10 Things WWE Doesn't Want You To Know About Independent Wrestling

2. It's Getting REALLY Big

Kenny Omega All In
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Independent wrestling used to bring to mind visions of shoddy venues, tiny rings, dimmed lighting systems, bouncy canvases, slender men in kickpads duking it out on the mat. It was all very unglamorous, which WWE honed in on to depict itself as bigger and thus better.

This is no longer the case.

Though not truly an independent, Ring Of Honor's production boasts the expensive prestige factor in 2018. Being The Elite has capitalised on the levelling of technology to broadcast itself in glorious HD. The minor leagues feel bigger now, as handily evidenced by the TV deal secured by Major League Wrestling.

And independent wrestling is actually big.

All In, the indy super-show spearheaded by Cody and the Young Bucks, sold 10,000 seats in half an hour. Much of that had to do with the novelty factor and the expert marketing driving an underdog supportive spirit, but the sheer balls on it is as inspiring to the fans as it is to Ring Of Honor, the COO of which, Joe Koff, used its precedent to proceed with booking MSG for WrestleMania Weekend. All In, at time of writing, feels less like a lucky bet and more like the start of something.

For years, WWE put itself over as the major leagues, with very little substance to back up the rhetoric.

With that bubble bursting, what else is there for WWE to Mellabrate?

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!