5 Independent Wrestlers We Would Love to See One Day Join WWE

4. Shane Strickland

Over the past few years, Shane Strickland has been one of the big names in independent wrestling that isn’t one of the first names fans shout when talking about top guys on the scene. But that shouldn’t tell you that Strickland isn’t as good as those other guys — he most certainly is.

If you haven’t heard the name “Shane Strickland,” it’s possible you may know of a Lucha Underground star by the name of Killshot. And if you do, it’s the same guy, so you know Strickland. Outside of LU, he’s worked for Combat Zone Wrestling, and is currently the MLW World Heavyweight Champion. Not bad for a guy who tips the scales at just over 190 pounds.

Strickland is quite an accomplished aerialist. He’d be a perfect fit on 205 Live, where he could go toe to toe with Buddy Murphy, Mustafa Ali, and current Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander. Or a series of matches between Strickland and Ricochet could set the NXT world on fire. It would be amazing.

As much as some fans would like to see Shane Strickland in WWE in some way, shape or form, it’s probably a long shot at best. Earlier this year, Strickland spoke with Wrestling Inc. and talked about how great it was that wrestlers could make a name for themselves outside of WWE. A mindset like that doesn’t necessarily preclude him from joining WWE, but it doesn’t seem likely at the moment.