5 Signs That Indy Wrestling is the Future of the Business
Daniel Bryan’s resume is cluttered with championships from both WWE and ROH. But the “American Dragon” will tell you if not for his early success in the business, being the “Founding Father” of ROH or one of the most popular competitors on the grandest stage could not be possible. Spending time on the independent circuit helped make him the crowd favourite that he is today.
Bryan won two PWG World Championships, the FIP Heavyweight Championship, and the wXw World Heavyweight Championship while preparing for his eventual jump to the big leagues.
Bryan is not alone. Seth Rollins, CM Punk and AJ Styles all cut their teeth in smaller outfits, taking their bumps and learning their craft. This “minor league” preparation can be attributed to their success as well. And for those who are now competing in small venues, making little cash and praying to the wrestling gods that their day will come, these examples are what drive them to reach for even bigger goals.
Because of a lack of competition, smaller promotions are coming up big these days, drawing in fans in cult-like fashion. Aided by the Internet and word of mouth, wrestlers are scouted heavily, fans can tell you what makes their local indy favorite so great. Before long, independent wrestling will be bigger than it already it. Here are five reasons why.
Living the Dream
It’s the story we all hear. A big wrestling fan grows up watching the likes Eddie Guerrero or Mick Foley and knows this is what they have to do with their lives. They watch and work at it, stage matches in their backyards and send tapes of their matches and their work to promoters across the globe. Suddenly, someone takes a chance on them.
The rest is history.
This was the path Foley took. This was the path Roddy Piper took decades ago. As soon as someone is interested in a neophyte, the word catches like wildfire and others have to take their shot as well. The dream sequence is the greatest grapevine of hope these youngsters have to becoming the stars they hope to finally be.