TED PETTY INVITATIONAL

The 'Ted Petty Invitational' tournament (the TPI) is an independent wrestling tournament in North America, run and promoted by IWA Mid-South. Created as the Sweet Science Sixteen in 2000 by Ian Rotten, the tournament was originally supposed to showcase the top technical independent wrestlers. After the death of Ted Petty in September, 2002, Rotten changed the name to honor his friend. He later expanded the tournament to twenty-four participants and a three person final. Over the years, the tournament has attracted numerous famous independent wrestlers from A.J. Styles to James Gibson.
There have been seven Sweet Science Sixteen/Ted Petty Invitational tournaments, starting in 2000: Chris Hero (2000), Ace Steel (2001), B.J. Whitmer (2002), Danny Daniels (2003), A.J. Styles (2004), Matt Sydal (2005), and Low Ki (2006).

Contents
The Tournament Set Up
The 2003 TPI
The 2004 TPI
The 2005 TPI
The 2006 TPI
The 2007 TPI
References

The Tournament Set Up


In the first three years of the Sweet Science Sixteen/TPI, there were only sixteen participants. With eight quarterfinal matches, two semifinal matches, and a final, the tournament shows were reasonable in length. The expansion to twenty-four in 2003 caused the additional of a third, eight person bracket. It also created three semifinals matches and a three way final. The final is now an elimination match.

The 2003 TPI


The 2003 tournament was the first to expand to twenty-four participants. Since it was no longer known as the Sweet Science Sixteen, Rotten didn't limit the number to just sixteen wrestlers. The weekend is still regarded as the hook for drawing in new fans for IWA-MS.
The 2003 Ted Petty Invitational tournament was held on November 7-8, 2003 from Salem, Indiana. Among the participants were Styles, former ECW World Champion Jerry Lynn, Michael Shane, the cousin of Shawn Michaels, and future WWE Smackdown star Ken Anderson. Among the highlights are: Ian Rotten's Cinderella run to the semifinals; Alex Shelley's breakthrough in IWA-MS; and Danny Daniels trying to save his IWA-MS World title throughout the entire tournament.
'Finals:' Danny Daniels d. Chris Hero and Alex Shelley to retain the IWA-MS World title and win the 2003 TPI.
'Non Tournament Matches:'
'Night Two:'
- Mickie Knuckles d. Rain
- Brad Bradley & Ryan Boz d. J.C. Bailey & Nate Webb
- Colt Cabana d. Arik Cannon, Ken Anderson, M-Dogg 20, Chris Sabin and Michael Shane in an elimination match

The 2004 TPI


The 2004 Ted Petty is highly regarded as one of the best independent wrestling events ever. It featured a mix of every type of wrestling: mat work, strong style, aerial abilities, Lucha libre, women's, and a little hardcore. It also was more than ten hours in length when both nights are combined. It was taped by Smart Mark Video and is one of the best selling tapes/DVDs the company has to sell.
The 2004 Ted Petty Invitational tournament was held on September 17-18, 2004 from Highland, Indiana. Among the participants were Styles, Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe, Chris Hero, Mike Quackenbush, CM Punk, and Matt Sydal. On Night One, Danielson beat Alex Shelley in a technical classic; Joe survived a stiff match with Roderick Strong. Hero's losing streak in Highland continued with a loss to Quackenbush. Sydal managed to beat Sal Rinauro. In a tournament match that was also for the company's heavyweight championship, Petey Williams beat 2002 T.P.I. winner B.J. Whitmer to retain the belt.
'Finals:' A.J. Styles d. Samoa Joe and Bryan Danielson to win the 2004 TPI
'Non Tournament Matches:'
'Night One:'
- Mercedes Martinez d. Lacey to win the IWA-MS/NWA Midwest Women's title
- Jimmy Jacobs d. Delirious in a Ladder Match to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight title
'Night Two'
- Billy McNeil d. C.J. McManus and Thunderbolt
- Jimmy Jacobs d. Sal Rinauro to retain the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title
- Ian Rotten and Steve Stone wrestled to a no contest
- Larry Sweeney, Hallowicked & Jigsaw d. Gran Akuma, Icarus & Trik Davis
- MsChif d. Rain, Mickie Knuckles, Daizee Haze, Lacey and Mercedes Martinez in a Non-Title 6-Woman Elimination Match
- The Wild Cards (Eddie Kingston & Blackjack Marciano) d. Iceberg & Tank and Brad Bradley & Ryan Boz to win the IWA-MS Tag Team titles
- B.J. Whitmer d. Chris Sabin, Jimmy Rave, Austin Aries, Alex Shelley, Todd Sexton and Claudio Castagnoli in an elimination match

The 2005 TPI


The 2005 Ted Petty Invitational took place on September 23-24, 2005 in Hammond, Indiana. Although the tournament suffered through numerous drop outs and injuries, it is still highly regarded by independent wrestling fans. Among the drop outs included: defending champion Styles (due to strep throat) and Homicide (alleged legal issues).
A year after losing in the quarterfinals, Sydal came through with the biggest break of his career. He beat El Generico in the first round in a crowd-pleasing match. He also eliminated Tyler Black (quarterfinals), Chris Sabin (semifinals), before overcoming the odds and beating Kevin Steen and Cannon to win the tournament.
Other great matches from that weekend include a title match between Jacobs and Knuckles that saw everyone from Ian Rotten to The Iron Saints get involved. Shelley and Quackenbush put on a technical classic. And American Dragon's match with Claudio Castagnoli headlined the first night.
'Finals:' Matt Sydal d. Arik Cannon and Kevin Steen to win the 2005 TPI
'Non Tournament Matches:'
'Night One'
- Jimmy Jacobs d. Colt Cabana to retain the IWA-MS World title
'Night Two'
- Marek Brave d. Trik Davis
- Jimmy Jacobs d. Mickie Knuckles to retain the IWA-MS World title
- The Iron Saints (Sal & Vito Thomaselli) d. Rainman & Tank to retain the IWA-MS Tag Team titles
- Super Dragon, Alex Shelley, Joey Ryan & Claudio Castagnoli d. El Generico, Puma, Brandon Thomaselli & Nate Webb in an elimination match

The 2006 TPI


The 2006 TPI was held on September 29 & 30, 2006 in Midlothian, IL. It was another well loved tournament featuring great matches and performances from the likes of Low-Ki, Strong, Quackenbush, and many more. In addition, it saw the shocking returns of Jimmy Jacobs and Necro Butcher to IWA-MS after a lengthy leave of absence as well as Chuck Taylor winning the IWA-MS World title from Toby Klein.
The 2006 TPI saw the return of M-Dogg 20, a former IWA-MS World Champion, to the company and he managed to get to round 2. Pro Wrestling Guerrilla was represented by six regulars (Chris Bosh, Scott Lost, Scorpio Sky, Kevin Steen, El Generico and Davey Richards) but finished the tournament with a combined 3-6 record.
'Finals:' Low-Ki d. Arik Cannon and Roderick Strong to win the 2006 TPI
'Non Tournament Matches:'
'Night Two'
- The Iron Saints (Sal & Vito Thomaselli) and American Kickboxer & Tarek the Great wrestled to a no contest
- BLK OUT (Eddie Kingston & Joker) & Ricochet d. The Iron Saints (Sal, Vito & Brandon Thomaselli)
- The North Star Express (Darin Corbin & Ryan Cruz) won a 6 team Battle Royal, last eliminating B-Boy & Ricky Reyes
- Josh Abercrombie d. Tyler Black in a Loser Leaves Town Match to retain the IWA-MS Light-Heavyweight title
- Chuck Taylor d. Toby Klein to win the IWA-MS World title

The 2007 TPI


The 2007 TPI has been scheduled for September 28th and 29th in Midlothian. There have been twenty-one of the twenty-four wrestlers in the field announced thus far(Samoa Joe, Alex Shelley, and Low-Ki were previously scheduled for the tournament, but have been removed)[1]
1. Chris Hero - 2000 Sweet Science 16 (pre TPI) winner, (8th TPI appearance) (00-SS16, 01-SS16, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06)
2. Mike Quackenbush - 5th TPI appearance (01-SS16, 04, 05, 06)
3. Claudio Castagnoli - 4th TPI appearance (04, 05, 06)
4. BJ Whitmer - 2002 TPI Winner, 4th TPI appearance (01, 02, 04)
5. Nigel McGuiness - 3rd TPI appearance (03, 04)
6. Matt Sydal - 2005 TPI winner 3rd TPI Appearance (04, 05)
7. Jimmy Rave - 3rd TPI appearance (03, 04)
8. Davey Richards - 2nd TPI Appearance (06)
9. B-Boy - 3rd TPI appearance (03, 06)
10. Joey Ryan - 2nd TPI appearance (05)
11. Josh Abercrombie - 2nd TPI appearance (05)
12. Human Tornado - 1st TPI appearance
13. Eddie Kingston - 1st TPI Appearance
14. 2 Cold Scorpio - 1st TPI appearance
15. Brent Albright - 1st TPI appearance
16. Tony Kozina - 1st TPI appearance
17. Devon Moore - 1st TPI appearance
18. Drake Younger 1st TPI appearance
19. Joker - 1st TPI appearance
20. Chuck Taylor - 1st TPI appearance
21. Billy Roc - 1st TPI appearance
One first round match has been announced for the tournament as Davey Richards vs. B.J. Whitmer in a grudge match stemming from The Candido Cup.

References


1. TPI


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