Explaining the indys

Pro-wrestling is similar to baseball in some ways. Baseball uses an elaborate minor league system. There is "A" and 'high A' ball for newly drafted and straight out of high school or college players. There is "AA" leagues for the slightly more seasoned and talented players. In "AAA" you find players on the cusp of making it to the big leagues. You see young players who are refining their skill set. On occasion, you get to see a former major league player who is either on a rehab assignment or trying to resurrect a career.

Major League = WWE, Japan
AAA = TNA, ROH, OVW
AA = HWA, APW, CZW
A = average indy

You can make a case for different promotions to be higher or lower. Most U.S. wrestlers would jump at the chance to work for WWE over going to Japan. WWE is the big dance.

TNA, ROH, OVW are filled with quality wrestlers refining their craft. These promotions are filled with young guys like CM Punk who are just hoping for a big break. There are also veterans like Jeff Jarrett and Jeff Hardy who are looking to hang on. Probably 95% of TNA and ROH wrestlers would jump at the chance to sign with WWE. As good as ROH and TNA are they still are not WWE.

HWA used to be a "AAA" level promotion. They were a WWE developmental territory. They no longer have the likes of Sharkboy, Mike Sanders, EZ Money, Lance Cade, etc. Wrestlers like Matt Stryker and Nigel McGinness still make appearances. HWA wrestlers attempt to move upward to TNA and ROH. HWA is now a "AA" promotion. They are not on the same level as TNA. But, they are well above standard indy fare.

Below the likes of HWA is a WIDE assortment of "A" level indy promotions. Most indys fall into the "A" category. I would say 90% of indys fall into this category. There are some really good "A" level promotions. There are some down right awful "A" level promotions.

There are numerous ways to identify an "A" level indy. There are certain characteristics that pop-up in most "A" promotions.

1. Wrestling Attire - A good way to tell if it is an "A" promotion is to look at the wrestler's gear. Warm-up pants, jean shorts, wrestling shoes, and t-shirts are a telltale sign of "A" promotions. I know... I know... the farmer guy wears a pair of bib-overalls because that is his schtick. One guy can get away with it. Two guys can get away with it. But, when over 50% of your roster are wearing some form of street clothes in the ring... (Jeff Foxworthy impersonation) you might be an "A" level promotion.

2. Wrestling Ability - "A" promotions are often heavily populated by rookies and very young wrestlers. Wrestlers have to get experience somehow. The only way you learn is by doing. The learning process can often be very painful for both the wrestler and fans. You are more likely to see basic moves go wrong in an "A" level promotion. Inability to properly deliver a body slam... (Jeff Foxworthy impersonation) you might be an "A" level promotion.

3. Ring Psychology - When I first started training at Heartland, Les Thatcher went ape crap every time I got in the ring. When I spoke with Dr. Tom Pritchard, I was told the same thing - ring psychology needs work... "Ok, you grabbed a hammer lock and floated over to a headlock. Why? If you wanted a headlock, why would you go to all of the trouble of taking a hammerlock? That doesn't make sense." In "A" level promotions you see a lot of things that just do not add up. Someone who weighs 350 lbs. should no problems destroying someone who weighs 200 lbs. - Kevin Nash vs. Chavo Guerrero should not result in an intense battle. If King Kong Bundy is being tested and pushed to his limits by Duane Gill... (Jeff Foxworthy impersonation) you might be an "A" level promotion.

4. "The Look" factor - It takes all kinds of personalities to make a successful event. Pro-wrestling would be less interesting if everyone looked like Batista and Brock Lesnar. That being said, if over 75% of your roster is made up of guys that look like either Jeff Hardy or Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart... (Jeff Foxworthy impersonation) you might be an "A" level promotion.

There are lots more identifying factors. But, I have annoyed enough people for today. The purpose of this column is not to call names or point fingers at 1 or 2 promotions. As I said, probably 90% of indys fall into this category. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Do not go to an "A" promotion event and expect to see a "AAA" level of competition. It is not fair to compare rookies to wrestlers with 5 to 10 years of experience.