As you may know, the DOI 250 is the DOI's Annual Newsletter/List of the Top 250 Independent wrestlers in the northeast area. On July 2nd, 2005, the DOI will be releasing our third ever DOI 250 list. Two years ago, Christopher Daniels was ranked number 1 on our list. Last year, the Notorious 187, Homicide, graced the top of our list. This year will be even harder to choose who will be number 1, as many wrestlers have had strong years, such as Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, Homicide, CM Punk, Samoa Joe, Jay Lethal & others.

This year, the DOI was looking to expand our coverage when ranking wrestlers for the DOI 250. The DOI 250 continues to expand every year, and as time passes, more and more wrestlers come along, but only the same 250 spots remain. Our original list focused on only the Northeast. Last year, we branched a bit out and considered wrestlers from Canada, the Midwest and Florida. As a group, the DOI only ranks on what we see only. With more reporters on our staff, we have more eyes than ever before.

This year was the most difficult list to compile. As I looked at the finished list, I can name 200 wrestlers off the top of my head that were omitted. It just goes to show you that indy wrestling is alive and there is fierce competition out there.

The list, which is still northeast based, does include wrestlers from other territories, but mainly focuses on what they did on the northeast. With the northeast being the most competitive area in indy wrestling, we believe that to earn a high ranking on the DOI 250, you have to be a big fish in the big ponds, and not a big fish in a small pond. Wrestlers who competed for promotions like JAPW, ROH, UXW & CZW were looked at and considered more carefully for higher spots than guys who work for smaller promotions such as NYWC, AWA, ECPW, etc.

The DOI 250 is the premier and only list when it comes to ranking the top indy wrestlers in the northeast, and now independent wrestling. The list will be posted on this site on Saturday morning (7/2/2005).

To read last years DOI 250, check out the following link below:
2004's DOI 250

This year, we will be giving out the list entirely for free, instead of printing it in newsletter format. If you're interested in the newsletter format of the list, with the brief bios, shoot us an email at declaration_of_independents@hotmail.com

Good luck to all the wrestlers who will be ranked in the 250, and please realize that the number 1 purpose of the DOI 250 is to show appreciation for the yearly work, that goes on every weekend, 52 weeks a year.

So make sure to check out the DOI site this Saturday morning to view the 3rd Annual DOI Top 250.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com