Top 10 Wrestling Events In 2021
Our Editor in Chief attended many shows this year.
The Wrestling Estate prides itself on coverage of the independent scene, especially in the Northeast. We’ve established great relationships with promoters and local talent, giving them a voice to a mass audience. We preview upcoming shows in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware, and we hit the road to report on them. Without further ado, here are my top 10 wrestling events in 2021.
10. ECWA Night of Unusual Matches
My fiancé was scarred for life after this night. ECWA Heavyweight Champion and all-time worst human being Joey Ace relied on dirty tactics to beat A Very Good Professional Wrestler, and as a result, I had to lose my luscious locks. Just as Ace began to shave my head, he assaulted me and then went after the love of my life. Thankfully, Mr. Ooh La La came to the rescue.
9. Winter Warz Rumble
New South Pro Wrestling crossed the Mason-Dixon line for the first time, bringing some southern hospitality to Westville, NJ. Fans in Yankee territory got a taste of Kung-Fu Janela, Tyler Franks and the rest of the roster during the Hartselle, AL-based promotion’s version of the Royal Rumble. However, a 30-minute draw between Pretty Empowered and Young Dumb N Broke stole the show. The historic event was conceived to strum up publicity for Supershow the Game, a pro wrestling collectible card game from SRG Universe.
8. ECWA Women’s Super 8
After a sabbatical last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECWA Women’s Super 8 returned with a stacked bracket: Gabby Ortiz, Ashley D’Amboise, Tina San Antonio, Damaris Dawkins, Vicious Vicki, Adena Steele and the beloved Erica Leigh. They all bowed down to the eventual winner (and last-minute replacement), though, as Megan Bayne overpowered all comers inside the Monster Factory.
7. Dangerous Uprisings
I became a fan of UWA Elite after just one show. The South River, NJ-based promotion was blessed with a beautiful evening of sunshine and a cool breeze before Raze Lighting’s top-notch production lit up the night sky. The hundred diehards all around me enjoyed the chaos, too, especially the brawl between UWA Elite Champion Vincent Valentine and the monstrous Bowes. Dangerous Uprisings also marked Matt Vertigo’s first defense as Territory Champion.
6. Off to the Races
Hybrid Wrestling is the subsidiary of Game Changer Wrestling, considered the top independent wrestling promotion in the United States today. With Carlito and Gangrel on the card, I couldn’t pass up the chance to watch wrasslin’ at a horse track. The aesthetic alone was worth the price of admission, but so was witnessing the next generation of stars, such as Masha Slamovich, Big Vin and Cole Radrick.
5. Global Festival Night 1
While the world buzzed over CM Punk’s return, dozens of fans joined me inside the intimate House of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ, for part one of Global Syndicate Wrestling’s biggest weekend of the year. In addition to Jacob Fatu and Alexander Hammerstone of MLW fame steamrolling their competition, Austin Aries and Gio Galvano had a match of the year contender.
4. iWrestle
UWA Elite fans rocked the vote, booking the matches and stipulations for the promotion’s best show of the year. Sick of being bullied and no longer intimidated, Ref Ryan answered KTB’s open challenge. UWA Elite owner Dave Swan earned 37% of the vote to be named special guest referee for what on paper looked like Ref Ryan’s funeral. However, the “Energizer Referee” shocked the crowd by bringing the fight to his ruthless adversary, even busting out a spinning heel kick!
3. Global Festival Night 2
Competing against SummerSlam, it’s safe to say Global Syndicate Wrestling delivered a better show. For example, while there was a water gun fight during WWE’s second biggest event of the year, sweat splashed the Jersey crowd as Davey Richards and Josh Alexander grappled in a 20-minute clinic that had fans clamoring for more. In the main event, Slamovich waged war with Allysin Kay. The ladies brawled all over the building, bashing each other with trash cans, tossing each other into the brick wall and suffocating each other with a plastic bag. In the end, Slamovich became the inaugural GSW Women’s World Champion.
2. MLW Fightland
As exciting as the action was, everything around it made this a memorable experience. My brothers and I were second row against the guard rail to the left of the entrance ramp – the best seats we’ve ever had. You’re able to interact with the wrestlers, fist bumping, slapping their hands or in the case of my brother Dan, snapping a selfie with Warhorse. It’s important to stay alert because the action spills into your lap. The folks behind us found that out the hard way, as a brawl between 5150 and Los Parks whipped into the guard rail, sending a woman and older man crashing to the floor. Other highlights include Tajiri winning the Middleweight Championship, all of the Opera Cup and Hammerstone dethroning Fatu for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.
1. 25th Annual ECWA Super 8
Despite an unfortunate ending, this was still one of the best wrestling events I’ve ever attended.
From Crowbar being announced as Ricky Morton’s replacement, to Mr. Ooh La La finally winning the ECWA Heavyweight Championship, to an outstanding tournament with several breathtaking bouts, this show had everything. Two standout performances that are worth checking out on IWTV: Crowbar making his return to the Super 8, pulverizing Mike Law before cutting a blistering promo on Morton; and Matt Makowski, whose MMA-style impressed Gary Michael Cappetta (sitting behind me) and who tore the house down with Timmy Lou Retton, aka T.I.M. The Infinite Man.
As someone who’s studied the history of the longest-running pro wrestling tournament in the U.S., I’m telling you, this was special.
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