Fifth Annual DOI 250

Profiles 1-50

Low Ki joins Christopher Daniels (2003), Homicide (2004,2006) & Chris Candido (2005) as the number 1 ranked wrestler in a DOI 250. Low Ki, after spending alot of his time in Japan, signed a deal with TNA which allowed indy promoters to use him more often. After leaving Ring of Honor again, Low Ki refocused his efforts in one of the promotions that helped made him, Jersey All Pro Wrestling.

When making this list, the easiest way to break down talent/wrestlers is to go by places worked and their spot on the card. Low Ki returned full-time to JAPW in 2006 and helped change the company for the better. After having to strip two heavyweight champions back-to-back, JAPW held a gauntlet match for their title which Low Ki won, defeating Davey Richards and former champion Rhino in the process. From there, Low Ki has defended the JAPW title in pride, beating the likes of Necro Butcher & AJ Styles. Low Ki has helped bring prestige back to the JAPW Heavyweight title, and in the process has raised the stock of JAPW.

While TNA accomplishments aren't factored much into this list, it should be noted that Low Ki is now a national TV wrestler, competing on TNA Impact. Away from JAPW & TNA, Low Ki has become a semi-regular in Ian Rotten's IWA Mid-South. Also competed for Joel Gertner's MXW, Norm Connor's IWC, Ball Park Promotions (Buffalo) and in other promotions. When not in the northeast, Low Ki also wrestled in the midwest for NWA Central States & NWA Midwest, and also ventured to the west coast for PWG.

Low Ki, who dominated one of the biggest, if not the biggest indy promotion in the northeast in JAPW (if you don't count ROH as an indy) had one hell of a year during the grading period and has certainly earned his spot on top of this year's DOI 250.

The Notorious 187 Homicide had another career year. The former 2 time DOI 250 number 1 wrestler would've been number 1 again if we counted ROH & TNA as indy promotions. It seems every year Homicide is accomplishing something new. This year Homicide became the first ever simultaneous ROH Heavyweight & NWA TNA Tag Team Champion.

In the northeast, Homicide, who is considered a JAPW icon, led the SST to many victories. Currently feuding with the BLKOUT right now, as he's one of the leaders in the Strong Style Thugs. With his TNA LAX running mate Hernandez, Homicide won the JAPW tag team titles at the end of the grading period.

During the year, in the northeast, Homicide wrestled for JAPW, WSU, IWC, NHPW, PWU & for other promotions. Like Low Ki, has wrestled all over the globe and is considered one of the top wrestlers today.

The former saviour of CZW, Chris Hero helped bring CZW out of a rut. Was involved in perhaps the feud of the year with Eddie Kingston. That feud elevated both men to new levels. Was a huge factor in the ROH/CZW war of 2006. Won the ROH Tag Team titles with his Kings of Wrestling partner Claudio Castagnoli. Also won the CZW tag titles with Claudio, and is a former CZW Heavyweight Champion.

During the grading period, in the northeast, Hero wrestled for CZW, ROH, JAPW, Chikara & for other promotions. Considered to be in one of the best tag teams in all of the indy scene today with Claudio. Has a huge cult following. For a big man, is known to wrestle very scientifically. Not afraid to get into hard hitting battles, whether it be with fans or opponents. CZW is really missing him now, after losing a loser-leaves-CZW match to Eddie Kingston earlier this year.

The Necro Butcher, a midwest favorite, started branching out to the northeast this year. Maybe the sickest wrestler in all of the indies. Challenged for the JAPW Heavyweight title several times but always came up short. Fans would've liked to seen him win it.

Necro bled buckets all over the place this year, such as in CZW, ROH, JAPW, PWU and for other promotions. A major factor in the ROH/CZW war. That feud led him to bookings in ROH's sister promotion of FIP. Also competed for Gung Ho Wrestling, where he feuded with Monsta Mack.

Necro Butcher has an aura around him that fans crave. Not too many indy wrestlers have the fans standing up during their entire match, but Necro is one of them. A huge fan favorite, but how long can he keep his style up?

Known as "Black Machismo" in TNA, Jay Lethal is now a bonafide indy main eventer. Broke in with JAPW which opened up the eyes of many indy promoters. A former JAPW Heavyweight Champion, Lethal also won the JAPW tag team championships with Azraiel during the grading period. Also competed for IWC, AWA, ROH, NWA Upstate, MXW and for other indy promotions.

Jay Lethal, who blends in natural athleticism with speed and high flying ability, has really come into his own, and now even trains people at the AWA (Morgan's not Gagner's) school. Has his own style that shows off a Tom Billington and Chris Benoit influence. Should be only a matter of time before he's booked as Black Machismo in east coast promotions.

"The King of Diamonds" Eddie Kingston, while part of the successful BLKOUT group, stood out as his own man this year. Was involved in what many consider the feud of the year, with Chris Hero. Kingston became CZW's top star and won the CZW Heavyweight Championship. However, due to a fall-out with Zandig, where Zandig falsely accused Kingston of jumping to PWU, Kingston left the promotion where he made his biggest mark.

Away from CZW, Kingston became a top player in all of the independents, from his home territory of the northeast to the midwest for IWA Mid-South. Kingston brought over the BLKOUT faction to JAPW and is feuding with the SST. Also has feuded with nemesis Chris Hero in other promotions.

During the year, Kingston competed for Chikara, CZW, PWU (where he went after he "was fired" from CZW), JAPW, WSU & for other indy promotions. Known for his stiff offense and killer promos, Kingston is a shining light on the indy scene, and it should be only a matter of time before he has a contract with some wrestling company.

Samoa Joe, the man who was put on the map by ROH for having the longest ROH title reign in ROH history, is now a national TV star in TNA. Was forced to leave ROH due to TNA wanting to protect their investment, even if Joe is constantly tripping over bad booking. In TNA he has been put in high profile matches with Christian Cage, Kurt Angle, Sting & others, but is still on the bubble.

On the independent scene, Joe has dominated wherever he's gone. Had a hell of a match with Necro Butcher for IWA Mid-South. Made several appearances in JAPW, where he challenged JAPW champion Low Ki. Also competed for NEW & for Ball Park Brawl.

Joe is one of a kind on the indy scene and isn't a guy that many guys can emulate. For his size, he hits very strong but is no slouch using topes & dives in his reportoire. Known for the Kokina Clutch & the Musclebuster. For a guy who came out of the UPW school in California several years ago, Joe is now a nation-wide wrestling star.

"The Good Guy" had a pretty good year, during the DOI 250 grading period. Originally from the Doghouse in Brooklyn, NY, JAPW has become somewhat of a home fed for Azraiel, where Azraiel has held the JAPW Light Heavyweight & Tag Team Championships. After spending the better part of two years feuding with Jay Lethal, the two combined forces and held the JAPW tag team championships for most of the grading period, only to lose them to the impressive LAX.

Away from JAPW, Azraiel returned to ROH. He also wrestled for WSU, AWA, NWA Upstate, CPW, & for other indy promotions. What he lacks in natural promo ability, he more than makes up for it with his in-ring ability. Often compared to Low Ki, Azraiel also uses the stomp as a finisher.

Azraiel continues to impress and gets better & better with each passing month. It could be only a matter of time like Eddie Kingston, before he is contracted to a wrestling company.

The big man from Europe has had much success in the United States, largely due to his affiliation with Chris Hero. With Chris Hero, he won the Chikara, CZW & ROH Tag Team Championships, among other tag team titles.

Claudio was the subject of many internet news sites after a successful WWE try-out at Deep South Wrestling. However, plans fell through and Claudio remained on the indy scene, to the delight of many indy fans.

Away from Hero, Claudio competed for PWX and other indy promotions. For a big man, just like Hero, he is able to move with style and grace. Now as a fulltime ROH wrestler, nation-wide fans might find out what indy fans already know.

Perhaps the heart & soul of BLKOUT, Ruckus excelled during the grading period. Ruckus won the 2006 Best of the Best Tournament. He also won the CZW Tag Team championships on multiple occassions with Sabian.

Away from CZW, Ruckus wrestled for EWA, MCW, WSU, JAPW & for other indy promotions. Ruckus was also part of WSX and had some highlight reel moments.

Ruckus slimmed down during the grading period and looks to be in the best shape he's ever been in. He's had a taste of being on TV once before and his fans would love to see him on TV again.

12. Rhino- was JAPW Heavyweight champion for a good portion of the grading period. The now TNA star still wrestles all over the northeast. Still uses the Gore as a finisher. "The War Machine" still lights fires in crowds where ever he goes.

13. Jay Briscoe- originally from Jim Kettner's ECWA, Jay Briscoe is now known as a ROH star. Competed for JAPW & PWU, but pretty much used those organizations as a stepping stone back to Ring of Honor. One of the most amazing wrestlers on the indy scene today, it is amazing that he can still go at the pace he does.

14. The Grim Reefer- one of the area's top light heavyweights, if not the best one. Finally won the JAPW Jersey Championship, a belt he was chasing for three years. Wrestled for JAPW, WSU, NWS, AWA, NYWC, PWH, ABC, CZW, VPW & for other indy promotions. Throws one of the best left handed clotheslines today. An excellent promo guy and solid competitor.

15. Mark Briscoe- like his brother Jay, he spends most of his time in Ring of Honor. Was injured in the beginning of the grading period. Perhaps is part of the best tag team in all of wrestling today.

16. Colt Cabana- the former ROH star is now part of the WWE and should have success there soon. Before signing with the WWE, Colt wrestled in and out of the northeast, most notably for JAPW. A very charismatic and solid wrestler.

17. Larry Sweeney- "Sweet N Sour" Larry Sweeney may be a manager in ROH, but in the northeast, he's one of the top stars. Wrestled for Chikara, WSU, PWX & for other indy promotions. Has charisma second to none. A guy who can bring a dead crowd back to life.

18. Sonjay Dutt- "The Original Playa From the Himilayas" still spends time on the indy scene when he's not being buried in TNA. Wrestled for both CZW & PWU this year. Known for his Hindu Press. Now residing in Virgina, Sonjay is still one of independent wrestling's sought out stars.

19. Delirious- one of indy wrestling's strangest wrestlers, Delirious was first known by mid-west fans. From there Delirious hooked up in ROH, where he's gained alot of notoriety. Away from ROH, Delirious has competed for JAPW and for other indy promotions. Recently had a hot minute feud with EC Negro.

20. Roderick Strong- originally from Florida, the man with a thousand backbreakers has emerged as one of ROH's top stars. Not known much for his indy exploits anymore, as he spends most of his time in ROH & in FIP.

21. Nigel McGuinness- a ROH regular, Nigel wrestles on the indy circuit occassionally. Known for his British style. A former ROH Pure Wrestling champion.

22. Matt Sydal- got to wrestle on TV as part of MTV's WSX promotion. A former ROH Tag Team Champion. Matt, who started in the mid-west, has branched out to the northeast, wrestling for WSU & JAPW during the grading period.

23. AJ Styles- AJ slips down the list this year, as he didn't do much in the northeast. However, in TNA, AJ's had alot of success. Recently turned heel and joined up with Christian. Still uses the Styles Clash. Challenged Low Ki for the JAPW Heavyweight Championship in June.

24. Christopher Daniels- like AJ, didn't spend much time in the northeast. A multiple time ROH & TNA titlist. Still uses the Angel Wings & Last Rites as finishers. Still one of the best all around wrestlers today. A former number 1 in the DOI 250.

25. El Generico- out of IWS Canada, Generico won the PWG Heavyweight title in California. In the northeast, Generico has had many matches for JAPW, always has the crowd behind him. Also competed for ROH. Known for his brainbuster onto the top turnbuckle.

26. Jack Evans- the former JAPW tag team champion has been in/out of JAPW. Has competed for CZW & PWU, but is making his name overseas and in ROH. Known for his crazy athleticism. Was one of the more featured wrestlers in MTV's WSX.

27. Sabian- BLKOUT's smallest member by size, Sabian might bring the biggest fight. Wrestled for CZW, NWS, PWU, WSU, MCW & for other companies. Great charisma. Tags with Ruckus.

28. Kevin Steen- another wrestler from IWS, Steen competes frequently in the northeast. ROH has done a turn around on him, most likely because Punk isn't there anymore. Away from ROH, competed for JAPW, Gung Ho Wrestling & for other promotions. When given the ball, can be a top guy.

29. Christian Cage- the former NWA World Champion has wrestled on the indy scene, but didn't make many NWA indy appearances. Wrestled mostly for Mike O'Brien's NEW promotion. Out of all the ex-WWE guys to go to TNA, he might've benefitted the most.

30. B-Boy- the New Age Punisher still remains a regular for CZW & JAPW. Also competed for WSU. Part of the Strong Style Thugz in JAPW. Once called "the west coast Homicide", B-Boy has made a name for his own and has become one of the area's hottest stars.

31. Alex Shelley- originally from the midwest, Shelley is now known by a larger audience, due to his TNA work. Wrestles in and out of the northeast area. A very charismatic wrestler. A ROH favorite, he was forced to leave ROH due to his TNA contract.

32. Davey Richards- the 2006 Super 8 Winner has capitalized off that fame, and has become a star in ROH. Away from ROH, Richards competed for the JAPW Heavyweight championship. Also made an appearance in Gung Ho Wrestling.

33. Rocky Romero- one of the Rottweillers in ROH. Romero, originally from the West Coast, competes in and out of the east coast when he's not in Japan. Considered the better 1/2 of the Havana Pitbulls.

34. M-Dogg 20/Matt Cross- another wrestler known for his midwest roots, M-Dogg 20 has ventured to the east coast and has gotten success. Competed for JAPW & WSU. Also wrestles in ROH. Was part of MTV's WSX promotion had several entertaining matches.

35. Takeshi Morishima- it would be hard to have a DOI 250 without the current ROH Heavyweight Champion. Unlike past ROH champions, Morishima hasn't made any indy appearances in the northeast. We are including him on this list due to his ROH accomplishments, but since this is an indy oriented list, his ranking reflects that.

36. Brent Albright- formerly part of the WWE, Brent has found alot of success in ROH. Wrestles sporadically in the northeast, but has made many appearances in the mid-west.

37. Chris Sabin- the former TNA X-Division champion is known for his accomplishments in TNA, but is all over the indy scene. Is part of the Motor City Machine Guns tag team with Alex Shelley. Known for his cradle-shock finisher.

38. Austin Aries- as this DOI 250 went to press, the former ROH world champion returned to ROH, as he got the TNA release he was desperately seeking. Didn't do too much on the northeast indy scene under his TNA alter-ego, Austin Starr. Has an exciting style that was first brought to the east coast in the 2004 Super 8 tournament.

39. Jerry Lynn- the long-time WWE/WCW/ECW/TNA veteran still plies his trade in the northeast, just not as frequent as he has in the past, due to his work with TNA. Wrestles alot for NYWC. Still uses the cradle piledriver as a finisher.

40. Frankie Kazarian- an up and down year for the Californian. Had a cup of coffee in the WWE where his hair was talked more about than his ability. Returned to JAPW where he won and held the JAPW Jersey Championship for a long time. Lost it to Grim Reefer and hasn't been back since. Was made to be a lackey in TNA but has rebelled. A victim of bad booking in TNA.

41. Devon Moore- former PWU Heavyweight Champion, Devon held the belt for the better part of a year. Had several matches against 2 Cold Scorpio. 1/2 of Notorious Inc with Drew Blood. PWU is his home fed, but wrestled for ACPW, WSU, WXW, VCW & for other promotions. Uses the shooting star press as a finisher.

42. Human Tornado- the current WSU Heavyweight champion, The Human Tornado may be the most charismatic wrestler on the indies today. Known largely for his work on the West Coast. Part of the MTV WSX promotion. Tornado also made stops in JAPW & PWS this year. Blends natural athleticism with over-the-top comedy with a touch of high flying ability.

43. KENTA- another one of ROH's Japanese imports, KENTA exclusively wrestles for ROH in the northeast. Like several other wrestlers on this list, it would be ignorant to leave him off, hence him being ranked lower than if this list focused on ROH/TNA accomplishments.

44. Hotstuff Hernandez- finally showing a world-wide stage what many people knew back in 2002 when he was part of ROH. Teams with Homicide in LAX and is now starting to get indy bookings in the northeast because of it. Currently 1/2 of the JAPW Tag Team Champions with Homicide. Wrestled several other shots in the Northeast. Might be one of the best big guys today.

45. Corporal Robinson- one of the toughest guys on the indy scene. A former PWU titlist. Went on tour with ICP's JCW promotion. Wrestled also for Gung Ho Wrestling. Very strong on the microphone. A two-time winner of IWA Mid-South's King of the Deathmatch Tournament.

46. BJ Whitmer- a ROH regular, BJ Whitmer is a former ROH tag team champion. "Hillbilly Jesus" is one of the hardest hitting wrestlers, but something seems to be missing from his overall package. Willing to put it all on the line in every match he has.

47. Steve Corino- the King of Old School has spent time in and out of the indy scene, as he's still a semi-regular in Japan. Wrestled Teddy Hart for the first time ever in PWX. Wrestled for UXW, World-1, AWA & for other indy promotions. Still one of the best promo guys in all of wrestling. Has promised to retire at the end of 2007, but does anyone ever really retire? Let's hope he doesn't.

48. Drake Younger- maybe the new saviour of CZW, as Drake Younger put it all on the line and helped save one of CZW's worst shows ever by providing a memorable moment in his match with Justice Pain. Mostly wrestles for hardcore promotions. He's a name that will probably be bigger by this time next year, and perhaps in line to be the next CZW Heavyweight Champion.

49. Kurt Angle- who would've ever thought you'd see his name on this list? The current TNA & IWGP World Champion. Wrestled for Mike O'Briens NEW after leaving the WWE. Part of TNA's house show in Philadelphia. Might've accomplished the most in professional wrestling in the shortest amount of time possible.

50. John Walters- the master of the lungblower has also used the sharpshooter as a finisher this year. Left Chaotic Wrestling earlier in the grading period. Wrestled for WSU, DPW, 2CW & for other promotions during the year. A great technical wrestler.

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THE FOURTH ANNUAL DOI TOP 250- PROFILES 1-50

THE FOURTH ANNUAL DOI TOP 250- PROFILES 51-100

THE FOURTH ANNUAL DOI TOP 250- PROFILES 101-150

THE FOURTH ANNUAL DOI TOP 250- PROFILES 151-200

THE FOURTH ANNUAL DOI TOP 250- PROFILES 201-250

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Email me at:
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com