SK’s Indie Superstar of the Year 2017

You could argue that the independent scene in professional wrestling is almost as important to the business as WWE, and while that may sound a bit ‘over the top’ to some, there’s certainly evidence to support the idea. After all, the majority of stars that have come through the doors of WWE started off wrestling in front of a few dozen people every night.

But now, the indie scene has grown to the point where Vince & company may have some competition in the next few years. Obviously, it’ll be nothing like the Monday Night Wars against WCW, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be equally as exciting.

Now before we get started, we’ll just throw this out there now – the likes of Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega will not be featured on this list. Why? Because they spend between 95-99% of their time in New Japan, meanwhile the other entrants on this list tend to branch out a little bit more.

With that being said, here are our five contenders for SK’s Indie Superstar of the Year 2017.

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#5 Zack Sabre Jr

Zack represents the past, present and future

It doesn’t matter whether you’re English, American or even an alien, because if you’re a wrestling fan then you’ve probably heard about the abilities of Zack Sabre Jr. The former Cruiserweight Classic contender isn’t your stereotypical indie darling, and by that, we mean that he’s actually one of the most technically gifted stars that doesn't currently compete in a WWE ring.

While 2017 may not have brought quite as much recognition for ZSJ as 2016 did, it was still a good enough year for him to warrant a place in our final five. Sabre Jr is one of those guys who promoters can put with literally anyone and it’ll end up being a top quality match, and that’s the hallmark of a guy who is most certainly best for business.

#4 Marty Scurll

The Villain has been on fire

Some of you may remember Marty Scurll courtesy of TNA’s British Bootcamp series from a few years ago, but in reality, the majority of you know him due to one very unique moniker – The Villain. Over the last few years Marty has been able to push and scratch his way to the forefront of relevancy on the independent scene, and that’s a testament to just how good this guy is.

While his ‘Villain’ persona may have accidentally turned him into a fan favourite, that doesn’t mean his work is any less impressive – and in fact, that’s probably a feather in his cap given the smarky nature of fans these days. As long as he continues his upward trajectory, the sky truly is the limit for someone like Scurll.

#3 Ricochet

Where will Ricochet end up?

We’re moving away from the British for this next entry, to a man who you likely know as either Ricochet or Prince Puma. The 29-year-old has been making the headlines for a long time now, and while his move to WWE appears to be imminent, fans of the independent circuit shouldn’t mourn the loss of his abilities just yet.

After all, he’s one of those guys who can quite literally pop up when you least expect it, and in a lot of ways, it doesn’t really matter where he ends up. As long as we get to see him show off his aerial abilities then we’re happy, and for you critics out there, rest assured that he knows how to tell one hell of a story too.

2018 will hold big things for this man.

#2 The Young Bucks

The Bucks are changing the game

We may have cheated a little bit here by having two wrestlers in one entry, but come on, it’s the Bucks. We’ll be the first people to admit that we weren’t actually that keen on their act a few years back, but as time has gone on, Nick and Matt have been able to win us over – and it’s not just because of their in-ring work.

Their "Being The Elite" series has helped to open the door for other indie wrestlers who want to build a name for themselves, and it exemplifies why the Bucks are so successful. They understand how to get over and they market themselves perfectly, which is why their products are going at such a fast rate in Hot Topic.

You may not like their style, but you have to respect them.

#1 Will Ospreay

Ospreay could be the best in the world one day

Above all else, in pro wrestling, you need to be able to tell a story and despite what many fans may think, Will Ospreay is able to do that better than most. The Englishman has been spoken about in whispers for a few years now, but he finally seems to be breaking into that next level when it comes to star power.

He isn’t your average ‘flippy guy’, and the scariest part is that he’s only 24 years of age. Ospreay is going to continue to grow and get better, whilst also understanding that he can have a great match without risking his body every single night.

This list may seem a bit Britain-heavy, but if you’ve seen their work, you’ll understand why.

So congratulations to Will Ospreay – SK’s Indie Superstar of the Year 2017.

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