Impact Wrestling: Fantasy Booking A World Cup Tournament In 2018

Credit: Impact Wrestling

Team USA – King, Jake Crist, Dave Crist, Dezmond Xavier, and Tessa Blanchard

This team is quite possibly the best representation of America that Impact’s roster has to offer.

To some King might seem like an odd choice as the captain, but let’s be honest he’s a national treasure. Yes, he was recently part of the LAX, but America is a melting pot, so it’s all good! His promos, alone, are powerful enough to rally an entire nation. Not to mention, when The King of New York steps in the ring he can brawl with the best of him. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, because his spinning back-fist will knock the patriotism out of anyone’s mouth.

Jake and Dave Crist are two-thirds of oVe. If you’re unfamiliar with them, let’s first get started with that acronym. Ohio Versus Everything has been a fixture across the Midwest independent scene for well over a decade. Having been inspired by future Hall of Fame tag team, the Hardyz, these dudes aren’t afraid to get extreme. While they’re relative newcomers to Impact, the Crists’ previously made names for themselves in CZW, JCW, and HWA.  America is all about family, so these brothers are a natural fit!

Also from Ohio, and a former member faction-mate of the Crists’ is Dezmond Xavier. He’s the perfect embodiment of freedom and X-Division balled up into one. It’s great to be able to see this up-and-comer is getting the opportunity to compete in Impact, as he’s exactly what this risk-taking division needs. There’s no shortage of gifs that display his incredible athleticism, but there’s nothing more American than a firecrackin’ spiral tap, right?

Tessa Blanchard is a third-generation professional wrestler. Her grandfather, Joe, traveled the country, most notably working NWA territories in Texas and Hawaii. Then there’s her dad, Tully, who was part of the legendary stable, the Four Horsemen. In his career, he found much success in the NWA and then-WWF. Now in 2018, Tessa is continuing the Blanchard legacy by being a pioneer in intergender wrestling. Having just signed an exclusive contract with Impact,  she’s in prime position to become one of this country’s biggest stars in female wrestling.

Credit: Impact Wrestling, GCW, 3-2-1 Battle, & Blue Thunder Video

Team Canada: Petey Williams, PCO, Daniel Makabe, Scott Henson, and Taya Valkyrie 

This Canadian side features some old, some new, and some crazy.

Having captained Team Canada in the first two World X Cups, Petey Williams is a shoe-in to lead this team. In fact, he debuted as part of the heel faction, Team Canada. He’s synonymous with the X-Division, so he’s a no-brainer to be their representative. The Maple Leaf Muscle’s Canadian Destroyer is arguably the coolest finisher in pro wrestling.

Fewer wrestlers have had a better career resurgence than PCO. At the start of 2018, GCW announced him as Walter’s opponent for GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2, and the rest is history. No one really knew what to expect out, and no one probably could’ve guessed it.

Pierre Carl Ouellet is a madman. No other 50-year-old in wrestling, no the world, is as capable or crazy as him. In the ring, this 300 lb man is going for moonsaults and chopping everything in his path. Outside of the squared circle, he’s breaking cow tibias and lighting himself on fire.  He’s quite literally and figuratively the hottest wrestler on the independent scene.

Believe it or not, he competed as X in the X-Division back in its early days. It’s time for PCO to come home.

Being that most of Impact Wrestling’s Canadian alumni are older or now work for WWE, let’s shine the spotlight on two new faces. Chances are, you don’t know the names Daniel Makabe and Scott Henson, but you should. Hailing from Vancouver, these guys have been making names for themselves at Seattle independent 3-2-1 Battle.

The technically savvy Makabe has put on instant classics against the likes of Timothy Thatcher, Darby Allin, and B-Boy. Those performances have earned him a place in the hearts of many hipster wrestling fans. Meanwhile, The Big Cat has had two solid (steel) bouts against Jeff Cob. If that’s not enough for you, HE HAS A TAIL.

Though she honed her craft in Mexico, Taya Valkaryie’s roots lie in Canada. Having been trained by Lance Storm, she’s among the best female talents, not only in Impact but the world today. Valkaryie has done her fair share of intergender work as well, working amongst the likes of Cage, Fenix, and Pentagon Jr. Imagine the tag team moves she could pull off with PCO if they made it to the finals.