Independent wrestlers should prioritize building their own brands and finding ways to monetize their work to build a viable career.

“i think you should try to figure out a way to make money doing this if you love it because then you can make it a job that's how i've done it”

He believes the independent wrestling scene is a challenging environment where wrestlers show great grit and passion.

“it was an eye openening experience for me of like how hard the road is for some of these guys you know they're like at the gcw show last night guys that aren't on the show but they're there and they're helping set up and they're they're doing it for free like or there's guys on the show that you kno”

Matt Cardona claims he has successfully made a lucrative business for himself on the independent circuit through merchandise, his podcast, and his toy line.

“I'm not going to say how much I made in WWE but I make more on the independence”

He believes that the industry shift toward virtual events will ultimately benefit independent wrestling promotions.

“am I worried about it no because I think it's going to help me in the long run because I think small shows and stuff like this are going to excel sure and I think big arenas and stuff like that are going to not run as much”

He prefers to avoid toning down his performance and intends to continue bringing 100% intensity to the independent scene, even if it potentially shortens his career.

“I don't have an off switch if there's if there's something that you don't lack it's intensity yeah I I because there's some guys who who who go and maybe I should be this guy right you go to the independent circuit and you you you tone it down a little bit and you're you're yeah just get your stuff ”

Steph De Lander advocates for independent wrestlers to treat their profession as a business by charging for appearances and merchandise to ensure financial sustainability.

“I think that is where the difference is is you know not to knock on anyone but you've got a whole bunch of wrestlers who don't even have merch out or they're taking photos with fans for free and you've got Matt and I standing there charging $20 for photo”

He believes independent promotions provide an opportunity to build a platform outside of major corporate wrestling entities while allowing for the development of new talent.

“And if there's no room for me at the top, and that would be the WWE, well, damn, I'm I'm I'm I'm going to make my own room, bro. I'm the realest guy in the room. So, that's what happened. Fourth rope”