With 2019 coming to a close it’s almost time to start the awards season. One award that never fails to intrigue me is the One To Watch categories as the answers are generally wide ranging due to Scotland having such a deep talent pool of established names along with up and coming talent. Before the polls open on January 1st I wanted to get my two pennies in and put out a list of names that you should keep an eye out for at a show near you.

Once again I have decided to leave out the more obvious ones (like Pure Dead Brilliant, The Kings of Catch and The Purge for example who will have a big year in 2020), and those that are already established teams in Scottish wrestling, or at the very least have held tag team titles somewhere. Hopefully I pick out a team that you haven’t seen yet and want to find out more.

This list is based on a multitude of reasons but personal opinion would weigh heavy so let me quickly add the:

The Foundation of the Future (Bradley Evans & Ryan Riley)

Being lead by Zach Dynamite in WrestleZone, The Foundation of the Future team is comprised of two graduates from the WrestleZone Training Academy. Evans and Riley are two young guys who are pretty good in the ring with power being the play of the day. Two opposites with Evans being “The Mad Dog”, Brody-esque type while Riley is “The Inspirational” as he lost a varying number of stone. Opposites in character perhaps but as a unit they certainly have some chemistry and tag team maneuvers. A solid pick to become champions in 2020.

The Grind (Danny Cantrell & Ryan King)

A team that reminds me of The Revival, no nonsense, here to batter folk and pick up the winners cheque. Mainly wrestling in Wrestling Experience Scotland, the duo have had a mixed bag in 2019 at WXS with two wins but three losses but they’ve showed plenty of promise and have the makings of a very successful team. 2020 will be a breakout year, hopefully the WXS takeover by Insane Championship Wrestling will see The Grind getting some opportunities to mix it up with more established tag teams.

The Outfit (Dino Del Monte & Ted O’Keefe)

Back up to the North East, The Outfit almost didn’t make the list due to their phantom WrestleZone Tag Team Championship win at Battle of the Nations but due to the match being restarted they weren’t able to wrestle the titles away from Scotty Swift and Johnny Lions. The Granite City gangsters have plenty of tricks up their rolled up sleeves, O’Keefe possesses a wicked spinebuster that Arn Anderson would be proud of whilst Del Monte’s rolling forearm is a cracker. Between their grasp of character and their in ring work, these two should be a sought after team in 2020.

The Nine9 (Dickie Divers & Jack Morris)

The Nine9 had an incredible 2019, becoming a regular act in Insane Championship Wrestling along with making an impact in Reckless Intent Wrestling along with trips to Source Wrestling and Scottish Wrestling Alliance. It’s less a matter of ‘if’ but more ‘when’ when it comes to The Nine9’s chances of picking up gold as a duo.

Working Men’s Club (Scott McManus & MATT DALY)

An oddball duo perhaps with the brash and outspoken MATT DALY along with the quiet, but intense, Scott McManus, ‘Mr Hapjistu’ has been coming out of his shell as part of Working Men’s Club in Source Wrestling. They like shortcuts and antics, and are very entertaining doing it. I can see them being a good shout if Source Wrestling brings in tag team championships in 2020.

Myles & Webb (Steven ‘Air’ Myles & Alex Webb)

The high flying tandem of Myles and Webb have been settling in at Reckless Intent Wrestling with the team having chances at the RI Tag Team Championships but haven’t been successful as of yet. Both bring a lot to the table with Webb’s charisma and youth paired with the more experienced Myles, who likes to have his actions and anti-gravity exploits do the talking for him. These two are another team with potential just on the edge of breaking through, they have both had their individual runs in RI but I think 2020 could see a more concentrated effort in capturing some tag team gold.

Smash’Em Brothers (Mikey Devine & Rabu Romero)

Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum sure have a knack of producing some quality tag teams with The Purge and The Govan Team to name but two already scooping up championships around the UK. Recently teaming up in Wrestling Experience Scotland, these two are mercenaries sent to rough up anyone. Being a relatively new team, 2020 might be the year where they find their footing but they’ll certainly be a team to keep an eye on as they grow.

The Cleansing (JD & Tommy Cross)

Recently flanking new SWE Heavyweight Champion Darren Blair, I haven’t actually seen The Cleansing in action but I’ve enjoyed the work of JD Wilde and Tommy Cross individually and their styles are pretty similar so will be interested to see them team up in the future.

KoE (Kai Williams-King & King Killa)

The “Sourse Tag Team Champions”, KoE aren’t shy about bragging about their abilities. The winners of the SWN Year End Award One to Watch last year, they’ve been taking on all comers at Source Wrestling, including a battle with The Kings of Catch, and more often then not they have been victorious, more often than not it’s due to some shenanigans. They made their Insane Championship Wrestling debut in 2018 and with GONZO being set up by ICW, it may be only a matter of time before KoE make their ICW return.

Beauty & The Brains (Jesse Santana & Taylor Vite)

A team that had their time cut short due to a knee injury suffered by Jesse Santana, 2020 should hopefully see these two return together. Taylor Vite popped up in my Ones To Watch for 2020 as an individual but once Santana gets back into ring this might be a dark horse pick to be the most entertaining team up of the year.

Just missing out: Emily Hayden & Toastie.

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Thoughts? Opinions? Who would be in your Top 10?