Chicago’s Top 25 (2021)
The Top 25 Wrestlers of 2021 That Wrestled in the Chicagoland Area
Thanks for reading! To set expectations, the wrestlers on this list were chosen because of the consistent work they produced in 2021. These wrestlers performed for one or many of the following promotions (Zelo Pro, AAW, Freelance Wrestling, Freelance Underground, Warrior Wrestling). To be clear, there are many other great promotions in the Chicagoland area such as Black Label Pro, but only five were considered when making this list because those are the five promotions we cover closely. The wrestlers don’t need to be from or currently reside in Chicago, they do not need to have trained in Chicago either to have made this list. If a wrestler held a title for a promotion, and consistently wrestled in a promotion’s big feature matches in 2021, they were considered higher on the list. Tag teams can be included and they will take up one spot as a team. When sharing this list on social media, please use the hashtag #Chi25.
#25 Allysin Kay
One word to describe Allysin is “professional”. She held down the AAW women’s division in a time where it was greatly needed this year and consistently produced solid matches during her AAW women’s championship title reign.
#24 Gringo Loco
Gringo Loco could be considered the best utility wrestler in Chicago, he’s the ultimate plug-in play guy. Need that anchor for your six-man scramble, he’s your guy. Alternatively, Gringo could play a heel that riles the crowd up in the face’s favor. He showed his veteran skill this year at Warrior Wrestling in their luchador division.
#23 Shane Mercer
Although bleachers weren’t lifted this year, Shane did develop a passion for avalanche springboard fall away slams (we can’t remember the name of the move). Shane established himself at the top half of the card for Freelance Underground this year and has the potential to be a future champion there.
#22 Davey Vega
Although we are a little bias, Davey Vega made his breakaway solo run feel important with the help of a supporting manager in John E Bravo. Since the landscape of the AAW roster has changed, Davey Vega has poised himself to be included in important storylines in 2022.
#21 Skye Blue
Potentially the hottest local wrestler in the fourth quarter of 2021, Skye Blue seemed to be popping up everywhere and her work shows for it. Skye ended the year taking the AAW woman’s championship from Allysin Kay and cementing herself in the local scene.
#20 Calvin Tankman
In one of the best “cat & mouse” matches I've seen, Calvin Tankman played the perfect immovable force this year at Freelance Underground when he initially wrestled GPA. And although he lost their initial encounter, he made up for it by beating GPA for the Freelance Underground championship in a matter of seconds in their 2nd match. Anyone that squashes GPA is alright in our book.
#19 Bang Bros (Davey Bang & August Mathews)
This team is the “local tag team scene” at the moment. You can’t have a discussion about local tag team wrestling without mentioning their names. In a matter of years these two went from trainees to tag team champions, the future is very very bright.
#18 Myron Reed
People forget, but Myron Reed is still a staple that holds together AAW’s roster. He competed in another JLMT this year and put on a show. Get your camera ready when Myron is in the ring, because he’s bound to create a memory that will last you your lifetime.
#17 Josh Alexander
If you want to see one of the best matches of 2021, please go watch Mat Fitchett vs Josh Alexander in the finals of this year’s Jim Lynam Memorial Tournament. For Josh, that’s a match he can consistently produce night in and night out.
#16 Storm Grayson
Storm has been dubbed “The Most Improved” wrestler in the Chicagoland area this year by many and it’s a well deserved title. Dan Reyes (contributor to the show) has said that Storm has gotten into phenomenal shape in 2021 and has been having stellar single matches that give his in-ring style an identity.
#15 Effy
Some may complain Effy is ranked 15th on this list, which would be a fair complaint. I’d argue that accolade wise, Effy had a better 2020 year, however his brunch shows are always a ton of fun and he rarely delivers even a mediocre performance. He’s consistent, and he’s Effy.
#14 Hakim Zane
Hakim Zane could arguably be the best talker on this list. His mic skills paired with a fit physique have made him a constant at AAW. He’s solidified himself as part of their core roster, and it doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon.
#13 Danhausen
Danhausen might be the only performer on this list that has wrestled for all 5 of the promotions mentioned in 2021. He’s very nice, very evil, and very entertaining. Anytime he’s added to a card, it makes the show better for the fans.
#12 Fred Yehi
When AAW needed a flag bearer this year, Fred Yehi was ready to answer the call. He became their smash mouth, cold and calculated champion and had an amazing run with the big gold belt. Fred gained a bunch of new fans this year and seized his opportunity to shine.
#11 Laynie Luck
This party unicorn established herself as not just a phenomenal wrestler, but a phenomenal intergender wrestler. She has the athleticism to keep up with any opponent and what’s crazy is that she hasn’t reached her prime yet. The future is bright for Laynie Luck.
#10 Thunder Rosa
Coming up next is Laynie Luck’s rival, the fabulous Thunder Rosa. La Mera Mera was a huge contributor to Warrior Wrestling this year. Whether it was squaring off with the likes of Kylie Rae or winning their women's championship, it’s safe to say her presence was felt. A piece of Thunder Rosa’s heart is always in Chicago.
#9 Lee Moriarty
We consider it a privilege to have Lee pop-up in Chicago from time to time, this year he wrestled for Freelance Underground & AAW putting on an absolute clinic each time. There are people that believe that Lee could be the best technical wrestler of all-time one day.
#8 Robert Anthony with Frank The Clown
We asked a similar question on our end of year podcast, but “do Robert Anthony and Frank The Clown finally deserve your respect?”. Although they can be an insufferable duo, you can’t deny that they get results. Robert Anthony can lead people through a match and lead a locker room, and Frank…well Frank seems to latch onto the right people. Robert Anthony ended his year by winning the Freelance World Championship, adding it to his collection.
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#7 Kylie Rae
It warms our hearts that Kylie has been back this year doing what she loves to do. Albeit a lighter schedule, Kylie has picked her spots to shine this year and continues to be a bright spot on every card. She works her ass off in the gym and has had the opportunity to wrestle up-in-coming talent such as Angel Escalera. We will support Kylie no matter what the future holds, but please know that she hasn’t lost a step when it comes to in-ring performance.
#6 Sam Adonis
Now Sam Adonis did not hold the Warrior Wrestling championship this year, but he successfully managed to naturally turn into a face that people love to root for. Every single outing, the crowd slowly grew more in his favor and now he’s being slow played as a title contender. If Sam Adonis wins the Warrior Wrestling championship in 2022 it will work because of the hard work he put in during 2021.
#5 Jonathan Gresham
Jonathan Gresham is a flat out stud, what a talent this man is….our favorite part of this year might have been his mixed tag teaming with his wife Jordynne, either way, you can’t take your eyes off this guy when he’s in the ring. We are blessed to have seen him this year and can’t wait for more.
#4 Trey Miguel
Steve and Eric from Warrior wrestling were so proud to call Trey Miguel their champion, and it’s because Trey was also so appreciative of the opportunity. Somebody finally had the courage to make him the face of their company and Trey took the ball and ran with it. Although his title run came to an end, 2021 will be remembered as the year of Trey Miguel and the unbelievable matches he put on as a singles wrestler without the assistance from his rascally friends.
#3 Jordynne Grace
Dominant. Powerful. Champion. These are all words to describe Jordynne Grace in 2021. She ended Laynie Luck’s title reign as Zelo Pro Women’s Champion and disposed of Chelsea Green as the year went on. Jordynne main evented several events for Zelo Pro this year and became a top star in their already deep women’s division.
#2 Mat Fitchett
He did it, he really did it. The first indie wrestling match that Charley from 2HAAF saw live was Drew Gulak vs Mat Fitchett, and in 2021 Charley witnessed Mat Fitchett grow into a singles competitor and win the JLMT. Not shortly after, did Mat cash in on his championship opportunity and become the champion he always knew he could be. It’s been a long and winding road for Mat, now he’s in the driver seat.
#1 GPA
I know, I know….you’re probably rolling your eyes at us right now. To be honest, we’ve been major critics of GPA over the years and have been huge supporters of the #BeatUpGPA movement. But if you look at his full body of work within the criteria of this list, he’s a major contributor in the local scene. He’s held two main titles this year for the aforementioned local promotions (Zelo Pro and Freelance Underground), and if he isn’t in the title scene he’s usually in a prominent place on the card. He held his own open challenge, which few people could be trusted to handle. This means he has to be able to wrestle different and new people on the roster, and produce an entertaining match on a monthly basis. Also, this year he also got to achieve #relationshipgoals and wrestle with his fiancé in a mixed gender tag match. The algorithm of this list points to GPA as being Chicago’s #1 wrestler in 2021, as much as we hate to admit that.
Agree? Disagree?
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Honorable mentions that didn’t make the list (In no particular order)
- Aramis
- Beastman
- JJ Garrett
- Missa Kate
- Drama King
- Simon Grimm/Gotch
- Cole Radrick
- Blair Onyx
- Craig Mitchell
- Angel Escalera
- Trevor Outlaw
- Warhorse
- Dan The Dan
- Jake Something
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