MNDIY50: 50-41

Welcome to the MNDIY 50. For the wrestlers ranked 50-11 there will be short paragraphs including thoughts from those who submitted ballots as well as conversations throughout the year on their achievements and accolades. Direct quotes will be referenced as such whereas the rest is delightful conjecture from yours truly.

50. Sierra
Don’t let the phone fool you, this millennial got it done in the ring this year and is just getting started. Her many matches with Stacy Shadows (especially over the RWA Diamond Championship) Sierra ventured more and more across the border to entertain Minnesota fans establishing her as a can’t miss up and coming talent that can draw across the Midwest. Hopefully we can see more of her this year as promotions start to take note. Just don’t touch her phone. Seriously.

49. Kamikaze Klecker
As one half of the YOLO Bros in Independent Wrestling International, Klecker and his partner Patrick McDaniels dominated for most of the year as their Tag Team Champions before being unseated by Lucha Extreme in their sixth and final attempt at gaining the belts. Solid in tag or singles competition.

48. Spiderbaby
“The world’s wickedest wrestler continued to keep those who would dare to heckle on their toes. His wry and spirited video vignettes bring an element that’s often missing in the MN Independents”. Reigned much of the year as US Champion in IWI and NLW Heavyweight Champion.

47. Bobby Brennan
He didn’t get a lot of play this side of the border, but it was enough to secure him a spot on the list. Brennan is phenomenal babyface and has shone in the opportunities he has had near the top of the card in 7Star Wrestling locally and in home promotion of Fully Loaded Wrestling. Bobby has a lot to offer and hopefully he can show that off more in Minnesota in 2018.

46. Stacy Shadows
“She has an amazing look, and I just want to see more and more of her.” This was a big year for Shadows. From becoming the Steel Domain Women’s Champion after defeating Malia Hosaka this summer to her defeat of Sierra in the inaugural RWA Diamond Championship match. She was also the first female member of the Temple of Terror stable in SDW and has appeared multiple times for Women of Honor against the likes of Mandy Leon, Sumie Sakai, and Kelly Klein.

45. Big Sepp
2017 saw Sepp step up to the plate battling Mitch Paradise and a host of other hosses including more and more action away from his home of the last few years: AWF. Sepp has been instrumental in the development of a number of wrestlers coming out of AWF but also has the skills to be a top draw in any promotion.

44. Craven Knyte
“One of the most talented in ring performers in Minnesota returned to the ring this year sparingly as his interest in wrestling has died down in favor of other passions. However he still delivers everytime in the ring.” Had a number of crowd pleasers with Air Wolf this year but continues to be in and out as an active competitor. Will 2018 see more of Knyte? Fans are Craven it.

43. Travis Cole
The first on the list from the great, frozen North, Cole comes our way predominantly from CWE in Winnipeg. Over the last few years we’ve seen him travelling more and showing up in a number of Minnesota promotions. His improvement has been evident each time he steps in the ring. He and Scott Story had another fan favorite match at Pro Wrestling Battleground this Summer.

42. Chainsaw King
Keep Looking Up. It’s not only his slogan, it’s where you’ll find him after he knocks you flat on your back. Never one to pull punches or be normal, King has performed for 7Star and MIW this year as well as tagging with Duke Cornell as Copper Teeth in Heavy On Wrestling in a pair of slobberknocker matches.

41. Aaron Corbin
Former Steel Domain Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, the self-proclaimed “Peak of the Temple of Terror” has been using Ed Hellier’s stable to prop up his title reign throughout the year before being unseated by Mitch Paradise. Corbin has vowed to regain the title in one of the feuds of the year.

Check back tomorrow for the MNDIY50: 40-31

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Header Photo by Falcon Photography