IYFW Coronation Cup 2011 Tournament Preview/Predictions

IYFW's return to the Ballston Area Community Center is just a few weeks away. The 2011 Coronation Cup is upon us. This will be my second IYFW live event and I am, first of all, predicting that I will have an awesome time no matter the outcome of the tournament. As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the major appeals of being at one of their live shows is just how much fun the crowd is. There's that one weird, old guy who loudly shouts out random things that people tend to laugh at; whether funny or not. There's the trio of dudes who generally sit in the back and arrive at the show loaded and ready for fun; they know the wrestlers and the wrestlers remember them. They keep things interesting. The kids are always adorable. IYFW's wrestlers do a great job connecting with the kids. Adam Badger's F bomb aside, they appear to be a kid friendly company that push the envelope when they need to. But back to the fans... They know the product, they play off the wrestlers and vice versa. And then there's you, in the middle of it all, watching a young group of performers busting their asses and living out their dream. If you've never gone or haven't in a while, I urge you to attend. It's a good time.

A while back I hyped and previewed the announced undercard of this 2011 Coronation Cup event so, for now, let's shift gears and focus on the main attraction. The proverbial meat and potatoes, if you will.

I WAS initially hoping the 8-Man tournament to crown a NEW IYFW Champion would be a true 3 tier tourney. Not the case. There are 2 Four-Way matches that leads to a one on one match for the big title. I am actually fine with this, however. It allows for longer matches and room for OTHER guys to get on the show, which is always a plus.

Let's take a look at the 8-Man IYFW Championship Tournament, the wrestlers involved and MY take on THEIR odds of leaving Ballston Spa with the IYFW Championship:

DRAKE EVANS - 2 to 1
I would call Drake Evans the favorite in this whole thing. He is currently the baby face of the company and is way over with IYFW faithful. When you add in his standing in the company, he's almost a shoe-in... Personally? I would prefer to see him chasing the belt. I thought he did a great job against deSade in April, really conveying his hunger for the belt and never say die attitude towards claiming it. Evans was recently featured in a promo, "staking his claim" on the IYFW Championship and putting the other competitors on notice; while it wasn't the greatest promo I have ever seen, it showed some intensity and really gave you perspective on Evans' drive (and also did a nice lil' job of promoting the event and tournament set-up). I will say this... It would be a feel-good moment were he to win.

WAR - 20 to 1
Not all too familiar with this guy. Last appeared in a 3 on 3 losing effort in "Controlled Chaos'" opening match. I don't see him shocking the world here. He may be the second coming of Mark Calloway and I don't know it, but I can't see him winning the new gold here. He is what we call a long shot. Recently featured in a column on the IYFW site focused on Scott Scarsdale, indicating that WAR is likely to be considered still on the payroll of the Millennium Millionaire -- could that play into how things unfold? Let's hope. My guess is he will be in the same 4-way as Scarsdale, with the story being that he is there to assure Scarsdale advances. That could be fun to watch the baby faces have to overcome. Hmmm.

SUPERBEAST - 3 to 1
The Inhuman Monstrosity is an interesting case. He put on a physical showing at "Defy the Odds" and, with his "top contender" status, seems to have his stock on the rise in IYFW. I have to admit, I really like the idea of an unstoppable juggernaut running roughshod over the promotion, a stranglehold on IYFW's biggest prize, fending off all comers. Pair this monster up with a talented manager and he could be VERY successful. He would be a good man to bet on... The payoff would be big and it is a feasible way for things to go.

Monster heel + Talented Manager (hello, Maxx Burton! Are you busy?) + Title Belt = Cash Money

But I digress...

"Loverboy" RICKY WILLIAMS - 10 to 1
I will say it now: Ricky Williams will absolutely be the star of his Four-Way match, from a performance stand point. This kid flies through the air and takes risks that dazzle the crowd. He was constant motion (before eventually being knocked unconscious) on April 30th and I am sure it will be more of the same. I foresee Williams to, along with partner, Jamar Justice, continue feuding with Adam Badger and Michael Monroe and that is absolutely fine with me. Great choice to be in this tournament. He will shine on June 25th.

IAN DANIELS - 8 to 1
Here's another interesting case. At "Defy the Odds", Daniels came across as a muttering, borderline schizophrenic - intentionally or not. I split time watching that 3-way by trying to figure Daniels out and trying to block out Scott Scarsdale's trademark back hair. Daniels is one of only TWO IYFW Superstars that has a t-shirt for sale through the IYFW's merchandise page. Which begs the question... No Fronz Roddy t-shirt?!?!?! No, but seriously... Does the company see something there that I don't? Daniels doesn't "look" like you're typical wrestler and, I feel, would be an odd choice as IYFW Champion. On the plus side, he works hard and pulls off some innovative moves from what I have seen.

SCOTT SCARSDALE - 4 to 1
Scott Scarsdale was recently featured in a lengthy piece in IYFWrestling.com's Rumor Control, focusing on his buying power and thirst to be at the top at ANY cost. When his name was announced for this tournament, he was promoted as "the favorite". For the sake of full disclosure, Scarsdale is the promoter of IYFW and is one of the trainers at their Wrestling School in Cohoes, NY. I would be VERY shocked to see IYFW take the belt off of an underhanded heel just to put it on another, so while he may be pitched as the front runner, I just don't see it. In addition, he has always been a guy that was pushed as more of a tag team specialist and hasn't fared as well in singles matches (though he did pick up a Triple Threat win at "Defy the Odds"). Again, I am putting him at decent odds more due to the work IYFWrestling.com has done to promote him as such, it is not indicative of my faith in him actually leaving Ballston Spa with the IYFW Championship.

JUSTIN FOX - 50 to 1
I will be 100% honest and say I know nothing of Justin Fox (less than I do WAR)... Other than I think I bought my raffle ticket from him at their last show. Seemed like a nice enough guy! Beyond that... He is not their next Champion. I *will* say that I look forward to seeing him in the ring. Always love watching young wrestlers get a chance, and this is a pretty big stage. He is billed by IYFW to be a youthful up and comer. Look forward to seeing what he can do.

Big Vigo OR Pierre "The Beast" Vachon - 100 to 1
IYFW Officials have yet to disclose who the last entrant will be, but have confirmed it is down to either Vigo, or his current nemesis, Pierre Vachon. I don't think it matters who it ends up being. Their odds of winning are the same. Naturally, the one will cost the other their respective match and their blood feud will sort of continue. Until their match is FINALLY signed. Can we HOPE for the bout to headline IYFW's August event at the BACC, "Summertime Bruise"? I can. But, yeah... Neither of them will win the belt on this night. I still dig that they're in the mix, however.

So in short, I think that Drake Evans will win and won't be disappointed if he does. My HOPE is to see Superbeast come away with it. I think that that could be a lot of fun to watch, if paired with a great manager.

I have high expectations for June 25th and zero doubts. These guys all work very hard, putting on a tremendous live show and there is no question in my mind that it will be well worth the price of admission.

Also announced for July 25th:
The Killer Steves return to IYFW to take on the Celtic Crew. I was impressed by the showing of McKinger and McFerrin in April and have heard good things about The Steves so I am really looking forward to this. I love the tag division in IYFW and look forward to seeing what The Steves bring to the table.

Be there or be someone other than me. July 25th in Ballston Spa. Get yo' tickets, son.