Independent circuit
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In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions, particularly WWE. Specific promotions on the independent circuit are referred to as indy promotions or indies. A wrestler is said to be in the indies or working the indies if he or she is wrestling in one of the independent promotions. A wrestler performing in one indy promotion and then moving to another is said to be working the indy circuit. For most wrestlers who have previously worked in a major nationally televised promotion, this is considered a step backward in their careers.
Independent promotions are usually regional in focus and, lacking national TV contracts, are dependent on revenue from house show attendance, and therefore have lower budgets than WWE. Most of these promotions offer low salaries, and it is not unusual for a promoter to stiff a wrestler or give him or her only $5–$20. Most cannot afford to regularly rent large venues, and would not be able to attract a large enough crowd to fill such a venue, so they have to make use of any open space, such as fields, ballrooms, or bingo halls, to put on their performances. Some independent promotions are attached to professional wrestling schools, serving as a venue for students to gain experience in front of an audience.
As independent matches are usually not televised, indy wrestlers who have not already gained recognition in other promotions tend to remain in obscurity. However, scouts from major promotions attend indy shows, and an indy wrestler who makes a good impression may be offered a developmental contract. The advent of the Internet has allowed independent wrestlers and promotions to reach a wider audience, and it is possible for wrestlers regularly working the indy circuit to gain some small measure of fame among wrestling fans online. Additionally, some of the more successful indies have video distribution deals, giving them an additional source of income and allowing them to reach a larger audience outside of their local areas.
While most independent promotions do not become major forces in the wrestling business, it is not necessarily a permanent condition. The Worldwide Wrestling Federation was an independent after breaking off from the National Wrestling Alliance, before becoming the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), the dominant pro wrestling organization in the USA. More recently, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), originally NWA:TNA, has been nationally televised.
Although most promotions try and adhere to a high standard of wrestling integrity, independent promotions are also the most likely places to find outrageous matches involving hardcore wrestling with sharp or dangerous implements. Since the indy wrestlers are not on TV, there are usually no restrictions on what they can say and do during matches. The Philadelphia based Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is one of the most infamous indy promotions, as the wrestlers use weapons like weed whackers and staple guns.
Currently, the top independent promotion in North America is Ring of Honor.