The Independent Wrestling Fans: The Lifeblood of the Industry

It’s wild.

Every time I get downtrodden or miserable about independent wrestling, something always brings me back to the lifeblood of this industry:

THE FANS.

Although the never-ending supply of aspiring or veteran professional wrestlers come through the pipeline, the true independent wrestling fan - those that always show up to support their favorite performer or promotion and always have an insatiable positivity about the scene - are always there.

I can legitimately attest to these fans. They are true beacons of light, especially when trolls or negative people try to always bring everything down.

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I remember back in July 2011, just before starting with Beyond Wrestling, managing Leon St. Giovanni (that dastardly LSG). I had done a few promos, hyping up how Beyond was “unprofessional”, doing studio tapings, while never doing a live event.

Full disclosure: many inside the promotion HATED them. In truth, looking at them now, they were so cringe, and they were right. But one fan in particular, hated the fact that I was disparaging his young, favorite promotion. That man’s name was Ken Duddly.

Oh man, Ken hated me. I still have the emails to prove it.

However, when that time came, on July 23, 2011, to perform live, managing LSG to a victory over “the Juice” JT Dunn, I felt vindicated in a sense. I was proud to have lived out a dream, next to one of pro wrestling’s naturally talented performers.

Later that night, I received an email from Ken.

Ken had thought that I was just a goofball fan, trolling Beyond for online buzz. When he realized I was a manager, he understood it.

A wrestling friendship was born.

Over the next fifteen months, Ken began heckling me, with love this time, at various Beyond shows. A small crew began to join him. Jen and Mr. Mike Rubba heckled LSG and I unmercifully at seemingly every event. Although I seemed to hate it outwardly, I LOVED it inwardly.

This crew of Ken, Jen, and Mike became allies of what we did with our little Professional Revolution group. When I needed content for my podcast, the crew would send over audio clips, heckling me at will. When my brother was looking to “join” a new podcast, they sent over clips, trying to get him to leave me.

Over the years, the New England crew became allies, always reaching out from time-to-time. They go to plentiful shows all across the Northeast. Right before the pandemic, at an ISW show in Williamstown, NJ, Mr. Rubba and Jen surprised me and LSG by showing up. We had a fantastic conversation and it was refreshing to see their support, even as a “Snuff N Stuff Expert”.

When I was tinkering with giving up on independent wrestling, Ken had sent me a nice message, telling me that he talked to Stan Stylez about possibly me coming into commentate. I can say that the positive discussion got the ball rolling, and weeks later, I became the voice of the Intergender Bonanza, a week before the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I cannot be remiss if I do not mention both Jordan Znuj, who was another great independent wrestling fan who heckled and enjoyed the work we did, and Becky Osowiecki, who was also a big part of that crew and sadly passed away suddenly a few years back. The wife of ISW promoter Mike “Rotch” Woods, Becky’s kindness and soul will forever be missed.

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Over my time in the New Jersey independents, I have come across two fans that are so positive and die-hard towards their respective promotions.

Robert Lotti has been going to ACE, Pro Wrestling Magic, and NYWC shows for as long as I can remember. Whether with his megaphone, his Shawn Michaels hat, or with a friendly “Who’s next?” during the matches, Robert’s dedication towards the scene is admirable.

I remember recently at one Pro Wrestling Magic show, which Robert was not at, PWM General Manager, and Maestro of Ceremonies, Shane Fair said to me in passing, “Man, Robert isn’t here tonight. This is wild.” His presence at shows are legitimately missed.

After the majority of ACE shows, I always check Robert’s YouTube channel to see his reviews of ACE events. His attention to detail and remembrance of storylines and performers are incredible.

I can also provide that same claim towards “Magic” Mike Ferrara.

I first met Mike as a manager and hypeman for the X-Clan and Magic for the Bodyslam Wrestling Organization. His passion and excitement for professional wrestling was second-to-none. It was always great to have a conversation with him.

Years had passed, and I was at the Pro Wrestling Magic show in January. All of a sudden, I saw Magic Mike pop into the event. I had to make a straight path towards him. I had learned he had gone through a few medical emergencies over the years, and seeing him up and moving around was a delight.

Our conversations were nothing short of fun and entertaining. His love for wrestling is still the same as it was all those years ago.

Fans like these are so valuable to have around your live events. They make an impact in ways you cannot believe.

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Recently, I got into a conversation with Cheyenne Ortiz, a Northeast independent standout both on the microphone and in authority positions.

I began talking about his best friend Ron Bosch and how I had learned he was a part of the Major Wrestling Figure podcast crew. Cheyenne let me know more.

Ron’s passion for wrestling is second-to-none. Initially going to shows together throughout the New York area, Ron soon began to stand-out for his fun interactions with wrestlers.

Whether it be at an ACE Pro Wrestling event or at House of Glory, Ron really gets into the matches and, in all fun, busts the chops of the performers in the ring, while thoroughly enjoying the matches and the athleticism they provide.

However, the intrigue of him with the “Major Marks” and Matt Cardona, Brian Myers, and “Smart” Mark Sterling always put a smile on my face, especially seeing how strong that fan base is in the current day with the live events and podcasts they put on.

I messaged him recently about how he became “Purple Best Wishes Shirt Guy” and his experiences. Ron’s response was so candid:

“The Major Pod has been an awesome experience. I was always a fan of Cardona, so it’s been fun actually being known by him and getting such a silly drunk nickname from him over 6 years ago. But the community has been great. I’ve encountered a few trolls that seem to have targeted a few of the fans that have “gimmicks” or are known by the hosts, but other than that it’s been awesome. I almost feel weird from the few times people have asked for autographs or pics. At the end of the day, I’m a fan and paying to be here like you guys.”

And that’s what it comes down to. Wrestling fan circles are so inclusive and as positive as they come, in spite of a few negatives one sprinkled in from time-to-time.

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At the end of the day, as much as I can be downtrodden towards wrestling, and lately, it has been more down that up if I am honest, the true good-hearted nature of independent wrestling fans always brings me back to a good head space.

The people that I have mentioned have and always will have a special place in my heart. I don’t think they realize the impact they have made on me. I appreciate all of you, and please keep this scene thriving and vibing, even when the chips could seemingly be down.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

Jon Harder

Jon@HardwayHQ.com