10 HUGE Predictions For Independent Wrestling After ALL IN
The indie revolution WILL be televised.
ALL IN was a resounding business success from the moment tickets sold out in less than 30 minutes on 13 May, and Cody, The Young Bucks, and their gang of like-minded independent pioneers followed through with an awesome show last Saturday night.
The biggest individual event in independent wrestling history brought a white-hot atmosphere reminiscent of ECW One Night Stand 2005 to Chicago. Nostalgic, cathartic, and pulsing with positive vibes, it was the party of the year. More than that, ALL IN was a landmark. It'll go down as a stunning example of what can happen when a group of talented self-promoters bet on themselves in a competition-less era, and hopefully, the next big step forward in what looks like an unprecedented independent surge.
Though WWE, as the most powerful players in town, continually rob the indies of their biggest and brightest, the movement is undeniable. ALL IN gathered and galvanised some of the finest talent from around the world, giving the scene the platform it needed to leap to the next level. A second event is all but guaranteed, and with any luck, independent wrestling fans old and new will eventually look back on 1 September 2018 as the night everything changed...
10. The Rise & Rise Of Bandido
Though extreme overrun saw ALL IN's main event cut from a reported 28 minutes to just under 12, Nick and Matt Jackson made sure that the bout's smallest name, Bandido, was still showcased, and even cut some of their own signature offence to allow the swaggering luchador some shine.
This was Bandido's breakout bout. With the bout's layout designed to put him on a pedestal, the 23-year-old upheld his end of the bargain, dazzling the crowd with all manner if insane trickery, including a huge triple Hurricanrana. He ate the pinfall, but became a star in the process.
Regular PWG viewers already knew of Bandido's quality, and he has been starring on the lucha indie circuit all year. More recently, him and partner Flamita captured the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships in Chicago, and after ALL IN, a strong showing in PWG's upcoming Battle Of Los Angeles tournament will propel him even closer to the top.
The clear-out of guys like Matt Riddle, Keith Lee, and Zack Sabre Jr. from the US indies has opened new spots at the top table. Bandido is about to make one his own.