{"id":154079,"date":"2026-03-01T07:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T12:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=154079"},"modified":"2026-03-02T17:07:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T22:07:49","slug":"indie-watch-get-to-know-the-pwa-stars-trying-out-for-wwe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/03\/01\/indie-watch-get-to-know-the-pwa-stars-trying-out-for-wwe\/","title":{"rendered":"Indie Watch: Get to Know the PWA Stars Trying Out for WWE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Indie Watch is our regular series that looks at amazing talents working the independent circuits around the world. Some are veterans revitalizing their careers. Some are indie prospects hitting their peaks. Others are names to be on the watch for! This edition looks at Pro Wrestling Australia&#8217;s (PWA) top prospects with WWE Aspirations, The Tuckman, Scott Green, and Ricky South.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>As the Australian indie wrestling scene continues to thrive, Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) is selling out events, gaining more recognition and exposure. Current talent and alumni are attracting the interest of AEW and WWE. It\u2019s no secret that Australian wrestlers have, over the last few years, made their mark on the international wrestling scene.<\/p>\n<p>In WWE, Bronson Reed and Grayson Waller, and Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis in AEW are stables of weekly programming. Yet undoubtedly, it\u2019s the Aussie women who reign supreme\u2014potential future standouts from Zaria in NXT to Harley Cameron. But two of the biggest attractions in WWE and AEW are Rhea Ripley and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/05\/20\/how-aews-timeless-toni-storm-achieved-what-wwes-fiend-could-not\/\" target=\"_self\">\u201cTimeless\u201d Toni Storm<\/a>. Each regularly steals the spotlight from their male counterparts.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, PWA has a lot to celebrate. Not including that outside the ring, Niki Van Blair was the subject of a short film, Heel Turn, at the Mardi Gras Film Festival. Several current PWA stars competed in ROH. Former alumni Jessie McKay has signed with AEW. Although rumours that The Violent Artist, Charli Evans, also signed with AEW proved false, the media attention will only draw more attention to CHEVS.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, WWE held its February try-outs, which included three of PWA\u2019s top names: The Tuckman, Scott Green, and Ricky South. Whilst there is no news yet on who might receive a WWE contract, being included shows that there is interest in these three PWA wrestlers.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at these Aussie standouts, their potential, and why you should be paying close attention to their careers and PWA.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Aussie Wrestling &gt; Everything<br \/>\n\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yrq03bKZGf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/yrq03bKZGf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Grayson Waller (@GraysonWWE) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GraysonWWE\/status\/2024942636809826373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Tuckman<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>With only five years of experience, Tyran Tuckey has become a standout on the Australian indie scene with a quintessential Aussie twist on the hometown hero archetype. The Tuckman is Tuckey\u2019s lived experiences as a rural boy turned beer-loving, party-hard, university dropout with a dream of making it big. Dialled up to eleven, \u201cthe Australia Mullet\u201d has progressed as a character as well as becoming a hard-hitting singles and tag team wrestler.<\/p>\n<p>A drama kid, a youth athlete, and growing up ginger provided Tuckey with plenty of experience fighting before discovering wrestling at age eleven. Deciding then that the dream was pro wrestling and the destination WWE, Tuckey left partway through his university degree, after online study during COVID-19, to pursue wrestling. Hence, the name of his and Scott Green\u2019s partnership: The Dropouts.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xxQ0E71fNIY?si=IgqnFMG7-QlO5YF1&amp;start=133\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Capable in the ring and with a character that connects with native crowds because everyone knows a Tuckman. Even if you watch a PWA show with The Dropouts&#8217; theme, The Fratellis \u201cChelsea Dagger\u201d muted, study the crowd. Raising their forefingers, they aren\u2019t Fandangoing. Like Jimmy Uso, The Tuckman engages the crowd from the entrance.<\/p>\n<p>However, The Tuckman is more than an entrance. That high energy translates to the ring. That experience with theatre and fan investment allows The Tuckman to involve the crowd in his moves, struggles, and victories.<\/p>\n<p>Appropriately, the reigning Soul of PWA Champion, The Tuckman, has that intangible ability to tell stories the fans invest in. How could The Tuckman translate on an international stage with such a region-specific persona? Well, the same way <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/04\/22\/elevating-the-risks-and-rewards-of-aew-pushing-will-ospreay-to-the-sky\/\" target=\"_self\">Will Ospreay\u2019s relatable Essex Lad persona<\/a> captured the love and admiration of AEW fans.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iTtu3CUjryE?si=ycoBoQh2PcxnTXil\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Scott Green<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Bosh! Scott Green may follow in this list his Dropout tag team partner, but his own connection and in-ring abilities are not secondary. Flashy but crisp aerial offence, chained together with moments in between the moves that give the fans time to invest in the story being told. Green is more than an outlandish personality, bright shirts, and a signature mullet.<\/p>\n<p>Focused on crowd connection and making sure the crowd is with each move, Green has been told he plays to the crowd \u201ctoo much\u201d. The Highest in the Room is one of PWA\u2019s hottest prospects.<\/p>\n<p>Although Green is nicknamed The Smokeshow (think more The Rascalz than Scarlett Bourdeux), Green is not a slacker. When faced with a broken leg, Green was humbled and learned from the loss of employment and social isolation. Re-evaluating his lifestyle, the driven Cobar, New South Wales native, seizes opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mQ7bYVBXafM?si=ERVcALhz5UTmtRGc\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Fully committed, Green is intent on taking every opportunity to enjoy life and the crack. This can be seen on Green\u2019s social media accounts, where he engages fans with skits and clips to broaden his audience. Following in Grayson Waller&#8217;s footsteps, Green recently entered the world of reality TV. Joining the cast for Australian Survivor, Green becomes the second Aussie wrestler to appear on the show.<\/p>\n<p>The five-year veteran has shown great skill and adaptability in PWA. Particularly recently in singles action. Whether it was playing momentary heel in an intergender match against Frankie B or being the debut opponent for social media influencer-turned-wrestler, Lachy McIntyre, Green has the chance for revenge against McIntyre in a rematch on March 6<sup>th<\/sup> at PWA\u2019s In a Cage. When <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/02\/13\/indie-watch-pwas-social-media-sensation-lachy-mcintyre\/\" target=\"_self\">interviewing McIntyre, he had some choice words for Green and his debut victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While hoping to join WWE, Green is having the time of his life.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">THE LAST 7 DAYS:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; PWA Colosseum<br \/>\n&#8211; AEW Grand Slam<br \/>\n&#8211; WWE Tryout<br \/>\n&#8211; Australian Survivor Premiere<\/p>\n<p>GENERATIONAL MUCK \ud83e\udd75<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jackson Goonrey (@scottgreenpw) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/scottgreenpw\/status\/2025432623989084657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 22, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Ricky South <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Example is more than a moniker for Ricky South. The Leader of the Regime is an elite athlete who prides himself on his work ethic, intense training schedule, and his commitment to improving his craft. Even during COVID, South and PWA pushed through with daily Zoom workouts and home fitness. A change in his physique is noticeable with South\u2019s 6\u20192\u201d now closer to a burly Greek god.<\/p>\n<p>From his entrance to between the bell and on-camera interviews, South projects confidence, self-assurance, and discipline. South demands your respect. There\u2019s a seriousness, almost Gunther-esque respect for the craft, but there are layers. Like his Aussie cohorts, there\u2019s versatility and character work.<\/p>\n<p>South is not afraid to push himself with comedy, foolishness, or to challenge your perspectives on who he is. Would Gunther encourage fans to chant \u201cstinky\u201d at him?<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"STEEL CAGE MATCH: RICKY SOUTH VS BIG FUDGE | Full Match | PWA Mounties Mania 2024\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q9inilxcl9A?start=107&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In PWA, South has taken roles in four different factions. South made himself one of the backbones of PWA. There\u2019s a reason this eight-year veteran reigned as PWA Champion for nearly 1,000 days. South, the last Chikara Young Lions Cup holder, reminds me of the care and detail to his craft as a wrestler and persona of a top US indy star and fellow WWE try-out hopeful, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/12\/11\/richard-holliday-interview\/\" target=\"_self\">Richard Holliday<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In PWA, South showed when he joined the SMS faction a willingness to take creative risks to build a consistent character. Applying lipstick, dressing, and performing with more flamboyance, South proved his adaptability while never changing the core of his character. During a try-out for NJPW, South utilised a short 30-second window by taking a risk few would take. South took one of the biggest, most over-the-top bumps to stand out from the pack.<\/p>\n<p>Time will tell whether such risks will aid South, The Tuckman, and Green in securing a WWE contract.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PWA Colosseum Countdown: Ricky South\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9qsifqIBi8Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indie Watch is our regular series that looks at amazing talents working the independent circuits around the world. Some are veterans revitalizing their careers. Some are indie prospects hitting their peaks. Others are names to be on the watch for! This edition looks at Pro Wrestling Australia&#8217;s (PWA) top prospects with WWE Aspirations, The Tuckman, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":154161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3317,13,2192],"tags":[3194,2298,9647,9646],"class_list":["post-154079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-international","category-wrestling","tag-pwa","tag-ricky-south","tag-scott-green","tag-the-tuckman"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154079"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154079\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154185,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154079\/revisions\/154185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}