With 2022 coming to an end, everyone tends to think about the year that was. The matches, moments and individuals that define what made the year. While it’s great to acknowledge the best of the past year, I personally love to look forward into the next year. More specifically, the talents who had a good year, but seem ready for bigger things in the new year. And while others would call these talents “ones to watch”, I see these wrestlers as the next ones up in wrestling next year.
Above The Rest (Gabriel Skye & Tristen Thai)
Swift, lethal, and calculated; these are words that accurately describe the unit that is Above The Rest. The duo of Gabriel Skye and Tristen Thai bring a violently high paced brand of offense to the independent tag team scene. The duo has seen much action in both Wrestling Open and Beyond proper through the year; facing off with the likes of Waves & Curls, The Haven, and The Miracle Ones. Most recently, they’ve picked up their biggest victory to date against AEW’s Workhorsemen at a Limitless Wrestling event. With IWTV soon to crown the first Tag Team Champions, I can easily see this duo climbing the ranks through the next year.
Ichiban
The fiercest fighter out of the Number One Dojo has spent this past year establishing himself as the Heart and Soul of Wrestling Open. His Junior Heavyweight stylings have racked up victories against the likes of Tracy Williams, Bobby Orlando and current AEW Tag Team Champion Max Caster. Ichiban has also partnered up with fellow pillars of Wrestling Open in The Miracle Generation (Kylon King & Dustin Waller); becoming a top tier Trio known as “The Miracle Ones.” With all this establishment in New England, I fully expect Ichiban to start branching out into the rest of the US indie scene in 2023.
Myung-Jae Lee
Myung-Jae Lee is certainly one of the most promising young wrestlers on the indie scene right now. Lee started off the year in a great showing against current IMPACT Wrestling Champion Josh Alexander. While mostly wrestling through Canada, Lee has stopped into the US this year for Invictus, Pro Wrestling GRIND and Limitless Wrestling’s sister company: Lets Wrestle! With his 2023 starting off against AEW’s Ortiz at C*4 Wrestling on January 20th, it seems like Lee is already set for big things in the new year.
Joseline Navarro
While I caught onto her in 2021, Joseline Navarro has vastly stepped her game up through 2022. The AIW mainstay has ventured out through companies like OWA, Naptown All-Pro, Black Label Pro, and even AEW; having a match on Dark & Dark: Elevation respectively. Joseline has also taken on a higher caliber of opponents with wins over fellow up-and-comer Sandra Moone, Australia’s Shazza McKenzie, Indie Hall of Famer LuFisto, and IMPACT Wrestling’s Masha Slamovich. I firmly believe if Joseline keeps growing at the pace she is, she will have an even greater 2023.
Tommy Vendetta
“The Lovable Psychopath” Tommy Vendetta carved out a strong 2022 for himself. In Deathmatches, he has become a regular in ICW No Holds Barred with wins over Bobby Beverly, Orin Veidt and even the boss himself: Danny Demanto. He’s also had appearances for Game Changer Wrestling in singles action against Shane Mercer and in multi-man action against SGC. Outside the Deathmatch World, he’s appeared for the likes of Limitless Wrestling, Paradigm Pro, and even got to go one-on-one with an independent wrestling legend in Alex Shelley for MCPW. With his hybrid style and glowing in-ring personality, Tommy has the tools to take 2023 by the horns.
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