Independent Wrestling Becoming Stronger By The Year

While quite annoying, and possibly polarizing,  i feel the need to bring up the topic of independent wrestling, of all kinds. Year by year independent wrestling continues to climb in power, and popularity, among tunnel visioned wrestling fans. Independent wrestling is neglected and unrightfully so. Where do you think a majority of the great wrestlers you see on TV came from? Regardless of all of the factors built up against it, independent wrestling got a personally shocking new amount of interest in 2011, and so far i see it doing even better in 2012.

Ring Of Honor, The #1 independent promotion in the United States currently. I don't wish to go too deeply into ROH, because that is a whole nother topic, for a whole nother column, but there are a few points I'd like to make. For you MMA fans, and combat fans, ROH is the closest wrestling product that you can get to MMA itself. ROH brings in top calibur athletes, and allows them to perform to an extent that will not be showcased in many other companies. They truely are equipped to become #2 in the U.S, in coming years. They are fresh off of a new partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group, and now have the money, and support that they needed to continue moving forward. The future holds endless possibilities for this company, and its performers. 

In a close tie for growth, and current state, next to ROH, are two more top-notch companies on the rise.  

Chikara, oh Chikara. What can i say? Up until recently, i will honestly admit that i paid no interest to Chikara at all. That all changed with three things. 1: Chikara's segment on "The Wrestling Road Diaries," 2: Mike Quackenbush's podcast with Colt Cabana, finally and hardest hitting to me, was Eddie Kingston's promo for the event "High Noon", which is still one of the best promos i have ever seen.(*Find it on Youtube*). Chikara really brings the fun back into professional wrestling. They have such a mix of talent, and wacky characters, that it would be impossible not to find something to enjoy. I will be attending my first Chikara event in Chicago in a few months, and i am very excited to finally experience them live. Looking at their success in the last year, i have no doubts that they will be making a huge name for themselves real soon. 

Dragon Gate USA is a company i have been into for a little over a year now and dont have a bad thing to day about them. Their events are awesome to attend, their roster is totally stacked, and the "wow" factor is definately there. DGUSA mixes Japanese talent, as well as talents from everywhere else, into stables and teams. The chemestry of the workers in that company, no matter what the pairing, is phenominal. DGUSA also happens to have a few of the fastest rising wrestlers under contract with them. Reports are popping up everywhere that these talents are all prospects of the WWE, which is giving them great attention. One of my favorites, Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley), whom i discovered through DGUSA is on his way up through the WWE ranks as of right now. Nothing but huge things on the horizon for this company, it will be my pleasure watching them progress. 

Aside from these top 3 companies, there is so much more out there that i dont have the time, or room to write about. Indy wrestling has so much to offer, so figure out your cities companies, and go check them out. There is a whole nother  world out there, and no, it may just not interest you, but you can at least say you tried.  

Before i go, i feel the need to make one more extremely honorable mention. I need to say that if it werent for Colt Cabana's media ventures, I personally would  not have such a huge appreciation for Independent Wrestling. Im sure that statement goes for many other people as well. Colt Cabana is one of THE biggest contributing factors toward the growth of indy wrestling, and the discovery of the companies and performers involved. 

-A personal THANK YOU to Colt Cabana for his efforts.