In our ongoing series, “Indie’s Not Dead”, Last Word on Pro Wrestling hopes to highlight and showcase the hundreds of indie promotions around the world that have world class pro wrestling, featuring many elite level stars (and future Legends). Not only do we hope to highlight these promotions, but to present easy access to support and follow these promotions, either through their free YouTube channels or via reasonably prices streaming networks such as Powerslam.TV, Powerbomb.tv, Highspots Wrestling Network, and various individual On-Demand sites. Our series continues with a look at some of the various women’s promotions that run out of North America and how to find them. (NOTE: This is a look at promotions that are all women, and does not incorporate women’s division in already established indies).
Angel Gate Women’s Wrestling, McKeesport, PA
How to Watch: Available on Powerslam.tv
One of the newest women’s promotions is Pennsylvania’s Angel Gate Women’s Wrestling, which is the sister promotion to another PA indie, Fight Society. Houston, Texas’ “She-Hulk of the South” Roni Nicole is the current reigning champion and Angel Gate has seen lots of veteran and emerging indie stars come through in it’s first year, such as Women of Honor Champion Kelly Klein, Jordynne Grace, Su Yung, KC Spinelli, Willow Nightingale and more.
Girl Fight, Jefferson, IN
How to Watch: Available on Women’s Wrestling Network
Based out of Kentucky, Girl Fight has been building it’s brand since it’s founding in 2015. The promotion has toured through many states, from Florida to Ohio, and current Shine Nova Champion Aja Perera is the reigning Girl Fight Champion.
Lucha Libre Femenil (LLF), Monterrey, Mexico
How To Watch: Available on their YouTube Channel
The top women’s promotion in Mexico, LLF has been running strong since 2000 and provides a platform for many of Mexico’s top luchadoras plus international talent as well. With stars like Lady Flammer, Dark Fantasy, Zeuxis, and Angelica, battling alongside up and coming talents, LLF continues to do well.
Queens of Combat (QOC), Charlotte, NC
How To Watch: Available on Women’s Wrestling Network
Queens of Combat (QOC) has been an essential proving ground for women’s indie talent in the Mid Atlantic area, since the Charlotte, North Carolina promotion opened for business in 2014. Su Yung has been QOC Champion for nearly 800 days now, and QOC continues to bring in top stars like Kimber Lee, Jessicka Havok, Jordynne Grace, Keira Hogan and much more, as well as pushing new talent on the rise.
RISE, Chicago, IL
How To Watch: Available on RISE ASCENT
RISE was started in 2016 and has become a vital cog in the development of women’s wrestling in the US indie scene. Part promotion, featuring talents like Mercedes Martinez, Tessa Blanchard, Rosemary and Madison Rayne, it also works as a developmental company, working with new and emerging talents who take part in workshops with the veterans that work with the company. RISE has been in alliance with IMPACT Wrestling and several other promotions in helping to develop and nurture the women wrestlers of tomorrow.
SHIMMER, Chicago, IL
How To Watch: Available on Stream SHIMMER
One of the most understated and influential promotions of the past 20 years in the US, SHIMMER‘s founding in 2005 arguably saved women’s wrestling in the US. In the WWE, they were transitioning into the Divas Era, with women’s wrestling becoming a novelty once again, and IMPACT’s Knockouts Division was still a pipe-dream (it officially debuted in 2007). The all-women’s promotion became an magnet for the world’s best women’s performers, from Canada to Japan to the UK, to compete with the best of the best in the US. It continues to be one of the top women’s promotions in the world. Nicole Savoy remains the SHIMMER Champion after over 430 days.
Shine Wrestling, Ybor City, FL
How To Watch: Available on WWN Live
Originally founded as a sister promotion to SHIMMER in the Florida area in 2012, Shine Wrestling has since joined the World Wrestling Network (WWN), the parent company of EVOLVE and Full Impact Pro. Much like SHIMMER, Shine Wrestling is fielded by an outstanding crop of top level indie women’s wrestlers, with former IMPACT Knockouts Champion Allysin Kay (aka Sienna) holding the Shine title.
Women of Wrestling (WOW), Los Angeles, CA
How To Watch: Airs Friday night at 8pm EST on AXS-TV
Originally founded in 2000 by GLOW founder David McLane and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, the company went on hiatus after it’s first season in 2001. It took eleven years for WOW to reopen, rebooting in 2012. Approaching its stars as superheroes instead of just mere wrestlers, WOW became the first women’s promotion since GLOW to debut on national television this year, joining the line-up on AXS-TV.
Women’s Wrestling Revolution (WWR), Worcester, MA
How To Watch: Available on IndependentWrestlig.tv (formerly Powerbomb.tv)
Founded in 2016, Women’s Wrestling Revolution (WWR) is the sister promotion to Beyond Wrestling. WWR has run joint intergender shows with Beyond as well as their own stand alone events, bringing in top talent from around the world, including LuFisto, “Alpha Female” Jazzy Gabert, Jordynne Grace, Tessa Blanchard, Kimber Lee, Willow Nightingale, and much more.
Women’s Superstars Uncensored (WSU), Voorhees, NJ
How To Watch: Available on Powerslam.tv
Originally founded in 2006, Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) has gone through some ups and downs and multiple changes over the years, but it’s always remained another promotion that has utilized some of the best women’s wrestlers in the indie circuits. In 2014, it was purchase by Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) owner DJ Hyde and has since become the sister promotion for CZW.
