Forgive me for getting this piece out a week late, but HOT DAMN! This site has been loaded with pro wrestling coverage over the course of the past week. Interviews, recaps, podcasts, the whole nine yards. So, I had to give it a bit of a rest to keep the wide variety of content that we’re known for flowing. Plus, I wanted to let the events that transpired on August 5th at Southern Underground Pro’s Not Problematic simmer down for a bit before tackling this article.
I try my best to be an objective journalist and rank the wrestlers by what’s important in wrestling: wins and losses, heart and soul.
But, I was so angry that Curt Stallion, Brett Ison, and O’Shay Edwards decided to spit in the face of the entire state of Tennessee, that I didn’t even want to acknowledge their body of work this year objectively. I didn’t even want to type their names out. Their alliance, and subsequent beat down of A.J. Gray and The Carnies, was so despicable that I couldn’t fathom the idea of celebrating their success in 2018 regardless.
But, I’ve since cooled off, and I am now able to look at the landscape of SUP objectively again. So, let’s hit the highlights.
Honorable Mentions
I don’t believe anyone looked as good in a loss as Samantha Heights did. It was a close battle with Allie Kat, but ultimately, you can’t start your SUP career 0-1 and expect a spot in the SUP Power Rankings. Cabana Man Dan was due for a win, but it doesn’t excuse the three previous losses he’s suffered in 2018. That said, he’s one of the most popular stars in SUP and definitely deserves some recognition for picking up the win over No New Friends alongside Marko Stunt.
After winning the 2018 Scenic City Invitational, Joey Lynch came up just short in the SUPer Scramble. Still, he looked great and the SUP crowd seems to really be getting behind the dude. Finally, Mr. Brickster nearly cracked the top 10 after an impressive win over Teddy King. There’s no doubt that with his relentless positivity, should he continue to string together wins, he’ll go far.
SUP Power Rankings
10. Nick Iggy – This 10th spot came down to Iggy and Brickster, but Brickster doesn’t have a win on his resume as impressive as Iggy’s win over Effy was last Sunday. Iggy improves to 2-1 on the year in SUP.
9. O’Shay Edwards – A close loss to someone as renowned as Awful isn’t going to bring Edwards down too far. The guy’s still had an impressive 2018 in SUP, and after the events that unfolded last Sunday are any indicator, the best may be yet to come.
8. A.J. Gray – Gray had a 3-0 record on the year in SUP before Not Problematic. While one loss to Stallion isn’t enough to knock him out of the top 10, it was bad enough to bring him down a few pegs. It’s important to note, though, that Gray never said “I quit” during that match. You have to wonder if that will play into any SUP discussions moving forward.
7. Kerry Awful – Given what happened at the end of the show, and given what Ison has done to all three of them this year, it’s weird to say that this may have been the best The Carnies have looked all year. Awful recorded an impressive win over Edwards in what was one of the most physical bouts of the weekend.
6. Marko Stunt – Stunt just keeps winning despite Danny Adams’ best efforts to quell his momentum. He’s truly one of the most popular acts in SUP right now, but he has the win-loss record to back it up.
5. Allie Kat – #Bodycat improves to 2-1 on the year after an impressive win over Samantha Heights. If you saw the Making Towns Classic back in May, then you already know that these two ladies may have shined brighter than anyone else in that tournament. This was no easy win, and it also marked the first women’s match in SUP history. Time to put Allie Kat in the discussion for a Bonestorm Championship match???
4. Curt Stallion – Stallion needed a win desperately to salvage what a year that was on the verge of a downward spiral. He did what he had to do to win, and whether or not I agree with his use of excessive violence, the results speak for themselves. He got the win over the previously undefeated (in 2018) A.J. Gray.
3. Kevin Ku – Ku has yet to lose a SUP match in 2018, and he continues to hold the PWF Heavyweight Title. He won the SUPer Scramble at Not Problematic, a match that saw perhaps the greatest assembly of talent in one ring at the same time in SUP history.
2. Brett Ison – Another SUP show, another win for Ison. He’s now defeated all three of The Carnies after pinning Tripp Cassidy at Not Problematic. He’s 4-0 on the year, and at this point, looks like the most dangerous man in SUP in 2018.
1. Dominic Garrini – Garrini missed Not Problematic, but he’s still the Bonestorm Champion, and he still has quite the pedigree. Until that changes, he’s going to be #TheGuy at SUP.
For John Mosley’s full recap of Not Problematic, click here. See y’all on September 23rd for Don’t Look in the Basement East.
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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