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 ten matches from across six different recent indy shows.
wXw “Fans Appreciation Night” at Batschkapp in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 24, 2026 (IWTV)
The lighting and overall production on these wXw shows are fantastic. They do have English commentary. I also love that they have a clock in the lower-left corner of the screen. I picked out three of the seven matches to watch.
Katsuya Murashima vs. Jacob Crane. Murashima is the talented NJPW Young Lion who is on excursion. I don’t think I’ve seen Crane before; he’s white, with short blondish hair, and he’s a bit thick around the middle. (He reminds me a lot of UK star Luke Jacobs.) They shook hands at the bell and immediately started brawling. Murashima hit a bodyslam and a back-body drop at 2:00. He dropped Crane with a hard chop. Crane hit a dropkick. He hit a Mafia Kick, but Murashima hit a suplex at 5:30. Crane hit a spin kick to the head. Murashima executed a Castagnoli-style Giant Swing, and that popped the crowd. (Crane is no small man!) Murashima bodyslammed him for the pin!
Katsuya Murashima defeated Jacob Crane at 6:21.
Shigehiro Irie vs. Elijah Blum. I’ve always noted that Irie has the size of EVIL/Naraku, but his facial features remind me of Kushida. An intense lockup to open. Blum hit a dropkick for a nearfall at 1:30. Irie hit a bodyslam and his slingshot splash for a nearfall. Blum hit a running twisting neckbreaker at 3:30, then a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall. Blum hit a standing neckbreaker for a nearfall at 6:00. Irie hit a Black Hole Slam, and they were both down. They fought on the ropes, and Irie knocked him to the mat.
Irie hit a massive frog splash for a nearfall at 7:30. (Again, he’s not a cruiserweight!) Blum hit a second-rope moonsault press on a standing Irie. Irie nailed a rolling cannonball in the corner for a nearfall. Blum fired back with a flying headbutt, so Irie hit his own flying headbutt at 9:30! They got up and hit more headbutts. They charged at each other and hit headbutts again, and both went down. They got up and traded forearm strikes. Blum hit an enzugiri, but Irie hit a clothesline. Blum hit a German Suplex at 11:00, then a diving forearm strike for the pin! Awesome.
Elijah Blum defeated Shigehiro Irie at 11:08.
Ahura vs. Ricky Sosa for the wXw Unified Title. This was the main event, and both are babyfaces. The 6’6″ Sosa has quite the height advantage. Standing switches to open. Ahura applied a leg lock around the neck on the mat. Ahura hit a springboard dropkick at 3:00, and he celebrated. Sosa rolled to the floor to regroup. Back in the ring, they again tied up on the mat. They brawled to the floor, and Sosa accidentally chopped the ring post at 5:00. Ahura hit a pump kick to the chest, dropping Sosa to the mat.
In the ring, Ahura repeatedly stomped on Sosa in the corner. Sosa tossed him to the floor, and he relaxed on the ropes in the corner as the ref counted out Ahura. Ahura got back in at 7:30, but Sosa stomped on him and hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall. They got up and traded forearm strikes. Ahura hit a flying forearm, then a Naito-style Destino for a nearfall at 11:00. Ahura went for a top-rope move, but Ricky grabbed his ankle to block it. Sosa hit a second-rope Poison Rana!
Ahura hit his own Poison Rana at 12:30, and they were both down. They got up and traded slaps to the face, then forearm strikes. Sosa hit a Mafia Kick that sent them both over the ropes to the floor. Back in the ring, Sosa hit another Mafia Kick for a nearfall at 14:30. Ahura hit a huracanrana for a nearfall. Sosa hit a Pele Kick, then a Styles Clash for a nearfall! Ricky sat up and argued with the ref, sure that he got the win there!
Sosa tried a top-rope moonsault, but Ahura kicked him in the face on the way down, and they were both down at 17:30. Sosa caught him coming off the ropes and hit a spinning powerbomb for a believable nearfall. We got a loud “This is awesome!” chant (in English. I love that.) Ahura hit a hard clothesline, and he was fired up. Sosa hit a diving blow on the knee and a Dragonscrew Legwhip at 19:00. Ahura caught him, spun and slammed him. He then hit his twisting suplex for the pin. Wow, that was great stuff.
Ahura defeated Ricky Sosa to retain the wXw Unified Title at 19:29.
Hooligan Championship Wrestling “Hooligan Uprising” at the Evansville National Guard Armory in Evansville, Indiana, on September 27, 2026 (IWTV)
This is a large gym, and the lights were on. The crowd was maybe 100; it feels emptier than it is because the venue is so large. This was just released on Monday, even though it took place in September. I watched the main event.
Tim Bosby vs. Shane Mercer for the HCW Title. Bosby, who has amateur wrestling experience, is a top-10 indy prospect. An intense lockup. The muscular Mercer easily threw him into the corner. Bosby regrouped on the floor, did some push-ups, and got back in. Bosby hit some European Uppercuts at 2:00. Mercer hit a flying shoulder tackle that dropped Bosby. He backed Tim into a corner and chopped him. Mercer hit a bodyslam and was in charge early on. They went to the floor, where Shane whipped him into rows of chairs at 4:00.
Shane held back Tim’s arms so some young boys in the crowd could chop Bosby! Shane slammed him back-first on the apron, then got a nearfall in the ring at 5:30. Shane picked him up for a Gorilla Press, but Tim raked the eyes and hit a backbreaker over his knee. Tim hit an Irish Whip, and he kept Mercer grounded. Bosby applied a headlock on the mat at 8:00 and kept Mercer grounded. Shane fired up and hit some clotheslines. He hit a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall.
Bosby applied an ankle lock and dragged Mercer to the center of the ring. Mercer fought free, but it sent Bosby flying into the ref at 10:00! Mercer hit a Jackhammer for a visual pin, but the ref was down! Tim hit a low-blow uppercut. He went under the ring and got a weapon. (Small scissors, I think?) He hid them in a turnbuckle. Mercer hit two consecutive Exploder Suplexes. They fought on the ropes, and Bosby jabbed the scissors into Shane’s ribs, then shoved him to the mat. Bosby hit an F5 faceplant for the pin. Good action.
Tim Bosby defeated Shane Mercer to retain the HCW Title at 12:19.
Piledriver Pro “Wrestling For Hope” at the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on October 17, 2026 (IWTV)
This venue is a gym. Lighting is okay but not ideal. The crowd was maybe 100.
Kenzie Paige vs. Jazzy Yang. A clean lockup, and Paige hit a shoulder tackle, then a basement dropkick to the jaw. Jazzy is taller, and she began kicking out Kenzie’s leg. She backed Kenzie into a corner and hit some chops at 2:00, then an elbow drop on the upper inner thigh. Kenzie got up and hit some clotheslines and a superkick that dropped Yang for a nearfall.
They each went for a stunner and blocked it. They hit stereo running neckbreakers and were both down at 4:00. They traded forearm strikes while on their knees, and more while standing. Jazzy hit a Shining Wizard, then a Go To Sleep knee strike for a nearfall. Yang went for a flying move off the second rope, but Kenzie caught her and hit a stunner for the pin! That was good for the time given.
Kenzie Paige vs. Jazzy Yang at 5:34.
Axton Ray and Brandon Hartsook vs. “Top Team” Terry Yaki and Jay Lucas for the Innovate Grand Tag Titles. Ray has the body shape of Kevin Owens, and he was a male cheerleader (point being, he’s pretty strong from throwing women in the air!) He has wrestled for GCW in the past, but this is probably the first time I’ve seen him this year. I don’t think I’ve seen Hartsook before; he’s shorter and slender with his hair tied tightly in a ponytail on the back of his head. He opened against Lucas. They shook hands, but Jay kicked him in the gut, and we’re underway!
Hartsook hit some armdrags and a dropkick. Hartsook and Ray hit stereo dropkicks that sent Top Team to the floor at 2:30 to regroup. Jay dropped Hartsook throat-first on the top rope, and they took over. It’s become clear that Top Team are heels here. They worked over Brandon and kept him grounded. Terry hit a double-underhook suplex at 4:30. Jay knocked Axton off the apron to the floor. Axton finally got a hot tag at 6:00, and he hit some clotheslines. (Axton has really slimmed down since I last saw him!) He hit a spear. Brandon dove over the top rope onto Top Team on the floor.
In the ring, Brandon hit a Doomsday Blockbuster on Yaki for a nearfall, but Jay made the save. Brandon tried a springboard crossbody block, but he slipped a bit. Yaki hit a superplex, and Lucas hit a Swanton Bomb on Brandon for a nearfall at 8:30. Lucas hit a stunner on Axton. All four fought. Top Team got stereo rollups. Brandon and Axton hit stereo superkicks. They hit stereo Canadian Destroyers out of the ropes at 10:30. All four fought in the ring again. Top Team hit stereo superkicks on each opponent. They grabbed the tag title belts, but they swung and hit each other! Brandon hit a Swanton Bomb-style move on Jay for the pin.
Axton Ray and Brandon Hartsook defeated “Top Team” Terry Yaki and Jay Lucas to retain the Innovate Grand Tag Titles at 12:55.
Southern Honor “Still Here 8” in at at Reformation Brewery in Canton, Georgia, on October 16, 2026 (IWTV)
I’ve seen a few shows from here before. This is a tavern’s patio with a canopy over the ring, and three sides are open to the outdoors. A huge crowd of maybe 300. It’s nighttime, but the ring is really well-lit. I watched the final two matches.
Corinne Joy vs. Ravenna Vein in a first blood match. These two have seriously fought at least seven times already. Vein is the “vampire baddie.” Vein hit a back suplex. They fought to the floor, and Ravenna shoved her face-first into the ring post. They brawled around the ring and through the crowd. The commentators talked about how these two were trained by AR Fox. They brawled over by a drink cart. Vein slammed Joy head-first on the ring steps at 4:00. Joy choked her with a cord.
Corinne got a staple gun, and they both got in the ring. Vein shoved her away, and now she choked Joy with the cord. She hit a Flatliner; the commentators pointed out Vein normally would go for a pin there. Joy got the stapler and used it on Ravenna’s tongue! Joy stapled Vein on her right arm, too. She left the ring and got a garbage can. She swung a garbage can lid but missed. Vein hit a stunner. Joy put the garbage can over Vein’s head and hit a basement dropkick onto the garbage can in the corner at 9:30. No blood yet, though!
Corinne again went to the floor, and she ordered a guy to carry a flat-screen TV into the ring. (It’s probably too heavy for her to lift and carry that!) However, Vein hit a Death Valley Driver onto the flat-screen TV, and it shattered at 11:30. No blood yet! They fought again to the floor, then got back in. Grayson Pierce appeared and he distracted the ref. Corinne sprayed red mist all over Vein’s chest! The ref checked her, so it was NOT blood, and ordered the match to continue!
Joy hit a superkick. Vein speared Joy through a door in the corner, and they were both down. Krule appeared and he brawled with Pierce and Christian Taylor. Krule beat up Taylor, and those two fought to the back. Pierce slid a table into the ring. Sunny Daze, a heavyset bald guy, got in the ring and hit a Black Hole Slam on Pierce. Joy hit some slaps to his chest, and she sprayed mist in his eyes, too. She jumped on Sunny’s back, but he shrugged her off. Daze and Pierce did a top-rope superplex, and both crashed through the table at 17:30.
Vein opened a chair. Joy hit a superkick and put Vein’s head in the chair. She hit a running knee on Vein’s head! The ref checked Vein, but there was still no blood. Joy threw a temper tantrum. Joy set up more chairs in the ring, and she placed Vein on the chairs, but Vein stood up and grabbed Joy by her hair. Vein hit a Gory Bomb, slamming Joy face-first on the open chairs! Joy rolled to the floor and under the ring to hide her face. When she emerged, she had a bloody trickle from her forehead, and the ref called for the bell. They did a good job of filling a match that long!
Ravenna Vein defeated Corinne Joy in a first blood match at 22:37.
Alexander Lev vs. Carlie Bravo for the SHW Title. Lev wrestled Avery Styles in his first GCW match; he’s become a good hand here in Georgia. A clean lockup to open; they are roughly the same size and build. Standing switches early on, and it’s clear they are pacing to go long. They started trading forearm strikes, and Lev clotheslined Bravo to the floor at 3:00. Lev followed, and they traded chops and punches in the crowd. In the ring, Lev hit a clothesline for a nearfall at 5:00. Lev hit a second-rope senton for a nearfall.
Lev hit another suplex for a nearfall. He tied Bravo in the Tree of Woe and repeatedly stomped on him. They brawled again on the floor. Back in the ring, Bravo hit a standing neckbreaker for a nearfall at 10:30. He choked Lev in the ropes and kept him grounded. Lev applied a Fujiwara Armbar, but Bravo reached the ropes at 14:30. Bravo rammed his arm into the corner to ‘put his shoulder back in place.’ He hit a snap suplex. Bravo hit a leaping neckbreaker for a nearfall at 16:00.
Lev fired back with several clotheslines. He hit a top-rope missile dropkick and was fired up. He hit a twisting neckbreaker for a nearfall at 19:00. Bravo hit a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall, and he applied a Vendaval submission hold on the mat, but Lev got a foot on the ropes. Lev hit a spinning back fist. Bravo hit a double-underhook suplex at 21:30, and he was fired up. Bravo hit a Jay White-style Blade Runner for a nearfall, and he was shocked he didn’t win there! Lev nailed a top-rope superplex, and they were both down at 24:00.
They got up and traded forearm strikes. Bravo hit a Mafia Kick. Lev hit an enzuigiri, but Bravo fired back with a superkick at 26:00. Lev hit an STO uranage and a Stomp to the head for a nearfall, and they were both down. Bravo got some rollups. Lev hit a Styles Clash for a believable nearfall at 28:00. Bravo dropped him with a punch. The commentators noted we are nearing the time limit! Sure enough, the bell rang for a time-limit draw. (I had it at 29:32 and I’ll stand by that.) The crowd chanted “five more minutes!”
Bravo got on the mic and demanded the match continue! We got the bell, and I restarted the clock! Bravo accidentally punched the ref! Bravo hit another Blade Runner! However, Lev hit a low-blow punt kick! He struck Bravo across the forehead with the title belt two times! Lev woke the groggy ref and got the (VERY!) tainted pin. Good match. The crowd was into that, despite how long it went.
Alexander Lev defeated Carlie Bravo to retain the SHW Title at 31:43.
Premier Wrestling Federation “The Road To The Legacy Cup” at the Carolina Wrestling Academy in Newport, North Carolina, on October 25, 2026 (IWTV)
This is their training center. I really like the venue, but they typically draw 100 fans or fewer. The lighting is good here.
Landon Hale vs. Kolbe Max vs. Justin McKenzie. I’m a big fan of Hale; I don’t know his two opponents. Kolbe is a woman in all black, and she has short black hair. A very Goth look for her. I just looked at her stats on cagematch.net and this is just her ninth match of the year. Okay, I saw her in a scramble in Las Vegas over Mania weekend. Justin instantly makes me think of Myron Reed, as he has similar short hair with maroon-red color. Landon shook Kolbe’s hand at the bell, but Justin shoved Hale. He shoved Max to the mat and was booed. She got up and hit some clotheslines on McKenzie.
Justin superkicked her at 2:30, and Max rolled to the floor. The guys traded chops, and Justin hit a suplex for a nearfall. Justin hit a stiff kick to Landon’s spine and got a nearfall at 4:00. He hit a double stomp to Hale’s chest for a nearfall. Kolbe tried to get back into the ring, but Justin kicked her back to the floor. McKenzi hit a Pele Kick on Max on the apron, then a slingshot DDT on Hale for a nearfall at 5:30. Hale hit a dropkick on McKenzie and some clotheslines, then a Lethal Injection and a Blue Thunder Bomb and a second-rope moonsault.
Max snuck in, and she hit a German Suplex on Hale, and all three were down. She backed Justin into a corner and hit a series of punches, then a crossbody block. She hit a huracanrana on Landon, then a Samoan Drop on him for a nearfall at 7:30. Hale went for another Lethal Injection, but Justin blocked it. The guys traded rollups. Max hit a double spear and got a nearfall on Justin, then one on Hale. Justin hit a German Suplex on Max, then a running knee to her jaw! However, Landon hit a springboard stunner on Justin and pinned him. Considering I hadn’t seen two of them before, I liked what I saw here.
Landon Hale defeated Kolbe Max and Justin McKenzie at 9:17.
Titan Championship Wrestling “Evil Intentions” at the Elks Lodge in Bayville, New Jersey, on October 10, 2026 (IWTV)
This is a dark room with a low ceiling. The crowd was maybe 80. I barely recognized anyone in this lineup. I watched the main event.
Michael Fain (w/heel manager) vs. Dustin Waller in a best of three falls match for the TCW Title. Fain is a bald Black man with a short beard; his cagematch.net bio says he’s 28. Think Bad News Brown. Waller is the babyface; Fain is a heel. A clean lockup, and the more muscular Fain backed him into a corner. They twisted each other’s left arm. Fain hit a hard Irish Whip for a nearfall at 6:00. They went to the floor, where Fain slammed him back-first on the apron. Waller got a flash rollup for a pin at 8:31! Dustin is up 1-0!
Dustin hit some flying forearms and a running Shooting Star Press for a nearfall. Fain hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a believable nearfall at 10:30. They got on the ring apron and traded chops. Waller hit a springboard crossbody block. He went for a Lethal Injection, but Fain’s manager tripped him! Fain hit a low blow and got a tainted pin at 12:10. Fain was in charge, and he kept Waller grounded. Dustin got a backslide for a nearfall. They traded rollups.
Fain scooped him up and hit a back suplex, and they were both down at 15:00. They got on their knees and traded forearm strikes. They got up and continued to trade blows. Dustin hit the Lethal Injection! He got a nearfall, but the heel manager reached in and stopped the ref from making the three-count! Dustin hit an enzuigiri. Fain hit a gutwrench powerbomb for a nearfall. The heel manager hopped on the apron, so Dustin superkicked him to the floor! Dustin missed a 450 Splash. Fain immediately hit a Jackhammer for the pin. Good action.
Michael Fain (2) defeated Dustin Waller (1) in a best of three falls match to retain the TCW Title at 18:47.
Final Thoughts: Well, this would have made for a helluva 10-match show. I know I’ve pointed this out before, but watching all six shows in their entirety would take perhaps 15 to 16 hours. Thus, the need to pick out just a few from each show.
Ahura vs. Sosa is stellar and a must-see if you have IWTV. Blum-Irie takes second, and I’ll go with that Fain-Waller match for third. I applaud Bravo-Lev for holding the crowd for a full 30 minutes, and that earns honorable mention. Mercer-Bosby was really good too. I admire Joy and Vein for having a good first blood match, too. Lots to like here; a lot of my indy favorites in action.
