Yehi, shown here headlocking Jimmy Rave, had a phenomenal 2014 Photo Credit: Harold Jay Taylor/Headlocks and Headshots |
Wrestler: Fred Yehi
Who Is He?: Yehi came up as a backyard wrestler before turning his hobby/pastime into a legitimate career. He blew up down in the Atlanta area, competing mostly for Platinum Championship Wrestling before branching out into other parts of the state of Georgia. Yehi has gotten some attention from companies like Beyond Wrestling and NWA Smoky Mountain.
What's His Deal?: Back in 2012 when I first took notice of him, his bread and butter was working amazingly stiff, amazingly fast counters and mat grappling in some of the most rough-and-tumble matches against a variety of opponents. He's actually turned heel in many promotions and hybridized his game to include a lot of theatrical, highly demonstrative gestures and cheap shot moves, which has made his wrestling style even more accessible and entertaining.
Why You Should Consider Him For Your Ballot: Yehi is one of the best individual performers going right now, and he may be the most talented, charismatic, and gifted performer not currently under contract with either WWE or New Japan Pro Wrestling. His versatility makes him accessible to anyone looking for any style, and his new turn as an overstuffed egomaniac has added several new wrinkles to his wrestling that not only enhances his own performance but puts over the other guy like gangbusters. You will have to put in work to find his matches, but that searching will reward you the minute you click play. He's a seminal talent, and his 2014 was sublime.
Matches to Watch:
vs. Chase Owens, Southern Fried Championship Wrestling 1 Year Anniversary Shindig, 6/14
vs. Jonathan Gresham, WWA4 Wrestling School Free Match, 8/28
Previous Entries:Timothy Thatcher, Heidi Lovelace, Vordell Walker, Andy Dalton, Mickie Knuckles, Danny Cannon