There are two great things about being an independent wrestling fans.
You spend far less money on your live wrestling content.
You get to see and know the stars of tomorrow on their way up.
I can’t say for certain if any of the folks I’m putting over in this post will become big stars, but they all have the potential – and they’re all amazing people. Some had challenges in 2025. Some are just now coming into their prime. They’re certainly NOT the only people in pro wrestling I am cheering for, but they are all names to know and reasons to buy a ticket if they come to an arena near you.
We’ll start with the guy I just put over on social media.
Robert Katchem
“Watching Robby work is like watching a beautiful car crash.” Those are the exact words I said to Bobby Blaze last Friday over lunch. Katchem is a big man who can play to any crowd. He can be a red hot heel or a babyface, and he knows how to pump up the crowd.
As rambunctious as his in-ring persona appears, Katchem is serious as a heart attack about pro wrestling. He’s a Covid-kid – part of a generation that honed their skills in a ring during lockdown. He’s a serious student of the business, a savvy professional, and a man who knows how to take care of his opponents in the ring. Seriously. It only looks like they will never walk again.
Shaloncé Royal
Wrestling’s Musical Diva watched from the sidelines in 2025 as she rehabbed from injuries, but she’s very close to making her return. She spent the intervening time giving back to her home community as a music teacher, but she’s itching to get back in the ring and kick a little ass.
Shaloncé has a real star quality about her. And sorry, haters, but that voice is incredible. She remains one of my favorite interviews ever, and we still chat from time to time – about opera as much as wrestling. I cannot wait to see this comeback happen.
Kevo Thrives
Kevo nearly got his hands on the Grindhouse Pro Wrestling Championship Sunday. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s probably only a matter of time before he strikes gold.
One of the first students and graduates at Grindhouse, Kevo has a world of charisma and a physique made for the WWE. In 2025 he began expanding his territory, debuting at a number of independents around the country. Hie trainers, Ronnie Roberts and 2 Tuff Tony, are big believers and ready to vouch for this rising star.
Kendall Ryann
Kendall didn’t leave the tri-state region of West Virginia just to work a desk job in Florida. She’s determined to make it big in pro wrestling. She’d fought back from an injury to make a strong return to the ring in 2025, and she’s taking on all comers – male and female – willing to step in the ring with her.
An electric performer with a wicked sense of humor, thus Bobby Blaze protegé has her sights set on making it to the top of the business.
Luke Kurtis
I miss this man. I miss the way he sneered at the fans in OVW, the way he oozed arrogance. The way he sold for everyone. He also gave me one of my favorite quotes ever about being a heel. “[Fans] can’t tell their boss off. They can’t cuss out their sister or their best friend. But they can come to OVW every Thursday night, and they can hold the middle finger up at me. They can spit at me. They can yell at me. And there’s no hair off my back because that’s my job. That’s my service that I provide to you. I’m the human punching bag.”
Luke did everything asked of him at OVW, and that took him all the way to the championship. He’s out west now working for NWA and pushing to become the best he can be. He’s earned a few spots with AEW as well. You may hate the character, but he’s a true pro with the skill and the mindset to become a star.
Reese Ramone
Two years ago, Reese told her trainer Bobby Blaze she didn’t think she was doing enough. “You’re wrestling. You’re a majorette with the Marshall marching band. You’re majoring in engineering, minoring in math and physics, and you’re wrestling, and you’re an RA in your dorm. What else do you think you should be doing?”
The good news for Reese, headed into 2026, is that she’s no longer in school. Diploma in hand, she’s ready for the next step in her career – especially the wrestling career. Her biggest goal for 2026: wrestling in Japan.
Jackie Thad
I was originally going to restrict this list to six wrestlers, but I couldn’t leave out Jackie Thad. A student of Legendary Larry D, Thad is one of the funniest, nastiest heels in wrestling. Period. Put him in front of a new crowd, and he’ll quickly give them a reason hate his guts
Thad and fellow Legends alum Kellin Craven are two reasons wannabe wrestlers should flock to Georgetown, Kentucky. Larry D and Maxx Sledd are training smart, savvy professional wrestlers ready to work any match for any promotion. Thad is going to make a lot of money by pissing people off.
Girl Fight Wrestling
Oh how I’ve missed this company!
Originally founded as a way to help one young lady network with other women in wrestling, Girl Fight became a networking opportunity for every lady who set foot in their locker room. The list of talent that worked for the company is a who’s who of women’s stars. Just to name a few: Crazy Mary Dobson, LuFisto, Su Yung, Jordynne Grace, Britt Baker, Chelsea Green, Amazing Maria, Mickie Knuckles, and the woman now running the company, Billie Starkz.
It’s exciting to see Billie take the reins of the company that helped her career take off, and she’s expanded on the vision created by Mad Man Pondo. The new Girl Fight will be all women, from the wrestlers and refs to the announcers and even the camera crew. The women’s wrestling revolution that began in the indies continues!
Want to know more? You can read about Robert Ketcham, Kevo Thrives, Reese Ramone, and Jackie Thad in We Are Grindhouse.
Reese, Luke Kurtis, Kendall Ryann, and Shaloncé Royal are profiled in Eat Sleep Wrestle Repeat.