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The ECWA Super 8 is without a doubt
the pinnacle of wrestling events on
the Independents. They have helped the
carrers of The Fallen Angel Christopher
Daniels, Reckless Youth, American Dragon
& Low-Ki ascend to great heights.
They feature talent from all across
the country. They have featured talented
workers such as the Hardy Boyz, Scotty
2 Hotty & Simon Diamond. Jim Kettner
does a wonderufl job for displaying
such a talented show every year. Here
is what some have said about the Super
8.
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"The ECWA Super 8 is without
a doubt "The Event" on the
indy scene today. Being part of such
a prestigious event has greatly enhanced
my career. It was Jim that gave me the
opportunity to shine in an event that
recieves awesome coverage all over the
wretling scene. Just look at how many
wrestling careers took off after being
in the Super 8. Thanks again to Jim
Kettner for the great exposure coming
out of his annual indy
supercard"- Jet
Jaguar
"The ECWA Super 8 is to independent
wrestling what Wrestlemania is to the
WWE. Jim Kettner did a fantastic job
of organizing the event and everyone
in ECWA went out of their way to make
us feel at home. I have never before
or since seen such a collection of talent
and I am honored to have been included
in that group"- "Tornado"
Tony Kozina
 "Working
in the 2000 ECWA Super 8 tournament
was an incredible experience! Jim Kettner's
ECWA is a first-rate organization and
I was treated professionally from the
very first phone call right up to when
I was dropped off at the airport to
fly back to Ohio after the event. I
had the opportunity to meet the likes
of Christopher Daniels, Scoot Andrews,
Vic Capri, and other top indy stars
for the first time; along with the opportunity
to wrestle my good friend Chad Collyer
and hang out with fellow WCW Power Plant
graduate Jet Jaguar all in one great
evening! I had such a good time that
photos from the event are still posted
on my website, www.SharkBoy.net two
years later. The wrestling on the annual
Super 8 shows is as good or better than
any other indy show anywhere in the
world. I encourage fans to attend this
year's event and I hope to be invited
back to a future event someday!"-
Shark Boy
"An event that
presents the world with qualities few
can display and produce. Atournament
that showcases the true sport of professional
wrestling. Anda creation to signify
a respect and class all its own in this
particular art form. I speak of the
ECWA Super 8 tournament. This tournament
is an annual treat for fans on all levels,
from sports to sports entertainment.
To be apart of it was an honor. To com
out the victor, was a passion driven
blessing. Its value on gaining experience
is unimaginable. For those who are curious
about this event, I gurantee that it
is definetely worthwhile to wacth and
be apart of."- Low-ki
 "I
was real lucky just to be in the Finals
of the Super 8 tournament. I was also
real lucky because my opponents were
perfect for me to allow me to look good
in the Super 8. I've wrestled Spanky
a million times, and I've wrestled Reckless
Youth before. And Low-Ki and I have
such similar styles that it would have
been hard for us not to have a good
match. His style flows so well. Overall,
it was a fun show to wrestle on. I haven't
wrestled a lot of big shows like that.
I wrestled primarily in Texas and now
Memphis. It's just a show to enjoy the
wrestling. Everyone was excited to work
the show, and you can also tell everyone
wanted to have great matches."-
American Dragon
 "It
was a great experience to work with
seven other fantastic guys from across
the country. Each year, the level of
competition in the Super 8 gets tougher
and tougher. For me, I've long been
regarded as being one of the best independent
wrestlers and based on my past experience
in the tournament, was favored to win
this year. But it just goes to show
you how hard the guys come to play the
game on that particular day. I only
made it to the semifinals, so again,
it shows you how hard everyone works
to be number one and win the Super 8
Tournament."- Reckless
Youth
 "I
loved the Super 8 tournament. I had
a blast. Between the guys being great,
the whole tournament itself... I mean
they were all super cool guys, and you're
always nervous about this guy with an
attitude or the guy that doesn't want
to do this, but there was none of that.
And we all had a blast together hanging
out. And even Jim's [Kettner] normal
ECWA guys were great. The Super 8 was
probably, to this point, my favorite
show that I've ever done because of
the promotion being totally professional,
how the show was run, the guys I worked
with... Everything was so pleasant and
so well run, and the show was so great
to do. The crowd was unbelievable, as
well. Jim has a crowd, that though there
are your smart marks, they were totally
respectful and real appreciative of
the effort given. A show like the Super
8 keeps you real positive in a business
that can be so full of negatives."
- Billy Fives
 "I
was real honored just to be invited
in to the tournament. For me, it was
a dream come true because I never ever
thought I'd have the opportunity to
be invited. In high school, you read
about it. You hear about the names like
Reckless Youth, and the Super 8 tournament
sounded like the top eight, best of
the best in the independents. I thought
it would be impossible to get in it.
Once I got there, it was more than I
could've hope for. Everyone was so nice.
Even though I went out in the first
round, it was a great experience and
great meeting all of the guys. Jim [Kettner]
was great. Everyone was real professional,
and there was so much respect in the
dressing room. Again, it was better
than I could've hoped for, and I told
Jim if he ever needed me to come down
to a show again, I'd do it, and if he
wants me for the tournament again next
year, it would be a real treat. As far
as the other competitors go, they are
all amazing. I hope they all get signed,
too, because they certainly deserve
it."- Spanky
 "The
Super 8 was great. It was an honor to
be there and good to see all of the
other talent from around the country
and to be in the ring with them. When
you're stuck in one region for a while,
it gets a little boring. And when you
get to see and get together with other
guys from all around the country, it
always makes for a great match-up. It's
not too often you get asked to do something
of this magnitude that has become so
well-known with such a following."-
Mike Sullivan
 "I
think the one thing that stood out to
me was the athletic ability of the wrestlers
and the athletic level of the matches.
When the Super 8 started it was more
of an "independent wrestlers showcase"
and now it is more of a "wrestling
showcase". Jim has done a tremendous
job of evolving the Super 8 into more
than just an event, more than an "independent
showcase". It is now a wrestling
spectacle, where every year you will
probably see a great individual performance,
along with several great matches. That
speaks volumes for Jim and all the wrestlers
he identifies as having "Super
8" ability that he brings in."-
Simon Diamond
 "If
there is ever a thing to say about independent
wrestling it's that it has tons of unnoticed
talent. Talent that has never been given
a shot at exposure, talent that will
never get a shot. There are hundreds
of promotions around the country. Thousands
of wrestlers. Most of them, you've probably
never heard of. Yet, in the midst of
it all, one independent promotion, one
promoter, and one tournament seem to
be known world wide. That is the ECWA,
Jim Kettner, and the Super 8 tournament.
The same Super 8 tournament that is
often imitated but NEVER duplicated.
The tournament, now
in its fifth year, gives those unheard
of talents and some young blossoming
stars a chance to show their stuff.
Each year, Jim Kettner spans the globe
in search of those talents, and each
year succeeds in finding them. Many
of those talents have gone on to become
stars in the game. I, myself, have been
apart of two Super 8 tournaments. The
event itself has grown so much since
then and so has its prestige. Being
apart of the second Super 8 tournament
was a very inspirational moment in my
career because it marked my return to
the ring after knee surgery. I think
that particular Super 8 carried the
most drama because it told a story throughout
the event.
Yet, the wrestling,
the pure wrestling itself has gotten
better and better each year. Those guys
go out and work their butts off. It's
commendable. The whole event from top
to bottom is commendable. It's exciting
to watch (I sat behind the curtain the
entire show this year, watching each
match. I had to see it for myself and
couldn't stand to sit and watch it on
monitor) and even more special to be
a part of; and I'm sure every wrestler
who has competed will tell you that.
And although I've never won the Super
8 tournament, it has to be one of the
greatest feelings in one's career."-
Inferno
"The Super 8 Tournament
is perhaps my greatest accomplishment
in my wrestling career. It is the culmination
of everything you've ever worked for
in this business. It has been the launching
pad for some of the industry's biggest
stars. People pay close attention to
the Super 8 because they want a glimpse
at wrestling's future. Who they may
possibly be watching on their television
in upcoming years. To be included in
this group is something that goes beyond
any title you have held or ever will
hold.
My nerves were on
edge the weekend of the tournament.
Meeting the other seven competitors
only added to the tension. I immediately
started sizing everyone up. I knew that
they were doing the same. After all,
only one man can win the Super 8. Although
we all made great friends in each other,
we knew that when the bell rang it was
"go" time. I think that's
the beauty behind the whole tournament.
The tension, nervousness, and prestige
are bigger factors than the guys you'll
be up against. I truly believe this
is the "Top Gun" of wrestling...where
the best meet the best!
One thing that really
stuck out in my mind happened after
the tournament. At this point I was
very relaxed and at ease. The tension
was gone and it was time to celebrate
with my seven new friends. We were all
sitting around talking about the night's
events when Jim Kettner pulled me to
the side and asked me, "Are you
as happy as you look?" I said,
"Yes, I really am." That moment
really meant something to me. It meant
that Jim was here not only to put on
the greatest tournament in the United
States today, but to provide an experience
of a lifetime for the workers he thought
were deserving. I am and always will
be proud that Jim thought I was deserving
of his good graces. I am honored to
be Super 8 Alumni."- Jayson
Reign
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