|
The Invitational Tournament was born on November 4th 2001,
the same day as Explosive Pro Wrestling’s inaugural show. This
tournament has acted as a stepping stone to the top for all who
have taken home the trophy.
With the Invitational Tournament for 2008 about to take place,
we thought we’d take at the effect that winning that winning the
tournament had on all of the previous victors.
2001 – JIMMY PAYNE (def Mixer, Mikey Nicholls, the Vagrant &
Davis Storm)
Jimmy won the inaugural Invitational Tournament in a one day, 16
man event. Just six months later, Jimmy captured the first of
two EPW championships. He recently retired & is arguably the
greatest wrestler in EPW history.
2002 – TYLER JACOBS (then FN CARNAGE) (def Anda Nothica &
Brock Freeman)
Jacobs qualified for the tournament at Retribution by winning a
battle royale. He then went on to defeat Anda Nothica & Brock
Freeman at the very first RE-AWAKENING to become the second ever
IT winner. Six months later he became one half of the first EPW
tag team champions & just two months after that, he became the
first Grand Slam winner in Explosive Pro Wrestling by wresting
the EPW championship away from Jimmy Payne. He is still one of
the most respected men in the locker room.
2003 – BRAD WEST (def Jamie Jurah & FN Carnage)
Brad West’s amazing climb to the top was completed with
successive wins over the Brat Pack to claim the IT trophy for
2003. Just three months later he would win the tag team
championships (with Justin Sane). Brad would fail in his only
attempt at the EPW championship but would go on to continue to
have a successful career which has led him to currently manage
‘Rising Star Cup’ winner, Sebastian Sander.
2004 – RICHTER (def Spike Steele & Psychofett)
Although Richter always had tremendous presence, his victory in
the tournament at RE-AWAKENING III showed how far he would go to
succeed. He broke Spike Steele’s wrist in his semi final before
subduing Ferguson Block in the final. He showed the same killer
instinct when he blindsided Mikey Nicholls & became the EPW
champion just six months later. He is currently set to challenge
for the EPW championship at RE-AWAKENING VII.
2005 – HAVOK (def Kiel Steria, James Street & Shane Haste)
This monster from Adelaide was a dominant wrestler well before
he ever stepped foot into an EPW ring, but victory in the 2005
Invitational Tournament set him on the path championship gold.
In a huge shock, he upset Mikey Nicholls for the EPW
championship in March 2006. Havok is one of the founding members
of EPW Adelaide.
2006 – DEVLIN REEVES (def Psychofett, James Street & Brock
Freeman)
In early 2006, Reeves set himself the goal of winning the IT at
RE-AWAKENING V. Over six long months, he achieved that goal. He
could not turn that momentum into gold but turned in a fantastic
performance against Jimmy Payne at Date with Destiny in a brutal
EPW championship match. He has maintained a strong presence in
EPW ever since.
2007 – SHANE HASTE (def AZ Vegara & Spike Steele)
In 2007, the Invitational Tournament moved to Evolution & Shane
Haste turned in two great performances to become the seventh IT
winner. Shane didn’t waste anytime in taking a shot at the title
& defeated Jimmy Payne three months later in a steel cage match.
Shane is without a doubt the most popular EPW wrestler of all
time.
You will need to come to Road to Glory to see which two
wrestlers will get that shot at becoming the Invitational
Tournament winner for 2008.
|
