By Chris Vetter, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@chrisvetter73)
There is far more good indy wrestling out there than I can watch. So, in this review, I’m popping in on multiple recent indy shows and watching just a few matches from each show that interest me. The reality is that I wasn’t going to get to watch every match from every one of these shows! I picked out matches with top names we’ve seen on TV, some top indy names, and WWE ID prospects.
* In this roundup, I picked out nine matches from across five different recent indy shows.
Produce “Volume 3: Azucar” at Pioneer Works in New York, New York, on August 3, 2026 (MyAEW and YouTube)
In the wake of Andy Williams’ shocking death on Saturday, Produce Wrestling released this single match from their recent show in New York. I chose to watch the MyAEW version, just to avoid any possible YouTube commercials. The lighting over the ring was good, but the canvas was a bloody mess.
“The Butcher” Andy Williams vs. Josh Barnett. Both men were already in the ring. Butcher ran across the ring and attacked Barnett from behind, and we’re underway! They brawled on the floor. Butcher was listed at 260 pounds — he actually looked so healthy all year, having lost weight compared to his early AEW days. Barnett slammed him back-first on the apron, and they got into the ring. They stood up and traded forearm strikes. Butcher hit some knee strikes to the spine and kept Barnett grounded. Barnett hit a suplex for a nearfall at 3:30.
Butcher threw some punches to the ribs and suplexed Barnett for a nearfall at 5:00. A commentator noted that Butcher was just “coming off tour with his band.” Barnett applied a Boston Crab, and he turned it into an STF. Barnett hit a belly-to-belly suplex for a nearfall at 6:30. They got up, and Barnett hit some punches. Butcher caught him with a hard back elbow to the nose! Barnett countered with a brainbuster and a back suplex for a nearfall. Barnett flipped him over and applied a Fujiwara Armbar, and Butcher tapped out. If this is the final match I ever see from Butcher’s career, it will be a good memory — a hard-hitting, satisfying brawl.
Josh Barnett defeated The Butcher at 8:10.
* Barnett got on the mic. “I’ll talk all the shit in the world, but there’s no shit to talk about Andy,” Barnett said. “This kid is tougher than a $2 steak; he’s tougher than expired dollar store beef jerky. We’re old, we’re mean as shit.” Barnett helped Butcher to his feet. “This man is deadly, he’s hard, he’s not one to be messed with. I’ll fight him all day, but I’m more glad to call him my friend.” A nice ovation from the crowd. They hugged as the screen faded to black with a note of William’s death. (What a wonderful, final statement on Butcher’s career by Barnett, and I had no idea he was going to say any of that when I opted to watch this video.)
1 Fall Wrestling (1FW) “Summer Stage 2” at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 17, 2026 (Episode 50, on MyAEW)
This episode was released today (Wednesday, September 9). I reviewed episode 49 in its entirety last week. They had a good, packed crowd at Center Stage for the show. I opted to watch just the main event this week. Like last week, “Road Dogg” Brian James was a guest on commentary.
Angelica Risk vs. Shotzi Blackheart vs. Hyena Hera for the 1FW Women’s Title. Risk hit each opponent with her title belt at the bell, and the commentators noted that this is a no-DQ match because it’s a three-way. Shotzi hit a rolling cannonball on Hera, then a snap suplex on Risk. Hera yelled at the crowd; Risk rolled her up for a nearfall. Risk hit a 619 on Hera. [C]
Shotzi hit a 619 in the corner on Hera, then a top-rope crossbody block. Risk hit a splash onto Shotzi for a nearfall at 2:30. Hera dropped Shotzi with a hard kick, and she planted her foot in Shotzi’s throat. Hera slammed her stomach-first to the mat for a nearfall. Shotzi applied her modified Tarantula in the ropes on Hera at 4:30, but Risk made the save. Risk and Hera traded overhand chops on the apron. Shotzi hit a stunner on Risk on the apron! All three fought on the floor. Shotzi was whipped into the ring steps. [C]
They were all still fighting on the floor when we returned from the break. Shotzi hit a snap suplex onto the thin mat at 8:00. Shotzi and Risk fought up onto the stage, and they traded more LOUD chops and forearm strikes. The lighting was not good on the stage. They finally got back into the ring at 10:00, with Shotzi hitting a top-rope missile dropkick on Risk for a nearfall, but Hera made the save. Risk hit a straight punch to Hera’s stomach, then Risk hit a straight punch to Shotzi’s groin. “I’ll let you call that, Road Dogg,” a commentator said. They all traded punches to the groin, then stereo clotheslines, and everyone was down.
Risk hit a second-rope swinging Flatliner on Shotzi for a nearfall. Risk grabbed her belt, but she swung and missed. Hera and Shotzi hit stereo superkicks on Risk, then those two traded punches. Hera hit a Gory Bomb, dropping Shotzi on the turnbuckles for a nearfall! Hera bent Shotzi around her back. Shotzi hit a running knee and a DDT on Hera, then her top-rope senton! However, Risk immediately hit a running knee on Shotzi, and she covered the prone Hera for the pin! Good action.
Angelica Risk defeated Shotzi Blackheart and Hyena Hera to retain the 1FW Women’s Title at 13:55.
* Next week’s episode features Darby Allin vs. Kiran Grey, so I’ll definitely watch that match.
Power Pro Lucha “Attack On Trios, Night Two” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 5, 2026 (IWTV)
This is a trios tournament with 16 teams! Night Two featured the four second-round matches plus some non-tournament matches. I checked out four first-round matches. Three of those teams I cheered for advanced, so I’m watching their second-round matches, too. I have seen several shows from this venue. It’s well-lit and attractive. It’s packed with maybe 150 in attendance.
* Apparently, Hallowicked’s team won in a match I didn’t watch, but he got injured, so they have withdrawn from the tournament. A mystery replacement team will take their spot.
“The High-Flying Star Machines” Diego Hill, Bojack, and BK Westbrook vs. Avery Good, David Moses, and Sal Mistretta (w/Julezee) in a second-round tournament match. Julezee is clearly upset with his teammates, and the commentators said he was humiliated by them Friday. Uh-oh! Ring vet Avery opened against BK, with Westbrook hitting a dropkick and a huracanrana. Bojack entered and hit a Pounce on Sal at 2:00. Diego teased a dive to the floor on the opponents. I’ve seen Moses just once, on a BST show from May, and he confronted Bojack in the ring. Bojack hit a bodyslam.
Diego launched off Bojack’s chest to hit a running moonsault. Awesome. Moses hit a backbreaker over his knee on Diego, then a senton for a nearfall at 5:30. Avery jumped in and worked over Diego. Bojack hit a massive spinebuster on Sal Mistretta at 8:30. Avery tried to lift the 300+ pounder Bojack but couldn’t budge him. BK hit a clothesline on Mistretta. Avery rolled to the floor again, and he put a weapon in his pants. BK and Bojack hit a team Lungblower, but Avery made the save. Diego hit a handspring-back-enzuigiri on Avery at 10:00!
Diego hit an impressive corkscrew dive to the floor onto the three opponents! BK hit a moonsault. Diego hit an impressive top-rope 450 Splash on Avery. BK went for a cover, but Avery got a foot on the ropes. Sal jumped back in and hit some forearm strikes, but BK caught him with a superkick. Avery reached into his pants and grabbed the brass knuckles. He punched Bojack in the ribs with it and hit a DDT for the tainted pin! The crowd loudly booed this! Sal and Moses were upset at Avery for cheating.
Avery Good, David Moses, and Sal Mistretta defeated “The High-Flying Star Machines” Diego Hill, Bojack, and BK Westbrook at 12:20 to advance to the semifinals.
Jonathan Gresham and “Violence is Forever” Kevin Ku and Dominic Garrini vs. Eris and Moros and Nemesis in a second-round tournament match. I don’t know these opponents at all! OH, Eris is Sloane Jacobs in some scary makeup, and she opened against Gresham. ViF hopped off the apron, as they don’t want any part of the scary Jacobs! Those two locked up, and Sloane has the height advantage. Gresham hit a huracanrana. Nemesis, wearing a black mask and black pants, traded quick rollups. The commentators said that is Matt Mako under the mask; Mako wrestled at the ROH tapings Tuesday night. Garrini hit a crossbody block. Moros has white face paint and also a scary look — that’s “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams!
Tracy and Gresham traded chops at 3:30. (I would have no idea that’s Tracy under all that makeup if the commentators hadn’t told me.) Gresham hit a ‘groin tap’ with the back of his hand. The scary trio worked over Gresham, with Sloane hitting an elbow drop to Gresham’s back. Tracy accidentally hit a spear on Mako! Ku got a hot tag at 7:30. ViF hit clotheslines in opposite corners on Sloane and Tracy. Ku hit a Doctor Bomb (gutwrench powerbomb) on Tracy for a nearfall. Sloane jumped in, but Gresham immediately threw her to the floor.
ViF hit the Chasing the Dragon (spin kick-and-brainbuster) combo for a nearfall at 9:00, and the crowd chanted, “Violence!” Sloane hit a spin kick to Ku’s head. Tracy hit a leaping piledriver, and Mako hit a German Suplex on Ku for a believable nearfall. Gresham jumped back in and hit some chops on Tracy. Gresham and Sloane traded forearm strikes. Gresham hit a Lionsault Press and a dive to the floor. Garrini hit a neckbreaker over his knee on Sloane.
Ku hit a knee drop on her forehead. Gresham hit a top-rope Shooting Star Press, but Sloane kicked out at 12:00, earning a “Holy shit!” chant. Tracy hit a snap suplex on the floor on Garrini! Ku began hitting chops on all three opponents, but the spooky trio hit stereo forearm strikes. They hit the Shield team powerbomb on Ku, and Sloane covered Ku for the pin! Fun match.
Sloane Jacobs, Tracy Williams, and Matt Mako defeated Jonathan Gresham and “Violence is Forever” Kevin Ku and Dominic Garrini at 13:05 to advance to the semifinals.
Emi Sakura and “Best Bros” Baliyan Akki and Mei Suruga vs. Big Callux and “The Outfielders” Shea McCoy and Weber Hatfield in a second-round tournament match. Shea’s team LOST in the first round, but they are replacing Hallowicked’s team, getting a second chance! The crowd found out when they announced which team got the second chance. The big, massive Callux opened against Mei, and he’s easily twice her weight. They flexed, and she didn’t back down. She tried a shoulder block, but of course, she ricocheted and fell to the mat.
Shea got in, and she hit a side slam on Mei for a nearfall at 2:00. Akki jumped in, but Shea punched him. Shea hit a double missile dropkick on Baliyan and Mei. Big Callux put Emi Sakura on his shoulders, but she escaped and applied a sleeper! Weber gave Akki an airplane spin, but Akki hit a backbreaker over his knee at 4:00. Mei jumped back in and stomped on Weber, then choked him in the ropes. Akki hit some LOUD chops on Weber. Emi raked Weber’s back, and she chanted, with the crowd repeating her tune.
Shea finally got a hot tag at 8:30, and she traded blows with Emi. She hit a headbutt and a running knee to Emi’s jaw for a nearfall. Mei flipped Emi onto their opponents. Mei hit a Sabre-style neck-snap on Shea and rolled her around the mat several times, getting a nearfall at 10:30. Mei hit a standing neckbreaker. Callux finally got a hot tag, and he brawled with Akki. They traded hard chops. Mei got a rollup on Callux, and Akki hit a Swanton Bomb onto Callux! Mei set up for a chokeslam! (That wasn’t happening!) Callux blocked it.
Callux hit a Samoan Drop on Akki for a nearfall at 14:00. All six fought, and we got a “This is awesome!” chant. Emi hit a running crossbody block in the corner. Mei tried a bodyslam on Callux; that wasn’t happening. Akki helped Mei do the bodyslam! “That’s teamwork!” They set up for the Dolphin Press, but Mei was pulled to the floor! It allowed Callux to hit a Black Hole Slam to pin Akki! Even though they lost in the first round, Callux and the Outfielders are now in the semis!
Big Callux and “The Outfielders” Shea McCoy and Weber Hatfield defeated Emi Sakura and “Best Bros” Baliyan Akki and Mei Suruga at 15:24 to advance to the semifinals.
Juni Underwood vs. “Flyin” Ryan O’Neill for the PPL Prodigy Cup. These two have been regular teammates in GCW lately. Juni stalled on the floor, holding his trophy cup, maybe 15 to 18 inches tall. They immediately fought to the floor, where Juni slammed him back-first on the ring apron. Ryan ran the length of a bar and splashed onto Juni on the floor. They got back into the ring at 2:30, with Ryan hitting a springboard twisting crossbody block. Ryan hit a top-rope guillotine leg drop for a one-count.
Juni hit an enzuigiri, then a half-nelson suplex, then a powerbomb for a nearfall at 4:00. He hit a second-rope superplex at 6:30, but we nearly had a double pin! They hit stereo spin kicks to the head, then stereo Mafia Kicks, and they were both down. Ryan hit a leaping DDT, and they were both down at 8:30. Ryan hit a flip dive to the floor onto Juni. In the ring, Juni repeatedly slammed Ryan face-first into the mat, then hit a diving forearm to the base of the neck at 10:00. Juni hit a neckbreaker over his knee for a nearfall.
Ryan nailed a Canadian Destroyer for a nearfall at 11:30, then a top-rope Swanton Bomb that I think Juni partially blocked, and they were both down. They got up and traded open-hand slaps to the face! Juni hit a knee lift to the ribs at 13:00. He hit a thrust jab to the throat! Ryan got a rollup. Juni hit an enzuigiri. Ryan hit a Swanton Bomb for a nearfall at 14:30. Juni hit a DDT onto the apron! In the ring, Juni hit a running kick and a Michinoku Driver, but Ryan kicked out at one!
Juni hit a Bailey-style Flamingo Driver (almost a One-Winged Angel) for a nearfall at 16:30, and he was frustrated that he didn’t get the pin. Juni slid a chair in, but the ref confiscated it. Juni entered the ring with his trophy cup, but Cheeseburger appeared and confiscated it! Juni hit a half-nelson suplex. They fought on the ropes in the corner. Ryan hit a top-rope flying stunner at 19:00! He hit one more Swanton Bomb for the pin! New champion!
“Flyin” Ryan O’Neill defeated Juni Underwood to win the PPL Prodigy Cup at 19:25.
German Wrestling Federation “Battlefield” at Festsaal Kreuzberg in Berlin, Germany, on September 6, 2026 (free on YouTube)
This show has German-only commentary. It featured a 30-man Royal Rumble main event.
Nixi XS vs. Orsi vs. Jane Nero. It’s amazing how fashionista and gay icon Nixi XS has just exploded on the indy scene over the past two years. She’s wrestled on AEW a few times (including at Dynamite in St. Paul earlier this year). Nero is quite similar to Shayna Baszler; she looks and dresses like a legit fighter. I don’t think I’ve seen Orsi before; she has some blonde streaks in front. They all brawled at the bell, and Nixi hit a double-underhook suplex on Nero. Nixi and Orsi shook hands, but then Nixi hit a clothesline.
Orsi hit a double clothesline, then she hit bodyslams on each opponent at 2:00, and she was fired up. Nixi and Jane hit a team suplex on Orsi. Nixi hit a DDT on Orsi, but Jane jumped on Orsi to try and steal the pin. Nixi hit a stiff kick to Nero’s spine, so Jane hit one back. Nixi hit a bulldog at 4:00. Nero hit a chop block on Nixi’s left knee and slammed her to the mat. Orsi got back in and hit another clothesline, then a double DDT. Orsi hit a senton across both women at 6:30.
Orsi hit a fallaway slam on Nixi. She charged at Jane but crashed into the corner, and all three were down. They all got to their knees and traded punches. Orsi hit a discus forearm strike that dropped Nixi. Nixi hit a Lungblower to Jane’s chest. However, Orsi hit a Jaded implant buster on Nixi, slamming her chest-first to the mat for the pin. Good action.
Orsi defeated Nixi XS and Jane Nero at 8:16.
TWE “13 Years Strong, Night 2,” at the TWE Arena in Red Bank, Tennessee, on August 29, 2026 (IWTV)
I reviewed a match from “Night 1” last week. This is the dark, small room that looks like an underground military bunker, and the ring is pushed up against one wall. I watched the final two matches.
Kenzie Paige and Clara Carter vs. Ravenna Vein and Alexandra Quinn (w/Kelsey Raegan). I’m familiar with all four. N.C.-based Clara just competed on an NWA show I watched. The “Vampire Baddie” Vein opened against Kenzie, and those two immediately traded rollups. Kenzie hit a back suplex at 1:30. Clara tagged in to face Quinn (think Trish Adora but thicker). Clara trapped her in the ring skirt (Fit Finlay-style) and repeatedly punched Quinn. In the ring, the heels worked over Alexandra in their corner. Kenzie hit a stiff kick to the spine at 3:30.
Clara hit a snap suplex for a nearfall. Vein got a hot tag and hit a bulldog on Clara for a nearfall at 5:00. Clara and Quinn tagged back in, and Alexandra hit a German Suplex at 7:00. She hit one on Kenzie, too! Kenzie dove through the ropes onto Quinn. In the ring, Clara hit a Death Valley Driver. Quinn hit a spinebuster on Clara, but Kenzie made the save. The babyfaces hit a team suplex on Clara for a nearfall, but Kenzie again made the save, and all four were down at 9:00.
They got to their knees and traded chops. Kenzie hit a superkick. Clara hit a TKO stunner on Vein for a nearfall. Clara grabbed a title belt, but Kenzie took it! “We’re better than that!” Kenzie shouted at Carter! However, Quinn pushed the heels together, causing Kenzie to fall to the floor. Quinn hit a spinebuster on Carter, and Vein immediately hit a spear for the pin! The babyfaces celebrated, but Quinn clearly didn’t want Raegan near her.
Alexandra Quinn and Ravenna Vein defeated Kenzie Paige and Clara Carter at 10:26.
* The babyfaces left. Carter kicked Paige in the gut and hit a package piledriver, then repeatedly stomped on her! In a backstage interview, a male interviewer asked Clara about turning on Paige. Clara said no one should be surprised, and told him to “stop wasting his time.” The guy then interviewed Kenzie, who was livid. She described herself as “the head girl.” The babyface trio was then interviewed, and Quinn was still feeling dejected about how the finish went down.
Hunter Drake vs. Big Dave Weaver for the TWE Undisputed Title. Hunter is a pretty scrawny kid. With his long, flowing blond hair, I’ve always thought he looked like a younger, smaller Matt Riddle. As his name suggests, Big Dave is around 6’4″ and towers over Hunter. They immediately traded punches, and Big Dave hit a bodyslam at 1:00. On the floor, Hunter pushed Dave’s head into the ring post. In the ring, Dave hit a LOUD overhand chop in the corner at 3:00, but Hunter choked Dave in the ropes.
Hunter hit a double stomp to the ribs and remained in charge. They again fought to the floor and traded punches. Dave was bleeding from his forehead. In the ring, Dave hit some Polish Hammers at 6:00 and an Irish Whip, then a belly-to-belly suplex for a nearfall. Hunter nailed a Lethal Injection. Dave hit an Emerald Flosion (swinging sideslam) for a nearfall at 8:30. Drake was also bleeding from the forehead. He hit a top-rope Spanish Fly, and they were both down! They got to their knees and traded punches. Dave hit a big boot to the chest, then a top-rope elbow drop for a nearfall at 10:00.
Dave accidentally clotheslined the referee! Hunter immediately grabbed his title belt and struck Dave across the forehead. Drake hit a top-rope 450 Splash, and a new ref (apparently a heel wrestler) made a two-count at 11:30. The lights went out! Sean Campbell was in the ring, and he struck the replacement ref, and those two brawled to the floor. In the ring, Dave hit four consecutive hard clotheslines on Hunter! He ran the ropes and hit a FIFTH clothesline. A new referee jumped in the ring and made the three-count! New champion!
Big Dave defeated Hunter Drake to win the TWE Undisputed Title at 13:08.
Final Thoughts: I have been numb about Butcher’s death all week, just in disbelief. I’ve seen a good number of his matches this year and thought he really looked great. I was not expecting such warm and kind words from Josh Barnett after that match concluded. Go out of your way to watch this match and the post-match speech.
The trios tournament has been a lot of fun to watch play out, but the four teams I was cheering for were all eliminated before the semifinals.
I am intrigued by QT Marshall’s 1FW. The action has been good, and production is decent… but fighting on the floor and away from the ring was really hard to see.
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