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.
TNA Xplosion, October 30, 2026 (YouTube)
B3cca vs. Shazza McKenzie. Two of the top female indy stars based here in the U.S. went at it! B3cca also competed at the ROH tapings on Tuesday. B3cca came out first, and she sang “Hot Bod” on the way to the ring. I think she has braces today; that’s new! Tom Hannifan and Frankie Kazarian provided commentary. Shazza wore a mostly teal outfit; I don’t think I’ve seen this gear. They shook hands at the bell. Shazza hit some spin kicks at the bell, and she got some rollups. B3cca hit a double stomp to Shazza’s back as Shazza was in the ropes, and she got a nearfall at 1:30.
B3cca mounted Shazza and repeatedly punched her. B3cca applied a modified Muta Lock, and she switched to a Straitjacket Sleeper. They both did the splits, and they traded forearm strikes while in the splits on the mat! Shazza hit her Yes Kicks as B3cca was in the ropes, then a top-rope crossbody block for a nearfall at 4:00. She set up for the Splits Stunner, but B3cca escaped and hit a superkick and a German Suplex for a nearfall. B3cca missed a 450 Splash. This time, Shazza hit the Splits Stunner and got the pin! Congrats to both women.
Shazza McKenzie defeated B3cca at 4:51.
Virginia Championship Wrestling “Liberty Lottery” at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion in Portsmouth, Virginia, on July 25, 2026 (free on YouTube)
Although this occurred in July, it was recently released on YouTube. This was an outdoor show during daylight, but across from the hard camera was the entrance area on a massive, black stage, so it looked like nighttime there! A bit confusing! The show featured a special appearance by Marc Mero. The hard camera is a bit too far away and not quite in focus; the ringside cameras look far better.
Shotzi Blackheart vs. Joiya Blake. I’ve seen Joiya a few times recently in that mid-Atlantic area; she has streaks of blonde in her dark hair. Okay, it was now nighttime. Basic tie-ups to open; they are both clearly babyfaces. Shotzi hit a top-rope crossbody block for a nearfall at 2:00. Joiya hit an enzuigiri and a basement dropkick. Shotzi hit a rolling cannonball for a nearfall at 4:00, and she repeatedly rammed Blake’s face into the middle turnbuckle. She tied Blake in a modified Tarantula, but let go before the five-count, and she got a nearfall at 6:00.
Shotzi tied her in a Texas Cloverleaf. Blake hit a running back elbow and a TKO stunner for a nearfall. Shotzi hit a spin kick and a running stunner for a nearfall at 8:30. Blake hit a DDT out of the ropes for a nearfall. Joiya hit a superkick. However, Hyena Hera jumped in the ring and attacked Joiya Blake! The ref saw all of this and called for the bell. Hyena attacked Shotzi, too. Blake hit a Pump Kick on Hyena. The babyfaces took turns punching Hera. Shotzi hit a top-rope senton splash on Hera. The babyfaces high-fived and celebrated.
Shotzi Blackheart vs. Joiya Blake ended in a no contest/draw due to outside interference at 10:27.
AML “All for the Glory” at East Rowan High School in Salisbury, North Carolina, on October 17, 2026 (MyAEW)
This venue is a school gym, and I’ve seen other shows from here. Lighting over the ring was good.
Priscilla Kelly vs. Clara Carter. Clara came out first, and she screamed at the fans. They locked up and appeared to be roughly the same height and body shape. Kelly dropped her with a shoulder tackle at 1:30 and got a rollup. She hit a shotgun dropkick into the corner and a running knee. Clara stomped on her and took control. Carter hit a snap suplex for a nearfall at 3:30. Kelly fired up and hit some clotheslines and an STO clothesline for a nearfall at 6:30. Clara nailed a Death Valley Driver, but she missed a Vader Bomb. Kelly hit a running boot, and they were both down. They finally got up and traded forearm strikes. Clara hit a spear and a package piledriver for the clean pin! I’ll call that an upset!
Clara Carter defeated Priscilla Kelly at 8:50.
Drew Hood vs. Diego Hill vs. “Wallstreet” JP Lehman vs. Pretty Boy Bailey for the Prestige Title. I don’t think I’ve seen Bailey; he has a Mike Bailey-style mullet (no, I don’t think they are related!). Bailey and Wallstreet are apparently a tag team. Rocky Rojas came to the ring; he’s been feuding with Diego Hill here for a few months. He held up a ticket, showing he’s a paid customer! He sat in the front row. Bailey and Wallstreet hit some team moves. Diego got in there and unloaded punches on the heels. He hit a huracanrana on Bailey. Drew pushed JP and Diego together. He began hitting punches on everyone, and he dropped Lehman snake-eyes in the corner at 2:00.
Hood suplexed Bailey for a nearfall. The heels tied Hood and Diego in abdominal stretches at 4:00. They began arguing over who was going to win. Lehman (who is essentially dressed like Irwin R. Schyster) slapped Bailey. They argued, but then they hugged. Diego hit a handspring back double elbow on them both. He hit a double Pele Kick at 5:30! Hood hit a jumping knee on Lehman. Lehman hit a uranage on Hood. Bailey hit a top-rope elbow drop on Hood. Lehman hit a Swanton Bomb on Hood. The heels both tried to cover Hood at 7:00, and they argued again! Diego hit a top-rope double crossbody block, and everyone was down. Diego hit some quick kicks on both heels. He hit a springboard fadeaway double-stunner at 8:30.
Hood dove through the ropes onto the two heels. Diego hit a springboard dive to the floor onto all three. Rojas hopped on the apron and distracted the ref! Another masked guy attacked Diego. The commentators were confused — which one of them is actually Rocky Rojas? Diego and the masked man (I’ll call him Rojas II) brawled. The two masked men both headed to the back, while Diego was down on the floor. Meanwhile, in the ring, Lehman accidentally struck Bailey with his briefcase! Hood hit a piledriver on Lehman, dropping him onto Bailey’s chest! Hood then covered and pinned Bailey. Fun match; Diego Hill is such a special talent.
Drew Hood defeated Diego Hill, “Wallstreet” JP Lehman and Pretty Boy Bailey to retain the Prestige Title at 10:43.
TWE Chattanooga “Hensley’s Last Hurrah” in Red Bank, Tennessee, on October 30, 2026 (IWTV)
This is their dark room, which looks like an underground military bunker. The ring is pushed up against one wall. The crowd was maybe 100. The show title is referencing ring announcer Hensley, who was honored during the show and is apparently leaving the area. I picked four of the 10 matches to watch.
Landon Hale vs. Damon Stryker vs. Kody Manhorn vs. Grayson Pierce vs. Anakin Murphy vs. Shean Christopher. I’m fairly familiar with all six. Pierce has earned the “young HBK” comparison, but more accurately, a young Brian Kendrick. Hale is a top guy in the North Carolina scene. Emo kid Anakin is beloved everywhere he goes. Everyone started brawling at the bell. Christopher and Anakin fought while the others were on the floor. Stryker hit a superkick on Shean at 2:30. Hale hit a huracanrana and a dropkick on Stryker. The short Manhorn battled the scrawny Murphy. Murphy hit a swinging neckbreaker. Pierce hit a flip dive from the apron onto several guys on the floor at 4:00.
Pierce hit a flip dive over the ropes. Kody dove onto several guys. Stryker teased a dive, but he instead rolled to the floor. Hale dove over the ropes onto Stryker at 5:30, then threw him back in. Hale hit an enzuigiri on Shean. Shean hit a jumping knee on Stryker. Kody hit a low blow headbutt on Stryker. Pierce threw Shean head-first into Stryker’s groin for more ‘comedy.’ Suddenly, everyone was down at 7:30. Pierce hit a powerbomb. Murphy hit a top-rope double stomp. Stryker hit a low-blow uppercut on Hale, rolled him up, and got the flash (tainted) pin. Good while it lasted.
Damon Stryker defeated Landon Hale, Kody Manhorn, Grayson Pierce, Anakin Murphy, and Shean Christopher at 8:24.
“The Program” Tim Bosby and Jamesen Shook (w/Dylan Hales) vs. Matt Griffin and “The Wall” Tyler Stevens. Again, I consider Bosby a top-10 indy prospect, and I really like Shook, who earns that young Sami Zayn comparison. I don’t think I’ve seen Griffin before; he’s bald and rotund. Stevens is looking more and more like Big Cass. After lots of stalling and comedy, Shook and Griffin finally locked up and I started the stopwatch. Stevens tagged in while Shook was jawing at the crowd, and he snuck up behind Jamesen. Shook tried a chop that had no effect; Tyler returned harder chops. Jamesen immediately tagged out. Bosby also tried some chops that had no effect.
Stevens unloaded a series of kicks on Bosby in the corner. He crotched Tim on the top rope and shook the rope; The heels regrouped on the floor at 4:00. Back in the ring, the heels began working over Griffin in their corner. Hales also choked Griffin in the ropes at 7:30. Bosby hit some flying forearms into the corner. Griffin hit a German Suplex on Bosby at 9:30. Stevens got the hot tag and hit some clotheslines on Shook and a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Shook hit a DVD. Bosby hit some punches on Griffin, but Griffin ‘Hulked up,’ hit a big boot and a Hogan leg drop for a nearfall at 11:30. Hales jumped in, but Griffin hit him. Bosby nailed his released F5 faceplant on Griffin and scored the pin.
“The Program” Tim Bosby and Jamesen Shook defeated Matt Griffin and “The Wall” Tyler Stevens at 12:04.
Corinne Joy vs. Ravenna Vein vs. Alexandra Quinn vs. Davina Thorne in a four-way. I’m fairly certain Thorne is based in Michigan, so she made a trek to get here. Joy has already wrestled both Vein and Quinn multiple times. Corinne came out first, and she’s a heel here. Quinn (think Trish Adora but a bit thicker) wore a sailor’s outfit. Vein also wore a Halloween costume, in green and black. (I undoubtedly am too old to know who she is dressed as.) Thorne came out last and cut a heel promo. Quinn snatched the mic from her and popped Davina on her head with it, and we’re underway!
The heels rolled to the floor while Quinn and Vein traded moves. Joy and Vein fought on the floor while Thorne hit a splash into the corner on Quinn. In the ring, Vein hit a Flatliner. Joy hit an X-Factor on Vein at 2:00. Quinn stomped on Vein on the floor, then she rolled back into the ring and got a nearfall on Thorne. Joy sprayed a chemical in Quinn’s eyes! She hit a buzzsaw kick on Quinn, then a basement dropkick in the corner. Vein hit a stunner on Joy at 4:00.
Quinn accidentally struck Vein, and those two began shoving each other. Thorne hit a top-rope crossbody block on everyone, and suddenly they were all down. Thorne slammed Quinn. Joy hit a running knee on Thorne. Vein hit a Gory Bomb on Joy for a nearfall. Quinn hit a suplex. Quinn tied Joy in a modified Muta Lock, and Corinne tapped out! That was a lot of action in such a short match!
Alexandra Quinn defeated Corinne Joy, Ravenna Vein, and Davina Thorne in a four-way at 6:03.
Darian Bengston vs. Kasey Owens for the Action Title. Owens is rotund, and I’ve previously said he’s a perfect mix of GCW stars Joey Janela and Jimmy Lloyd. Standing switches to open, and Bengston twisted the left arm. This was an extended feeling-out process as they tied up on the mat. Owens grapevined the leg on the mat. Bengston snapped the left arm, hit some armdrags, and applied the Makabe Lock (cattle mutilation) at 8:00. Bengston hit a Magic Screw twisting neckbreaker off the ropes for a nearfall.
Owens hit a flying elbow for a nearfall, then a running knee for a nearfall at 10:00. Darian scooped him up and hit a shoulder-breaker over his knee. Kasey applied a modified Trailer Hitch leg lock. Owens hit a running headbutt for a nearfall at 12:00, and they were both down. Darian went for a Makabe Lock again, but Kasey avoided it and applied a crossface chickenwing. However, Darian hit another shoulder-breaker over his knee, re-applied the Makabe Lock, and this time Owens tapped out. There were several moments there where I thought we were about to see a title change. Bravo.
Darian Bengston defeated Kasey Owens to retain the Action Title at 13:12.
NWA Season 28, Episode 10: Twisted Sisters,” released the week of November 1, 2026 (Comettv.com or Tubi.com)
I have been scrolling through their latest episodes. This was the main event.
“Pretty Empowered” Kenzie Paige and Kylie Alexa vs. Liviyah and Mackenzie Morgan in a best-of-three falls match for the NWA Women’s Tag Team Titles. The sisters are heels here, but they haven’t gotten along recently, dating back to a match against Nattie Neidhart. Kenzie and Morgan opened with some quick reversals, and Mackenzie got a backslide. They traded rollups. Kylie and Liviyah, who have become fierce enemies in the Northeast indy scene, got in and traded rollups. Liviyah got a flash pin at 1:38! Kylie sat up, shocked that just happened! [C]
Back from the break, Liviyah and Kylie were still in the ring. Morgan tagged in; Kylie chopped both babyfaces. Kenzie tagged in at 2:30 and all four brawled. The sisters hit some quick team moves on Morgan, and they got a believable nearfall. Morgan hit a double spear at 4:00. Kylie and Morgan hit stereo spin kicks to the head. Morgan hit another spear. Liv and Kenzie tagged in, and Liviyah hit a flying shoulder tackle and an RKO-style stunner. Kenzie hit a DVD into the corner on Morgan, and everyone was down at 6:00.
They all got on their knees and traded punches, then they all got to their feet. Kenzie hit a piledriver on Morgan, dropping her on Liv’s stomach, and Kenzie got a nearfall on Liv. Liv hit a sit-out powerbomb on Kenzie for a nearfall at 7:30. The sisters hit a Doomsday stunner on Liv and pinned her at 8:24. However, just seconds later, Liviyah hit her implant DDT on Kenzie for the pin! New champions! I didn’t expect that!
Liviyah and Mackenzie Morgan defeated “Pretty Empowered” Kylie Alexa and Kenzie Paige to win the NWA Women’s Tag Team Titles at 8:52.
Final Thoughts: I’ll point out that for this roundup, I have matches that came from MyAEW, YouTube, IWTV, and CometTV. So, almost all of these matches are available for free. I wouldn’t say that any match today is a ‘must-see’ match, but some of my favorites — B3cca, Corinne Joy, Tim Bosby, Landon Hale, Diego Hill, Darian Bengston — were all in action.
