What an ambitious first article. Compiling a list of the most influential wrestling companies active in the industry right now looks daunting at the outset. There’ll be naysayers upset that their favorite promotion wasn’t picked first, purists who disagree with the order, or that certain federations were included, or that others were not.
I can’t pretend to using any scientific formula or rubric as I compiled this list, it’s not comprehensive. As an observer of the industry, my reach is limited, but it’ll grow, (natch!) as impartial as anyone can hope to be, I viewed metrics like social media reach, fan appeal, drawing power, talent level and as many intangibles as one could imagine when compiling something like this.
You’re free to disagree, free to argue, free to angry DM on twitter, (@VinkeReporting, @ me bish!), or free to disregard me completely as the point of this list is to begin the foundation of making more! It has to start somewhere and, hopefully, it sparks discussion, debate, (healthy, where plausible, you twitter warriors) and shine a light on as many corners of the wrestling business as possible.
I’m just a fan. I’ve spent years attending the shows of as many promotions as possible. I have my favorite wrestlers, the wrestlers I love, and the wrestlers I hate, and everything in between.
Without filling the space with too much nervous preamble. Let’s dive in.
- Extreme Wrestling Corporation. With four** shows (not including Thunder), a thriving developmental brand, and some of the biggest names in the business, it’s hard to argue that the EWC sits at the peak of the wrestling world. Some have been around longer, others likely have stronger talent rosters, others have a greater social media reach, but when a company announces a 4-day wrestling festival as it’s next big event, Wrestlefest is potentially the equivalent of the Mecca of Wrestling currently, it’s likely any wrestling fan’s obligation to recognize the strength of the Stranglemania Brand. You can find them on twitter @StrangleMania, and their website is here: http://ewcprez.proboards.com
- Supreme Championship Wrestling. To put it lightly, no federation on this list, or unmentioned can match the sheer spectacle, and longevity of Supreme Championship Wrestling. By my count, SCW has been going strong for 16 years, (a herculean feat in this business, by any score,). The federation’s social media reach is vibrant, the shows are always packed, and the talent is always, as the name implies, supreme, with some of this industries top female talent housed under one roof, SCW has been at the forefront of this business for over a decade, and likely rivals EWC in every category. With the promotions next big PPV, Under Attack, just a day away, SCW looks poised to continue well into the future to vie for the top spot atop this list. You can find them at http://www.supremecw.com/, or follow them on twitter @supremecw
- 4 Corners Wrestling. After a brief hiatus, when 4CW returned, the entire industry took notice. You could argue, perhaps, that 4CW deserves that number one spot. 5** years of near uninterrupted quality shows, some of the absolute top tier talent the industry has ever witnessed, and a social media presence that tends to overshadow most others, and not to mention their current 4CW champion is the exclusive home of my personal favorite wrestler, all make a good case the federation should be higher on the list. But having just recently come back, we’ll let the Corners Four slide into a tentative third place for now. Their website is http://4cwrestling.com/, and their twitter is @4CWeFed.
- Rebellion Pro. Beginning its life under the CWC umbrella, of all the federations to carve its own way into this business, Rebellion Pro has made its impact felt like no other. Boasting its developmental brand PEAK and the main brand, Rebellion, what’s most impressive about Rebellion Pro is not just the consistent caliber of its roster, the level of competition and entertainment in every show, but how it began its life as a UK based promotion and has expanded its reach into homes across North America and beyond. No small feat. As the federation primes itself in the search of its next World Champion, expect that reach to only grow! Find them on twitter @REBELLIONProUK.
- Union Battleground. Another promotion returning after a hiatus, the Battleground is unquestionably one of the strongest brands running in spite of its touring schedule. Birthplace of the Battleground Network, home to an extensive arsenal of promotions that could easily find their way onto this list someday, Union Battleground has been a trendsetting promotion since it began almost two years ago. With Lights Out #35 booked and slated for November 8th in Texas, a host of returning stars guaranteed to pack the house, Union Battleground rightly deserves a spot on this list. Find them https://unionbattleground.com/ or on twitter @Union_Battle.
That’s it. Look for more featured articles and other wrestling-related news weekly or bi-weekly! Like what you read? Disagree completely? Have a story you want me to cover for a future article? Follow me on twitter @VinkeReporting and drop me a line!
** denotes corrections
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