03/26/2026
*** MAJOR NEWS UPDATE ***
With the summer season right around the corner, things in Minnesota Independent Wrestling (MIW) appear to have taken a major twist.
Let’s look back at the last six months before the summer action begins.
MIW Heavyweight Champion Rylie Jackson has been on an incredible roll. After a strong summer in 2025 that saw him capture the title from “The Pro Who Runs the Show” Kyle Pro, and successfully defend it against “The One-Man Riot Squad” Gunner Wixx, Jackson continued his impressive run with title defenses against “12-Gauge” Brick McCarthy, “The Professional Scumbag” Shay Diesel, Kyle Pro and Kingpin in a triple-threat match, “One-of-One” Elijah Dickson, and the outspoken veteran Aaron Corbin.
Jackson’s performance and determination as champion have been nothing short of incredible. However, the question now becomes: will being the hunted rather than the hunter finally catch up to him?
Recently, Brick McCarthy earned a Golden Ticket opportunity after pinning Jackson in a tag match. Without a doubt, McCarthy is a serious contender for the title, and he already pushed Jackson to the limit the first time around.
Adding even more intrigue, promoter Terry Fox revealed he has a list of challengers ready to step up this summer, no matter who is holding the championship.
One of the biggest surprises of the past six months has been the emergence of the team of Chadwick Wentworth III and Canadian Strong-Style Rob Stardom. Their tag team title victory over Midwest Icon Mitch Paradise and Wildcard Wyatt Tordsen shocked fans across MIW. Now, the duo, along with Wentworth’s usual partner in 3-Under-Par, Brick McCarthy, have made it clear they are targeting all MIW championships. Based on recent momentum, that goal may not be far-fetched.
Wyatt Tordsen himself has continued to grow by leaps and bounds in MIW, highlighted by his earlier tag team title win alongside Paradise. His high-flying, never-say-die style has captivated fans and positioned him for even bigger opportunities.
Few rivalries over the past six months have matched the intensity of the battles between Monster Kingpin and Kyle Pro. Once friends and now bitter enemies, the two recently collided in a brutal strap match that saw Kingpin emerge victorious. It remains to be seen whether Pro is finished with the Monster, or if this rivalry still has another chapter to be written.
Meanwhile, MIW Open Weight Champion El Bano has remained steady despite serious challenges to his title reign. The last six months have not been easy, especially after Heavy Metal Lore left him laid out following a devastating heart punch. How much longer El Bano can withstand the pressure of being champion remains an open question.
Another masked competitor, Celtic Wolf, has continued to impress throughout the year and has become a major fan favorite. The next step will be turning that support into a dominant win-loss record.
No recap would be complete without mentioning the “Master of the Heart Punch,” Heavy Metal Lore. The powerhouse re-entered the MIW scene in dramatic fashion last fall, delivering dangerous heart punches to the Chan Legion’s own Kenny Larson and even promoter Terry Fox. He later dismissed his own manager, Chef Jeff, with the same move, and both Celtic Wolf and El Bano have also fallen victim to the devastating strike. Lore has proven he is willing to accept suspensions if it means making his presence felt.
In addition, former MIW Heavyweight Champion VIPete, fan favorite James Jeffries, former Open Weight Champion Rob Justice, the exciting “King of the Forgotten” Kanan Korus, the dangerous Nick Pride, AT Rude, Devo Knight, and several others appear ready to make noise in MIW at any moment.
“We have some exciting returns and some newcomers already set for the summer,” Fox said. “I am looking forward to it.”
Watch here for updates on the summer schedule!
