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Since the start of the pandemic, AEW has done an exceptional job of using independent stars in their weekly product. During a period where independent wrestling reached a stand still, the company did its best to give those performers a platform and a chance to earn a contract with the promotion. Even if All Elite Wrestling didn't sign these individuals, they have found homes in other places.
Ben Carter took the wrestling world by storm on the independent scene and then in his appearances on AEW Dark and Dynamite. Due to his visa situation from being a UK citizen, he couldn't get paid properly or work in the promotion full time. However, he was able to secure a contract with the WWE for their NXT UK brand where he is now known as Nathan Frazer.
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Carter is just one example though. Other independent stars like Anthony Bowens, Lee Johnson, Red Velvet and Fuego Del Sol were all able to make All Elite Wrestling their new homebase. In this article, let's take a look at the top five free agents who have appeared for AEW in 2021.
#5. Holidead - AEW
Thunder Rosa's arrival in AEW has been beneficial to her career as well as the growth of the promotion as a whole. Due to their relationship with one another, All Elite Wrestling has been able to gain access to the vast array of female talent that performs for her Mission Pro Wrestling promotion. Rosa has a surplus of excellent female independent stars that work or train under her fledgling league.
Holidead is one of the most tenured and experienced talents working in Mission Pro Wrestling. The 8 year pro also has a strong association with Thunder Rosa through their Twisted Sisters tag team. She has one of the most unique looks and characters in all of wrestling with her face paint and eccentric personality.
On the June 29th, 2021 AEW Dark, Holidead made her debut facing former AEW Women's World Champion Nyla Rose. It was a competitive contest, in which Rosa came out victorious. Although she took a loss, Holidead stood out as she usually always does.
Time will tell if Holidead is used again in AEW, but she is one of the most diverse and impressive talents on the independent scene currently. She can be seen performing for various promotions outside of All Elite Wrestling and should be at the top of every company's list of top free agents.
#4. Kiera Hogan - AEW
The aforementioned AEW women's division saw improvement in 2021. However, there is always room for more adjustments and more talent to be brought in. IMPACT Wrestling has one of the best built women's divisions in wrestling today, with a surplus of skilled performers making the Knockouts a must-see. One of those performers just ended her run in the company.
Kiera Hogan has been with IMPACT Wrestling since 2017 in a variety of roles. Most recently, she was a part of the highly successful Fire N Flava tag team with Tasha Steelz. The two ladies became the first Knockouts Tag Team Champions when the company reintroduced the titles in January. The tag team went on to win those straps for a second time as well.
Following the breakup of Fire N Flava, Kiera Hogan became a free agent and didn't waste any time showing up elsewhere. On the August 16th, 2021 AEW Dark Elevation, she made her debut with All Elite Wrestling in a losing effort against former AEW Women's Champion Hikaru Shida. Hogan followed that up with an appearance on AEW Dark the next day in a loss to Kris Statlander.
To show just how much the promotion sees in Kiera Hogan, AEW has booked her to be on a huge Rampage episode this Friday called 'The First Dance' at Chicago's United Center. Hogan will face the top prospect in the women's division, Jade Cargill. This should be seen as a good sign that All Elite Wrestling may have their eyes on locking up Kiera long-term.
#3. Lee Moriarty - AEW
Lately, there has been an influx of the most versatile technical wrestlers on the independent scene showing up in AEW. This has led many to believe that the company is gearing up for Daniel Bryan to arrive and work with all of these exceptional grapplers. This week, another technician that has seen his stock rise on the indie scene showed up on the product.
Lee Moriarty has made a name for himself on the independent scene for promotions like PWX, AIW, Beyond Wrestling, Warrior Wrestling and GCW. He is a highly skilled wrestler and has a unique look. Lee comes to the ring in a lucha libre mask along with signature headphones that immediately make him stand out.
Moriarty appeared on the August 17th, 2021 episode of AEW Dark in the main event. He faced one of the top up-and-comers in All Elite Wrestling, Dante Martin. This became a very fun sprint with the two men trading offense back and forth. Lee Moriarty used his technical expertise to get the win, but Dante Martin's amazing high flying ability was too much when he used his beautiful sunset flip for the win.
Lee Moriarty has been getting his name out there more as of late besides in AEW. He also appeared in the MLW Battle Riot III and will have a match on MLW Fusion coming up in the next few weeks. Moriarty will continue to take the independent scene by storm with his outstanding ability, likability and charm. He is viewed by many as one of the most sought after free agents in the indies.
#2. Wheeler Yuta - AEW
Another recent technician at AEW has been Wheeler Yuta. The Philadelphia native has been associated with the Best Friends since arriving in All Elite Wrestling, filling the spot left by the injured Trent. He has made many appearances all over the AEW product.
Wheeler Yuta made his AEW debut on the June 28th, 2021 episode of Dark Elevation in a loss to Karl Anderson of the Good Brothers in the main event. He made his Dynamite debut on the July 14th, 2021 Fyter Fest Night 1 special against Sammy Guevara. Despite his loss there, Yuta once again appeared on Dynamite the following week in the Fyter Fest Night 2 special against Darby Allin.
His connection to the Best Friends has kept him as a regular across AEW Dark Elevation, Dark and Dynamite over the past few weeks. The Best Friends and Hardy Family Office have been feuding, which has seen Wheeler Yuta heavily involved. Most recently, Yuta lost to Matt Hardy on the August 17th 2021 episode of Dark.
Wheeler Yuta is a star that has made it to the headlines as well. His unsuccessful tryout with WWE shocked many backstage in the company and signaled the change in philosophy on signing talent that has recently been discussed. Yuta has appeared across several independent promotions as the current IWTV Champion as well as the NJPW Resurgence event last weekend.
#1. Daniel Garcia - AEW
The way AEW has given opportunities to all these independent wrestlers is something unseen in wrestling over the past two decades. Not only do these stars appear on Dark and Dark Elevation, but they have been given a significant showcase on their main show Dynamite as well. No one has been given a bigger stage than Daniel Garcia over the past few weeks.
The man known as 'Red Death' has been seen all across the independent scene. His most notable match in a 60 minute classic draw against the aforementioned Wheeler Yuta for the IWTV Independent Wrestling World Championship on the IWTV 100 show. Garcia first appeared in AEW last year in tag team action, but his stock rising on the indie scene has led to more appearances this year.
After a match with Lee Johnson on Dark Elevation, Daniel Garcia made his AEW Dynamite debut aligned with 2.0. The former Ever Rise and Garcia challenged the three baddest dudes in the promotion, taking on Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston and Darby Allin. It was an exciting six-man tag team match that saw Allin pin Garcia to get the win for his team.
That result led to a singles contest between Garcia and Allin the following week in Pittsburgh, with Red Death looking to avenge his loss. Daniel Garcia put on an impressive performance, tying Darby up in knots and using his technical wrestling skills to dominate a large portion of the bout. After frustration took over, Darby Allin fired up and hit his Coffin Drop finisher for the win.
On the August 18th, 2021 episode of AEW Dynamite, Daniel Garcia and 2.0 attacked Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston to kick off the show. 2.0 were scheduled to face Sting and Darby Allin in a Texas Tornado Match and used the extra man in Garcia to control the fight through the crowd. Kingston neutralized Garcia, which led to Sting and Darby getting the victory.
Their opening sneak attack on Moxley and Kingston has led to a huge opportunity for Daniel Garcia though. Red Death will face former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley in the main event of this Friday's AEW Rampage. This will mark his biggest match yet in what is being billed as the most anticipated television event of the year.
It remains to be seen if AEW will sign Daniel Garcia, but there is no question they see the potential in the 22 year old star. He is seasoned beyond his years and has proven to be one of the best prospects in all of wrestling today. That's why Garcia has to be considered the best free agent who has appeared in AEW this year.
Check out Sportskeeda's analysis of this week's Dynamite and more here:
