There are so many wrestlers on the independent scene who deserve contracts. Honestly, this list could go on and on. I had a tough time narrowing this down to even eight. If you’re thinking, “But what about…,” you’re probably right. Regardless of what the naysayers say, and I’m as big a naysayer as anyone, there is an a great deal of talent out there representing nearly every part of the country, and even two outside of the country, plus a prominent female wrestler who could easily be a part of any promotion in the world. As much as I dislike contracts in independent wrestling, it’s a good way of representing who the best wrestlers are on the scene. WWE and TNA obviously count as well under the contract umbrella.
Some honorable mentions before we get started: Jonathan Gresham, Mia Yim, Santana Garrett, Chris Dickinson, Shane Hollister
JT Dunn
Dunn is one of the bright stars of the New England who has been a big part of Beyond Wrestling’s rise this year. His match with Johnny Gargano at Americanrana was one of the best on a loaded show. The next show saw Dunn wrestle Michael Elgin. I look at him as the biggest wild card of the group because he doesn’t really have the name value given he doesn’t wrestle for a lot of other places indie fans are aware of besides CZW and the increasingly improving Beyond Wrestling.
Biff Busick
He’s one of my personal favorites. One of the more intense wrestlers on the scene. My inclination based on his look and style is to compare him to Bryan Danielson circa 2007 when he was using more strikes in combination with submissions. I know Busick has been wrestling for Evolve and DG USA, but I think he makes a lot more sense for Ring of Honor. That company desperately needs someone with Busick’s personality and innovative technical wrestling skill. Busick is a guy who would fit in within the context of ROH’s history while also being a great television personality. In the old days, Busick would be a shoo-in. Now, we get Kongo.
Drew Gulak
Similar to Busick, Gulak is perfect for Ring of Honor. In fact, introducing these two as a tag team could help both men pretty significantly right away get over. Plus, their tag team division needs a lot of work. Given Gulak’s status as CZW champion, I doubt we’ll see Gulak in Ring of Honor for a period of time, but he can still have an impact in the WWN Universe. Having won the Style Battle, Gulak should be more emphasized next year as a contender for Fox’s Evolve title. He might not fit in as well with the DG USA style, but his work in 2013 is among the most memorable for any indie worker. Someone with as many intangibles as Gulak should be booked in more places.
Matt Cage
With Cage and a number of people on the list, it comes down to being to being able to wrestle and talk. Where I think Cage further separates himself is having a character. Turning him into a vampire was among the most brain dead decisions of any promoter in 2013. Cage’s best role is as a cocky prick who loves the money and the fame of being a wrestler because it’s an extension of who he really is. And regardless of what any person associated with wrestling will tell you, the best characters are the ones who represent themselves with the volume turned up. Cage is constantly changing his offense, and his mixture of styles would fit him in well with Ring of Honor or DG USA. Mostly because they have television, I think Cage becoming a part of ROH toward the end of 2014 would be a good thing for both sides. Call me biased, but Cage should be one of the biggest starts by the end of next year.
Christian Rose
Tough to find a wrestler who has been in the ring with more names than Christian Rose. He’s had the chance to be in the ring with guys like John Morrison and Matt Hardy. Early in 2014, it’ll be AJ Styles on his tour around the indies before going back to TNA in time for Lockdown. Unlike Cage, I don’t think Rose would work in DG USA at all. Rose is not a movez guy, but he’s one of the strongest talkers already on the scene. He’s deceptively tall and is one of the most interesting guys to watch because his style is different from so many other wrestlers who focus more on what’s coming up next as opposed to building up matches.
Ethan Page
I have to believe being in Canada doesn’t help Page’s case, but this is another guy who has charisma and can wrestle. AIW and AAW have given him a great deal of exposure already, and as talented as Josh Alexander is in the ring, Page strikes me as a potential star even moreso because of his ability to be complete jerk and get fans to hate him. It’s unfortunate but understandable that both of Page’s AIW Absolute title reigns have been cut short. I certainly hope whatever issues Page has been having getting into the states can be resolved soon because I think (perhaps in combination with Alexander) can be a tremendous asset to Ring of Honor’s tag team division. WWE can think whatever they want about body types and television, but for anyone else to hold Page back because of a lack of six pack is ludicrous. Page is good enough to where that shouldn’t matter.
Josh Alexander
From the very first time I saw him in AIW, I knew Alexander had the potential to be almost a Michael Elgin like performer. Thanks to a pair of matches with Elgin and some surprisingly strong promo work in AAW, I’m willing to put Alexander on this list. In lieu of giving some of their locals a chance, AIW took a chance on Alexander and Page instead for National Pro Wrestling Day and what a show stealing performance they put on. It was really a chance for both men, but I think people really got a chance to see w hat Alexander was all about. Injuries and border issues hurt Alexander late in the year and prevented him from finishing the Elgin trilogy, but hopefully he comes back in 2014 even stronger.
Tim Donst
Donst’s name really didn’t hit me until I saw his match against Chris Hero. Similar to Cage, Rose, and Page, this is a guy who can wrestle and talk. I’d argue his promo work is as good if not better than any of the aforementioned names. The way he was booked in Chikara during the first half of the year is an embarrassment in hindsight. AIW has done a much better job over the years giving Donst opportunities against some of the bigger names. His match with Michael Hutter at Absolution arguably created one of the most important moments in AIW history, and if you ask me, that match proved how good Donst was against any number of opponents. I just don’t understand how someone like Donst isn’t in places like CZW, ROH, or Evolve, especially with Chikara ending operations for the year back in June. As odd as this sounds, I’d like to see Donst separate himself from that brand as much as possible and possibly break into CZW as a bridge into getting into ROH or DG USA. This guy is way too talented to not be more of a national name.
Jessicka Havok
I could make a strong argument that Havok is the best female wrestler in North American with Sara Del Rey training divas in WWE land. Cheerleader Melissa is obviously very strong as well, but Havok has such a unique look and feel. I also think she’s capable of putting on some great intergender matches. If Ring of Honor actually gets serious about a women’s division, Havok is the person to build around because she can be a great heel for many of the smaller girls. Given she’s a member of the Shine roster, I’m not sure how realistic am ROH run would even be, but there’s no reason Havok can’t be a member of the Evolve roster. If Gabe is looking to shake things up and expand his booking options, I think Havok wrestling someone like AR Fox or even Johnny Gargano would be really intriguing. She doesn’t have the look of a traditional diva, but Havok’s in-ring ability as a dominant power wrestler makes her an easy choice to give a contract if you ask me.