A Celebration of the Independents

Over the past generation, the independents have grown in their importance in professional wrestling, both as a breeding ground for emerging talent as well as an avenue for top stars to capitalize on their name value to extend and re-invigorate their careers. This summer, the Cauliflower Alley Club will introduce a new annual award that shines a spotlight on the often unsung heroes that have plied their trade on the independents during their careers. Driven by a passion for the sport and not without the assurance of a guaranteed salary, TV exposure and the support of marketing teams, booking agents those that have spent years on the independents do so with a great passion for the sport. This will allow us to recognize those that work or have worked on the Independent circuit, who would have exemplified perseverance, excellent wrestling skills and a good reputation amongst their peers. Honorees in this new award category have exemplified these skills and traits but have not been featured in a major promotion on a full-time basis.

 

We are pleased to announce that the first recipient is a 20-year veteran of the independent mat scene, Riea Von Slasher. Riea began her career as a teenager, wrestling her first matches at age 14 in her hometown of Prince George, British Columbia. Here career has taken her across Canada as well as appearances in the United States for Prestige Wrestling, Defy and West Coast Wrestling Connection. Among the opponents that she has faced in the ring include former Shimmer World champion Nicole Matthews, Global Force Wrestling Women's champion Christina Von Eerie, Rebel Kel, Su Yung, Malia Hosaka, Chelsea Green, La Rosa Negra and more. Male opponents have also not escaped her attention and she has been a proven contender and champion in both men's and women's title divisions.

In addition to her aggressive schedule in the ring, Riea is a co-owner of Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling and active as one of the lead trainers at the company's wrestling school in Nanaimo, British Columbia, where she works to usher in the next generation of wrestling stars on the independent scene. Congratulations to Riea Von Slasher, honoree for the CAC's first ever Independent Wrestling award.