Photo credit: @WCWMouse3911
Right now many fans, as well as other wrestlers, are calling Lee Moriarty the best wrestler in North America. If you think it’s true or not, the matches that he has lined up for this weekend’s Collective shows prove the confidence that promoters have in him. Some of the biggest and most important matches of his career will be taking place at The Collective in Indianapolis.
With 12 shows happening over the course of this weekend, Lee Moriarty seems to have the biggest weekend out of anyone, with six huge matches over the course of two days. Facing the top talents in wrestling, this weekend is one where Moriarty can solidify himself as the best wrestler in North America, even if he doesn’t think of himself as so.
vs. Daniel Makabe – Southern Underground Pro
Lee Moriarty will kick off his Collective weekend at Southern Underground Pro’s Swing of the Axe. He will share the ring with the best technical wrestler in independent wrestling, “The Wrestling Genius” Daniel Makabe. Makabe has been in the ring with the likes of Timothy Thatcher, Jonathan Gresham, Eddie Kingston, Tony Deppen, and others. This will be Makabe’s only appearance during The Collective weekend so expect Makabe to show out.
This match has the potential to steal the show. Expect a technical masterpiece and the possibility of this match being one of the most technical matches of the entire weekend.
vs. Alex Shelley vs. Tre LaMar – AIW
At AIW’s Thunder in Paradise, Moriarty is facing his mentor and his greatest rival. Moriarty bested Shelley in a series of 3 matches from AIW, with the rubber-match a submission match. As for LaMar, him and Moriarty have both stood next to and across from each other inside a wrestling ring. Facing each other at AIW, GCW and Warrior Wrestling.
Moriarty is very familiar with both of these men. In fact, all three of these men are all familiar with each other. LaMar might have the most to prove going into this match. Moriarty has already picked up victories over Shelley while LaMar lost to Shelley at AIW’s “Hey Yo.” LaMar may have the most to prove, but Shelley is going into this match with the most experience and a ton of momentum. He was just crowned the winner of the Black Label Pro Turbo Graps 16 tournament and became the new Black Label Pro Midwest Champion.
Remember that anyone can pick up a victory in a 3 way match. No matter what the result of this match is, you have to expect that this match will be incredible.
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vs. ACH – GCW For The Culture
This will be Moriarty’s most important match of the weekend, as well as his career. ACH has been a role model for Moriarty and Moriarty has mentioned that ACH is in his top 5 dream opponents. This match taking place at GCW’s For The Culture makes this match even more important.
Ever since ACH’s return to independent wrestling, he’s had a change of attitude. He has become the crafty veteran when taking on young upstart babyfaces such as Blake Christian and Tre LaMar. Moriarty can’t play into the mind games of the 13 year veteran. A victory over ACH could very well solidify Moriarty as the best wrestler in North America today. An incredible way to end his first day of The Collective.
vs. Mike Outlaw – Glory Pro Wrestling
Since splitting with his teammates KLD and Danny Adams from No New Friends, Mike Outlaw has been racking up victories in Glory Pro. Most of those victories were picked up in multi-man matches such as three ways and four ways. This Saturday, Outlaw has a chance to pick up a victory in his highest profile match in Glory Pro.
vs. Jonathan Gresham – Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4
On Friday, Moriarty will be facing one of the best technical wrestlers in independent wrestling, and the next day, at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4 he will be facing one of the best technical wrestlers in the world today. Ring of Honor star and one half of the ROH Tag Team Champions, Jonathan Gresham would be making a rare independent wrestling appearance.
Much like the ACH match, this is a huge test for Moriarty, going up against an experienced veteran. And just like the Makabe match from the night before, expect this match to be a wrestling clinic. Joey Janela himself said that this match has Match of the Year Candidate written all over it.
vs. Isaias Velazquez – Freelance Wrestling
In his final match of the weekend, Moriarty will be squaring off against the heart and soul of Freelance Wrestling, Isaias Velazquez. Velazquez will have the biggest advantage over any one of Moriarty’s opponents that weekend as this will be Moriarty’s final match of his grueling weekend. Moriarty will have to keep up with the best that Freelance has to offer as well as a former Freelance Wrestling Champion.
Velazquez has quite the resume in Freelance Wrestling, defeating wrestlers such as Lio Rush, Rickey Shane Page and Mustafa Ali. He also was a finalist in the BLP Turbo Graps 16 Tournament from this past Sunday, losing to Alex Shelley. A victory over Moriarty could bring Velazquez back into contendership for the Freelance World Championship. Can Moriarty end his Collective weekend on top?