Editing Independent circuit (section)

{{short description|Grouping of small professional wrestling promotions}}
In [[professional wrestling]], the '''independent circuit''' (often shortened to the '''indie circuit''' or the '''indies''') is the [[collective noun|collective name]] of independently owned [[professional wrestling promotion|promotions]] which are deemed to be smaller and more regionalized than major national promotions. 

Independent promotions are essentially viewed as a [[minor league]] or [[farm system]] for the larger national promotions, as wrestlers in "indie" companies (especially young wrestlers just starting their careers) are usually honing their craft with the goal of being noticed and signed by a major national promotion such as [[WWE]], [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) (which also owns [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH)), or [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] in the United States, [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (which is owned by WWE) or [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]] in Mexico, or [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]], [[Dragongate]], [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]], [[World Wonder Ring Stardom]] or the [[CyberFight]] promotions in Japan. It is also not uncommon for veteran wrestlers who have had past tenures with major promotions to appear on independent shows, either as special attractions or as a way to prolong their careers as free agents.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Castle |first1=Michael |title=Entertainment, Value and WRESTLING: Why Independent Wrestling Promotions Matter |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/768430-entertainment-value-and-wrestling-why-independent-wrestling-promotions-matter |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> There are also plenty of wrestlers who also wish to not sign with any of the major promotions and therefore primarily depend on the independent circuit for work.