More About Me

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Since the "About Me" section of this blog is limited to a specific number of characters, I decided to write a post that discusses more about what I have done in the pro-wrestling industry, beginning with when I first started in it and leading up to now.

Technically, I started back in the 1990s, contributing to "Pro Wrestling Illustrated" and then "Pro Wrestling Torch". In 1997, I contributed to The Official Website of the NWO. That same year, I briefly published my own newsletter, "The Wrestling Express".

In 1998, I taught myself how to design websites and served as a consultant for various independent promotions. That next year, I worked as a website designer/maintainer for Dylan Summers (Necro Butcher), who was running the Texas-based Power Pro Wrestling Federation, and later was involved with Texas Outlaw Promotions.

During the period of 2000-2002, I was involved in many different projects at once. I was working as a website designer/publicist for talent, contributing to WCW.com, writing columns for independent promotions and the website of former WCW star The Stro, and writing for a variety of pro-wrestling media sites (including WrestlingObserver.com and PWTorch.com). In 2003, I began running my own website, World Wrestling Optimum, which consisted of news, articles, and interviews.

From 2001 to 2013, I worked as a Sports Desk Assistant for Southern Westchester BOCES Athletics, responsible for inputting schedules and assigning officials for all public high school athletic events in the greater New York metropolitan area. This gave me an opportunity to hone my skills in organization and logistics. I also acted as in-house technical support.

In 2004, I started working for the Michigan-based Ultimate Championship Wrestling as a publicist/columnist. They were an affiliate of American Wrestling Association Superstars Of Wrestling, and I soon became the publicist/columnist of the main governing body of AWA as well. During my time working for UCW, I played a major role in bringing in new talent, due to my having come into contact with many talents being underused and going unnoticed in the industry over the years. Also, attendance increased by a significant amount.

In 2005, I started doing a column for 3PW. With DVDs sold nationwide, they had the potential to become much bigger than they already were at the time, and they were very open to my ideas. I pushed for many changes behind the scenes. I had encouraged management to improve the production quality of their DVDs, which led to them dealing with a different production company. 3PW management had planned on waiting for its fan base to increase before getting TV for 3PW. I explained how getting TV for 3PW is what would increase its fan base, and I was then given the green light to find networks that were interested. Two networks were very interested, and I encouraged 3PW management to meet with them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the owner of the company instead opted to shut 3PW down, due to losing interest. Working for 3PW put me in connection with the UK-based 1PW, where I worked as a columnist.

After 3PW shut down, I began working as a publicist for independent promotions, including CHIKARA. I also worked as a columnist for CZW. Interestingly, though, it was 2006 at this point, yet I was still most recognized for the work that I had done for 3PW and AWA/UCW.

In 2007, I started working as a columnist for XCW, a promotion that was seen nationally on MAVTV, had a national DVD deal, and also had PPV events. Working for a promotion of national status was my biggest achievement at that point, and two years later, I reached a bigger achievement- Big Japan Pro-Wrestling. Along with working for them as a columnist and an Administrator for their Facebook page, I helped bring Big Japan Pro-Wrestling together with Combat Zone Wrestling to form a working relationship after a previous working relationship between the two promotions had fallen apart. This new working relationship led to Big Japan Pro-Wrestling having its first event in the United States.

In October 2009, I assisted publicity & promotions company MGM Management with the HULKAMANIA- Let the Battle Begin tour by distributing their press release to pro-wrestling news sites that are popular with Australian fans, and conducting an interview with Solofa Fatu Jr. (better known as, "Rikishi"). Also, in 2012, I wrote a number of columns for Women Superstars United, which was known as Women Superstars Uncensored at the time.

In May 2018 I did social media for Great North Wrestling.

In April and May 2021, I did blogging and social media for Kyushu Pro Wrestling. During that time, the promotion gained 220 new subscribers and 52,746 new views on its official YouTube channel.

Recently, I have done blogging and social media for Yanagase Pro Wrestling. Since the time I began writing for them, Yanagase Pro Wrestling has their anniversary events at a venue where they have had 300 fans. All previous Yanagase Pro Wrestling events took place at a 50-seat venue.

I have also recently written for the China-based Middle Kingdom Wrestling in a Publicist capacity. My work is an essential piece in the multilingual activation, with it being adapted to traditional Chinese for readers in China. I am the first native English writer to have written for a Chinese wrestling organization in history.

In 2019, I began writing for Michinoku Pro Wrestling, in charge of international wrestling as its International Officer. Since the time that I began writing for them, Michinoku Pro stopped choosing Shin-Kiba 1st Ring for its Tokyo events and began focusing on the much larger Korakuen Hall for its Tokyo appearances. The Korakuen Hall is known as a place where many historical moments in the Japanese pro-wrestling scene have occurred. It's to Japan what Madison Square Garden is to the pro-wrestling scene in the United States. Michinoku Pro had a sellout, standing-room-only event on December 13, 2019 at the Korakuen Hall. The event had an attendance of 1,890. That was the highest reported attendance at the Korakuen Hall to date for a pro-wrestling event since April 2015.

In addition, I have blogged for the Allied Independent Wrestling Federations.

My articles, "A Look at the History and Future of WOW" and "Will WOW Go From Las Vegas Residency to an Even Higher Level?" were endorsed by WOW - Women Of Wrestling on social media in August 2025 and October 2025, respectively. My articles, "Why Florida Makes a Perfect WOW Superhero Stronghold", "Miami’s Sweet Heat on Beast Games Season 2: A Major Win for WOW", "WOW Hits the Jackpot: Women Of Wrestling Secures Season 4 & Groundbreaking Las Vegas Residency", A History of Women's Wrestling in America", "The 11 Most Must-See WOW Matches Right Now", "A Potential Game-Changer for Sophie Cunningham: The WOW Opportunity", "Independent Gaijin Dreams and the Japanese Experience of WOW's Superheroes" and, "A History of Wrestling Managers" were endorsed by WOW as well.

Many of my articles have been cited as sources in online encyclopedias Wikipedia and Grokipedia entries on topics including Women of Wrestling, Michinoku Pro Wrestling, MLW, Japan's MMA business, the impact of Japanese wrestling on the global wrestling scene, the history of pro-wrestling in Osaka, the future of women's wrestling in America, Alex Shelley, Angel Orsini, the early history of WWE video games, WWE Raw on Netflix, Strong Style Pro Wrestling, and more. Additionally, my 2013 interviews with the original cast of GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) served as a primary historical resource for The Telegraph in their coverage of the true stories behind the hit Netflix series.

In July 2025, I developed the core corporate communications and original strategic press release for the founding team of youth sports platform True Lacrosse announcing their strategic partnership with the incoming Private Equity partner, TZP Group, launching the new national platform, True Sports. The final deliverables were used as the basis and foundation for the final, official, public-facing, published corporate release and announcement. The document passed final approval by the founders and TZP Group.

After living in Japan for ten years and writing English content for Asian companies during that time, I am currently based in the US and open to new writing opportunities in the US, Japan, and globally, from event previews & results reports, to press releases, to wrestler spotlights & social media. I offer sponsored content and an international audience. Check out my samples and see how I can take your brand to the next level:
https://harold-williams.com/2012/05/samples-of-my-work.html


My rate typically falls within the range of $350 to $800. info@harold-williams.com

I graduated from university with a major in Business and a minor in Computer Applications, which makes me an asset not only as a writer but in a business and technological capacity as well.

I am also a Technology Writer specializing in AI, VR, AR, NFTs, 5G, Web3, streaming, and the metaverse in the context of wrestling. My insights on this frontier have been recognized by wrestling-related outlets; including, Fightful cited my deep dive into specific applications of AI in wrestling as a key resource in an article.

I am a subject matter expert in the business side of Japan's MMA, baseball, soccer/football, lacrosse, and other sports.

In additon, I am working for TELUS Digital as an Online Data Analyst, developing and improving AI models by contributing data, assessments, and insights via writing and data collection/annotation/labeling.

The Digital Squared Circle: Online Wrestling Forums and Communities

Before social media's reign, wrestling fandom thrived in the digital world of online forums and communities. These spaces, often dedicated to specific promotions, provided a platform for fans to connect, debate, and share their passion. The rise of these online hubs marked a significant shift in how wrestling fans engaged with the industry and each other.

In the early days of the internet, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) served as the primary gathering place for wrestling fans- these text-based forums allowed for discussions, sharing of news, and basic forms of online interaction. Usenet newsgroups, like rec.sport.pro-wrestling and rec.sport.pro-wrestling.moderated, became a central hub for wrestling conversations, providing a platform for fans to share opinions, debate feuds, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. As the internet evolved, dedicated forums and websites emerged, providing more structured and organized platforms for wrestling conversations.

During the beginning of forums in the 1990s, they were dedicated to WWE, WCW, and ECW, allowing fans to have in-depth discussions regarding their favorite brands. Something very notable about forum discussions during that time is that many fans thought WCW was previously known as the NWA. Before being known as WCW, the company was branded Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), which was a member of the NWA. Although the NWA was acting as a governing body for regional wrestling promotions, JCP represented the organization with its show names having "NWA" in the titles. Since JCP was such a major presence on national television, many fans thought JCP was the NWA, instead of a member of the governing body. This misunderstanding was often reflected during forum discussions with statements such as "the NWA changed to WCW", when in reality, in 1988, Ted Turner purchased JCP, and the company was rebranded to WCW.

Along with forums that focused on major promotions, the Inside The Squared Circle website was created in the late 1990s by a long-running public access TV show in Maryland (1989–2014) of the same name, which not only included links to forums for discussions about major promotions, but also a forum for discussion about the independent scene as well. Independent pro-wrestling promoters eventually began using this forum to promote their shows, knowing that many independent pro-wrestling fans visited it. Another notable forum was the Mid-Southern Wrestling message board, which was created to focus on the Tennessee wrestling scene, but pro-wrestling in general was discussed there.

Some online forums became a center for heated debates, with fans passionately arguing about feuds, match quality, and wrestling philosophies, with fans quick to say, "You're a mark" to anyone who disagreed with them. One of the most heated forums was INDYMESSAGEBOARD.COM- the line between fans and members of the industry was very thin, as wrestlers, referees, and promoters posted on the forum often, taking backstage talk public and making personal attacks on each other and promoters. If a promoter wasn't paying, a wrestler was faking an injury, or if there was any other drama, INDYMESSAGEBOARD.COM was usually where it was announced.

In the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, it was common for wrestlers and wrestling organizations to have forums and chat rooms on their official websites for fans to discuss matches and feuds. One of the earliest examples comes from former WCW star The Stro. After his time in WCW, The Stro provided forums on his website for fans to have general discussions about professional wrestling. Personal wrestler sites like The Stro's were the first time fans felt they had a direct line to the wrestlers, which paved the way for wrestlers being highly active on X today.

While dedicated forums still exist, social media platforms like X and Facebook have become the primary hubs for wrestling discussions. Social media has made wrestling fandom more accessible, allowing fans to connect with each other and wrestlers more easily. It also allows for real-time interaction and engagement, as well as high-speed viral moments, creating a more dynamic and interactive fan experience.

Online wrestling communities laid the foundation for the modern wrestling fandom, shaping the way fans engage with the industry. Online forums and archives serve as resources for documenting fan perspectives and how they interacted with each other. Both of them represent a significant chapter in the history of wrestling fandom. These spaces provided a platform for fans to connect and express their passion over a decade before the rise of social media.

Social Media's Transformation of Wrestling Fandom

Social media has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of wrestling fandom, transforming how fans interact with the industry, its performers, and each other. The days of solely relying on live events and televised broadcasts are long gone; now, a busy digital ecosystem fuels the passion and engagement of wrestling enthusiasts worldwide.

Fans now receive instant updates on breaking news, match results, and backstage developments through social media. This real-time access creates a sense of convenience and excitement. Fans can directly interact with their favorite wrestlers through social media, sending comments, messages, and even participating in live Q&A sessions. This shift is most visible during live events, where social media acts as a digital amplifier for the crowd. As fans share photos, videos, and reactions in real-time, they create a shared sense of community that transcends the arena. As a result, platforms like X and Instagram have replaced traditional magazines and dirt sheets as the primary source of news, as readers go online to gain information for free in ever-increasing numbers.

Social media platforms have advanced the growth of online forums and groups dedicated to wrestling, allowing fans to connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. Hashtags create virtual communities around specific events, wrestlers, or promotions, enabling fans to share their passion and connect with others who share their interests. Fans create and share their own content, such as artwork, contributing to the culture of online wrestling fandom.

Fans can directly provide feedback to wrestlers and promotions through social media, expressing their opinions, and can also organize social media campaigns to support their favorite wrestlers. Simultaneously, social media has transformed fans from only viewers to active participants in the wrestling narrative- they are more invested in characters and storylines due to the increased opportunities for engagement and interaction. Plus, social media has blurred the lines between kayfabe and reality, creating a more immersive and interactive fan experience.

However, it must be kept in mind that AI is deeply integrated into social media, and like any other tool, AI has a dark side, and it's one that could seriously damage the industry, essentially turning heel on wrestling fans. Social media can amplify negativity and harassment, creating a toxic environment for fans, and also wrestlers. It can be used to spread misinformation and rumors, which can damage the reputation of wrestlers and promotions- online abuse and toxic fan behavior have been directly linked to mental health struggles for various performers, with some taking breaks due to the negativity. Nonetheless, despite AI having a dark side, it is also being used to fight online harassment of wrestlers.

Social media has permanently changed the way fans interact with wrestling, creating a more connected, interactive, and dynamic fandom. While challenges exist, the overall impact has been amplifying fan voices, building vibrant communities, and creating a more immersive and engaging wrestling experience.

Fandom has changed- navigating this landscape requires experience and skill. Let's talk about how I can help you manage your digital presence.

Social Media and the Blurring of Reality in Pro-Wrestling

Kayfabe has a powerful ally in the form of social media. Today, wrestlers and promotions are using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to blur the lines between reality and performance. This creates an interesting and often mysterious experience for fans.

Online exchanges between wrestlers can escalate feuds, with them trading threats, insults, and revealing the motives of their animosity. This allows storylines to progress between televised appearances. Even when wrestlers post seemingly random content -such as travel photos, workout routines, or casual interactions- they may still contribute to kayfabe by reinforcing their character's image.

Social media helps wrestlers create a sense of mystery, making it difficult to distinguish between a work and a shoot. "Leaks" and insider information can fuel speculation and intrigue, further blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Wrestlers can use social media to react to real-world events or online controversies while staying in character, adding realism to their personas.

Social media enables interactive storytelling. Fans can participate in the story by voting in polls, writing comments, and taking part in challenges. Wrestlers can use social media to develop their characters' backstories, motivations, and relationships, adding depth and complexity to their personas. They can use countdowns, cliffhangers, and cryptic messages to build suspense and anticipation for upcoming events.

Maintaining consistent kayfabe across multiple platforms and over time can be challenging. Social media can amplify controversies and create negative publicity, which requires careful management of public perception. Overusing social media can pull back the curtain a bit too much and make it harder to maintain kayfabe than expected. In general, some things are better left unsaid. Social media can be one of the best OR worst things to happen to a wrestler or promotion's business. Use it wisely, or hire someone who can.

Social media has become an essential tool for maintaining and evolving kayfabe. By blurring the lines between reality and performance, wrestlers and promotions can create immersive and engaging stories that captivate audiences. This approach increases interest in professional wrestling while boosting engagement rates and benefiting the bottom line.

The State of Japanese Wrestling in 2026

As we enter 2026, the Japanese wrestling scene is defined by transitions, overseas shows, focusing on local communities, and enough pro-wrestling available to satisfy any wrestling fan, no matter what style they enjoy or where they are located in the world.

NJPW

NJPW is navigating a massive transitional phase in 2026. The year began with legend Hiroshi Tanahashi having his retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in front of a crowd of 46,913 (the highest attendance ever for a Wrestle Kingdom event), now continuing his legacy as President and Representative Director of NJPW, a role in which his leadership and extensive experience will be beneficial in guiding the company's future. Simultaneously, Yota Tsuji has become the face of NJPW, holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, as well as the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. The company also continues to be a major platform for the crossover athlete this year, as Olympic gold medalist Aaron Wolf won the NEVER Openweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 20. Online, NJPW World continues to be the primary streaming home of live NJPW events and subtitled interviews, also featuring a large archive of past matches and exclusive documentaries featuring not only Japanese talent, but also well-known foreign talent during their times in Japan.



Stardom

Following the success of Stardom's Dream Queendom 2025 event, which had a sold-out attendance of 6,563 (the second-largest attendance for a Stardom event to date), the company's digital presence remains strong, with its streaming home, Stardom World, having the highest volume of Japanese women's wrestling content. 2026 marks Stardom's 15th anniversary, and IWGP Women's Champion/NJPW STRONG Women's Champion Syuri, former NJPW STRONG Women's Champion AZM, and World Of Stardom Champion Saya Kamitani are among the top standouts on the roster during this era of the company. After having a two-day Stardom American Dream In Sin City event last year, Stardom will be returning to Las Vegas this year for American Dream 2026.



CyberFight

CyberFight has the majority of bases covered in the Japanese professional wrestling market by controlling a diverse portfolio of styles under one umbrella, supported by the WRESTLE UNIVERSE streaming service, which is available internationally. By combining NOAH, DDT, and Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW), CyberFight offers a blend of powerful heavyweights, comedy/hardcore wrestlers, and joshi puroresu, catering to multiple fanbases simultaneously. US expansion will be the main focus of CyberFight in 2026, as TJPW will run "TJPW Texas Stampede", its largest US tour in history, in March, which will consist of 4 shows in Texas. TJPW will partner with SXSW (South by Southwest, an annual series of festivals) in Austin for two of the shows.



AJPW

Currently led by Tsuyoki Fukuda, AJPW comes into 2026 maintaining a consistent and highly-regarded in-ring product, and they have also recently seen an increase in quality and popularity. Along with building on its legacy with stars that it worked to establish, like Kento Miyahara and Suwama, AJPW saw the return of former Triple Crown Champion Go Shiozaki in late 2025 following a 10-year departure from the company. These King's Road-style (which emphasizes aggressive action) wrestlers help keep the roots of AJPW alive and appeal to both nostalgic fans and a new generation of enthusiasts of the hard-hitting style of wrestling. The company reaches fans globally via its own streaming service, AJPW TV.



DG

DG is entering 2026 with a major focus on factions, with PARADOX, PSYPATRA, Natural Vibes, and Love And Peace being some of the biggest standouts. While the Open The Dream Gate Championship is recognized as high-profile and represents being a top singles wrestler, team-based action is more prominent in DG, with the six-man Open The Triangle Gate Championship being on the line much more often. DG's streaming service, The Dragongate Network, is the most consistent way for fans outside of Japan to watch DG action, and DG will also be returning to Las Vegas in April to host an event.



Michinoku Pro

Under the leadership of Jinsei Shinzaki and The Great Sasuke, Michinoku Pro continues to be a community-based promotion, staying true to its mission of bringing pro-wrestling to founder Sasuke's hometown of Iwate, with many of the events featuring matches that are not seen anywhere else in the country, including Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship (the top championship in the company) matches. The company presents a combination of the traditional Japanese style with the lucha libre style, as many of the matches in Michinoku Pro feature high-flying and fast-paced action. The current Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion is El Pantera Jr., the second non-Japanese wrestler and the second Mexican-born wrestler to hold the prestigious championship, making Michinoku Pro an even more prominent representation of lucha libre in the Tohoku region. Michinoku Pro can be seen internationally via WRESTLE UNIVERSE.



World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana

Founded by former WWWA Champion Kyoko Inoue, World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana features a mix of legends and new-generation talent, making it a promotion that has something for everyone who enjoys women's wrestling. 2026 marks Diana's 15th anniversary, and the new generation of the promotion is receiving big opportunties like never before. The W.W.W.D Singles Championship was vacated after being relinquished by Haruka Umesaki, and it was decided that former W.W.W.D Crystal Champion Nanami Hatano and Debbie Keitel (who has also been seen in WWE NXT UK) would face each for the championship. Live broadcasts of Diana events can be seen on its streaming service, Diana Live, and the promotion is going to have a physical presence outside of Japan at the end of the year as a first milestone- Diana is planning an Asia Women's Pro-Wrestling Tour to be held in Singapore in December 2026, featuring wrestlers from Diana and many other Asian promotions.



Marvelous

Marvelous is a small promotion based in Chiba with legends Chigusa Nagayo and KAORU as its foundational pillars. Marvelous does everything in a big way, with a screen over the wrestler entrance, smoke entrances, and overall great production quality. The promotion frequently has shows in major cities in Japan, and even though their roster is small, that does not prevent Marvelous from presenting a great show every night. 2026 marks the promotion's 10th anniversary, and this May, it will be hosting an event at the indoor sports arena Yokohama Buntai, and will include talent that has been seen in AEW and TNA. In addition, Marvelous will be coming to the Shooting Star Fest in Las Vegas this April. Marvelous can be seen internationally via WRESTLE UNIVERSE.



Yanagase Pro Wrestling (YPW)

Yanagase Pro Wrestling features the fast-paced, exciting, and unpredictable style you think of when you hear the words "Japanese wrestling", and combine it with a distinctive blend of wrestling styles, combining the traditional Japanese styles with the American wrestling style, and adding comedy wrestling when there is a place for it. Based in Gifu, YPW has been a consistent contributor to the area’s wrestling identity and community since its inception, serving as a source of local pride and a vibrant gathering place for fans from all walks of life. By providing a platform for wrestlers from Gifu and surrounding areas, the promotion fosters local talent and generates an economic impact that benefits businesses and tourism by attracting fans from across the Chubu and Kansai regions. YPW makes a significant impact when engaging with the community by raising awareness about the important issue of bullying through its annual "Eliminating Bullying and Creating Energy" event. Although active since 2017, YPW held a tournament that ran from October 2025 to December 2025, to decide its inaugural Yanagase KING (the champion of the promotion)- the title was won by Kenta Kosugi, a combination of Strong Style and King's Road. YPW action at SPORTS BAR M's Cafe can be seen on Twitcast, a livestreaming service that has over 33 million registered users worldwide.



From the major entertainment hub of the Tokyo Dome to an intimate sports bar in Gifu, the pro-wrestling scene in Japan continues to be very active in 2026, with changes of the guard, multiple styles of pro-wrestling, and being more accessible than ever before.

The State of US Professional Wrestling in 2026

As we enter 2026, the professional wrestling industry has evolved into digital-first streaming models, permanent residencies, and localized hub systems, creating an unprecedented era for fans and talent alike.

WWE

Following WWE's landmark move of RAW to Netflix in 2025 and its overall multi-platform domination, WWE has grown from being a sports entertainment company to a giant global content engine. While 17-time World Champion John Cena's retirement tour was a major narrative thread in WWE last year, the planned retirement of AJ Styles is this year's major focus, not only in WWE but in the industry in general, as his success has spanned the wrestling scene with him becoming a two-time former WWE Champion, a WWE Grand Slam Champion, a two-time former TNA World Champion, and a two-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.



AEW

AEW enters 2026 with a secured presence on the Warner Bros. Discovery networks. Following the recent split of WBD into specialized global networks and streaming divisions, Tony Khan’s company has successfully integrated into both, with the new agreement valued at approximately $185 million annually. While Dynamite and Collision remain features of TBS and TNT, Max is a centralized hub for AEW weekly programming and PPVs in the US. In addition, Prime Video continues to provide a massive distribution platform by airing AEW weekly programming, as well as PPVs for fans in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.



WOW - Women Of Wrestling

The most exciting for WOW coming into 2026 is the success of its residency model. The Las Vegas “Fights At Fremont Street Experience” has been offering a high-spectacle, outdoor atmosphere that captures the energy of Las Vegas tourists, and by staying anchored in a high-traffic tourist destination, combined with the Florida expansion that is slated for 2027 and will provide a studio-style environment, WOW creates a year-round content cycle that is both high-impact in terms of visibility and low-travel for talent, while also simultaneously reaching 100% of US markets through syndication and keeping overhead anchored to three locations (Las Vegas, Florida, and the company's Los Angeles home base), insulating itself against the unpredictability of the travel and of the touring industry, as WOW rewrites the wrestling branding blueprint. In addition, WOW can be seen on two free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels: Tubi in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and several Latin American countries (Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama), and Wrestling Central in North America.



TNA

TNA has seen a huge resurgence, recently moving Thursday Night iMPACT! to AMC, an American cable television channel that is available in approximately 60 million U.S. pay-TV households. This deal is not only a significant financial boost as one of TNA's biggest TV agreements, but also provides potential TV exposure that it has not experienced in over a decade. Additionally, this move, combined with their "Mega On-Sale" events in cities like Nashville and Atlanta, is the fruit of TNA blending American and international talent, as well as its crossovers with NXT. It also benefits TNA when AJ Styles makes appearances as a guest from WWE, as he did when he returned to kick off the AMC era, as he is both a foundational cornerstone of TNA's past and a symbolic link to its future.



MLW

MLW is beginning 2026 in South Carolina, a state that the promotion is heavily invested in and moved its headquarters to in late 2025, where they plan to continue hosting events throughout the year, bringing creative, live event, and production jobs as they continue to establish a local presence in the Southeast. Featuring a mix of the American, Japanese, and lucha libre styles, as well as the feared CONTRA Unit faction, MLW maintains its reputation of being an actively ambitious promotion that is an alternative for fans as well as talent. Plus, 2026 marks the return of MLW Fusion, the promotion's weekly wrestling program.



NWA

With its rich history and legacy, the NWA continues its re-emergence under the leadership of Billy Corgan in 2026 as it appeals to longtime fans of traditional wrestling as well as a new generation of fans. Continuing to rebuild a territory system, promotions currently under its banner are NWA Southeast - JCP, NWA WLW (Missouri), NWA Kross Fire (Tennessee), Exodus Pro (Ohio), New Mexico DCCW, NWA Chicago, and NWA Texas. With the NWA acting in the role of a governing body, these united regional promotions provide a platform for local talent to showcase their skills under a nationally-recognized banner, helping to keep the old school spirit alive in the modern era. The NWA brand maintains its national presence via streaming hub Roku Sports.



The Las Vegas and Florida Independent Scenes

While WOW is in Las Vegas and NXT is in Florida on national stages, local promotions in both areas provide more intimate wrestling experiences, enabling more interaction between the wrestlers and fans. With both companies making Las Vegas and Florida wrestling capitals, independent promotions in those locations leverage that attention to draw fans to their own products. The Las Vegas-based promotions include Future Stars Of Wrestling, Big Valley Wrestling, Versus Pro Wrestling, and PODER~! Wrestling, while the Florida-based promotions include Pro Wrestling Vision and Coastal Championship Wrestling.



Girl Fight Wrestling

Indiana-based Girl Fight Wrestling is a very unique style of women's wrestling promotion. It has a localized atmosphere and features a wide variety of styles, including hardcore. Girl Fight Wrestling prioritizes the development of talent, and without the TV-focused environment of larger promotions where the visual experience of the viewer at home must take priority over the immediate reaction of the live audience, wrestlers at GFW events can connect with fans in attendance more easily. Also, with a roster smaller than larger promotions, there is a less competitive environment, allowing a wrestler's career to potentially grow faster, with them being in the main event of shows, as opposed to always being in the opening match or the midcard. The promotion is returning for a relaunch show this year that will include talent from AEW, TNA, the NWA, and WWE ID.



Whether it's by global availability, tourist destination residency, TV deal upgrades, old school territory-style, or focusing on the local community of fans, the 2026 US scene features companies that have found a way to connect with their individual audience and plan to make this year their best one yet.

Kayfabe 2.0: Social Media's Role in Modern Wrestling Storytelling

Social media has revolutionized the way wrestling stories are told and character arcs are developed. Gone are the days of relying solely on televised segments and in-ring promos. Now, wrestlers and promotions leverage the power of social media to blur the lines between reality and performance, creating immersive and engaging narratives that extend beyond the traditional wrestling broadcast. Kayfabe 1.0 was about not pulling back the curtain. Kayfabe 2.0 is about pulling back the curtain and utilizing it as a tool.

Social media allows storylines to continue even when wrestlers aren't on television. Feuds can have a slow burn online, alliances can be forged, and betrayals can unfold through posts and videos. In addition, teasers and cryptic messages can be used to build anticipation for upcoming angles and matches, as well as provide additional context and backstory for storylines, enriching the viewing experience.

Wrestlers can use social media to showcase their personalities and connect with fans on a more personal level. If their character is either an underdog, like the average person, is based on real-life experiences, or displays emotional vulnerability, this can help bring that character across. In other words, social media allows wrestlers to maintain kayfabe even when they're not in the ring. They can use social media to portray their characters' beliefs, feuds, and motivations. In addition, social media allows for a more organic and dynamic character evolution. Wrestlers can adapt their characters based on fan feedback and online interactions. And, if the wrestler chooses to, they use social media to show a different side, with a heel showing a friendly side or a face showing an aggressive side.

Polls, Q&A sessions, and social media challenges allow fans to participate in the storytelling process. Plus, online forums and communities allow fans to discuss storylines and share their theories with other fans. And most importantly for a promotion, social media can be used to generate buzz and excitement for upcoming events- I have a proven track record of writing detailed, compelling content that elevates a pro-wrestling promotion's brand, builds a stronger fanbase, and helps a product prove its value to a larger audience. Although I am currently US-based, I have global experience, having lived in Japan for a decade. There, my digital content has helped drive a notable increase in YouTube views and event attendance. My experience includes writing various content types, such as event previews, results reports, and press releases, and I have a proven ability to provide news analysis and in-depth coverage of both the American and Japanese wrestling scenes. You can reach out to me via info@harold-williams.com, and you can see samples of my work here:

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Social media can be used to create mystery (an appealing angle in itself) and blur the lines between a work and a shoot. This can add a layer of intrigue and realism to storylines. Plus, social media allows for real-time storytelling, where events unfold as they happen, creating a sense of excitement and urgency. In addition, social media can bring the fans into the action and make them feel as if they are a part of the show. And by creating digital cliffhangers on social media, promotions can drive a measurable increase in livestream viewership and ticket sales, as fans feel they must see the resolution of a feud that started in their feed.

If a wrestler is always in kayfabe online, there are both benefits and challenges. On one hand, it enhances their persona and ensures brand consistency, while on the other hand, it limits the connection between the fans and the performer behind the persona, and also could cause the wrestler to miss out on opportunities for mainstream media appearances or non-wrestling-related collaborations that they would get by being themselves. A solution would be using different social media platforms for different purposes- for their persona and another where they are out of character:

- X: The "War Zone" - Perfect for aggressive promos and worked shoots to build immediate heat.

- Facebook: The "Real Me" - Where the wrestler can be out of character, since Facebook is primarily for staying connected with friends and family.

- Instagram: The "Lifestyle" - Blending the character with a high-production look for highly organized, visual storytelling that can make them look like a star.

- TikTok: The "Behind the Scenes" - Where the performer can experiment and express themselves through humor and training montages.

- Threads: The "Direct Engagement" - Building a community through text-based discussions and interactions in real-time.

It's also worth noting that social media can amplify controversies and create negative publicity. Wrestlers and promotions must be prepared to handle online backlash. However, it doesn't have to be done alone, as AI is now fighting online harassment of wrestlers.

Maintaining a consistent online presence and storyline continuity can be challenging. Social media has become an indispensable tool for wrestling storytelling. By leveraging its power, wrestlers and promotions can create immersive and engaging narratives that resonate with fans and extend the reach of their brand.