The world of independent professional wrestling, or indie, is jam-packed with matches of all shapes, sizes, and colours. Every night of the week, promotions across the world run shows for audiences of all sizes, and literally, anything can happen. That level of unpredictability is why I love indy wrestling (and Indi Wrestling but that’s another story) and why I want to spotlight some of the matches that I think other fans should check out.
Alex Zayne vs. Vikingo | GCW Holy Smokes
Welcome back Alex Zayne! The saucy one made his 2023 debut with this match against the most exciting high flyer in the world-Vikingo. The AAA Mega Campeon has taken the United States by storm, while Zayne returned from a Japanese excursion.
Gliding across the ropes and flying through the Showboat, Vikingo hit a Sky Twister dive that left the crowd shocked. Both fighters’ kicks were fast as lightning and landed like thunder. Zayne responded to Vikingo’s breathtaking aerial attack with his superior strength, power bombing Vikingo onto the ring apron. A double-door bridge on the floor loomed ominously throughout the match and was destroyed with a 630 splash by Vikingo onto a prone Zayne. After a sprint of heavy-hitting moves, El Hijo Del Vikingo hit another 630 splash for an impressive victory.
Bryan Keith (c) vs. Cole Radrick | Freelance Legacy Championship Match | Freelance Wrestling Chi-City
If you watch two men smash the absolute crap out of one another, this is the match for you. The champion Keith entered to a huge ovation, as the Freelance faithful has come to love the Texan Bounty Hunter. Raddy Daddy Cole Radrick had his share of supporters, as both men have made a popular name for themselves in the indie scene. Billed as a matchup of two of the hardest hitters in all of wrestling, Keith and Radrick earned that distinction in this one.
After a vicious exchange of shots, Radrick gained an early advantage with a diving tope to the outside. Radrick used his advantage to target Keith’s arm, but the double-tough champion battled back. Radrick gave his best shots including a springboard cutter but only gained a two-count. The Bounty Hunter looked for his Soul Fire Bomb all match long and was eventually able to deliver the bone-crunching move for a championship-retaining victory. Another great defence in Keith’s title reign and other promotions would be wise to book a rematch. At the crowd’s request, the two men even shared a quick smooch, proof that independent wrestling is the absolute best.
If you have an independent wrestling match that you thinks deserves to make this list, comment below or let me know @NoAverageJoel on Twitter.
