On tonight’s episode of IMPACT Wrestling, Eli Drake made a declaration that he would be issuing another Open Challenge at Bound For Glory this Sunday, but with a stipulation: it was only open to people from New York.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1qgm0DMIQY
For the past few weeks, Eli Drake has been issuing open challenges to anyone on the roster – or from any promotion – to try and stop “The Gravy Train” from driving through and so far he’s beaten everyone, including Mexican legend LA Park last week. With his “New Yorker” stipulation, here’s a look at some prospective opponents for Eli Drake this Sunday.
“HOT SAUCE” TRACY WILLIAMS
“Hot Sauce” has been one of EVOLVE‘s franchise players since he started wrestling in 2014. A former member of Catch Point, and 2x EVOLVE Tag Team Champion, he left EVOLVE recently to look at other options and opportunities. The New York City native would be a great addition to IMPACT’s roster and could be a star in the X-Division or anywhere they put him.
BULLY RAY
It may be a one-off, but Bully Ray is clearly anything but retired and is still performing with Ring of Honor. Bully Ray also has a history with IMPACT Wrestling longer than his WWE tenure, where he’s a former 2x IMPACT World Heavyweight Champion and and 3x Tag Team Champion. A one-off appearance as the nostalgic face would be a fun moment in New York.
TRENT BERRETA
Ring of Honor and NJPW star Trent Barreta is a native New Yorker and an after a brief stint in the WWE, became a star for the past several years in ROH and NJPW, both as part of 4x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Roppongi Vice and in Best Friends with Chuck Taylor. He’s appeared for IMPACT before (once at a TV taping in Kentucky back in 2013 under his real name, and again in 2014 at two One Night Only specials as Ace Vetter), but Trent’s mixture of technique and comedy would be a fun pairing with someone like Eli Drake – especially if Chuck Taylor was in his best friend’s corner.
TOMMY DREAMER
An obvious choice, of course, but one that is always in play whenever someone issues open challenges in New York City or Philadelphia. Dreamer is no stranger to IMPACT lately either, being a part of the summer’s Sami Callihan vs Eddie Edwards feud.
DALTON CASTLE
With Ring of Honor and IMPACT Wrestling coalescing together somewhat of late via the Chris Jericho Sea Cruise, having one of Ring of Honor’s homegrown stars answer the challenge in ROH territory wouldn’t be a bad idea. Former ROH World Champion Dalton Castle hails from Albany and the thought of Castle answering Eli Drake’s challenge chaperoned by The Boys would be a huge moment for fans of both promotions.
BIG CASS
A possibility, but probably the one that most IMPACT fans would prefer not to see happen. But the recently released Big Cass is now free and clear to work elsewhere, and if he wanted to make some noise to announce his return to the indies from the WWE, appearing at Bound For Glory would help his case.
PUNISHMENT MARTINEZ
Now that the former ROH World Television Champion has left Ring of Honor, he’s stated he’s looking to check out the free agency market elsewhere. Most assume he’s headed to NXT, but a brief stop in IMPACT isn’t entirely out of the question. Although raised in Puerto Rico, Martinez was born in New York City. If he signs with IMPACT, even briefly, a win over Eli Drake could be the start of a fresh feud for Drake.
AMAZING RED
Although Puerto Rican by birth, Amazing Red has been a huge part of the New York City independent scene. A veteran in his 20th year wrestling (he started in 1998 at the age of 16), he’s a 3x IMPACT X-Division Champion and a pioneer of the high flying indie style we see so often now. He also owns and operates House of Glory (HOG), one of New York’s premier indie promotions.
CHRIS JERICHO
The rumors are flying rampant from every source possible, that Chris Jericho will make his IMPACT Wrestling debut at Bound For Glory this Sunday, now that he’s a renegade free agent surfing the wave of mutilation in the new wrestling revolution. Now most are assuming that if he does show up, it’ll most likely be to attack Sami Callihan during or after his 6-man tag match (Callahan and OvE are facing Brian Cage, Pentagon Jr. & Fenix), in response to Sami calling him out for a match on the Cruise of Jericho. After all, he did similar at All In to Kenny to promote his 6-man tag on the Cruise. But if there’s one thing Jericho doesn’t like, it’s predictability. Now he may still interfere against Callahan. But everyone expects that now. What if he debuts earlier in the night, answering Eli Drake’s challenge. Fozzy is on a break in their current tour and it doesn’t resume until November 7 in New Zealand. “But WAIT!” you cry. “Chris Jericho is Canadian! He’s from Winnipeg, you stupid idiot!” Well, you’re correct. He is Canadian. And he grew up in Winnipeg. But his dad is former NHL hockey player Ted Irvine and Chris just happened to be born in the city of his dad’s employer back in 1970, the New York Rangers. The mic work between the two alone would be worth the price of the PPV itself. And Jericho just brought up his New York lineage a couple days ago on Twitter…
Why not? I was born in New York State… https://t.co/DxGjoDz04U
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) October 7, 2018
