WWE has been mining the indies for talent for years, but we’re seeing those stars make it on a national stage (CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Antonio Cesaro). It’s a tectonic shift for the world’s largest wrestling company, moving from potential “TV stars” who can’t wrestle and to indie stars who may not have the right physique but who can go.
Recently, WWE reached a deal with El Generico, regarded as one of the best workers in the world, and, if used properly, he could be the next masked superstar. And now comes word via the Wrestling Observer (subscriptionrequired) that the Briscoe brothers, Adam Cole, Sami Callihan and Ricky Reyes will be getting a look in the WWE’s next tryout camp at the end of this month.
The animated Art of Wrestling podcast, featuring CM Punk and Colt Cabana, now with an alternative ending: December 21, 2012
I really enjoyed these shots, especially with all of the cameos by stars throughout wrestling history. It’s also fun to hear Punk and Cabana discussing John Cena, who Cabana thought hated him. And now, we get an alt-ending, featuring an Avengers-style battle and post-credits extra scene.
A.C.H. featured in Chikara’s latest Podcast-A-Go-Go: October 2, 2012
A.C.H. has been tearing up Missouri indies in 2012. So it’s good to see him getting a shot with the major indies — Chikara and Ring of Honor. And the Last Hero shows why with the 450 off the second rope.
Also featured here: an eight-man tag featuring Hallowicked, Ultramantis Black, Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw against the Young Bucks and the debuting Heart Throbs.
The Spectral Envoy wins Chikara’s King of Trios: September 16, 2012
Hallowicked, Frightmare and Ultramantis Black defeat Team Ring of Honor (Mike Bennett and the Young Bucks) in the finals. Sounds like an awesome weekend of wrestling (and a DVD set worth getting).
