and here's my 21 Up and Comers in 2021 list:
https://members3.boardhost.com/Trent36/msg/1629907420.html
Many of them are indeed getting nice opportunities and building on an already talented foundation. This list includes younger guys just starting out. A lot of these guys are people I regularly see at Action's NEXT UP tapings, which can be viewed on IWTV. The commentary guy is horrible though(it's me...)
In No Particular Order:
1. Prime Works Offwork - One of the most unique names in wrestling to match one of the most unique guys. Prime is a lean powerhouse with insane athleticism. Think Brodie Lee. He's just getting started and is going to be a ton of fun to watch over the next few years.
2. Parker Li - This Nightmare Factory trainee is a technician that's in great shape and has a great personality. He's the kind of guy who just needs to challenge himself against other great technicians. He wrestles the kind of physical and technical style that adds a realism and struggle to professional wrestling.
3. Kidd Bandit - Bandit oozes charisma and is just plain fun to watch. A trainee of the Nightmare Factory, Bandit appears to be back out on the West Coast but will likely be someone that pops up everywhere.
4-6. Exotic Youth (Zach Mosley, Bryce Cannon, and Cornelius Pepperbottom) - These guys are all talented athletically and utilize an old school psychology of just being flat out hatable. Mosley has shown the most motivation and potential of the bunch as a singles star but as a unit, they bring a ton of value in a world where so many people want to be liked.
7. Proc Johnston - 1/2 of Southern Strong Style and 1/3 of The Program. Johnston is surrounded by some talented teammates but shows the most initiative so far. He's a heavyweight powerhouse that wants feedback, isn't afraid to promote himself, and is always pushing for bigger opportunities.
8. Hunter James - Also 1/3 of The Program. James is the guy that people go out of their way to tell me about. He's 19 years old and just a year into his wrestling career and already getting to work with a lot of great veterans like Azrael, Tank, Todd Sexton, Shane Marx and more. I reached out for a word from him and he told me it would cost me $15 for a Shoot Video Message from Pro Wrestling Tees (kidding... but he's actually on there already trying to monetize!)
9-10. Nawfside Heroes - Two WWA4 kids that have branded themselves as a technician tag team. They cut off the ring, work well together, and are trying to branch out for experience and exposure. Jose Manuel & Shoota Gabe are establishing themselves and are only going to get better.
11. BK Westbrook - BK is a Carolinas cruiserweight who has always had the moves but now has the confidence and personality to go with those moves. He's going to standout anywhere he goes now and is another guy that is just getting started after a couple of years of figuring everything out during a rough Covid era of trying to develop.
12. Gustavo Aguilar - This talented Honduran is a light heavyweight that I believe was trained by JPWA. He's quickly become a favorite at OVW, Innovate, AML, and has made some appearances for AEW and NWA. He wrestles with a passion that makes him standout.
13. Dave Stage - This guy has major league potential. He's a human action figure with training from Jonathan Gresham and he's Georgia based - for now. He's started to pop up at New South, IWN, and WrestleMerica. It's only a matter of time before he's given some chances on a bigger platform!
14. Terry Yaki - What a name, right? Yaki is a super young WWA4 trainee that is piecing together his existing athleticism with the other things that make wrestlers successful. He's going to be a lot of fun for a long time.
15. Larry Lazard - A partner and rival of Yaki - and very similar in style and size. Where Yaki may have a slight edge with innovation and athleticism, Lazard has an edge with personality. A smaller guy who makes you forget how small he is because he does have such a big personality in the ring. It's going to be a treat to see the in ring skills and personality grow over the next few years.
16. Darian Bengston - American born, British trained in acting, modeling, and wrestling. Bengston also trained at the Nightmare Factory and has had some good showings on AEW Dark. He's a rising star for sure that is already building a strong and diverse resume.
17. Dillon McQueen - McQueen is constantly improving and "leveling up". The JPWA graduate has gotten into tremendous shape and is continuing to earn bigger opportunities with good showings that incorporate impressive ring work with an absolutely over the top personality.
18-19. "The Business" Caleb Teninty & KC Rocker - These guys are Nightmare Factory trainees that are an 11 on the 1-10 "How Obnoxious Are They?" scale. They're traveling around the Southeast and gaining valuable experience.
20. Carlie Bravo - Bravo is a military veteran that is relatively new to wrestling but you would not know it from his in ring abilities. He's already gotten some good looks at AEW, including forming a tag team with Shawn Dean. He's another Nightmare Factory trainee that could be around for a long time!
21. Hold My Beer Hanson - Another unique name and performer! He's formed a fun and successful tag team with William Huckaby called "All Star Special". A lot of guys on this list are way more moves than personality and Hanson is on the other side of that spectrum. He makes people care about him and is coming along with the wrestling part - working with and against veterans he can learn from!
22. Derek James - James is Oklahoma based but has regularly appeared for TWE in Chattanooga and Action Next Up in Tyrone, GA. He has a big, "projectible frame" that could fill out in the next few years and along with more confidence in his abilities could really make him a top guy one day. He recently went toe to toe with Tank, after issuing an open challenge.
Thanks for reading. Would love to hear who else you think should be added!
@ScottCHensley
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