We’re a month into 2026 with plenty of opportunities on the horizon, so why not look ahead and predict some wrestlers that look to make an impact in the upcoming 12 months.
For sake of clarity and argument, I have chosen 26 wrestlers that have yet to hold any championship in Scotland, and as an added stipulation, avoided anyone on last years list (though please check it out as you should be watching out for them also).
Please note that this is in no particular order.
26. Leon Redfield
Pro Wrestling Ready’s “Five Star” man, Leon Redfield caught a lot of attention at WrestleMo-nia! back in November with a stellar showing against RABU. Redfield has been working hard behind the scenes with brief glimpses front and centre. If he can get some momentum going in and forge his way into the PWR PRO roster the only way is up.
25. Michael Mailer
Apparently nobody told Michael Mailer that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The front man of The Dead Legs captured the imagination of plenty in 2025, hailing from Glasgow’s Pro Wrestling Asylum, he was quick to leave an impression to the point of being on the pre-show for Insane Championship Wrestling’s flagship event, Fear & Loathing. Effortlessly entertaining, Michael Mailer will earn himself a standing ovation in 2026.
24. Danny Miller
Danny Miller was a stand out on Community Pro Wrestling events, after an absence he resurfaced at Discovery Wrestling at the Year 11 event. Though he didn’t get out of the blocks when he a chance to he will fit into that environment thanks to his high intensity strike game and an aptitude for mat wrestling that creates a hybrid that the Disco Faithful will appreciate.
23. Dane Diablo
There’s a few dark characters coming out of Glasgow’s Pro Wrestling Asylum, including the devil himself, Dane Diablo. Diablo cuts an imposing figure and has already stepped in against Insane Championship Wrestling mainstays Arcade Violence, Theo Doros, and Landon Riley including main eventing several GPWA showcases, it won’t be long before he steps out of the darkness.
22. Milby
Part of The Division in Community Pro Wrestling, Milby got a chance to shine at their Govanniversary event and took full advantage of it by showing off his deceptive agility in ladder matches. There’s a likeablity about Milby that could in-turn create a new folk hero from the Govan promotion.
21. James Diaz
Putting the Tall in Tall N Tiny, James Diaz has found himself on the outskirts a little towards the end of 2025 with his tag team partner Kev.i.n finding himself, albeit briefly, holding the Community Pro Wrestling Cruiserweight Championship. Diaz has the tools to be a game changer.
20. Thomas Avery
A powerhouse coming from Glasgow’s Pro Wrestling Asylum, Thomas Avery is a remarkable specimen that has shone when the opportunity has risen. He looks like he is built to be a wrestler, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets a foothold and tears through everyone in his path.
19. Maisie Briggs
As the newest inductee into The Absolute with Greig Avernus and the re-christened Craig Coleman, Maisie has that it factor, one of those that you see just a glimpse of, but already know, that there is a diamond in the rough just waiting to be unearthed. A lot of eyes will be on her when she makes her main show debut in Haddington for PWR PRO.
18. Rossko
The Bayview Brawler from PWR PRO has more life experience than the vast majority on this list, but is in incredible shape, and is out to use that grizzled instincts on any canvas that allows it. Rossko was a PWR PRO regular on the gala circuit before being called upon to make his mark at ‘Trouble In Tilly II’ near the end of 2025. An interesting prospect.
17. James Taylor
A second generation Scottish professional wrestler, James Taylor has forged himself a role in WrestleZone very quickly in being part of Captain Alan Sterling’s crew. He has taken his job very seriously which in turn has seen him excel. Unlike his counterparts in Captain Alan’s Crew, he is invested in being under the learning tree of Alan and I’m looking forward to seeing how that develops.
16. Phantasm
The masked man from Dundee & Angus Pro Wrestling has quickly shown the Tayside fans that he is a highlight reel of aerial assaults. In his limited appearances he has wowed the crowd, and with a bursting calendar of events already announced for Fair City Wrestling, there’s a chance of more opportunities in the coming year.
15. Travis Knox
The second of Captain Alan’s Crew on the list, the high flyer Travis Knox has a quiet spark about him. He lets his actions do more of the talking, thanks in part to his presentation as part of the Crew, but when the bell rings he is a firecracker that bursts energy all over the canvas which was none more evident in his first match of the year matching the level with three established WrestleZone stars Connor Molloy, Umar Mohammed, and Ted O’Keefe.
14. Venus
Queen of the Cenobites, Venus has done a fantastic job at layering the mythology of her character. The brooding mystery peaks your curiosity for finding out more. From Glasgow’s Pro Wrestling Asylum, main eventing showcase events, to appearances at Insane Championship Wrestling, there’s plenty of places to orbit and I can see Venus rise to the occasion.
13. Tommy Raiden
One of my honourable mentions last year, Tommy Raiden has come out of his shell with promises of Bedlam. An increased aggression has seen him really find a role in Fair City Wrestling in the back half of 2025 with plenty opportunity to see that grow either on his own or as The Justified with Oliver Green in the coming 12 months.
12. Kai Silva
Kai Silva burst into Iron Girders Pro Wrestling, matching up with opponents with big reputation like Kez Evans, and Prince Levi, even finding himself further afield up in Thurso for Combat League Wrestling in 2025 to rave reviews. A brute strength powerhouse, Kai will only get better as the experience builds.
11. Niko Astro
Debuting at the tail end of 2024, Niko Astro has already caught the eye of promoters over the boarder, making his debut for Wrestling With Pride in Newcastle and securing a spot on their roster going forward. High energy, and a positive presence, Niko Astro has the makings of a star.
10. Cherry Knox
I can only assume that GPWA has Monster on tap because their Goth ratio is ridiculously high. The self proclaimed Queen of Short Style, Cherry Knox has this aura about her, and that has grown thanks to being in the ring with high calibre opponents and partners. Her tandem with Leon Graves to form horrorCore is aesthetically striking and will no doubt will have the duo travelling beyond the four corners very soon.
9. Astrid Day
Tall N Tiny’s own Astrid Day has pieced together hard work with natural charisma and it’s shown in where she has stepped up in her first year on shows. From her home promotion, Iron Girders, either in the corner of her team or stepping between the ropes to then jumping into PWR PRO and VALOR, two highly competitive places to get a spot on the card. It shows the potential that Astrid Day possesses that is in prime position to be moulded in 2026.
8. Kai Orson
The Steel Belly of WrestleZone, Kai Orson has a magnetic charm of innocence that you can’t help but get on board with. He’s currently reluctantly on board Captain Alan’s crew but as the more we see of Kai Orson the more fans he gains, most recently not looking out of place in a three way against two incredibly well journeyed opponents in Bruiser Brad and Judas Grey, more than giving a very worthy account of himself in a high pressure situation I hope that trajectory continues to go up this year.
7. Austin Brookes
Another that was on in my honourable mention list and boy has Austin Brookes really emerged over the last year. Finding himself in an alliance with then-ICW Women’s World Champion Lana Austin, and being consistently part of ICW events in some capacity along with their adjacent promotions Blockbuster and the GPWA showcases, Brookes has blossomed into a reliable fixture on the Insane Championship Wrestling roster and 2026 will surely see that grow further.
6. Struan Fraser
Do you feel him? Struan Fraser, from getting his start at Combat League Wrestling, has put in the miles to learn about professional wrestling. A stand out from the LKS Dojo of Excellence, wrestling in Europe, standing toe to toe with “Godzilla” Christian Colombo, Struan had quite the 2025. Although he will be spending a lot of 2026 out of the country I’m very interested to see how he makes up for lost time when he touches down on Scottish soil.
5. Tara Lenny
Unapologetically fierce, Tara Lenny is someone that when they speak you can’t help but stop and listen. A commanding presence in Iron Girders already, which has really shown in her early career so far with title opportunities and ticking off, and beating, dream opponents like Kasey. An upcoming debut in Dundee will see Tara step out of a potential comfort zone but if anyone is going to grab chances by the scruff of their neck and make them bend to her will then it’s Tara Lenny.
4. Archie Williams
You’ve most likely seen Archie donning the stripes in various companies across the country, but Williams has been known to dip all ten toes back into being a professional wrestler following performances against Prince Levi and Branagan in 2025, and I’d be keen to see what Archie could do with a consistent run to get something going.
3. Natasha Swann
Your Dream Girl got 2026 started with a bang by debuting in Discovery Wrestling and a debut over the border for Tidal. Natasha Swann has an immense likability about her, her charisma is off the charts, and she gets crowds invested in her. A fantastic ability to have and will no doubt have her spread even further afield in short order.
2. Finlay Bane
Discovery Wrestling Academy’s hard hitting giant Finlay Bane took the time to figure what he wanted to do and how to do it, which turned out to be smashing folk in the face with his forearm. Tall, young, and in the midst of being moulded into a massive threat, Finlay definitely has the makings of a next big thing in Scotland.
1. Dragonheart
The undefeated masked sensation seems to be a common name on the lips of anyone that comes into contact with the mysterious Dragonheart. A high flyer with incredible control, tackling all manner of opponents since debuting, I’d wager that his mask and gear won’t be the only things covered in gold in 2026 if the momentum continues. In the words of the man himself, “Dragonheart”.
The honourable mention list would likely be as long so I would just implore you to get to a show near, or not so near, you in 2026 to see the present and future of professional wrestling live and in person.
Who are your picks to take 2026 by storm?
Also see our 10 Tag Teams To Watch list that is coming soon.
SCOTTISH WRESTLING NETWORK | SWN 