Top 20 Wrestling Promotions

[Guest DeputyHawk]

I ran this topic early last year to get a cross-section of which feds people thought were the most important / most significant promotions operating in the U.S. at that point. The results then averaged out to be:

 

1--WWE

2--NWA:TNA

3--ROH

4--IWA Mid-South

5--CZW

6--PWG

7--JAPW

8--NWA Wildside

9--3PW

10-ECWA

11-OVW

12-Revolution Pro

13-UPW

14-NJPW USA

15-World-One

16-USA Pro

17-NWA Florida

18-IWC

19-Lucha VaVoom

20-Revolution X

 

With APW, Gateway, MAW, NECW and Stampede bubbling under.

 

-------------------------

 

At the beginning of 2005, Raw and Smackdown are probably distinct enough to be considered separate promotions, there's still nothing seriously challenging WWE, while Rev-Pro and World-One have ceased operations.

 

This time, Canadian feds are eligible and - at a push - UK feds but, please, no Lucha promotions as lucha and puro are essentially different lists.

 

At the beginning of 2005, I place the most significant North American feds as:

 

1--WWE Raw

2--WWE Smackdown

3--NWA: TNA

4--ROH

5--IWA Mid-South

6--CZW

7--PWG

8--3PW

9--JAPW

10-OVW

11-NWA Wildside

12-IWC

13-USA-Pro/ UXW

14-ECWA

15-UPW

16-NWA Florida

17-IWS

18-NJPW USA

19-Chikara

20-FWA UK

 

With So-Cal WAR, Full Impact Pro, Stampede, Maximo Fusion and Cyberspace all bubbling under.

 

Post your thoughts and I'll average it all out in an attempt to get a somewhat definitive list at the end. Remember, it's what feds you think are most important/ significant, not which you think are best.

[Guest JebusNassedar]

Counting the WWE Brands as different feds is bullshit. They're not. They're under one organization.

 

I would put NECW on the list at 20, or higher, because their Online Show idea is something that the rest of the business really needs to consider, and I commend them for striking that goldmine first.

[zyn081]

Counting the WWE Brands as different feds is bullshit. They're not. They're under one organization.

 

I would put NECW on the list at 20, or higher, because their Online Show idea is something that the rest of the business really needs to consider, and I commend them for striking that goldmine first.

Although RAW and SD! fall under the WWE, the philosophy and direction behind them is different, with dare I say it, RAW focusing more on the wrestling side of things, as compared to SD! on the entertainment. Its 1 company but I guess would could see them as 2.

[Corey_Lazarus]

I would put NECW on the list at 20, or higher, because their Online Show idea is something that the rest of the business really needs to consider, and I commend them for striking that goldmine first.

You should also commend them for putting on really good fucking shows with workers that are less-than-amazing. Sheldon Goldberg = ownage.

[Guest Dean and Foam]

1--WWE Raw

2--WWE Smackdown

3--NWA:TNA

4--ROH

5--CZW

6--PWG

7--JAPW

8--IWA Mid-South

9--OVW

10-3PW

11-NWA Wildside

12-NWA Florida

13-ECWA

14-NECW

15-Chikara

16-UPW

17-PWW

18-UXW

19-IWC

20-APW

[DCMaximo]

1--WWE Raw

2--WWE Smackdown

3--NWA:TNA

4--ROH

5--CZW

6--IWA-Mid South

7--PWG

8--OVW

9--JAPW

10-3PW

11-NWA Wildside

12-NWA Florida

13-FWA-UK

14-NECW

15-Chikara

16-UPW

17-WXW

18-ECWA

19-APW

20-IWS

[Mecha Mummy]

I'm not counting WWE's brands as separate entities. Doesn't gel with me.

 

1. WWE

2. NWA-TNA

3. RoH

4. IWA-Mid South

5. CZW

6. PWG

7. OVW

8. JAPW

9. 3PW

10. NWA Wildside

11. IWC

12. Chikara

13. UPW

14. NJPW: Inoki Dojo

15. NECW

16. ECWA

17. NWA Florida

18. Lucha Va Voom

19. IWS

20. APW

[Corey_Lazarus]

I'd argue that IWS is more important than a good load of other indies on the list, or at least more popular, seeing as how they get pretty good-sized crowds and have their talent coming to the States quite often.