Matt Cardona has shared his picks for the top independent wrestling talents today, offering a glimpse into who he believes is doing the work beyond the bright lights — though his choices may not surprise those following the indie scene closely.
Speaking on WWE’s podcast What Do You Want To Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, Cardona highlighted two names that have consistently stood out to him during his time outside WWE.
Matt Cardona names Ben Bishop and Richard Holliday as standout independent stars
Cardona named Richard Holliday and Ben Bishop as his top independent wrestlers. He specifically highlighted their effort and approach to storytelling.
Rather than focusing only on in-ring ability, he emphasized the importance of promoting oneself in today’s wrestling landscape.
“I think effort is very important to me,” Cardona said, adding that both men stand out for advancing their stories and embracing tools like cell phone promos — something he noted many wrestlers hesitate to do.
“I’ve seen these guys all over the place and I think effort is very important to me, so I would say Ben Bishop and Richard Holiday are my two guys. He posts a lot, those who advance their stories, who will do the cell phone promo that nobody wants to do. Right? Oh can you send me this promo? No one wants to do that but you have to…. Ben Bishop and Richard Holiday are my two guys. There are many other guys and girls out there but they’re the two that come to mind.”
In a world where content is king, these two seem to be playing the game like main eventers, not just mid-carders waiting for a call.
Cardona’s perspective carries weight given his six-year run on the independent circuit, where he shared the ring with both talents.
As of March 2026, both Holliday and Bishop remain prominent figures in promotions like Awesome Championship Wrestling. Holliday, a former two-time ACW Heavyweight Champion, recently lost the title in a triple threat match, while Bishop continues to serve as his imposing ally.
Both men have also participated in recent WWE tryouts, signalling potential interest from the company. While nothing has been confirmed, Cardona’s endorsement may only add fuel to that fire.
With WrestleMania season in full swing, the spotlight often stays on established stars. Still, Cardona’s comments serve as a reminder. The next breakout name might already be cutting promos on a phone, just waiting to tag in.
