What up DOI readers and welcome to another McPinions here on the DOI site. This time I'm going to look back at a column I wrote in December, where I picked the top 10 guys, who I thought would break out in 2004. With the year 2004 two thirds of the way in the bag, let's take a look at the progress of the 10 guys, I thought would break out, so far.

To read the original article, which was written on 12/1/03, click here

Also please note that all wrestlers talked about then and now are northeast only.

The grading system, in the overall statement, is based on progress, and not how they are compared to everyone else.

10. Johnny "The Bison" Bravado
What I wrote then:
-Johnny "Bison" Bravado, a butt of many peoples jokes, due to his similarities of looking like an Asian man, is ready to move onto the next level of his career. As this year wrapped up, Bravado made his ROH debut, beat Low Life Louie in a hard core match and had a great performance at the last show ever held in The Elks Lodge. The Bison is currently being used in WXW as a wrestler to put over others, but I think it's Bison's time to break out and show what he can do. The Bison can wrestle, and I think he just needs the opportunity to show what he can do in the ring. Hopefully for The Bison, this time next year, he will be able to brag about some of the championship belts he won.

Analysis: Bravado still hasn't had the chance to showcase his talent. It's hard to say that he's really good, and it's harder to say he stinks, because he hasn't had one non-hardcore match this year that went longer than 4 minutes. Bravado is a company guy whose career might suffer due to lack of politicking. Bravado needs a match that goes about 10-12 minutes to show what he has. Bravado has done some work for WXW but none of those matches went his way. Bravado's home promotion, USA Pro Wrestling, has used Bravado soley in hardcore matches. In USA Pro, Bravado got to wrestle Balls Mahoney and New Jack in the same night. Despite losing, it was a notch in his career as he held his own, and did what he was asked to do- put his opponent over in a big way. After reading Ric Flair's book, I fully agree with his statement that it takes two wrestlers to have a good match. Bravado also wrestled in SSCW where he was haphazardly booked and lost to Low Life Louie in an Unlucky 13 match. Bison's best bet to further his career would be to work in smaller promotions and work his way up, to get his name out there. Bravado is a student of the sport but he needs to light a fire under his ass and take his career to the next level.
Overall-Bravado gets an incomplete due to not having the chance to show his stuff.

9. Alere Little Feather
What I wrote then:
- Everyones favorite Native American, Alere Little Feather is poised to break out, in my opinion, in the year 2004. Alere, who is no stranger to firewater, has only been wrestling for 8 months, and shows lots of skill and charisma. Her recent match with April Hunter showed that she could hang with one of the premier indy wrestlers today. With a great gimmick and a great attitude in and out of the ring, I think it's only a matter of time that Alere is considered one of the top indy women wrestlers in the U.S.

Analysis: Alere who is only in her second year as a professional wrestler has made great strides. Alere has wrestled in WXW, IWA, USA PW, JCW, SSCW, DWOW, NWS and other promotions. She is getting her name out there and has seen her stock rise on the indy scene. I said then it was only a matter of time before she was known as one of the top women wrestlers. If she continues her progress like she has, that statement might be true sooner than later. Look for Alere to make a strong showing in the WXW Super 8 Ladies Tournament, as well as continuing to contend for various women championships in the northeast.
Overall- Alere is where she needs to be. Alere gets an A.

8. Mana "The Polynesian Warrior"
What I wrote then:
- This manbeast from WXW has recently started ripping heads off in MLW as well. The problem I see with Mana today, is that he wrestles too many squash matches. Once he is able to show what he can do in the ring in a regular match, it will be only a matter of time that promoters are knocking down his door. Mana holds the record as the fastest student to ever graduate the Wild Samoan training school - no easy feat. I wouldn't be surprised if Mana was holding a promotions heavyweight title at this time next year.

Analysis: My last sentence came true, as Mana is currently the WXW Heavyweight Champion, winning it for a second time at this years Sportsfest. Mana has branched out of WXW as well by working in CSWF, JCW, USA PW, IWA, World 1 and other promotions. Mana is now getting his name out there as one of the better big men today. He's shown that he can adapt to his opponents style as he can wrestle a big man match against a guy like Mean Gene Sinisky, but can also wrestle a quicker mat based match against someone like Supreme Lee Great. Look for Mana to continue his progress. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a WWE darkmatch in 2005.
Overall- Mana easily gets an A as he's having a great career in WXW and starting to make waves elsewhere.

7. Grim Reefer
What I wrote then:
- The Grim Reefer is known for his daredevil ringstyle. What he's not known for is his superior mat wrestling and ability to cut promos. I think this will be the year that Reefer gets his act together and is able to showcase all of his talents. Give this man the microphone, and he can have the crowd in the palm of his hands in 2 seconds. Reefer could hold any promotions championship and be able to elevate the title with his brash style of wrestling.

Analysis: Reefer is capable of being a main eventer as well as being the top cruiserweight in any promotion he goes to. Reefer really shined in NYWC where he won the Light HeavyWeight Title, and had the best match of many NYWC shows. He also showed the ability to be a heel, as well as a strong babyface. Winning The Stengel Cup is a step in the right direction for Reefer, as he looks to get his career back on track. (Reefer had his second child this year and had to take time off to take care of his son. Also Reefer suffered an injured foot, which has just recently healed.) Reefer had big matches in CZW and USAPW and wrestled in other promotions as well. While Reefer is known by many fans, he can be doing more, and I think we're going to see it soon.
Overall- Reefer gets an incomplete as well, as he wasn't able to wrestle fulltime. Look for Reefer to start making moves now.

6. Dan Barry
What I wrote then:
- Everyone's Favorite Wrestler Dan Barry is probably the best cruiserweight not to be floating around in Special K. Dan Barry can cut a killer heel or lovely babyface promo. Dan Barry can go toe to toe with anyone, and proved this in a recent match with Xavier. He is starting to expand into New Jersey promotions, and I think at this time next year, he will be wrestling in 4 states or more, and will be holding more cruiserweight gold.

Analysis: Barry has had a solid year as he's expanded his wrestling ability and the promotions he works in. Barry picked up the NYWC and SSCW LightWeight/CruiserWeight Titles. Barry also participated in IHPW's Diamond Cup, and JCW's J-Cup. While Barry has only wrestled in three states, I don't think a fourth state is far off. Barry has had a great year so far and has had many strong matches all over.
Overall- Barry is doing well for himself and just needs to bump himself to the next level. He is capable of making his opponents better than they actually are as well. Barry gets an A-.

5. Josh Daniels
What I wrote then:
- Josh is known for his Chris Benoitesque style. Josh recently had a Japan tour and is working some serious matches in ROH. It will only be a matter of months before he is known as a bonafide ROH star. I don't think a TNA run is out of the question either. The man can wrestle and hang with anyone. The only question that he needs to answer is can he cut a decent promo?

Analysis: Daniels has had a strong year so far under his belt. Daniels has added a few more Japan tours, and is probably the best technical wrestler to come out of IWF. Daniels recently had a MOTY candidate with Jay Lethal in their Diamond Cup finals match in IHPW. Daniels has also been doing well in ROH. Daniels is loud in the ring, but silent on the microphone. I think Daniels has exceeded alot of people's expectations already.
Overall- Daniels gets an A+. The only negative about him is his promos, then again he really doesn't have a chance to cut too many. Daniels does all his talking in the ring anyway, earning him this high grade.

4. Mean Gene Sinisky
What I wrote then:
- Mean Gene won the WXW World Title in the fourth quarter of this year. He also started doing WWE Dark matches. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Mean Gene has more talent now than Batista did when he was in the indies. He might even have more talent than Batista today. The guy can cut promos in a drop of a hat. I think it's up to Mean Gene if he wants to dominate other promotions outside of WXW.

Analysis: Mean Gene currently has himself a WWE contract and has relocated to OVW. He hasn't made his OVW debut yet, but I'm sure it's not far off. Mean Gene did well for himself in WXW and has the dedication to be on TV soon. Gene didn't really test the indy waters, but he got what he wanted. It's also a testament to WXW as another one of their students go to the next level.
Overall- Gene gets an A+. He did what he needed to do, and now is ready to compete with some of the top talent in the U.S.

3. Tyler Payne
What I wrote then:
- Mr. Y J Stinger and one of my favorite people to pick on, is easily the best wrestler not to be working all over the place. Tyler Payne looks like a wrestler and is an excellent one at that. He is young and in the early stages of his career, and I think it's time that other promotions recoginize that. He currently holds the NYWC World and Tag Championship as well as the SSCW Tradition Cup. This time next year, he should be able to talk about titles he won in other promotions. I hate to use this moniker, but he really is "the game", and can do alot in wrestling... except for booking lol.

Analysis: Tyler Payne may never reach his potential as he's putting wrestling on hold for a career working for the NYPD. Tyler never lost his SSCW Tradition Cup, because he only defended it once. Tyler had a strong run as the NYWC Heavyweight Champion, and also picked up the NYWC Interstate and Tag Titles. Tyler looked poised to make moves in JCW and CSWF before his career decision.
Overall- Tyler is able to make an impact on wrestling, and the NYPD's gain is indy wrestling's loss. Tyer gets a B.

2. The Solution
What I wrote then:
- Easily the best tag team in the indies today, not to be recoginized as that. The Solution, Havok and Papadon possess an abundance of talent and wrestling skill. I think 2004, The Solution will take over the indy tag team scene. They recently made their debut in ROH. The Solution held the IWA and JCW Tag Belts this year, but I would be surprised if they didn't win at least 3 other promotions tag titles by this time next year. They are currently slated to work for Pro Wrestling Zero 1 USA, which should be a huge door opener for them. They are also scheduled to go back to NWA TNA, and I don't think it will take much before they are there as regulars.

Analysis: Solution collected a few more championships this year by winning the SSCW and JAPW tag team titles. The Solution also had a big match in CSWF vs America's Most Wanted. Solution are still lacking a solid gimmick and a break out match, as Solution have never wrestled a team this year that exceeds their level. Solution are on the bubble to break out and maybe a match against The Havana Pitbulls or Briscoes would do just that. Solution are still one of the top indy tag teams today, but aren't on that A-level just yet.
Overall- Solution has what it takes and now have to go out and do it. Solution gets a B.

1. Matt Striker
What I wrote then:
- Matt Striker had a solid 2003, and put all the pieces together for a monster 2004 run. Matt Striker can do any role in wrestling. He can be any type of heel - cocky, strong, funny, strange or anything else. He can be any type of babyface- kissing babies, USA, nostalgia or whatever else is out there. The man can wrestle and is capable of stealing any show he is on. He recently made his ROH and MLW debut. Striker currently works as an upper midcarder in alot of these promotions and it's only a matter of time that he is the man to go to. I would be shocked if Striker isn't holding a promotions Heavyweight title by this time next year. This guy ain't bad for someone with a gerbil up his ass lol.

Striker may be the best overall wrestler on the indies today. He's versatile as a character, and he is able to wrestle many styles. Striker also picked up the CCW Heavyweight Championship, and should be able to pick up other major singles titles if he chooses to. Striker has been working in alot of promotions with alot of different tag team partners. He picked up many tag titles such as the ECWA, USA Pro, JCW, and NYWC belts. Striker will get noticed more if he stopped wrestling in tag matches. He also had the match of his career against Low Ki in World 1, where he proved he will do anything to have a good match, by wrestling with a bum shoulder against one of the best wrestlers today.
Overall- Striker gets a B, mainly due to him wrestling tag matches more than singles matches. With Striker already making a WWE appearance, the future looks sunny and 90 for Striker.

Well that about just wraps this up, as I'm finished reviewing the progress of these wrestlers. In December, I'll do it again and predict the top 10 guys to break out in 2005.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com