From Scott Hensley: Lists are hard to write because there's almost always someone who deserves to be mentioned that isn't....
From Scott Hensley:
Lists are hard to write because there's almost always someone who deserves to be mentioned that isn't. This is not a ranking list, this is not an exhaustive list but it's my list of 16 young people that I see on posters, results, and shows that I attend or work on that are working hard to get better and get their names out there.
My initial idea was people wrestling for around a year or less but with wrestling, there's bumps in the road, wrong turns, extra training time needed, and a variety of different paths taken. So these are the "new on the scene" and "new to me" people who are either just starting out or just starting to get their name out there.
1. "Party Princess" Kayla Lynn - She's a mid-twenties "dynamite comes in small packages" tatted up lady wrestler with an extensive amateur background (Pretty cool, right?). She's one of several on this list that have trained or are training at the WWA4 school in Atlanta but she's actually from Hawaii. She's started to pop up some Georgia promotions and is slated to work for New South in Alabama as well.
2. Angel Blackwell - Another WWA4 trainee. One of the best female wrestlers if not THE best Southeastern female wrestler that you probably haven't seen on a show near you yet. Blackwell is confident in the ring and shows a lot of technical prowess. If she ever decides to start traveling then I think a lot of people will be impressed - she's just gotta take some chances and some promoters have to take some chances on her.
3. Troy Hunt - I promise not everyone on this list trained at WWA4 but Troy is another guy that has trained there, along with training with Slim J. He's extremely athletic with a great physique and has the support of Jeff G Bailey. As is the case with everyone on this list, he has a ways to go - I just think it's going to be fun to watch him on that journey, as he's winning fans and peers over.
4. Blackheart - Okay, okay just a couple more WWA4 guys. Blackheart was the champion at WWA4 when I attended one of their shows and I have to say that I wasn't initially impressed. I saw him again at Why We Wrestle and he won me over as a lovable goof. He's a punk rock gimmick guy with a giant Mohawk that is average in many areas but it's a start and he's a guy that's trying to get his name out there to get some opportunities and continue learning and developing his craft.
5. Prince Apollo - yet another WWA4 guy. Apollo is a junior heavyweight guy with some athleticism and personality that I enjoyed seeing recently. I've seen his name associated with several events lately outside of WWA4 so hopefully he is venturing out as well - as I do feel like he could have some potential. He reminds me of a De La Vega type guy but is probably a little bigger but may not have quite the developed personality yet.
6. Chris Henry - a Robert Gibson trainee. See what I did there? The whole list isn't WWA4 guys(and girls). Henry served 6 years as a Marine and is now fighting the fight of trying to earn opportunities in professional wrestling. He's a smaller guy who has had some good lightweight battles with Matt Gilbert and with tag team partner Jaden Newman recently. He attempts some innovative offense and has some personality while doing it.
7. Matt Develine - if you want to see someone with potential in wrestling, pay attention to who they're booked against and who puts them over. That's not an endorsement for myself putting over people on this list. It's a setup to the fact that Develine is impressing people left and right as a teenager doing battle against Kyle Matthews, Jason Collins, Jimmy Rave, and Colby Corino. He's a North Georgia guy, which usually gets an eye roll but he's a second generation guy who is turning heads as a lightweight phenom that is doing well with major opportunities.
8. Tyler Gaines - probably the guy on the list that I know the least about. He's a young guy from the Charlotte, NC area that possesses a great physique and is winning over a lot of fans as a young hulky and talented dude that is earning respect from his peers. I don't follow the Carolinas very closely but I will be on the lookout for more from Tyler.
9. Uncle Money - speaking of nice physiques, Uncle Money has a million dollar body with some killer abs. I haven't gotten to see him in action yet in person but he's getting some nice opportunities and is under the tutelage of the Platinum Championship Wrestling umbrella of knowledge, where the fans are quickly taking to him.
10. AJ Gray - A Tennessee guy?! Yep! One of three guys that I want to highlight from my home state that I write so little about. Gray is a West TN guy that brings to mind a mixture of Sugar Dunkerton meets Cedric Alexander. He's got a good look, athleticism, personality, and by many accounts a great attitude. He's 6 months in and doing a lot of traveling to make sure people know who he is and what he has to offer.
11. Brandon Bailey - the lone repeat on my list. When I last mentioned Bailey, he wasn't a wrestler but now that has changed. Bailey is the son of veteran Drew Delight and has been a referee(and whatever else was needed) for the last 3-4 years, despite still being in his teens. He made his wrestling debut at the last Empire show to a good response and could very well see more ring action as a wrestler soon. I'll give a personal endorsement for Brandon because I know him personally and know that he has an advanced knowledge of wrestling for a teenager. As I said before, I don't know where or how he'll make an impact but he's a guy that I believe will still be around the business in 20+ years doing something. It's in his blood and I believe it's in his heart.
12. Kevin Martin - my 2nd Tennessee guy! Kevin just graduated high school but he's another young guy that oozes passion for professional wrestling. He's the kind of guy who wants to learn everything behind the scenes and who is smart enough to do it. A true student of the business who loves wrestling and has won over several promotions and promoters as someone who isn't afraid to pay dues and work hard for opportunities. He's worked as a referee, camera operator, and many other things - as needed. Keep a lookout for his name in 5-10 years because I think it'll be closely associated with successful professional wrestling.
13. Cody Morton - my final Tennessee guy. When your dad is the guy that trained James Storm then it gives you a little bit of an advantage - but Cody, who I believe is 19 or 20, is putting in the work himself to seize the opportunities that come with being a Morton in the Middle Tennessee wrestling scene. He's recently worked with Jeff Jarrett and can be found at the top of many cards now. He's a lean lightweight guy with good athleticism. Cody has been around the business all of his life but will look to make a name of his own in the coming years. He's getting off to a good start.
14. B-What - An Ace Haven trainee with a martial arts background and tons of charisma. B-What can regularly be seen at Pro South in Piedmont, AL and if he sticks with it - he could be a guy that gets a lot of good opportunities.
15. The Aries Brothers - Scott & Andrew Aries have been working for a couple of years in Alabama but have recently ventured to Peachstate Wrestling, where they'll be in a giant War Games type match next weekend. These guys are both athletic and have good looks. Here's hoping to them getting some good looks by other promotions who want to offer them opportunities!
16. Nick Traimer - if Chrisjen Hayme trains you and puts you over then that's a huge compliment. Nick can be seen at New South Wrestling in Alabama. He's got a decent physique and size, as well as works really well in the ring for a guy with less than 30 matches. He has a nice following of fans and is an educated guy who I believe is studying for his doctorate - so it'll be interesting to see what takes priority.
If you didn't make the list and feel like you should have then shoot me a message and we can talk. Feel free to add to my list or make your own.
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