Michael Shain

Photographer and reporter
 
Indie Wrestling
Public Project
Indie Wrestling
Copyright Michael Shain 2024
Updated Sep 2020
Topics Action, Documentary, Photography, Photojournalism, Sports
Wrestlers with names like the Bushwick Beast, Awesome and the Saint work in the regional minor leagues of pro wrestling called the indie circuit,
Performers hoping to be discovered by the major promoters like World Wrestling Entertainment work next to WWE veterans who may be past their prime but want to stay in the game.
They earn as little and $50 a night to get in the ring at places like the Elks Club on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst.
Before the matches, show promoter Michael Eagle meets with the wrestlers in the cramped locker room to go over the card, how each of the matches will end and caution performers not to get injured.
“It’s a community,” he said.
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