf! Plus, you get David Starr in non-tournament action!
• Meanwhile, I’m going to be in Ashburn, Virginia, with my friends at CRAB Wrestling as put on Alpha Ox! Isaiah Frazier gets his rematch against Logan Easton Laroux for the big gold! Harlow O’Hara returns to the DMV to take on Lady Frost! Plus, the tag titles are on the line and Cheeseburger will be in action!
• Nashville on Sunday hosts Southern Underground Pro’s All Hell Breaks Loose! They haven’t advertised a card, but Brett Ison and O’Shay Edwards will be in town, plus it’s a battle of giants as Marko Stunt faces Cabana Man Dan!

Your INDIE MATCH OF THE WEEK is in honor of ol’ Harley. We take a look at another tough old man in PCO as he faces off against Jimmy Lloyd!

Bring the insanity!