Five independent Talents you need to pay attention to

Wrestling is a massive sport with so many various promotions fans can follow. WWE, AEW, Impact, New Japan, and ROH are just some of the significant promotions fans can follow and watch on TV or pay-per-view but what many fans aren't aware of is the independent scene of Professional Wrestling. The indy scene is filled with fantastic talent and future megastars just waiting for their chance to shine on the brightest stage. So today, I'm going to share five talents on the independent scene you have to check out! These men and women will do massive things, and you'll want to hop on the bandwagon ASAP!

5) Kc Navarro- Standing 5'5 134 pounds, Navarro is only 23 years old, so upside alone makes Navarro a must-see talent. Navarro is in the prime of his youth, with his entire career ahead of him. At 23, this gives Kc Navaro a few golden years to improve and grow, and he isn't even close to his prime yet. Promotions are always looking for young, exciting talent so they can invest in their future and build around that up-and-coming star. Standing out is Kc's high-flying ability. He makes the wildest moves seem like a simple arm drag. His genius comes out with each daredevil-like dive. Kc brings a dazzling high-flying offense to the table and always manages to stand out each time he is in the ring. Even the simplest thing, when he jumps into the ropes and catches himself, shows off his astounding cordination allowing fans to see the athletic skills and balance. The finisher is the most eye-catching part; when his opponent is down and out, Kc Navarro unleashes a beautiful spinning cutter, flipping and turning himself in mid-air and driving his opponent face first into the mat. He has squared off with some of the biggest names in Wrestling like Will Osprey and titans like Brian Cage and has shown he belongs with the big boys. He debuted in 2015 and was quickly noticed by Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), where he would have several stand-out performances leading to a championship title match. On February 8th, 2020, Navarro would claim gold by defeating AR Fox for the CZW Wired Championship.

CZW wasn't the only promotion to have Navarro. Fans of Kc Navarro were treated to him appearing at Impact wrestling. His first match with Impact was in a six-man ladder match where Navarro could stand out and perform a breathtaking performance. Later that year, we saw Navarro return to Impact in a fatal four-way and later in a singles match. AEW would be the next promotion to give him a chance, and on their youtube show, AEW Dark KC would lose a tag match against the Dark Order. Navarro put on an entertaining match with the Dark Order, giving the popular team a tough matchup ending in a close loss for Navarro.

Each time Navarro gets an opportunity to show what he can do, the man puts on a clinic; I've yet to watch a bad match of his, even after watching dozens. Kc Navarro is the Wrestling Has a Tomorrow (WHAT) champion, the Warrior Wrestling champion, and the Northeast Wrestling Live champion! So far, in 2022, Navarro has competed in 40 matches and has no plans of slowing down. Kc Navarro brings a unique energy to any promotion by bringing his youthful spirit and high-octane offense to dazzle and impress any crowd that gets the pleasure to watch him live. Watch a Kc Navarro match, and you will see the crowd either on the edge of their seats or standing on their feet, screaming and cheering. The infectious energy he brings oozes out of him at every turn and helps get the fans invested in Navarro. You never want to miss a match of his because of that youthful energy; his athleticism makes fans wonder what he will do next.

The impressive part is at his young age, he is improving at a quick rate. The career trajectory of this young man is soaring higher each passing day, and WWE and AEW will be calling him sooner than later. Signing him is like catching lighting in a bottle.

4) Richard Holliday- This is a newer one for me; I first saw Richard Holliday wrestle this year when I went to an indy show where he faced Killer Kross, I had no idea what to expect from Holliday, and I was blown away when I watched Holliday perform. His ring presence was terrific. He made every moment he got to feel special and cut an excellent promo to start the night, and stole the show shortly after. His wrestling abilities deserve a special shoutout because he efficiently executed everything. Holliday that night was on fire. The man made the most challenging move seem like child's play, and despite losing, he shined brighter than anyone else that night. Holiday stands 6'3", 237 pounds, and is only 30 years old, so he is a perfect candidate for a promotion; to invest in him and watch as they sign the next top-level heel in wrestling. Richard knows how to get under the skin of a crowd and plays the bad guy role so well that he makes you want to tune in to any show he is on and watch so you can see him get his ass kicked. Making his debut in 2015, Holliday has been putting in his dues and getting as much exposure as he can, rigorously working until 2019, when he got signed to MLW. He teamed with MJF, faced Timothy Thatcher, and battled Low-Ki in a fun match in a tournament. Making a name for yourself isn't easy, but Holliday has put his nose to the grindstone and steadily made a name for himself as a reliable and underrated worker. Holliday has been fortunate enough to battle many veterans over these years, and each time he has learned from them and grown as a wrestler, his momentum is growing with each match he does. If he can continue this run for the rest of 2022, we can expect Richard Holliday to get a call from WWE, AEW, or even get the call to New Japan. I would love to see him in New Japan. Battling some of the best guys Japan has to offer would be entertaining, and all their special tournaments would give Holliday many chances to shine. Still, the best part for me would be seeing how the calm and respectful New Japan Crowd reacts to a loud, cocky Holliday.

3- "The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu- Now, this one is a fun one to write about, many may know about Fatu, but for those of you who have missed the boat, he was the MLW world champion and is the longest reigning champion holding it for 819 days! The man stands 6'1 280 pounds, and moves around like a cruiserweight. If that doesn't impress you, let's quickly discuss his family, shall we? Fatu comes from the Anoa'i family, the family that has produced Umaga, The Usos, Roman Reigns, High Chief Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Rikishi, Yokozuna, The Wild Samoans, oh, and THE ROCK! So what I'm trying to say is this man is bred to be a megastar. His bloodline is as rich as possible, producing many halls of farmers. His last name alone invokes main event expectations, so the question is, how will Fatu perform with all the eyes on him? Well, if you tune into a match with Fatu, you watch Fatu use his scary strength to drive a man through the mat with a Samoan drop and, in the same breath, ascend to the top turnbuckle and fly through the air with a moonsalt crushing his opponent under him.

Watching Fatu wrestle is like watching a car wreck. It's destructive and brutal, but you can't seem to look away from the action. His skills are breathtaking. The Brawler has won many titles over his young career thus far, and in 2020 he claimed the 20 ranking in the PWI wrestler rankings, and in 2021 placed 31. Fatu is destined to do tremendous things one day. Watch his matches; the man lives to feel pain and thrives in situations where his physical limitations are pushed beyond his limits. His presence is genuinely intimidating. The crowd and fans at home can feel it too. It's like watching a lamb head to the slaughter. He reminds me of his uncle Umaga. Fatu has the same potential as a future top monster heel; he walks in and destroys the poor soul in the ring with him and leaves. What impresses fans the most is he isn't just a powerful big man who rips his opponents apart. He's a high-flyer! Jacob can fly through the air like it's nothing to him, often leaving viewers wondering if the laws of physics apply to him. Usually, when a talented big man comes around, fans wonder if they have the motor and stamina to compete at a high-level night in and out, but Fatu has proved he does indeed have that motor and THRIVES in high-profile matches. Competing against some of the best talents in the world, Fatu has proven each time he belongs in the conversion of top-level big men. It's only a matter of time before Fatu is signed and starts terrorizing the roster of the unsuspecting company.

The question is will it be with WWE and his cousins and join The Bloodline, or maybe he will carve his path and sign with AEW and have bloody, brutal battles with Moxley, Kenny Omega, and Eddie Kingston? He can even throw everyone off and sign with New Japan; for a talent like Fatu, he can do anything he wants, and fans will flock to him.

2) Hannah Taylor- Based in Liverpool England, Hannah Taylor is among the most talented in-ring technicians in today's British independent scene. Watching Hannah perform is always a treat. She has so many levels to her game that it's impressive to watch because just when you have seen all her moves, Hannah dishes out a beautiful springboard arm drag to dazzle the crowd. The submission game of Hannah Taylor can not be ignored; seeing her pick an opponent's limb apart throughout an entire match is so entertaining to see; she has a great wrestling mind to be able to control a matchup like that. In wrestling today, chain wrestling is often overlooked and not appreciated, and we only realize how special chain wrestling can be when we watch a wrestler execute it as well as Hannah does. If I had to describe Hannah's style, I would call her dynamic and explosive in that ring. Her crisp style meshes well with everyone she steps into the ring with. Hannah prides herself on her astounding chain wrestling abilities, and it's a work of art, her transitions are eye-catching, and she moves with such fluid movements that she makes it look easy when in reality, it's such a tricky thing to master. That's what makes Hannah so special. She makes the most challenging moves look like child's play and puts on a wrestling clinic each time she steps into the ring. What needs to be mentioned is her in-ring IQ. Hannah is so bright; she's truly a student of the game. To be a pro wrestler, you can't just be talented in the ring; you HAVE to stand out, and that's another impressive thing about Hannah because, in wrestling, we see so many copy-and-paste jobs were the same gimmick and personality are reused and changed over and over again. Still, Hannah doesn't blend in with the crowd. She makes a unique and grand entrance with her music and leaves a lasting impression on the fans in attendance. The work ethic of Hannah Taylor is amongst one of the best she hones her craft and constantly tries to evolve her expanding moveset. As a personality, Hannah is very bright and witty, showing she has a great sense of humor, often using her quick wit to slay her opponents before she even gets in the ring. Another critical factor in a successful pro wrestler is identifying their strengths and weaknesses and willingly working on improving their weaknesses. Hannah will be successful in wrestling because she knows she isn't perfect and is willing to work on herself to be the best professional wrestler. Currently, Hannah is out of action, but once she returns, I'm beyond confident she will quickly get back on track and continue to grow and expand her game to the point where major promotions will call her with contract offers at the ready. She is someone a promotion like AEW, WWE, or Stardom would love! She can slide into any spot on the card and excel in the spot she is in. Personally, for me, a dream match I'd love to see is Hannah versus Toni Storm. The pair would have a fantastic match with tremendous wrestling IQ, which would be a joy to watch. My advice is to follow Hannah on all social platforms and watch all her matches because she will do big things, and you'll want to be on the bandwagon when she takes off.

1) "The Glamour" Mariah May- Now for my number 1 independent star, you NEED to be paying attention to! Mariah is based in England and is one of British wrestling's most talented wrestlers holding various titles and defending them all over the UK! At one point, Mariah held four titles at once, with a combined social media following across all platforms with 168,200 followers. Mariah is also one of the most popular and easily recognized faces in independent wrestling. Mariah is a uber-athletic young wrestler who looks like a megastar; she's a beautiful blonde. Anyone with common sense would want to promote her and build her into the face of a promotion. Now let's talk about her ring presence, shall we? Mariah walks into a room for an interview, and all eyes fall on her. Everyone wants to hear what she has to say, that's a rare quality in wrestlers today, and Mariah has already mastered it. The entrance even screams megastar. Whether you like her or not, you can't take your eyes off her as she struts down the entrance ramp showing off her confidence and beauty. Don't underestimate Mariah because she isn't just a pretty face; she has a spectacular in-ring ability to match. Once in the ring, Mariah is all business making it a point to control the pace of the match and doing everything in her power to make sure she can show her explosive moveset. Armed with a crisp and painful striking game, Mariah can pick her opponent apart with knees, chops, and other strikes that make you cringe in pain for her opponent. When she isn't working her opponent with her striking, you can witness some impressive high-flying moves from Mariah like her flying crossbody and dropkick off the ropes, which dazzles all the fans. Her passion for this sport can't be denied, Mariah lives in the gym and the wrestling ring, and her hard work is always shown each time she competes.

What impresses me the most is her impeccable character work, she's versatile and can be a lovable babyface, but WOW, she plays a great heel! Mariah oozes confidence with each step she takes, and Mariah May won't be shy in telling you how fantastic she is. Armed with insults that cut worse than a knife, Mariah excels with in-ring psychology bringing an unmatched mental game that helps her put on a show to remember. Her debut in America was a perfect example of knowing how to get a reaction out of the crowd. Mariah was competing in Philly, where she wasted no time showing the fans what she thought about them, taunting and mocking them, even slapping a beer out of a fan's hands. Throughout the match, Mariah played the crowd like a fiddle, taunting them and her opponent any chance she got, berating the ref for poor officiating. She had the entire arena in her hand; it was awe-inspiring to watch. Finally, the end of the match arrived, and Mariah planted her opponent for the pinfall win, but how she went for the pinfall was amazing to watch! Instead of going for a classic hook, the leg Mariah wanted to be different, she sat on her opponent's chest, hooked the leg, and proceeded to flip off the Philly fans in attendance! The crowd hated it and rained down boos at her, and Mariah soaked it all in, loving every second of it; even when she left, she still kept at it taunting and teasing disappointed fans. Philly fans, in general, are a tough crowd across all major sports, and most times, no matter how skilled the person is, they get eaten alive by those fans, but Mariah didn't blink or hesitate. She relishes those negative reactions and feeds off them, which is exactly why she is someone you need to build an entire promotion around! She has no fear; she is confident in herself, and, more importantly, she thrives under pressure. That makes someone a star, having the ability to step up to any challenge in their way and embrace it! No moment is too big for Mariah May, and someone with that mindset is exactly who you want for the main event of your show. Mariah is a treat to watch because she will dominate someone mentally and physically while dishing out punishment. Mariah is right in her opponent's ear, telling them off, teasing them, and mocking them any chance she gets, further cementing herself as a top-level villain. Her promo work is a dream to watch and listen to. She's authentic and speaks with conviction and intensity every time; you believe she is the best cause in her heart. She believes it, there is no self-doubt in Mariah May, and that's what makes her so special she is destined for greatness because she wants it, works for it, and knows she is one of the best. It's not just those qualities that make her a future star. It's her business mind she has. Mariah is an independent wrestler but has built a brand larger than some wrestlers could even dream of! Amassing a following of over 168,200 loyal followers across all platforms, and it's constantly growing. She has made herself a must-sign talent because she brings such a huge and loyal audience with her. Mariah proudly calls her fans House May as they all stand by her side no matter what. Mariah truly loves her fans.

She's constantly interacting with them and appreciating their continuous support. It's lovely to watch because it makes you want to see her succeed even more. Mariah May is a fantastic villain, but the person behind the character truly is a kind-hearted dedicated young woman you want to see succeed. It doesn't matter if it's WWE, AEW, or Stardom. Any promotion with a damn will want Mariah May. She's a generational talent with the drive to succeed and is never okay with settling for second best. If I'm starting a wrestling promotion, Mariah is the first name I'm calling because she's got all the tools to be the face of the promotion and is a hardworking, reliable talent. Please do yourself a favor, and join House May before it's too late. Mariah will take over wrestling, and you will want to be a part of it.