Ted Petty Invitational


The Ted Petty Invitational tournament is an independent wrestling tournament in North America, run and promoted by Independent Wrestling Association 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. The tournament was expanded to 24 participants, with a three-way final, in [|2003]. Over the years, the tournament has attracted numerous famous independent wrestlers from Ken Anderson to A.J. Styles to James Gibson.

The Tournament Setup

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

Tournament winners

2000 Sweet Science Sixteen

The first annual Sweet Science Sixteen was held on September 8 and 9, 2000 outside the House of Hardcore in Charlestown, Indiana.

[|2001] Sweet Science Sixteen

The second annual Sweet Science Sixteen was held on September 7 and 8, 2001 at the House of Hardcore in Charlestown, Indiana.

2002 Ted Petty Invitational

The first-annual Ted Petty Invitational took place on November 1 and 2, 2002 at the IWA Arena in Clarksville, Indiana.
* Whitmer won the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship by defeating Punk in the finals.
  • '''Non-tournament matches:'''

    2003 Ted Petty Invitational

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 the Salem High School in 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 defeated Chris Hero and Alex Shelley to retain the IWA-MS World title and win the 2003 TPI.
  • Non Tournament Matches:
  • Night Two:
  • Mickie Knuckles defeated Rain
  • Brad Bradley & Ryan Boz defeated J.C. Bailey & Nate Webb
  • Colt Cabana defeated Arik Cannon, Ken Anderson, M-Dogg 20, Chris Sabin and Michael Shane in an elimination match

    [|2004] Ted Petty Invitational

The 2004 Ted Petty Invitational tournament was held on September 17–18, 2004 from the Lincoln Center in Highland, Indiana. Among the participants were Styles, Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe, Chris Hero, Mike Quackenbush, CM Punk, Claudio Castagnoli, A J Styles, Nigel McGuiness 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:
  • '''Night Two'''

    [|2005] Ted Petty Invitational

The 2005 Ted Petty Invitational took place on September 23–24, 2005 at the National Guard Armory 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 and Homicide.
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, Chris Sabin, 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. Chris Hero and Arik Cannon had a violent and incredibly stiff encounter with audibly loud headbutts that culminated in Hero turning heel and injuring Cannon's arm. And American Dragon's match with Claudio Castagnoli headlined the first night.
Finals: Matt Sydal defeated Arik Cannon and Kevin Steen to win the 2005 TPI
Non Tournament Matches:
  • Night One
  • '''Night Two'''

    [|2006] Ted Petty Invitational

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 but finished the tournament with a combined 3–6 record.
Finals: Low-Ki defeated Arik Cannon and Roderick Strong to win the 2006 TPI
Non Tournament Matches:
  • '''Night Two'''

    [|2007] Ted Petty Invitational

The 2007 TPI took place on September 28 and 29 in Midlothian. Samoa Joe, Alex Shelley, Low-Ki, Matt Sydal, El Generico, B-Boy, and Tony Kozina were previously scheduled but were later removed from the tournament. Matt Sydal reported to OVW and was not be able to participate, El Generico was out due to hamstring injury, B-Boy was planning on retiring and wanted to heal up before his retirement tour, Jimmy Rave signed with TNA and Tony Kozina removed himself.
Finals: Mike Quackenbush defeated Claudio Castagnoli and Chuck Taylor to win the 2007 TPI, retain the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship and win the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship.
Non Tournament Matches:
  • '''Night Two -'''

    [|2008] Ted Petty Invitational

The 2008 TPI took place on September 26 and 27 at the Hartman Recreation Center in Joliet, Illinois. Non-tournament matches included a Steel Cage I Quit Match for the Light Heavyweight Championship between Jayson Quick and Jason Hades, a Falls Count Anywhere match between Chris Hero and Trik Davis, and a Loser Leaves IWA Mid-South for a Year Match between Dingo def. Jayson Strife.
The 2008 poster was designed by Mark Young of Wardust Design.
;Roster changes
  • On July 15, 2008, IWA Mid South announced that previously announced entrant Delirious had been taken out of the tournament to work in England along with Roderick Strong. Later, El Generico was also announced to be working the show in England.
  • On August 8, Arik Cannon was announced as being unavailable to compete in both nights, and was therefore replaced by AAA wrestler Cassandro.
  • On August 12, it was announced that B. J. Whitmer was undergoing surgery on his hand, and would be replaced by Ares.
  • At the We Are Family 2 show on August 17, it was announced that Jayson Quick and Jason Hades were both pulled from the TPI and will instead meet in a Steel Cage I Quit Match for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship, with the added stipulation that the loser must drop Jason from their name.
  • Before Night One started, it was announced that defending champion Mike Quackenbush would not be taking part in the tournament due to a family emergency.
  • During the introductions on Night One, Dingo was attacked by Jayson Strife, later demanding he was removed from the tournament. As such, a Match was booked between Dingo and Strife for the IWA-MS Heavyweight Championship later that night, with the added stipulation that the loser must leave IWA Mid-South for a year
  • Quackenbush and Dingo were replaced by Necro Butcher and Eddie Kingston
Finals: Drake Younger defeated Claudio Castagnoli and Sami Callihan to win the 2008 TPI.
Non Tournament Matches:
Night 1 - Loser Leaves IWA Mid-South for a Year Match: IWA-MS Heavyweight Championship: Dingo defeated Jayson Strife
  • '''Night 2'''

    [|2015] Ted Petty Invitational

After shows were announced and cancelled in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014, the Ted Petty Invitational returned on December 11, 2015, at the Colgate Gymnasium in Clarksville, Indiana. The tournament was won by Kongo Kong, who also won the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship in his semifinal match against former champion Reed Bentley, who had earlier defended his title against Russ Jones.
Non-tournament match: Joseph Schwartz & The Zodiak defeated The Hooligans in a Falls Count Anywhere Tag Match.
Finals: Kongo Kong defeated Shane Mercer and Chris Hero to win the 2015 Ted Petty Invitational and retain the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship.

[|2016] Ted Petty Invitational

The 2016 Ted Petty Invitational was held on November 5 at The Arena in Jeffersonville, Indiana. It featured 16 wrestlers, with eight one on one matches in the first round, two four-way elimination matches in the second round and a one on one final.