Quack Wins Ted Petty Invitational
Sept 30, 2007 17:13:43 GMT -5
Post by JamieOD on Sept 30, 2007 17:13:43 GMT -5
The Ted Petty Invitational was held this weekend. 'Lightning' Mike Quackenbush ended up winning the tournament but was very close to missing the finals after a botched dive to the outside. He somehow managed to continue on and finally win the TPI in an emotional moment. Here's word taken from the SmartWrestlingFan board.
Night two of the Ted Petty Invitational just wrapped up in Chicago. Quackenbush made it through Billy Roc in the first round of the tournament on night one. Night two he had to take on former PWG World Champion and currently 1/2 of the NWA World Tag Team Champ, Joey Ryan. To set this up, this was the first time IWA Mid-South? has ever used guard rails at one of their almost 500 shows. This set up was Elite Pro's equipment. Cost saving move on IWA, so they didn't have to bring their stuff from Louisville.
Joey Ryan is outside of the ring. These guard rails are even closer to the ring than the way ROH has their set-up. Quackenbush launches himself through the second and third ropes. If you've ever seen Mike dive out of the ring, you know he tucks his arms in to his side half-way through the dive. This time his feet caught the top of the ring and with his hands at his side, he went head first into the concrete floor. Joey Ryan couldn't do anything as he was in position to catch Mike at the guardrail. Joey tried but he couldn't stop Mike's head from hitting the floor. I was on the other side of the ring and could hear the thud. It was worse sounding than a Chris Hero head butt.
Bryce immediately jumped out of the ring and the place just got silent. For a few seconds no one said a thing. You know something is wrong when Ian Rotten leaves the ticket table and heads to the ring. After a few moments which seemed like forever Bryce got back in the ring and starting counting. Joey Ryan started to stall and talk to the fans. He would jump into the ring to break up the count three times.
When I spoke to Bryce after the match he said the first words from Mike were, "Where am I?"
Mike got back in the ring and you could tell something was wrong. His eyes were glazed over. All the talk from the WWE about how when you get a concussion you have this far away stare, Mike had it. Some how he was able to finish the match and pull off moves that someone in perfect harmony with their body couldn't do. It was the most gutsy thing I've ever seen. He won the match and was still the IWA Mid-South? World Light Heavyweight Champion.
At intermission, Ian Rotten came into the ring and apologized for the follow announcement. Due to Mike's injuries, the NWA official at the show, has barred Mike from competing for his own safety. Ian went on to say that Josh Ambercrombie would get a bye into the finals. Ian also stated that Mike would not be stripped of the belt as all the belts were on the line during the tournament.
Later in the evening Josh came out to be officially awards the match when Quackenbush's music hit. The place exploded. Bryce was trying to stop Mike from entering the arena. He got into the ring and grabbed the mic. He said he didn't put on his gear to just come out to the ring. Josh looked very confused and didn't know what to do. Josh was damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. If he hit Mike's head he got booed. Mike looked like he just got out of a car wreck. He wasn't even 75% himself. Yet he still performed and the fans went crazy. He even jumped the ropes again. Needless to say, he won the match, the place went crazy and Ian Rotten returned to the ring. He told Mike that thanks to the stunt that he just did, the NWA just revoked IWA's membership. Mike looked very puzzled. Ian added that he wanted to thank him for getting him out of the worthless contract. IWA chants erupted.
Mike is on his way to the finals...
The other two in this match is none other than Chuck Taylor, the current IWA Mid-South? World heavyweight champion and Claudio Castagnoli. You could say a Chikara finals.
This match will make this DVD a must see match. Chuckie T > Children vs. 75% healthy Quackenbush vs. the very large Castagnoli.
It was a great match and I couldn't do it justice in words. I didn't think IWA Mid-South? could beat last years incredible TPI, but they did.
Mike ends up walking out of the ring as the 2007 Ted Petty Invitational champion, IWA Mid-South? World Lightweight Champion and the NEW IWA Mid-South? World Heavyweight Champion. Mike got on the mic after Ian thanked him for everything he's done in the business. He said this has to be the best year of his life. Here is the list of 2007 achomplishments.
--King of Trios champion
--Got married
--Won the IWA Deep South Heavyweight Championship over Jimmy Rave
--Won the NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Championship over Tiger Mask IV
--Won the IWA Mid-South? Lightweight Championship over Chuck Taylor
--Won the 2007 Ted Petty Invitational over Claudio Castagnoli & Chuck Taylor
--Won the IWA Mid-South? World Heavyweight Championship over Chuck Taylor
--Heads to Japan for his 1st tour in 10 days with Michinoku Pro Wrestling.
I just had to post something for respect to the one wrestler who has performed at a level most people in the business wish they could do. He inspires me and keeps my love for this business alive. Thanks Mike Quackenbush for an incredible display this weekend in Chicago. Here is to you in taking your place among the best there is, was and ever will be. Japan doesn't what is about to hit them.
Joey Ryan is outside of the ring. These guard rails are even closer to the ring than the way ROH has their set-up. Quackenbush launches himself through the second and third ropes. If you've ever seen Mike dive out of the ring, you know he tucks his arms in to his side half-way through the dive. This time his feet caught the top of the ring and with his hands at his side, he went head first into the concrete floor. Joey Ryan couldn't do anything as he was in position to catch Mike at the guardrail. Joey tried but he couldn't stop Mike's head from hitting the floor. I was on the other side of the ring and could hear the thud. It was worse sounding than a Chris Hero head butt.
Bryce immediately jumped out of the ring and the place just got silent. For a few seconds no one said a thing. You know something is wrong when Ian Rotten leaves the ticket table and heads to the ring. After a few moments which seemed like forever Bryce got back in the ring and starting counting. Joey Ryan started to stall and talk to the fans. He would jump into the ring to break up the count three times.
When I spoke to Bryce after the match he said the first words from Mike were, "Where am I?"
Mike got back in the ring and you could tell something was wrong. His eyes were glazed over. All the talk from the WWE about how when you get a concussion you have this far away stare, Mike had it. Some how he was able to finish the match and pull off moves that someone in perfect harmony with their body couldn't do. It was the most gutsy thing I've ever seen. He won the match and was still the IWA Mid-South? World Light Heavyweight Champion.
At intermission, Ian Rotten came into the ring and apologized for the follow announcement. Due to Mike's injuries, the NWA official at the show, has barred Mike from competing for his own safety. Ian went on to say that Josh Ambercrombie would get a bye into the finals. Ian also stated that Mike would not be stripped of the belt as all the belts were on the line during the tournament.
Later in the evening Josh came out to be officially awards the match when Quackenbush's music hit. The place exploded. Bryce was trying to stop Mike from entering the arena. He got into the ring and grabbed the mic. He said he didn't put on his gear to just come out to the ring. Josh looked very confused and didn't know what to do. Josh was damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. If he hit Mike's head he got booed. Mike looked like he just got out of a car wreck. He wasn't even 75% himself. Yet he still performed and the fans went crazy. He even jumped the ropes again. Needless to say, he won the match, the place went crazy and Ian Rotten returned to the ring. He told Mike that thanks to the stunt that he just did, the NWA just revoked IWA's membership. Mike looked very puzzled. Ian added that he wanted to thank him for getting him out of the worthless contract. IWA chants erupted.
Mike is on his way to the finals...
The other two in this match is none other than Chuck Taylor, the current IWA Mid-South? World heavyweight champion and Claudio Castagnoli. You could say a Chikara finals.
This match will make this DVD a must see match. Chuckie T > Children vs. 75% healthy Quackenbush vs. the very large Castagnoli.
It was a great match and I couldn't do it justice in words. I didn't think IWA Mid-South? could beat last years incredible TPI, but they did.
Mike ends up walking out of the ring as the 2007 Ted Petty Invitational champion, IWA Mid-South? World Lightweight Champion and the NEW IWA Mid-South? World Heavyweight Champion. Mike got on the mic after Ian thanked him for everything he's done in the business. He said this has to be the best year of his life. Here is the list of 2007 achomplishments.
--King of Trios champion
--Got married
--Won the IWA Deep South Heavyweight Championship over Jimmy Rave
--Won the NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Championship over Tiger Mask IV
--Won the IWA Mid-South? Lightweight Championship over Chuck Taylor
--Won the 2007 Ted Petty Invitational over Claudio Castagnoli & Chuck Taylor
--Won the IWA Mid-South? World Heavyweight Championship over Chuck Taylor
--Heads to Japan for his 1st tour in 10 days with Michinoku Pro Wrestling.
I just had to post something for respect to the one wrestler who has performed at a level most people in the business wish they could do. He inspires me and keeps my love for this business alive. Thanks Mike Quackenbush for an incredible display this weekend in Chicago. Here is to you in taking your place among the best there is, was and ever will be. Japan doesn't what is about to hit them.
