Many of today’s brightest WWE superstars began their careers on the indie wrestling circuit. Main event performers such as Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen), Sami Zayn (El Generico), Seth Rollins (Tyler Black), Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) & AJ Styles were perfecting their craft in ballrooms and gymnasiums long before they dazzled fans at WrestleMania.
In fact, Styles & NXT champion Shinsuke Nakamura were still performing in NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) at this time last year.
With another crop of NXT stars ready for a main roster call-up, and the need for quality programs to maintain the brand split, you can expect to see more indie talented added to the WWE’s roster in 2017.
A few wrestlers on our Top 10 Indie Wrestlers of 2016 list will make that jump but others will stay in the indies and prove why wrestling outside of the WWE is alive & well.
10. The Young Bucks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyx_rLmw1bM
If the Young Bucks aren’t the undisputed best tag team in the world, they are at least the most entertaining. The Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) combine fun aerials, hyper-quick spots & 90’s cliches to bring back the nostalgic feeling that most wrestling fans crave.
Throw the Rockers, NWO, DX & Hardy Boyz in a blender and you’d end up with a killer Young Bucks smoothie. Don’t expect to see the Bucks in the WWE though, this Bullet Club tag team just re-signed with ROH (Ring of Honor) wrestling. Pro wrestling fans will have to wait through another year of build up, pleas & rumors about the Bucks jumping ship to the WWE.
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