McPinions
By: Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey

What's up everyone in DOI-land and welcome to another McPinions column. Last year, I wrote a column predicting the Top 10 Breakout Stars of 2004. (You can read that here: Breakout Stars of 2004).
I also analyzed my predictions in September of 2004, which you can read here: Looking at The Breakout Stars of 2004

Looking back at the 2004 predictions, I think 6/10 guys really did break out and are known more, than they were a year ago. The most obvious pick of last year was Gene Snisky, who is now killing babies on a regular basis on WWE Raw. I'd also say that The Solution, Matt Striker, Mana "The Polynesian Warrior", Josh Daniels, and Alere Little Feather are better off now, then they were a year ago. Will my 2005 picks be as succesful as my 2004 picks?

Before continuing, I just want to say that some guys like Jay Lethal or an Austin Aries won't make this list. I believe they have already broke out this year. The purpose of this list is to pick people who aren't necessarily known to the common indy fan. I think these following people will be involved in more promotions, have better matches, and be highly talked about by the time 2006 rolls around.

With that said, I present to you, my top 10 Breakout Stars for 2005.

10. Peter Van Orton
Peter Van Orton is also known as Peter Ferriero, who was the promoter of IHPW. While I do think Pete's booking and promoting skills are subpar, his in-ring work as manager Peter Van Orton has lots of potential. Pete does a great job getting his wrestlers over, and getting the crowd to hate him. He does get criticism for being so exclusive to Chris Idol, but I think if he can break away from Chris, and show that he can get other wrestlers over as well, then he will have a solid 2005. Pete does a great job drawing heat and has alot of crowds in the palm of his hand. Pete currently is honing his craft in the AWA, and if used elsewhere, I can see him doing positive things.

9. Danny Demanto
Danny Demanto is well known on the indy scene, but for the wrong reasons. Some in the business know him for crying and being fat, but I believe that Danny has matured and has moved on with his career. Danny is one of the more dedicated people in the wrestling business. His desire and passion has seen him drive all over the northeast, just to make 20 bucks to wrestle. His ring work has improved and his arsenal has grown. Working in the AWA weekly has done him wonders and keeps him on the top of his game. Danny has recently worked for IWA Mid-South, and by next year, I wouldn't be surprised to see him be a regular there. I believe the old Danny has shed his old ways and has turned a new leaf, which will be beneficial for his career.

8. Neeno Capone
Neeno Capone is one of the best things about AWA today. Not only is he a trainer and a booker, he is one of the top talents in the ring for AWA. One of the reasons I think Neeno hasn't broken big onto the scene yet, is because of his dedication to the AWA product. Neeno is better than alot of the cruiserweights today, and if he tried getting booked elsewhere, I think alot of fans would know what the fans of the AWA know about Neeno. One of the best things about Neeno's work is his ability to tell a story in the ring, which is something that most wrestlers on the indies can never do. Look for Neeno to expand his horizons in 2005.

7. Alicia
Alicia has won three womens titles already in 2004 (SSCW/AWA/IHPW), but two of those titles come from promotions that can't run a solid year of shows without cancelling or folding, and the other is more of a school promotion. (Although you can argue that AWA is one of the best things in NJ). Alicia turns 18 this year, and people are anticipating her birthday like she is an Olsen. By turning 18, Alicia will now be able to legally work in NY and PA. With more promotions to work in, I see Alicia making a name for herself. With there not being too many good women wrestlers out there, Alicia will be able to eat up a weak womens area and do big things.

6. Pinkie Sanchez
Pinkie Sanchez was on the cusp of breaking out earlier this year, but Pinkie decided to go to college in Buffalo, which led to a 3 month break in wrestling. Pinkie plans to go to college in the NY/NJ area in January, which will free up his weekends. Pinkie has shown that he has the desire and heart for this business, after a brutal match with Dan Maff this past July. Pinkie has charisma, and that is something that alot of indy wrestlers are lacking today. Pinkie was a fixture of AWA in the past, and I see him becoming a fixture again, while trying to get back into major promotions like JAPW and CZW. I see Pinkie breaking out in the later months of 2005, as he will have to shake off some ring rust in the earlier months.

5. Plazma
Plazma is only 17 years old, and he's just another wrestler who awaits to turn 18 so he can legally wrestle in NY and PA. Plazma has stolen SSCW shows in the past, and look for him to take his high flying ability and solid mat wrestling to NYWC, once he legally is able to. With exposure in NYWC, I see Plazma getting more work. Plazma should check out the AWA in 2005 as it could only help his career. A Plazma/Jack Evans match would be a spotfest mark dream match.

4. All Money Is Legal (K-Murda/K-Pusha)
All Money Is Legal (AMIL), admittedly, did break out a bit in 2004, by picking up tag titles in WXW, CCW and AWA. Despite those wins, AMIL is not as known as they should be. In 2005, I see them being known by every indy fan. AMIL could become a fixture in the dying tag team scene of CZW. AMIL did work with JAPW earlier this year, but were victims of what seems to be a dried out tag team scene. Tag Team wrestling is in a lull, because there are so few teams in this area that are any good, that matches get repetitive. Look for AMIL to spice up tag divisions in any promotion they work in, and look for people to start seeing their catchy theme music in their head!

3. Kevin Matthews
Kevin Matthews, aka, "Mr. I pissed on a SSCW title belt, Cursed out the SSCW Promoter, and made fun of his mom, only to be brought back and be booked in a major program" has matured since his SSCW shenanigans. Kevin has gained work in WXW and JAP, and it should be only a matter of time before he becomes a major player in those promotions. Kevin has tremendously improved his look, as Kevin is finally adding solid muscle, to what once was a lanky frame. Kevins in-ring work has improved also, and look for that trend to continue in 2005. The biggest thing that can hurt Kevin, is Kevins mouth.

2. OutCast Killahz (Oman Tortuga/Diablo Santiago)
The OutCast Killahz (OCK) fall in the same boat as AMIL. They had a solid 2004, but the biggest problem for them is a dried up tag division. Hopefully, as regulars in ROH, they will get the chance to work more meaningful matches. Both these guys actually look like wrestlers, which gives them a bigger advantage then more than half the tag teams that are out there today. With solid talent, and a good attitude to boot, look for OCK to make an impact in the indy tag team scene, even though I think they could be big as singles wrestlers too!

1. Azraiel
If 2004 was any indication, then 2005 will be Azraiels year. Azraiel was a large part in why Jay Lethal has blown up and become one of the hottest indy talents this year. Look for Azraiel to now make himself one of the hottest indy talents today in 2005. Azraiel has upgraded his look by getting new gear. Azraiel has all the tools. The only weakness in Azraiel is his size, which I think he will improve. Azraiel seems in line for a big push in ROH, and once that happens, I believe fans will see what alot of people already know, and that's Azraiel is a major player.

That does it for this years picks. Will they be successful? Only time will tell. Making these picks were hard as there are alot of solid talents out there today. One major factor that went into this list are the wrestlers personal lives. If a wrestler has a full-time job, it will hurt them from working as much as they'd like to. These wrestlers have families too, and it is no secret how much responsibility it takes to raise a child. It should be interesting to see where these 10 talents wind up in 2005. I'll be back to analyze my 10 picks in June 2005. Until then, chow down on Turkey and drink up!

To comment on any of these picks or to make your own picks, feel free to post your thoughts on the DOI Message Board.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com