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<\/p>\nIndie Watch is our regular series that looks at all of the amazing talents working the independent circuits around the world. Some are veterans revitalizing their careers, some are indie prospects hitting their peaks, while others are names to be on the watch for! This edition looks at a Southern prospect who is starting to turn heads with his work in the Midwest territories, in reigning Paradigm Pro Champion AJ Gray.<\/i><\/p>\n
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He’s only been pro for five years now, but Tennessee born grappler AJ Gray<\/strong> is starting to make strides in the Midwest with the likes of Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), Black Label Pro<\/strong> and Game Changer Wrestling (GCW)<\/strong> to name a few. A former collegiate football player with Austin Peay University, the 6’0, 245 lb. ex-linebacker and half-back combines athleticism, power, and intensity, that has served him well integrating between “traditional” indie promotions to some of the US indie scene’s hardest-hitting companies, like GCW, IWA Mid South<\/strong> and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)<\/strong>. An emerging player with AIW and beyond, AJ Gray is a rising star to watch at the tail end of 2019 into 2020. Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/strong> had the opportunity to talk to AJ Gray about his journey in the world of professional wrestling.<\/p>\n LWOPW: You started training to become a pro wrestler in 2015. Who you get your training and start out with?<\/strong><\/p>\n AJ Gray:\u00a0<\/strong>Originally it was from a lower level guy in Tennessee, then (former WWE Superstar)\u00a0Colin Delaney<\/strong> moved down to Tennessee and he showed me how things go.<\/p>\n Although you\u2019re from the Tennessee area, you kind of got your big break in the Midwest with Absolute Intense Wrestling in 2017, as well as others in 2016. What lead you to the Midwest territory?<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s just where I was booked. They wanted to put me on a show, and I want to make money, haha! I just go where I\u2019m wanted and appreciated.<\/p>\n Was Colin Delaney an influence on going the Midwest route? He\u2019s kind of a big deal, especially AIW.<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes and no. First time I went up there was with Shawn Shultz<\/strong> in 2016, and then it became me riding up with the both of them.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve worked some tough promotions, GCW, IWA Mid South, Mexico\u2019s DTU. What appeals you to that hard-hitting style?<\/strong><\/p>\n I come from a football background, so anything that involves physicality I can get behind.<\/p>\n