Night one of the 2018 Scenic City Invitational is in the books. The SoBros team was drunkenly on the scene for all the action, so let’s not waste any time, and dive right into the recap.
Joey Lynch vs. Curt Stallion
This one was one of the most anticipated matches of the first round, and it delivered in just about every way you could imagine. Lynch and Stallion looked fluid, crisp, and clean in the ring, and the crowd was hot for it – dueling “Lone Star” and “Joey” chants throughout. Several near falls in this one, with Stallion hitting a brutal diving headbutt with Lynch kicking out. Likewise, Lynch hits a moonsault, but Stallion kicks out. Stallion hits a C4 off the top rope, pins Lynch, but Lynch reverses the pin and hits the 1-2-3 for the win.
Darius Lockhart vs. Warhorse Jake Parnell
This was my first look at Lockhart, and I came away genuinely impressed with the guy. He looks the part, has great ring presence, and is smooth in the ring. Parnell is a stud – his physical nature is brutal, especially seeing it up close. But, this one had just the right amount of “pro wrestling” in it – started with some nice chain wrestling, ventured into some stiff shots, Lockhart had a couple of nice springboard elbow strikes off the middle turnbuckle. But, Parnell ultimately hits the double stomp off the top rope to Lockhart’s back for the win.
Also, my notebook has note that simply reads “Parnell is nasty” for some reason.
Ike Cross vs. Corey Hollis
Hollis pulls the ol’ ‘exit the ring every time your opponent tries to engage’ thing, and it’s a nice change of pace from the first two contests. Cross finally gets his hands on Hollis and the two put on a nice, classical type of match. Hollis gets the win after distracted the ref and kicking Cross square in the dick. That damned dirty Corey Hollis.
Cyrus The Destroyer vs. PCO
PCO is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ladies and gentlemen. 2018 – what a time to be alive. I can’t believe the way that that man throws his body around the way he does. This one was brutal, and the slap/elbow exchange was one of the hardest hitting exchanges of the night. PCO gets the win with the moonsault, but if you weren’t impressed by Cyrus in that match, you are crazy.
A.J. Gray vs. 2 Cold Scorpio
This one started with a handshake, and built upon mutual respect between the two. Scorpio had moves like it was 1997 again, hitting a beautiful moonsault that Gray ultimately kicked out. Gray eventually hops up top and connects with a massive frog splash. The gentlemen shake hands, Scorpio takes a bow, and Gray is on to the next round.
Gary Jay vs. Cain Justice
My notebook reads “Gary Jay is fucking over” and holy shit was that true. Jay got one of the biggest reactions of the night. It’s too bad that Justice wrenched his arms in ways they shouldn’t bend. I remember this being one of Dylan Hales’ most anticipated matches of the first round, and it delivered. Jay knocks out Justice and the ref stops it. Pretty crazy scene as officials try to corral Justice and explain to him that he’s on planet Earth after that one.
Fred Yehi vs. Mance Warner
Loved the excessive dramatic tie-up that the ref had to get in and break up. There was no shortage of good old fashioned wrestling theatrics in this one, folks. But, breaking news – both these guys are damn good wrestlers. Yehi put Mancer’s arm in the ring post and beat the shit out of it. Then, throws him into a pile of chairs. Mancer goes for the eye poke, but when Yehi ducks, he nails a DDT. Such beautiful pro wrestling, folks. Yehi hits a nasty powerbomb for the win. All in all, this was one of the most fun matches of the night.
Kerry Awful vs. Nick Gage
Main event time, and it sure feels like it. Awful gets the full intro with the circus, the intro from Nick Iggy, the whole nine. Out comes Nick fucking Gage and we have dueling “MDK” and “six” chants. The action goes outside early as the two brawl in the crowd. Awful takes a back drop into the bleachers, lots of chair shots, just an overall brutal slugfest. At one point, Awful hits a senton on Gage’s fucking arm. Definitely a big fight feel to this one that the crowd was hot for the entire time. But, Gage gets the win.
Thoughts
Topping night one in 2017 was a big ask, but holy shit, did they do it. This was one of the best live wrestling cards I’ve seen, plain and simple. But, my voice was completely shot by the third match. I mentioned that I came away impressed by Lockhart earlier, but I think Cyrus and Awful also deserve some credit for putting on a great showing in a losing effort. If I had to rank ’em today, this is how I’d rank the best four matches of the night:
4. Awful-Gage
3. Yehi-Warner
2. Lockhart-Parnell
1. Lynch-Stallion
Night Two
A.J. Gray vs. Fred Yehi
Joey Lynch vs. PCO
Gary Jay vs. Warhorse Jake Parnell
Corey Hollis vs. Nick Gage
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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