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 eleven matches from across six different recent indy shows. We have several current and former WWE ID prospects in action!
Combat Zone Wrestling “The Sheriff Is Back In Town” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 8, 2026 (IWTV)
This is a small room with black walls and a fairly low ceiling; I don’t think I’ve seen this venue before. Sadly, the crowd was only about 80. Lighting is good. The main event featured deathmatch king Nick Gage vs. Nino Extremo, who apparently impressed fans of that style in a tournament earlier this year.
Marcus Mathers vs. Daron Richardson. Richardson has become a top heel in New York’s House of Glory, and I’ve made a Velveteen Dream comparison in the past. A basic feeling-out process early on. Marcus hit a back-body drop at 2:30. He hit his mule kick to the jaw for a nearfall. The commentators noted Marcus has an improved physique since he last competed in CZW. Daron hit a chop; Marcus fired back with a series of louder chops! Daron mounted him and hit a series of punches. Mathers hit his top-rope twisting crossbody block at 7:00.
Mathers hit a bodyslam and an elbow drop, and his Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Daron hit a superkick and a clothesline to the back of the head for a nearfall at 9:00. They got up and traded forearm strikes. They traded rollups. Mathers hit a German Suplex at 11:00. He nailed the Ospreay-style heel hook kick to the jaw, and immediately hit his twisting Flatliner for the pin. That was a blast.
Marcus Mathers defeated Daron Richardson at 11:43.
Grind Time Pro Wrestling “Thursday Night Grind, Ep. 5” in Detroit, Michigan, on Aug. 6, 2026 (IWTV)
I don’t think I’ve seen this promotion before at all! This is a small room with a high ceiling, and it’s well lit. This is their training academy, and they have their logo on the wall. It’s small enough that there is only seating on opposite sides of the ring, for a total of about 60 fans. The canvas is a warm red; it stands out as unique.
Trey Miguel vs. Lex The Radical in a No. 1 contender’s match. My first time seeing Lex; he is a Black man of similar height and overall build as Trey. Standing switches to open. Trey hit a stiff kick to the spine at 2:30. Lex hit a senton for a nearfall. Trey hit some uppercuts, and he tied up Lex on the mat. He hit another stiff kick to the spine for a nearfall at 7:30. He twisted Lex’s fingers and hit another kick to the spine.
Lex hit a stunner, and they were both down at 9:30. Trey hit a double stomp to the back of the head for a nearfall at 11:00, and we got a “This is wrestling!” chant. They traded forearm strikes. Trey hit an enzuigiri and got a nearfall, but Lex reached the ropes. Lex hit a modified Angel’s Wings faceplant for a nearfall, then a Code Red for a believable nearfall at 12:30! Lex hit a jumping knee, but Trey hit a superkick and a twisting neckbreaker for the pin. I enjoyed that.
Trey Miguel defeated Lex The Radical at 13:19.
Freelance Wrestling, “Brutality” in Chicago, Illinois, at Emporium Logan Square on August 6, 2026 (IWTV).
This is at a tavern, and they always pack it with maybe 350 fans. This show features the return of former WWE ID prospect Kylie Rae in her first match back after giving birth to her second child! (I have written elsewhere that she could have faced Izzy Moreno in a first-time-ever singles match, but they instead opted to put her in a three-way dance.)
Kylie Rae vs. Cole Radrick vs. Sabin Gauge. A huge pop for Kylie! She looks great, and she hugged fans as she looped the ring. The fans chanted, “Welcome back!” We got the bell, but they took turns playing to the crowd, and Sabin rolled to the floor to stall. He got back in, but Cole and Kylie beat him up. They took turns throwing punches. Sabin hit a back elbow that dropped Kylie at 3:00, and that earned boos!
The guys traded offense while she was down on the floor. Sabin kept Cole grounded in a headlock. She tried to get back into the ring, but Sabin kicked her back to the floor. Sabin tried a low-blow kick that she no-sold. “Somebody skipped biology class,” a commentator said. Kylie hit some clotheslines on Radrick, then a second-rope moonsault for a nearfall at 6:30. Cole hit a gutbuster over his knee on Sabin, then an Air Raid Crash for a nearfall. Sabin hit a German Suplex on Cole for a nearfall.
Kylie flipped Sabin into the corner on Cole, then she hit a rolling cannonball onto both of them and got a nearfall at 8:00. She dragged Cole to the mat and applied a Crossface. He escaped and hit a stunner. Sabin hit a powerbomb on Cole for a nearfall, but Kylie made the save. Sabin hit a Hidden Blade to the back of Kylie’s head. However, Cole rolled up Sabin for the flash pin out of nowhere! The crowd was in stunned silence that Kylie didn’t get the win in her return.
Cole Radrick defeated Kylie Rae and Sabin Gauge at 9:50.
“SMS” Shazza McKenzie, Mason Morgan, and Sean Login vs. Sam Holloway and “PME” Philly Collins and Marino Tenaglia. I don’t think I’ve seen Morgan before. Both Morgan and Login wore flamboyant clothing. WWE ID prospect Holloway and Shazza opened. It’s no joke that he might be twice her weight! She quickly tagged out. Login got on her shoulders to fight the 6’8″ Holloway, but Sam just knocked Sean down. PME began working over Mason Morgan in their corner.
Sam hit a slingshot elbow drop on Login for a nearfall at 2:30. Login hit a dropkick that sent Sam to the floor. Morgan hit an axe kick to the back of Tenaglia’s head and got nearfall. Shazza’s team worked over Marino in their corner. Philly got a hot tag at 5:00, and he hit some punches to Shazza’s ribs, then a spinning heel kick to her jaw. She hit a flying knee to Philly’s back, then some Yes Kicks to his chest as he was tied in the ropes.
Sam got a hot tag at 7:00, and he hit a series of bodyslams. He hit a double chokeslam on Login and Mason! Marino hit a Blockbuster and got a nearfall, but Shazza made the save. In a fun spot, Shazza stood on the shoulders of both of her teammates and splashed onto Marino for a nearfall at 8:30. Four guys fought to the floor, leaving Marino vs. Shazza in the ring. She hit a low-blow mule kick and rolled up Marino for the tainted pin!
Shazza McKenzie, Mason Morgan, and Sean Login vs. Sam Holloway and “PME” Philly Collins and Marino Tenaglia at 9:26.
Chaotic Pro “Under Siege” at the Irish American Club in Malden, Massachusetts, on August 7, 2026 (free on YouTube)
This building is packed with maybe 250 fans. Chaotic Pro has a really good entrance stage for a small indy. Lighting is decent. NOTE: This aired without any pesky YouTube commercials interrupting the action.
Shannon Levangie vs. Paris Van Dale vs. B3cca for the Pan-Optic Title. This is not a women-only belt; it is open to everyone. I’ve seen a lot of international pop star B3cca in recent months as she’s competed coast to coast. Shannon and Paris are best friends, and the commentators wondered if they would be able to stay that way after this match. Those two immediately traded rollups and had a standoff at 1:00. A commentator was surprised they weren’t teaming up on B3cca.
Shannon dove through the ropes onto B3cca. In the ring, B3cca dropped Shannon with a hard clothesline for a nearfall, and she choked LeVangie in the ropes. B3cca hit a basement dropkick as Shannon was tied in the Tree of Woe, and B3cca got a nearfall at 3:00. Paris tripped B3cca, then hit a Gory Bomb into the turnbuckles, then a Lungblower to B3cca’s chest for a nearfall. Shannon accidentally hit a Mafia Kick on Paris! B3cca tried to steal a cover on Paris. B3cca checked her mouth, and it appears she’s bleeding.
B3cca laid in some hard overhand chops on Paris and tied her up on the mat, but Shannon put B3cca in a Dragon Sleeper at 6:00. Shannon hit a second-rope crossbody block. Shannon nailed an Air Raid Crash on B3cca for a nearfall. B3cca hit a running knee on Paris for a nearfall, but Shannon made the save at 8:00. B3cca hit superkicks on each opponent, but Shannon and Paris hit stereo big boots on B3cca, and all three were down.
B3cca hit a double springboard fadeaway stunner and tried a pin on each opponent. Shannon accidentally hit a frog splash on Paris, but she stayed on her to get a nearfall. Paris hit the Splits Stunner on B3cca for a nearfall at 11:30. Shannon and Paris began to argue, and they shoved each other! Shannon rolled up Paris with a handful of tights for the pin! Shannon rolled to the floor and said, “I’m sorry,” but I don’t think she meant it!
Shannon Levangie defeated Paris Van Dale and B3cca to retain the Pan-Optic Title at 11:53.
NOTE: Tyree Taylor cashed in his title shot earlier in the show and beat Armani Kayos to win the CW title. However, CW management made this a four-way main event for later in the show!
Tyree Taylor (w/coach Brad Cashew) vs. Armani Kayos vs. Donovan Dijak vs. “Mecca” Brian Johnson for the CW Heavyweight Title. Dijak’s young children were in the front row again. It appears we are starting this as a three-way, as Kayos was “taken to a nearby medical center” due to injuries sustained in that brief match against Tyree earlier in the show. Brian grabbed the mic, cut a heel promo, and made fun of Dijak’s children, earning some boos. Dijak grabbed Johnson, hit a Feast Your Eyes, and we’re underway! Dijak and Tyree brawled at ringside. They traded forearm strikes on the ring apron.
Tyree hit a uranage onto the apron, and Dijak collapsed to the floor at 1:30. Those two fought in the ring, and Dijak hit his Cyclone Mafia Kick for a nearfall. Johnson finally got back in, and he brawled with Tyree. Those three all fought in the corner. Johnson hit a Doomsday Device clothesline on Tyree, and all three were down at 7:00. Dijak hip-tossed Johnson. He nailed a Choke Bomb for a believable nearfall! Dijak went for Feast Your Eyes, but Johnson escaped. Dijak fell to the floor, right in front of his kids in the front row! Johnson grabbed Dijak’s seven–year-old daughter and pulled her over the guardrail. He grabbed the son, maybe age nine.
The kids climbed in the ring and cowered in the corner! Dijak stood up and stopped Brian from attacking the kids! Coach Cashew encouraged Tyree to hit the kids! The lights went out, and Kayos finally came to the ring at 11:30, holding his ribs! The commentators were shocked he was in the building. Kayos grabbed a chair and repeatedly hit Tyree with it. Kayos hit a TKO stunner for a nearfall, but Dijak made the save.
Kayos hit a superkick on Dijak, then a Best Moonsault Ever on Dijak for a nearfall. However, Tyree pulled Kayos off Dijak and attacked him. Dijak and Tyree brawled, and Tyree hit his Brooklyn Zoo pop-up powerbomb for a nearfall, but Kayos made the save. Kayos and Tyree fought, and Tyree hit the Brooklyn Zoo powerbomb for a nearfall at 15:30, and suddenly all four were down, and we got a “This is awesome!” chant. Tyree hit a discus clothesline on Dijak, then one on Kayos. Tyree hit a Brooklyn Zoo powerbomb on Johnson for the pin. Good action.
Tyree Taylor defeated Brian Johnson, Armani Kayos and Donovan Dijak to retain the CW Title at 17:05.
SPARK Joshi and Pro Wrestling Magic “Nothing Else Matters,” at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, on July 12, 2026 (free on YouTube)
This venue (located straight west of New York City) hosts numerous wrestling events. This was a six-match show, but I opted to only watch the three women’s bouts. Lighting is good, but the crowd was disappointingly small. NO commentary; I wasn’t expecting that. I see someone at ringside, but it appears we are just seeing the hard camera too, not a ringside camera. NOTE: This aired without any pesky YouTube commercials interrupting the action.
Anya Rune vs. Kaia McKenna for the Spark Joshi Pacific Title. “The good witch” Kaia is a bit taller than WWE ID prospect Rune. Basic reversals at the bell. Anya went to the top rope, but Kaia cut her off. Kaia hit a side kick and took control. She repeatedly slammed Rune’s head into a turnbuckle at 2:30 and hit a LOUD chop. Kaia kept her grounded, and she stayed in control.
Anya finally got up, and they traded forearm strikes at 7:00. Anya nailed a diving forearm strike for a nearfall, and they were both down. Kaia hit a back suplex for a nearfall at 8:30. Rune trapped Kaia’s head in the corner and punched her in the face, then hit a suplex. Kaia hit a spear! Rune went for a running knee, but Kaia blocked it. They traded forearm strikes. They rolled on the mat; Kaia hooked both arms, rolled Anya over, and got the flash pin! New champion!
Kaia McKenna defeated Anya Rune to win the Spark Joshi Pacific Title at 11:52.
Ranna Yagami vs. Tiffani Avatar vs. Brittany Blake. I’m fairly certain I’ve never seen Tiffani before; she’s a Black woman with pink and purple hair. They all traded rollups at the bell. Redhead Brittany dove through the ropes onto Ranna. In the ring, Tiffani hit some chops, then a double knee to Brittany’s back, and she got a nearfall. Tiffani clearly has a height and overall size advantage over her two opponents. Ranna hit an enzuigiri in the corner on Blake and got a nearfall. Blake hit a double stomp to Ranna’s stomach at 2:30.
Ranna and Blake traded forearm strikes. Tiffani hit a bulldog. Ranna powerbombed one opponent onto the other. Ranna hit a running Penalty kick on Tiffani for a nearfall at 4:30. Those two traded forearm strikes; Blake hit a top-rope double missile dropkick, and all three were down. They all got up and traded forearm strikes. Tiffani hit a spear. She hit a spinebuster on Ranna, but Ranna rolled to the floor. However, Blake hit a top-rope double stomp to Tiffani’s back and pinned her! Decent action; they crammed a lot in for a match of that length.
Brittany Blake defeated Ranna Yagami and Tiffani Avatar at 6:14.
* Brittany got on the mic and noted she’s been here since the first Joshi show, and she wants a title shot!
Hazuki vs. Dani Mo for the Spark Joshi Pro Title. I’ve noted that Dani Mo is like an older Sol Ruca; she’s a pretty athletic blonde woman and an indy vet. Fast reversals at the bell. Dani blocked a huracanrana and hit a sidewalk slam. Dani hit a basement dropkick for a nearfall at 2:00. Hazuki hit a missile dropkick. She hit a senton for a nearfall, and she tied Dani in a crossface. She hit a DDT and another basement dropkick for a nearfall at 4:00. They traded kicks and were both down.
Hazuki hit a Frankensteiner at 6:00, then a hard kick to the head as Dani was in the ropes. Hazuki dove through the ropes and crashed onto her. (The hard camera never moved once during this show, so I briefly didn’t see them.) They got back into the ring, and Hazuki got a nearfall. Dani hit a second-rope crossbody block for a nearfall at 8:30. She hit a Michinoku Driver, but Hazuki rolled through it. Dani hit a standing powerbomb for a nearfall.
Hazuki hit a second-rope flying Lungblower to the chest, then a DDT out of the corner for a nearfall. She hit a top-rope flying senton for a nearfall at 11:00. Hazuki hit a superkick for a nearfall. She put Dani on her shoulder and hit a Bulldog Powerslam for the pin. Good action; because the hard camera never moved, I can’t tell you how many more fans were in there to see this beyond the eight or so across from the hard camera.
Hazuki defeated Dani Mo at 12:16.
Kitsune Women’s Wrestling “Stay With Me” at the Xander Sports Complex in Carson, California, on July 26, 2026 (free on YouTube)
This venue is a small gymnasium. The crowd was maybe 200. It’s clearly warm in there, as many people were fanning themselves. Lighting is okay; not bad but not ideal either. Jordan Castle, Aria Perkins, and Ethan Lawmaster provided commentary. Carson is located on the south end of the Los Angeles metro. NOTE: This aired without any pesky YouTube commercials interrupting the action.
Veronica (West) Haven vs. Mylo. Former WWE ID prospect Veronica Haven is now going by Veronica West (but was still Haven here). Mylo is a blonde woman of average size, and she’s taller than Haven, who comes in at about 5’2″. Haven pushed Mylo into a corner. Mylo hit an armdrag and targeted the left arm. She hit a second-rope crossbody block for a nearfall at 1:30. Haven hit a running knee for a nearfall. She choked Mylo in the ropes and was in charge.
Haven suplexed her into a corner and hit a basement dropkick and got a nearfall at 4:30. She hit a Lungblower to the back for a nearfall. Mylo hit a mid-ring Meteora, then a basement dropkick at 6:00. Haven caught her and hit a Spinebuster for a nearfall. She pulled back on one arm while tying Mylo up on the mat, then she repeatedly pounded Mylo’s head into the canvas! The crowd booed Haven.
Mylo nailed a stunner at 8:00. Haven got up and hit a superkick and they were both down. They got up and traded forearm strikes. Haven nailed a 619 at 9:30. Haven got underneath her in the corner and hit a powerbomb for a nearfall. Haven again applied “The Restraining Order” (pulling back on an arm while cranking back on the head), and this time, Mylo tapped out. Fun action. I have no doubt that Haven will continue to be busy in her post-WWE ID run.
Veronica (West) Haven defeated Mylo at 10:34.
Emi Sakura vs. Zara Zakher. This was the main event. Zara is a short powerhouse, and she was a WWE ID prospect in the 1.0 class (none of the women from that class made it to NXT. We saw fellow former 1.0 prospect Kylie Rae in a match I reviewed above). Of course, Sakura has been wrestling longer than Zara has been alive! Emi removed her robe and threw it at Zara and attacked her! She grabbed Zara by her head and tossed her across the ring and hit some chops! Zara hit a huracanrana and a cartwheel-into-a-back elbow, then a basement dropkick at 1:00. Emi hit a basement dropkick to the back, and she was back in charge.
Emi tied up Zara’s arms and put her in a Surfboard. They fought to the floor and brawled. (The fans are waving themselves nonstop. It must be really warm in there!) In the ring, Zara hit a bodyslam, and they were both down at 4:30. Castle noted how Zakher has “leaned out.” (She’s much thinner than when I first saw her, before she got her ID deal.) Emi hit a swinging faceplant! Emi hit a crossbody block into the corner, then a Vader Bomb for a nearfall.
They got up and traded forearm strikes, and Zara hit an enzuigiri, then a Shining Wizard for a nearfall, and they were both down at 7:30. Zara hit a stunner for a nearfall, and the crowd popped for the kickout. She hit a top-rope crossbody block. Zara hit a running penalty kick and a standing moonsault for a nearfall. Emi hit a clothesline with a jackknife cover for a nearfall. Emi then hit the backbreaker over her knee for the pin. That was really good.
Emi Sakura defeated Zara Zakher at 11:06.
Final Thoughts: Some really good action. I usually note this — all six of these events are available in their entirety — which would require perhaps 14 hours to watch all six shows. Thus, I picked just one to three matches from each show. I’ll reiterate that the three shows free on YouTube all aired without any ads.
Veronica West, Kylie Rae, and Zara Zakher are former WWE ID prospects. All three are really talented. Zara is 24, and Veronica is 22. I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of them back on TV in the near future, whether that’s in TNA, MLW, ROH, AEW… wherever. I’m glad that losing the ID contract didn’t end their careers. Meanwhile, current ID prospects Mathers, Holloway, and Rune are all staying busy with matches here, too.
The Joshi show was disappointing, not because of the action, but because of the lack of commentary and only one camera.
I will reiterate my disappointment that Freelance Wrestling had three women on their show (Kylie Rae, Shazza McKenzie, and Izzy Moreno) and opted for three separate intergender matches. If I were booking that show with the roster available, I would have had Kylie vs. Izzy and made it the main event. WWE doesn’t put Roman Reigns in the ring against Liv Morgan, so why would Freelance put 6’8″ Sam Holloway in the ring against 5’4″ Shazza McKenzie?
Anyhow, some tremendous wrestling here. Check out some of the really good shows that are popping up all over YouTube right now.
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