The Backyard Wrestling Federation is enjoying a level of prosperity that, quite frankly, none of us 
ever though we would achieve, and it’s due to the incredible wrestling ability, charisma, fortitude, and mic 
skills possessed by Brian, Ryan, Danny, and Doug.  We four (along with, intermittently Sean, Kevin, and 
others) have carried the federation from infancy until today.  But we all have to face facts.  The truth is, we 
four can’t shoulder the workload forever.  It’s imperative that others are going to have to step up and move 
up to main event status, joining the upper echelon and carrying the federation into the new millennium.  And 
luckily, the federation has many young up-and-comers who have the potential to make that big jump.  But 
who will actually make that step up?
	Perhaps the best hope for the future of the federation was young Reeve Lamb.  As we all know, 
Reeve was injured at Monday Night Raw and has not yet  returned to active competition .  Yet, before this 
unfortunate incident, Reeve was the brightest star the federation had ever seen.  In his young career, he’s 
won the three-way kiss my foot match against Wilson and Ian.  He’s earned two world title shots, one 
against Ryan and one against Brian, and let me tell you, Reeve gave Ryan quite a run for his money.  Ryan 
vs. Reeve at Sunday Night Heat 

will go down as one of the best matches in federation history.  My guess is, 
Reeve will be back.  He loves the sport too much to just walk away, injured ribs or no injured ribs.
	Eric Viger was pretty much a laughing stock when he entered the federation, and he still is to an 
extent.  But I’ll tell you something, I see a lot of potential in this young piece of trash.  In his dog collar 
match with Ryan at Royal Rumble 1999, Eric showed a drive and passion that we hadn’t seen before.  If 
Eric can get past this silly fixation he has on feuding with Ryan,. and makes an attempt to move into the title 
scene, he could be a force to be reckoned with.  I know he hasn’t won a match yet, but it’s coming, I can 
feel it.
	Which brings us to Kris Johnson.  Kris also doesn’t have a stellar won/lost record, but any time you 
face Kris in the ring, you’re the frightened one.  Kris has the strength, the power, and the knowledge of 
submission techniques to one day win it all.  All he has to do is hone his killer instinct, much like Danny once 
had to.  early in his career, Danny was strong, yet lacked that killer’s touch.  And look at him now, he’s 
world champion.  One day, Kris could be there too.
	And finally, the one with the most hope, young Ian Nash.  Ian recently won his first match (an I 
Quit match against Kris), and I happen to know that Ryan himself  has lots of hope for Ian.  In fact, earlier 
 
this year, Ryan predicted that “Ian will have gold around his waist by year’s end.”  Ian has come a long way 
in his mat skills, and his only detriment is the fact that sometimes Ian doesn’t completely “show up” for his 
matches.  When Ian learns that every match is important, he will go far.
	So who is “the new hope” for the federation?  Maybe none of these, maybe all.  Maybe someone 
not on this list, someone who hasn’t made his federation debut yet.  But my money’s on Ian.  Ian has the 
charisma, the know-all, and the where-with-all to go all the way.  I agree with Ryan.  Sooner or later, Ian 
will  have gold.  How far he goes is in his hands.