This is a list of independent wrestling promotions in the United States, sorted by regional area, and lists both active and defunct "indy promotions" from the 1990s and 2000s. This list does not include the regional territories or promotions affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance.
There is no concrete definition on what constitutes an independent promotion. A general guideline would be that an independent promotion, as its name suggests, has no corporate sponsor or ownership providing funding for its operation. For example, Ring of Honor is owned by Tony Khan and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports, so they fall outside this definition. Another guideline would be a restriction, either by choice or by financial or logistical circumstances, to a particular geographic area, be it a state, a metropolitan area, or even a single town or arena.
Of lesser consideration is the promotion's fanbase. Fan attendance at live shows can be a factor, but is by no means a definite consideration. Most shows hosted by independent promotions have attendances anywhere from under fifty to a thousand or more, but Extreme Championship Wrestling in its heyday in the 1990s regularly hosted events of several thousand fans. Media exposure is also considered. Most independent promotions have very limited television exposure, if any, as they lack equipment or infrastructure to produce broadcast-quality programming. None have had any national television contract since ECW in the late 1990s. The most successful televised promotions release shows as syndicated programming, aired by one or several network affiliates in their local area.
Formerly known as NWA New England from 1998 to 2007. Is the longest-running independent promotion under a single owner in New England[1][3][4][5][6][7] Tony Rumble died in 1999.
Associated with Kowalski's wrestling school, a number of his early students competed in the promotion such as Perry Saturn, Joanie Laurer (later to be known as Chyna) and Paul Levesque (now better known as Triple H); later relocated to Burlington, Vermont[1][3][4][5][11]
Founded by Dan McDevitt and Mark Shrader in 1998, it went on hiatus for three years before resuming operations in 2006[3][22] Caricofe died on May 14, 2021.
Affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance from 1998 to 2000 and a WWE developmental territory from 2000 to 2008; also has an affiliate promotion, Derby City Wrestling, which it used to train students as its wrestling facility[3][55][56]
Also known as the Carolina Wrestling Federation; affiliated with AWA Superstars from 2005 until 2007, and Pro Wrestling International since 2009[8][3][57][58]
Founded in 2003 as Carolina Wrestling Association. Renamed in 2008 as Premiere Wrestling Showcase. Since 2010, it has been known as Premiere Wrestling Xperience.
^ abcdefghijklPro Wrestling Illustrated. "Promotional Directory." The 1997 Wrestling Almanac and Book of Facts. 2nd ed. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company, 1997. (pg. 190–193)
^ abcdefghiPro Wrestling Illustrated. "Promotional Directory." The 1996 Wrestling Almanac and Book of Facts. 1st ed. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company, 1996 (pg. 192–193)
^1Wrestling News Team (August 27, 2010). "ECWA Hails Birthday Number 43 Today!". 1wrestling.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)