The independent scene had many outstanding performances by up and coming stars but none made quite the impression as Roderick Strong. Beginning the year appearing on WWE's smackdown against Kurt Angle, Strong continued his title reign in NWA Florida with the Florida title. Along with wrestling in Full Impact Pro, Pro Wrestling Warfare, NWA Upstate, and Ball Park Brawl IV, Strong's biggest impact was in Ring of Honor. As a member of Generation Next, Strong and Jack Evans remained at the top of the tag team division and eventually broke out on his own with standout matches against James Gibson, CM Punk, Alex Shelley and AJ Styles. After the defeat of Matt Hardy, Roderick Strong began a stiff feud with ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson that carried over into matches in Full Impact Pro in FL. Strong finished the year with regular appearances in TNA and eventually captured the ROH Tag Team Titles teaming with Generation Next member Austin Aries.
photo credit: nwaflorida.com 
