When you think of professional wrestling, most people’s minds go to WWE, AEW or NJPW. These are all great promotions, but they are the biggest companies in the industry. They all have established wrestlers, sold out arenas and the loudest pyros. Not many people talk about the under-appreciated companies and wrestlers working on the independent scene. Their lives are filled with so many challenges and deserve more attention.
Independent wrestling serves as the starting point for many hopeful superstars. These wrestlers give it their all in places like high school gyms or community centers where they put their bodies on the line for just a small crowd. There are many events in our area, such as SEEK Pro Wrestling, which will hold their next big event next week. Before the show even begins, independent wrestlers are faced with many challenges. For independent wrestler Puf, these struggles start on the ride down.
“Long drives,” Puf, from Buffalo, said in an interview with The Wood Word. “Nothing in the ring hurts as bad as being stuck in a Sedan with four other large men for five hours… The longest one I did was 12 hours in one sitting.”
Another struggle for many independent wrestlers is money. Most try to fill out their schedule with as many events as possible so they can get paid the most money. This also gives them the opportunity to sell merchandise at the events, take pictures with fans and sign autographs for some extra cash. Sometimes, wrestling cannot cover all the expenses and picking up a second job is needed.
“I bought a house with my sister.” Puf said. “I have to pay a mortgage and have health insurance, so I got a job working at a non-profit in Buffalo where I live and it has been awesome.”
Especially when wrestlers are first starting out, their money situation can be challenging. It’s hard to come up with money needed for wrestling and their personal life. This was the situation for independent wrestler Isaiah Prince.
“Back when I was in college and trying to wrestle at the same time, the biggest struggle was financial,” said Prince. “Wrestling isn’t cheap and when you’re trying to invest in yourself, it can be tough to afford everything you want or need. When I was preparing for my debut in 2021, I had a vision for the type of gear I wanted but I couldn’t afford the top-of-the-line gear I felt I needed.”
Independent wrestling stands out because of its unique talent. It is hard to compare the wrestlers of a big company to the independent scene. You don’t really see a lot of people with gimmicks in WWE anymore. In the past, they had wrestlers like Doink the Clown, Goldust and the Devil’s favorite demon, Kane. There are so many more people in independent wrestling so the possibilities are endless. Puf notices the difference of characters in wrestling.
“On the smaller local scenes, there is so much more.” Puf explains. “There are so many more characters, there are so many diverse people from different backgrounds who are bringing elements of themselves to the wrestling scene and making it so much more than that.”
Although it may be small at times, the crowd plays a huge factor in these shows. As in many sporting events, the fans are also a part of the action. That may include cheering for someone, chanting a funny message to a person, or singing along with an entrance song. Fans especially in wrestling make the show what it is. In smaller promotions, wrestlers have more time to connect with fans and hear their stories. For Prince, it is really inspiring.
“It might sound cliché but making an impact on someone even for just a few hours during a show means everything,” Prince said. “There have been moments where fans have told me they were going through something tough and my match gave them an escape, even just for a little while. That’s powerful.”
What makes Independent great is the price. For fans, they don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for a few tickets. Most tickets are affordable and have a great view of the ring. It is a perfect event to bring your family or friends to. Along with this, you are seeing the future of wrestling at a cheap price. You may be watching the next WWE champion or AEW women’s champion in a few years.
“You’re seeing today’s talent before they make it big and you get to follow their journey from the ground up,” Prince said. “Supporting a local promotion isn’t just entertainment, it’s being part of that community.”
Everyone should search for Independent wrestling in their area. You can look for posters at your local stores, gas stations or bulletin boards. Even a quick search online should provide the answer. For those in the Dunmore area, SEEK Pro Wrestling will hold a tournament on Oct. 4 at Holy Cross High School. You can see both Puf and Prince participate and be entertained all night.
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