From Dusty Finnish:
If you did not know when you’re reading this we will officially be closer to the year 2050 than the year 2000. June is the halfway mark for every year not only is it a time for reflection it’s a time for projection. In no specific order I’m going through a quick recap of the best in the state and how their next 6 months could play out. Treat this kind of like a draft lottery similar to NHL (draft last Friday) and NBA (draft last Wednesday and Thursday) where we look at 14 of the best we have going right now.
Adam Priest
First guy on the list but before I mention him there should be a lot of attention on Action and their champion Tim Bosby. Priest puts people into pretzels. He is a fun wrestler to watch and a rare top guy that can go anywhere on the card and deliver a meaningful memorable match. He’s like Josh Allen or Kawhi Leonard a guy that can very easily be the best around whether you’re routing for him or not. The best thing in my opinion about wrestling is being immersed in the action and his ability at applying legitimacy is second to none.
Alex Kane
Fresh from MLW and into the fire. The Suplex Assassin has made his prescience felt in the peach state of and on over the past few years. Now the apex grappler is free to toss Georgia and its wrestlers around like rag dolls. Kane brings an air of legitimacy as a professional to every show. Do I think he would legitimately win every wrestling match no but whether if he’s in the ring or with the people he always appears as a star and that’s on Bomaye.
Bryce Cannon
Since returning from injury Bryce has gone from strength to strength. If I ever returned the All Georgia teams he would be a shoe in for the All South team. His feud with Dax Anthony has been electric and breathed life into the career of a wrestler we rarely mention. His Lariato championship reign has proven he can be the focal point of any show. Bryce will also be making a return to WrestleMerica and could position himself as the top bad guy opposing champion Kay Jay Impala or even dethroning him. From March to June Bryce has been an A+ player on multiple brands.
Carlie Bravo
The Boogeyman of Georgia wrestling. He’s always a threat to pop up and take a spot from you. I think it’s impressive he’s a signed talent that hustles in the ring and on the microphone like no other. The relevance of AWE has been bolstered by others deserving to be on this list but the reality is revival of one of the biggest brands in Georgia over the last decade and a half comes from his ability to talk the people into the building and his wrestling keeping them coming back wanting more. A+ in Atlanta keep riding Carlie’s wave.
Dominic Stuckey
Kraken, Southern Fried, Wrestlemerica, and PCW Stuckey is right at the top of all these places and the second half of the year has to be primed for big things. The continuation of the inferno that is the Crusade, his dealings with the business, and his tandem with Chastain that has brought a bit of light to WrestleMerica's tag team division. None of that is to mention he hasn’t returned to CCW yet. He’s their core and you bet they have something big in mind. He’s a great face and a great heel an amazing duality and rare trait even amongst the best.
Hunter James
The Sun at the center of the aforementioned Crusade inferno. (I’ve been working on my English) The greatest Coastal champion of all time, Liberty champion, Classics champion, and by the time December rolls around he may need a valet just for his gold. His work in the ring has been phenomenal so far this year and he’s getting it done against anyone and everyone. From Nick Halen to Chad Skywalker and everyone in between. His body of work resembles if not surpasses last year’s wrestler of the year. There’s no reason not to predict him being Southern Honor and Southern Fried Champion by the end of the year. Also does anyone have a more watched moment this year than his brain busta to the floor on Deon Summerz?
Lev
I personally like the sadistic sadist polish punk kid. He’s violent he’s aspiring. He injects a different substance into every show he participates on and believe he is on a lot of shows. If I still had my all Georgia teams he would be a show in for my all North Georgia team. For some reason or another people over look Lev’s in ring ability and the way he bends the crowd to his will but he’s truly a game changer in the state if I ever saw one.
Michael Walker
This is a name some of you might not have expected however if you have really paid attention you know he’s one to watch. I understand there was a bit of controversy of how a promotion way out in Savannah won so many awards. So how does the Fro respond? By coming to the center of the state and delivering 2 great match of the year contenders against Hunter James and Najasism. The third generation star has an iconic although unorthodox look but once he steps into the ring you would wish you didn’t judge this book by its cover. Here we go you here comes the Flyin Fro!
Najasism
I know I know I always write about Naja but he’s a phenomenal performer plain and simple. He’s the current PCW and CCW champions deservedly so. There’s not a lot to say that I hadn’t already but his ability to continue to elevate what happens around him at PCW is second to none. The leader of ENT, Daddy of Deep South, the Instant Classic at Classic City, and the Spirit of PCW. He’s been as active as anyone this year don’t expect him to slow down.
Nick Halen
Georgia Wrestling History has done a lot to highlight the greatness of Halen however one area where we fail is we always mention his exploits at Anarchy, Southern Honor, and of course Southern Fried however Halen has always blessed the crowds at smaller shows with his brilliance. He’s the new GCW champion and has wrestled matches in Royston. He’s been great away from the bright lights and it’s time to shed light on those exploits. That being said he was the anchor of the Sexton Alliance delivering big matches and crazy moments like a back drop off the ladder in the dark. He’s representative of all the great wrestlers that made this list. Not just great in the big places when GWH is in the building but giving every fan everywhere their money's worth.
Prince Apollo
Let me say Deep South just isn’t the same without Skrilla the Great just isn’t the same and I’ll even go as far to say that this year has been good but not great for the former wrestler of the year without them. However let it not distract from the silent resurgence of the Prince. The Deep South champion as of this writing brings a unique physicality amongst the top wrestlers in Georgia where most get it done with finesse. One thing as a writer you can appreciate about Apollo is that with all his time around the game he continues to work and improve without pointing the fingers at us.
Sean Legacy
Who is the most SUPER of them all? Legacy has been around Georgia for years consistently flirting with the top and he is a prime example of seizing the moment and running with it. He turned a viral moment in a battle royal into spectacular appearances inside and outside the state. Obviously he looks like a star better than just about anyone around. I predicted in my MVPs that 2025 would be a SUPER year and so far it looks like I should invest in more lottery tickets.
Terry Yaki
The highlight of Monday nights. Another hero of Georgia wrestling that often goes unsung. This might rub some the wrong way but his career outline is closer to Sean Legacy’s than a lot of our favorite local wrestlers. The A4 product isn’t so local anymore but whenever he has an opportunity best believe you’re in for a show. He’s been leading RIPW and Monday Night Riot. He has the energy and innovation to make Now That’s Tv even bigger than it is. Just keep feeding the young man challenges and he’s sure to knock them out of the park.
Trever Aeon
Could we be in the year of the Demon? His stable mate Austin Towers usually gets all the shine and praise from Georgia Wrestling History and rightfully so the Chief is impressive all unto himself. Aeon however has carvers out quite a niche for himself recently. He has established himself as a corner stone of the Change franchise not to mention he is as of this writing he is the Kraken Pro Wrestling heavyweight champion which is an accomplishment not to be overlooked. They are building something special in South Georgia and the Devil has come down to play.
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