This week in independent wrestling (November 13th-19th, 2017)

With the independent wrestling scene at an all time high, there are great shows all around the world every week involving some of the best wrestlers in the world. We decided to take a look at the week ahead to pick out the best of what the indies have to offer - make sure to catch a show near you!

The US

In the US this week, the biggest show is probably Wrestlecircus' Rise of the Machines, taking place in Austin, Texas on Saturday and streaming for free on Twitch. The show features one of the biggest matches in independent wrestling right now, with two of the largest behemoths in wrestling colliding as Brian Cage defends his Ringmaster Championship against Keith Lee. Elsewhere on the show, they have two first-time matches as Matt Riddle faces Sammy Guevara, and Zack Sabre Jr wrestles Andrew Everett. Tickets are still available for only $25. 

There is a double show from House of Hardcore on the 17th and 18th as Tommy Dreamer's promotion hits the Sports Arena, New York on Friday and the 2300 Arena, Philadelphia (fka the ECW Arena) on Saturday. Shows include appearances from Austin Aries, Billy Gunn, Petey Williams and many others. The card for Saturday includes a first blood match between Tommy Dreamer and Joey Mercury, available to watch live on Twitch. Tickets for both shows are available for $30. 

If you are more into the bizarre, then Chikara are running a mini-tour with shows on Friday in Maine, Saturday in Massachusetts and Sunday in Connecticut. Shows will include Mr Touchdown vs Hallowicked, Mike Quackenbush vs Max Smashmaster and Warren Barksdale vs Ophidian. All information including ticket availability can be found at the Chikara website.

Elsewhere in the country, the number one company in Las Vegas, Future Stars of Wrestling bring us their Against All Odds show from Sam's Town Casino on Friday. Friends-turned-enemies Nick Bugatti and Greg Romero face off in a handcuff match,as well as the company's first ever last woman standing match between Hudson Envy and Heather Monroe. There's also a 25-man rumble to crown a new number one contender for the FSW Heavyweight Championship, which is currently held by recent WWE performance centre trialist, Alexander Hammerstone. All information can be found at their Facebook page. 

Sticking to that part of the country, in San Francisco All Pro Wrestling give the youth of the tomorrow a chance with their 2017 Young Lions Cup on November 18th, where 16 of the best up-and-coming talents around try to make an impact. While no talent has been announced as yet, you can find all the details at APW's website.

The UK

It is certainly no secret that the UK scene has been on fire this year and that is evident by the amount of shows taking place there on a regular place. None are as big as ICW's Fear and Loathing X, which takes place at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Sunday. Insane Championship Wrestling have been in the news of late after Triple H showed up at their show in Cardiff, and with an attendance of over 5,000 last year, this year's show is the place to be for independent wrestling. Headlining the show will be a title vs title match, as the Heavyweight Champion Joe Coffey faces Zero G Champion BT Gunn, as well their first ever women's triple threat cage match with Kay Lee Ray defending her title against fellow Mae Young Classic competitor Viper and Kasey Owens. With Kevin Nash, Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam all slated to appear, this is a show not to be missed. Tickets are still available and the biggest show in independent wrestling will eventually be available to watch on ICW's on-demand service for $6.99 a month. 

The other titan of UK wrestling also have a show this week. Progress Wrestling - Live at the Dome takes place on Wednesday at The Dome in Tufnell Park. Something different from their usual Chapter shows, the event showcases some of the younger and newer talents. Matches include Eddie Dennis vs Chuck Mambo, and collision of two of women's wrestling's hardest hitters, the very impressive Millie McKenzie and Laura Di Matteo. McKenzie impressed greatly at Progress' recent women's tournament and I'm very excited to see her return. Tickets are still available and can be found at and the show will eventually be available to watch at their on-demand service for $7.49 a month. RealSport will also be providing a recap of the show once it becomes available.

For those looking for a more family-friendly show, Futureshock Wrestling continue their growth with Uproar 97 on Sunday from Stockport Guildhall. Ashton Smith defends his Futureshock Championship against WWE UK competitor Tyson T-Bone, and Xander Cooper defends the Adrenaline Title against Travis Banks in what is sure to be a great match. Futureshock have been slowing building their reputation on the UK scene over the last year and this show is sure to be exciting. Tickets and all other information can be found at their website.

Much like Chikara in the US, Attack Pro Wrestling continue to give us their weird and wacky brand of Pro wrestling as they hold their next show, SRVRSRSLY  on Sunday, from their usual venue at Cathays Bingo Hall in Cardiff. The promotion, which was started by current WWE UK champion Pete Dunne, has developed a reputation for very fun shows, and this should be no different with regular faces Flash Morgan Webster, Chief Deputy Dunne and Eddie Dennis all likely to appear. Tickets can be purchased here, and the show will eventually be available to watch on their on-demand service. If you like your wrestling weird, then Attack is the company for you.

We end our UK coverage in the country it began, as just two days before ICW's massive show another Scottish company, Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum host their Third Anniversary show at their Asylum venue. With matches including Joe Coffey vs Soldato, Lionheart vs SBX and Kenny Williams against Kez Evans, this show is the perfect warm up for Scottish wrestling fans. Tickets can be purchased here.

Canada

Back to North America as Smash Wrestling present Go Hard or Go Home in Montreal on Saturday, before heading to London, Ontario the next night for London Calling 2. Tyson Dux headlines the Montreal show as he defends his championship against the massive Frankie TM in what is sure to be a crazy match. Matt Sydal will be competing on both nights, facing Tarik in Montreal and in a triple threat against Brent Banks and Sebastian Suave in Ontario. They will be filming for their Fight Network show on both nights, which will also be available on their on-demand service. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Rest of the world

In Mexico, The Crash Lucha Libre continue their tour with consecutive shows on the 13th, 14th and 15th. All information, including wrestlers appearing and tickets can be found at their Facebook page. The world's weirdest wrestling promotion, Japan's DDT, host a show in Shizuoka with a massive tag match in Daisuke Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo and Mad Paulie vs Saka Takao, Kazuaki Higuchi and Speedball Mike Bailey. With the wonder of Google Translate, all information can be found at their website. 

Another country where wrestling is growing is New Zealand. With Kiwi talents such as Jay White, Travis Banks, Dakota Kai and The South Pacific Power Couple having gone out into the world over the last couple of years, the country has gotten a lot of buzz recently. One promotion looking to build on this is Impact Pro Wrestling. They host their next show, Time Crisis 2, on Saturday at Mt Eden War Memorial in Aukland, where Brook Duncan defends his New Zealand Heavyweight Championship against Kingi. All information, including tickets and details on how to watch their shows are available at IPW's website.

Are you planning on attending or watching any of these or any another Independent show this week? Let us know in the comments.