From Scott Hensley: On Friday August 6 and Saturday August 7, the Scenic City Invitational tournament will return to the Chattanooga, Tenne...
On Friday August 6 and Saturday August 7, the Scenic City Invitational tournament will return to the Chattanooga, Tennessee area for the 6th tournament since 2015. The tournament will be held at the TWE Arena located at 4825 Dayton Blvd in Red Bank, TN.
Past tournaments have included stars like Darby Allin, 2 Cold Scorpio, Chris Hero, Anthony Henry(NXT's Asher Hale), Lio Rush, Joey Janela, PCO, Moose, Marko Stunt, Mance Warner, and even Nick Gage. Winners include Jimmy Rave, Gunner Miller, Matt Riddle, Joey Lynch, and Daniel Makabe.
Here's a look at our 16 competitors this year which represent 11 different states and 2 countries.
1. 1 Called Manders
The Cornbelt Cowboy is a former Iowa Hawkeye college football player trained by WWE star Seth Rollins at the Black and Brave Academy. He makes an impression everywhere he goes and was the winner of the 2019 Action Futures Showcase Tournament. This heavyweight has regularly competed for some of the biggest independent promotions in the US against notable opponents like AJ Gray, Matthew Justice, Mance Warner, and the Scenic City's own Strong Style Psycho Tank.
2. BEEF
BEEF is the evolution of Jake "Gnarls" Garvin. He's a Midwest-based wrecking ball of destruction, power, agility, and fearlessness. He can throw down with heavyweights like JD Drake, Calvin Tankman, or Jake Something or keep up with guys like Tony Deppen, Gary Jay, or NXT UK's Nathan Frazer(fka Benjamin Carter).
3. Graham Bell
Perhaps the least well known competitor in the tournament by independent wrestling standards, Bell is a well traveled young veteran who has competed in 4 countries in the last couple of years: US, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. He carries a bazooka to the ring(yes, you read that right) and his offense is just as explosive in both power and potential distance of impact. Bell recently had what is being called one of the best matches in the history of Action Wrestling with Alex Kane and is clearly on an upward trajectory having proven himself against competitors of all styles and sizes all over North America and beyond.
4. Cabana Man Dan
The "Master of the Flip Flop Chop" got a lot more serious over the last couple of years, transforming into the more determined than ever "Castaway". He's held the biggest championship in all of professional wrestling(size wise) in the New South Championship and has been competing for nearly 20 years across the Southeast and East Coast. He's proven for years he can be one of the most entertaining and likable wrestlers anywhere but he can also get technical with the best of them and hold his own in an all out brawl as well.
5. Logan Creed
This nearly 7ft monster is one of the most athletic big men in professional wrestling. He's currently wreaking havoc as a member of MLW's Contra Unit and may be one of the most improved wrestlers in all of wrestling over the last couple of years. He's recently developed a rivalry with MLW star Hammerstone, competed with former WWE star Big Cass, while consistently being one of the biggest forces to be reckoned with throughout the Southeast.
6. Jon Davis
The veteran big man from Florida is one of the most respected entrants in the tournament (which is saying a lot). He brings legitimacy wherever he goes and has established himself as a top contender at all times. He's a former NWA World Tag Team Champion as a member of the Dark City Fight Club but has also spent nearly two decades carving out an impressive singles resume against opponents like Jeff Cobb, Dominic Garrini, Anthony Henry, Erick Stevens, Drew Gulak, and MVP.
7. Daniel Garcia
This blue chip prospect has competed for NXT, AEW, and across 3 countries in the last couple of years. He's regarded by many as one of the best technical wrestlers in the world... and he's only 22 years old. He holds victories over Josh Alexander, Lee Moriarty, Christian Casanova and Kevin Ku.
8. Brett Ison
Ison has become one of the kings of Southeast wrestling as a staple of Southern Underground Pro, Action Wrestling, Chattanooga's TWE, and many others. He strikes fear into his opponents and lives his Kill or Be Killed moniker. His athletic brawling ability has earned him big matches with Eddie Kingston, Nick Gage, B-Boy, and Tom Lawlor. Ison is the current TWE Champion.
9. Alex Kane
American Top Team's newest recruit, this talented WWA4 trainee has risen from Georgia and Alabama independents to National opportunities with MLW over the last year. He has one of the catchiest theme songs in all of wrestling(ya gotta hear it!) and will keep fans counting his suplexes as he manhandles his opponents. Kane has some of the fastest rising stock in all of professional wrestling after showcasing his abilities against other standouts like Orion Bishop, Damyan Tangra and Bryan Keith.
10. AC Mack
Mack commands your attention at all times. He is a self-professed "Loudmouth" who has dominated across the Southeast and appeared for NXT, The Cassandro Cup, GCW's For The Culture, GCW's Effy's Big Gay Brunch, A Matter of Pride, and Beyond Wrestling as well. He has held gold in almost every Southeastern promotion and was the runner up in the 2019 SCI Tournament. He's proven he can hang with the best wrestling has to offer in speed, brawling, flying, and technical wrestling with victories over stars such as Myron Reed, Slim J, Austin Theory, Gangrel, and Allie Kat.
11. Daniel Makabe
The Canadian technician calls himself The Wrestling Genius and backs it up every time he gets in the ring. He was the winner of the 2019 SCI Tournament and winner of the Ambition 12 Tournament in Germany. He has competed in England, The United States, Canada, and Germany against such notables as Alex Zayne, Timothy Thatcher, Chris Ridgeway, Curt Stallion, CIMA, and Bobby Guns.
12. Jaden Newman
Chattanooga's own Jaden Newman is no longer a kid just trying to earn respect. He's a young man putting together an impressive resume that showcases his complete and well-rounded wrestling style that includes matches against promotion's biggest stars like Matt Sells, JD Drake, Akira, Daniel Makabe, Warhorse, Anthony Henry, Tony Deppen, and Alan "5" Angels. He calls the Scenic City home but has his sights set on bigger things, which regularly sees him traveling to places like Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, and Indiana.
13. Derek Neal
Neal is a "Tracy Smothers" throwback. He's old school, loud mouthed, and isn't afraid to be hated or take short cuts but he can also smash someone's face in and back up every word he says. He's established himself as a veteran to be feared and respected in the Southeast and Midwest - and is the current New South Champion. Neal has competed with opponents such as Warhorse, Effy, Suge D, Brian Pillman Jr, and Abyss.
14. Adam Priest
"Alabama Benoit" as Conrad Thompson calls him is indeed dynamite in the ring. He's competed for NXT and AEW, while establishing himself as a top competitor across the Southeast, winning the 2021 New South Hoss Tournament. Priest has already shared the ring with established competitors like Wheeler Yuta, Matt Makowski, Rhino, and Davey Boy Smith Jr.
15. Arik Royal
The "AceGawd" is the current Action Champion and boasts one of the most unique and unpredictable arsenals of offense in all of professional wrestling - while also constantly verbally boasting about himself and trashtalking opponents. Royal is a veteran of the Mid Atlantic region and Southeast and has competed against stars like Kevin Owens, The Hardy Boys, Chris Hero, Cameron Grimes, Tommy Dreamer, Cedric Alexander, and Adam Page.
16. Jeremy Wyatt
"The Monarch" is achieving legendary status in the Midwest with a newfound resurgence centered around his pure rules-esque technical style. He and Fred Yehi had what was ranked as THE top independent wrestling match of the year in a 2019 poll. He also just won the 2021 Hall of Fame Classic Tournament in Waterloo, Iowa. Wyatt has ruled the Midwest for nearly two decades and he'll look to bring that success to the Scenic City in August.
The first round matches are:
1 Called Manders vs Alex Kane
BEEF vs AC Mack
Graham Bell vs Daniel Garcia
Cabana Man Dan vs Jeremy Wyatt
Logan Creed vs Jon Davis
Brett Ison vs Jaden Newman
Daniel Makabe vs Adam Priest
Arik Royal vs Derek Neal
Tickets are available at SCIWrestling.com
