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WWE has been making a habit over the past few years of signing the best available talent on the independent scene. With wrestling on every level seeing more attention than in years past, the need to keep an eye on the indie scene has been vital to the future. Whether it be Adam Cole, Keith Lee, Matt Riddle or Dominik Dijakovic, WWE have picked up a lot of independent wrestling's biggest stars - stars that have been beneficial to Raw, Smackdown and NXT.
With the introduction of AEW, rise of NJPW and revitalization of IMPACT Wrestling, WWE now have fierce competition on places for independent wrestlers to sign with. Although the independent scene took a hit with the recent global pandemic, the return has seen many wrestlers raise their profile and gain attention from the top promotions.
We have seen stars like Ben Carter and Eddie Kingston pop up on AEW. There has been wrestlers like Alex Zayne and Blake Christian show up on NJPW Strong most recently. In this article, we will take a look at 5 independent superstars that WWE should sign next.
#5 Sam Adonis
One wrestler that WWE is sure to have their eyes on is Sam Adonis. The brother of Corey Graves was once apart of WWE developmental, Florida Championship Wrestling back in 2011. However, he has been making a name for himself in Mexico for CMLL, using a pro-Donald Trump character that has garnered him plenty of heat as a heel.
Adonis has also performed for All Japan Pro Wrestling, making him one of their rare stars on the indie scene who has competed in legendary settings like Arena Mexico and Koruaken Hall. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 251 pounds, Adonis is a performer who can wear his opponents down using his strength but also with his agility. With his presence and stature, he has what WWE typically look for in performers.
His most recent performances in the US for Warrior Wrestling have seen him use an amazing Shooting Star Press. For a man his size to show that type of athleticism, he is sure to grab the eyes of any top promotion. WWE has to grab him up soon, as he has the look, charisma and skills in the ring to become a star for any brand under the the biggest promotion in professional wrestling.
#4 Miranda Gordy
We go from a sibling of a WWE employee to a child of a WWE Hall of Famer. Miranda Gordy is a second generation wrestler and the daughter of one third of the Fabulous Freebirds, the late Terry Gordy. She is also the sister of Ray Gordy also known as Jesse, who worked for WWE from 2007-2009. He was the tag team partner of Festus who is better known as now as Doc Gallows. Her career is one that WWE could shape if they grabbed her up now.
Miranda just started wrestling last year and has already made a name for herself across a few US indies such as Mid States Wrestling and Southwest Wrestling Entertainment. She also competed for huge independent wrestling events, such as Wrestlecade in 2019 as well as this year's Independent Wrestling Expo. Gordy even took a cue from her WWE HOF father by making the trip to Japan to further her craft working for Tokyo Championship Wrestling.
Gordy has been making her presence known this year with appearances at Jerry Lawler's 50th Anniversary show and matches against the likes of Jordynne Grace recently. Her relative youth in the industry should be looked at as a benefit to WWE, as well. They could truly shape the type of performer that she will become. Signing her and developing Miranda in the PC would give them a female star for the future with a storied pedigree.
#3 Priscilla Kelly
Priscilla Kelly has been on WWE's radar in the past. She was apart of the 2018 Mae Young Classic, losing to Deonna Purazzo in the opening round. Kelly has a unique, exotic look that was fairly similar to Paige at that time, but since then she has gotten better in the ring and changed up her look.
Her fiery red hair makes her stand out from the numerous talented ladies on the independent scene right now. Priscilla has also developed further on the mic, as a personality, and a more hard hitting style in the ring that has made her stand out in appearances for AEW among other places in the past two years. Most recently, she had an awesome match on UWN Primetime Live against NWA Women's World Champion Thunder Rosa in the main event. WWE needs to strike while the iron is hot on this woman.
With Kelly's experience in EVOLVE, she will have plenty of talent on the WWE NXT roster that she is familiar with. Priscilla against talent such as Shotzi Blackheart or Dakota Kai would give us some compelling matchups. She could also help some of the younger talent still developing on the brand like Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter. There is no limit to the benefit of signing Priscilla Kelly could give WWE right now.
#2 Darius Carter
When it comes to wrestlers who can do everything in the ring and has a star-like presence, there is not many that do it better than Darius Carter. WWE should go out of their way to pick up a talent like this competitor. The man known as "Wrestling's Richest Prize" oozes charisma and knows how to garner heat from any crowd that he is in front of. His talking ability sets him apart from many on the independent wrestling scene worldwide.
Darius is also a student of the game with excellent technical wrestling ability. This top notch heel is the current heavyweight champion of Warriors of Wrestling and one of the aces of Battle Club Pro in New York. Carter has also made his presence known in Capitol Wrestling on the East Coast. With big time matches against the likes of Sonny Kiss, Karrion Kross, Pete Dunne and Davey Boy Smith Jr across those promotions, Darius Carter even ranked #337 in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated for 2019-2020. That experience should be something WWE looks at as a positive.
This would be a signing for WWE that wouldn't need a lot of development. Darius has all the ability on the mic, as a character, and in the ring. His tireless work ethic should be a trait that allows him to progress nicely regardless of which brand they decide to place Carter.
#1 Anthony Bowens
Anthony Bowens is known as "The 5-Tool Player", and when you look at him, you see why. This is a competitor who has the perfect WWE look that they always want in their signings. Bowens has been another mainstay on the East Coast independent scene working for places like WrestlePro. He is also the Battle Club Pro Franchise Champion.
Anthony has also made appearances for Impact Wrestling, Global Force Wrestling and WWE NXT. His experience over the past seven years has given him a chance to be in the ring with wrestlers such as Tessa Blanchard, Sonjay Dutt and others. Most recently, Bowens was seen in the crowd at AEW Dynamite and will be making an appearance on AEW Dark.
Although All Elite Wrestling obviously have their eyes on him, Anthony Bowens would be such a great pickup for the WWE. He is someone who would not look out of place on any brand. His activism for the LGBTQ community as well is something that WWE would look at as beneficial to them. Bowens has the talking ability, the look, presence and in ring skills to be a huge addition to any roster.
All of these wrestlers are tearing it up around the world on the independent scene. If you are not familiar with them, you should go out of your way to find them on Twitter and go to the next show near you where you can watch them. WWE and the fans need to keep their eyes open for the next big thing that is right around the corner.
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