UFC’s President Dana White is a fan of violence, it seems. He has made fighting in an octagon a billion-dollar company and is also the driving force behind men slapping each other. As he owns Power Slap, a slap-fighting promotion. Now he is willing to complete the trinity to bring in wrestlers to this sport.
In a recent interview on the Cutler Cast, White expressed that he is interested to recruit independent wrestlers. He wants more passionate people to join the rapidly growing combat sport. However, while promoting his sport and asking for indie wrestlers to get slapped, he bashed the WWE and AEW circuits.
He criticized the wrestlers for taking extreme risks, like jumping off ladders onto tables covered in tacks. All that for minimal pay, sometimes as low as $50 per match. Initially, to make themselves known to WWE and AEW, the indie wrestlers often do such risky spots.
But White sees these wrestlers, along with other athletes worldwide, as ideal candidates for Power Slap due to their toughness and physicality. Dana emphasized that Power Slap offers a lucrative alternative, allowing tough, athletic individuals to earn significant money in a safer environment.
What exactly are indie wrestling promotions?
Independent wrestling promotions, often called “indie promotions,” are professional wrestling organizations that operate outside of major, nationally televised companies like WWE, AEW, TNA or NJPW. These promotions are typically smaller, regional, or grassroots-level organizations that host live events featuring both up-and-coming and veteran wrestlers.
Unlike large promotions with billion-dollar backing and weekly TV shows, independent promotions are usually funded by local owners. Their shows are often held in smaller venues such as gyms, community centers, theaters, or nightclubs. They may not have national TV deals, but many stream events online or release them via platforms like IWTV (Independent Wrestling TV) or YouTube.
Indie wrestling in the United States continues to flourish with innovative storytelling outside of mainstream promotions. Amongst them, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) remains the undisputed leader of the U.S. indie scene. Known for its deathmatches featuring a mix of hardcore legends, underground stars, and surprise appearances from major promotion talents.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), based in California, holds a cult-like status. Though it runs fewer shows, each event is stacked with high-caliber talent and unforgettable matches. West Coast Pro Wrestling (WCPW) is a rising powerhouse based in San Francisco. With a strong focus on in-ring storytelling and athleticism, WCPW has gained a reputation for showcasing the next generation of indie stars.