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LOOKING BACK AT 2010: THE SUMMER OF INDIES

This past summer, I undertook quite the unique journey, trying to hit as many independent events as my schedule allowed geographically.

It's an interesting time for the independent world of professional wrestling. With the current state of the economy and an ever-transitioning landscape, the smaller promoters have to fight harder for each ticket buy, each DVD sold and each piece of awareness they receive.

The Internet has made it harder, not easier, for these niche promotions to gain awareness in the alphabet soup of promotions, many of whom share much of the same talent, but the one mitigating factor is work ethic - work ethic of the performers, the promotions and those who work behind the scenes.

Independent wrestling is a labor of love. No one is ever going to get rich working for them. Some might get signed to move on to next level, but far too many others will toil on the indies forever, working hard because they love it. Some are doing it for money. Some are doing it because they love the business. Some are doing it to be a big fish in a small pond under a spotlight they wouldn't receive elsewhere in their world. But they all do it out of love.

In this section is a collection of live reports from independent events I've attended live over the last few months, but there are far, far, far many more that aren't included because I haven't had the chance (yet) to see them firsthand during this time period - the SHIMMERS, the PWGs, The Northeast Wrestlings, the NECWs, the NYWCs, the FIPs and many, many, many others.

They are in your hometown or within a distance of them. Some of them, obviously, are fly by night or carny-driven, but far many more are worthy of your time and attention. Peruse some of the shows that received my attention this summer and seek out your own - you'll likely be happy you did.

The independent wrestling world is a special place, full of all sorts of different styles of performers, promotions and performances. Everyone won't always like the same thing but that uniqueness is one of the great things about pro wrestling.

You can find lots of press releases and independent news right here on PWInsider.com and our sister website PWInsiderXTRA.com - and if you see a promotion that deserves more coverage in your opinion (or you are a promotion we aren't covering), feel free to send live reports, press releases, results, etc.

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