Modern Day Smoky Mountain Wrestling.

[ErictheDragon]

I did a poll over a week ago and while this wasn't the actual winner, I realized this is the project I wanted to work on most. People are always talking about what ECW would look like in the modern day, I thought it was time to give the other major alternative to get some attention. Full disclosure y'all I don't know how long i'll end up working on this but i'll keep it going as long as I have ideas and the drive to work on it.

A major rule I've given myself is not to use any current WWE or AEW talent. Every modern day fantasy booking I come across seems to use talent from these two companies with maybe the odd indie talent for flavor. Instead the main companies i'm looking at for talent ideas are the NWA and its various territories, Ohio Valley Wrestling, Juggalo Championship Wrestling and a few other smaller indies like Dustin Starr's Memphis Wrestling and EPW. I'm also trying to focus on guys who I think would work for SMW if it were still around meaning i'm gonna be using people you may not have heard of in a while and some not at all.

With all that out of the way, let's get to it!

[ErictheDragon]

SMW Slam #1 

Knoxville Civic Auditorium Studio

Taped on 4/3/26, Posted to Youtube on 4/11/26/

On Commentary: Gene Jackson & Dr Tom Prichard

Ring Announcer/Ringside Interviewer: Kyle Davis

Backstage Interviewer: “Lovely” Linda Kay

We start with a video package showing some of the highlights of SMW’s original run followed by the new SMW intro set to Smoky Mountains by Conner Smith. Jackson & Prichard welcome everyone to the show with Prichard putting over his storied history in SMW. They turn it over to Kyle Davis who introduces the new commissioner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling, former SMW Heavyweight Champion “Wildfire” Tommy Rich! Rich puts over his time in SMW and Tennessee in general and says tonight will see the start of two tournaments to crown the SMW Heavyweight and Tag Tag Team Champions respectively. Both tournaments will conclude on May 23rd when Volunteer Slam right next door in the Civic Auditorium.

(Before each match, the respective wrestlers/teams get a video package introducing them to fans who may not be familiar or need a reminder who they are.)

(Tankman’s video details his near decade run on the indies. Realq’s focuses on his WWE career and his musical pursuits)

Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship Tournament First Round Match

“Heavyweight Hustle” Calvin Tankman defeats Real1 with the “Tankman Driver” (Sit-out Tombstone).

We see a video package of The Southern 6 Kerry Morton & Alex Taylor) competing in the various NWA promotions and other promotions like Juggalo Championship Wrestling. The 6 will be in tournament action next week.

(The Good Brothers video is a highlight reel of their time in New Japan, WWE, AEW, TNA etc. The Troublemakers video has them bragging about the various tag titles they currently hold -including NWA JCP & OVW- as well as the ragers that go on at the Alpha Sigma Sigma frathouse.)

Smoky Mountain Tag Team Championship Tournament First Round Match

The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) defeat The Troublemakers (Glenn Spectre & Canaan Kristopher) with the “Magic Killer” on Spectre.

We see a highlight reel of “Cowboy” James Storm set to his TNA theme “Longnecks and Rednecks”. We see many of his best moments including his defeating Kurt Angle to in te TNA World Championship. The Cowboy is coming soon.

(Godderz video seems to focus more on his TV career -his time on Jersey Shore on the upcoming season of American Gladiator- than his wrestling career. Carlito speaks of the Colon family legacy as well as his time in WWE.) 

Commentary runs down the tournament matches for next week: “Iron Demon” Shane Mercer vs Juventud Guerrera, The Southern 6 (Kerry Morton & Alex Taylor) vs The New Age Rockers (Kal Herro & Al Snow) & Willie Mack vs “The Masterpiece” Chris Adonis.

Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship Tournament First Round Match

“Mr Pec-Tacular” Jesse Godderz defeats Carlito after holding onto the ropes to avoid a Backstabber then pinning Carlito with his feet on the ropes.

[spaldoni]

Really cool concept. 

It's great seeing southern legends like Prichard and Rich in key roles 

Good use of the talent here. This would be a nice alternative from the National promotions. 

I liked the video packages. This is always a great way to introduce or reintroduce talent to the fans. 

Keep up the good work. It will be fun watching SMW's new era unfold. 

[LowBlowPodcast]

Good kickstart.... not sure about many of these guys but good to see you working on making this special. Looking forward to your progress!

[ErictheDragon]

3 hours ago, LowBlowPodcast said:

Good kickstart.... not sure about many of these guys but good to see you working on making this special. Looking forward to your progress!

Yeah, i'll level with ya, at least a couple of these guys aren't really coming back after the tournament. I wanted this to be a somewhat realistic first taping where SMW was able to get some people with name value but also not able to get the biggest guys on the indies just yet. 

[ErictheDragon]

SMW Slam #2

Knoxville Civic Auditorium Studio

Taped on 4/3/26, Posted to Youtube on 4/18/20

Commissioner: “Wildfire” Tommy Rich

On Commentary: Gene Jackson & Dr Tom Prichard

Ring Announcer: Kyle Davis

Backstage Interviewer: Linda Kay

We start with a video package showing some of the highlights of SMW’s original run followed by the new SMW intro set to Smoky Mountains by Conner Smith. Jackson & Prichard welcome everyone to the show going over the tournament matches that will be on today’s show.

(Guerrera’s video recounts his long journey through AAA, ECW, WCW, WWE and many others. Mercer’s focuses on his time in OVW & JCW as well as his viral moments for freakish displays of strength.)

Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship Tournament First Round Match

“Iron Demon” Shane Mercer defeats Juventud Guerrera with the “Moonsault and Battery” (Moonsault Powerslam from the second rope)

(A video package of the Rock n Rolls Express plays set to Bob Segers’ Old Time Rock & Roll. The ten time SMW tag theme champions are coming home!)

(The Rockers video highlights Snow's storied career as well as the mentorship role his taken in Herro’s rise through the indies. The Southern 6 brag about winning the 2024 Crockett Cup as well as their reign as NWA US Tag champs. Morton gets noticeably hostile when his father Ricky Morton is brought up.)

Smoky Mountain Tag Team Championship Tournament First Round Match

The Southern 6 (Kerry Morton & Alex Taylor) defeat The New Age Rockers (Kal Herro & Al Snow). All four men are brawling when the ref tries to guide Hero to his corner allowing Morton to hit “Kiss It Goodbye” (Bicycle Knee) on Snow letting Taylor get the pin.

Commentary runs down the tournament matches for next week: “Mr No Days Off” Fred Rosser vs “The Most Marketable Man in Pro Wrestling” Richard Holiday, The Andersons (Brock & CW) w/Arn Anderson vs The Hard Way (Jack Vaughn & Dalton McKenzie) and Thom Latimer vs “The Obsession” Kalen Conley.

Linda Kay is standing by with SMW Commissioner "Wildfire" Tommy Rich who announces that in addition to the two tournament finals, Volunteer Slam will see the official launch of the SMW Women’s division and he’s personally selecting the ladies who will compete at the event.

(Willie Mack reminisces about his time in the California scene in the late 2000s through the 2010s as well as his time in Lucha Underground and TNA. Adonis focuses on his time in WWE and the NWA.)

Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship Tournament First Round Match

“Choclate Thunder”Willie Mack defeats “The Masterpiece” Chris Adonis after rolling out of the “Master Lock” and Hitting the “#1 Stunna”