Around the Ring: Kylie Rae returns to action
By Mike Pankow
September 26, 2019
A few weeks after AEW President Tony Khan confirmed that Kylie Rae was granted her release from the fledgling company, the popular Chicago-area native returned to the ring last weekend.
The bubbly performer was a late addition to Freelance Wrestling and Freelance Underground’s joint venture, Game of the Genders, on Saturday night in a card featuring all intergender matches.
Kylie Rae charges toward Britt Baker at Warrior Wrestling 4 on March 15. Kylie returned to the ring after a three-month absence last weekend. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
She defeated local veteran Isaias Velazquez by submission in the event, which took place in South suburban Frankfort. Kylie received a raucous pop when she made her entrance to the Pokémon theme, which was captured by a few viral videos on social media.
There has been a lot of speculation to the reasons why Kylie requested her release, but nothing has been substantiated and she hasn’t commented publicly on the situation.
Kylie’s ascension on the Chicago scene has been meteoric over the last couple of years, including winning the Freelance Wrestling World Championship, the Zelo Pro Women’s Championship and the Phoenix of RISE. She also has competed at Warrior Wrestling events, including bouts with current IMPACT Wrestling Knockout Jordynne Grace and current AEW star Britt Baker.
The Oak Forest High School and Governors State University graduate participated in the first-ever AEW women’s match – a four-way match with Baker, Nyla Rose and Awesome Kong – at “Double or Nothing” in May in Las Vegas.
She wrestled in two matches in the Chicago area after that, including a bout against Shazza McKenzie at Black Label Pro on June 1 and a handicap match against Robert “Ego” Anthony and Frank the Clown at Freelance Wrestling on June 14.
There’s no telling what the future holds for Kylie, but as they say … stay tuned.
Notable happenings: Also at Game of the Genders, another viral video highlighted local veteran Craig Mitchell being tossed by Grace from the ring apron onto several folding chairs in the crowd. …
Warhorse won Black Label Pro’s Turbo Graps 16 tournament last Saturday in Summit as part of a tripleheader event with Game Changer Wrestling. …
Congratulations to “Chicago Bear Hug” Steve Michaels on becoming the new Berwyn Championship Wrestling Champion after he defeated veteran “Shogun” Chris Logan at the Berwyn Eagles Club. A rematch has been announced for BCW’s next show on Oct. 19 at Nightmare in Berwyn. …
Congratulations to Jake Andrews, who unseated CJ Esparza to become Chicago Style Wrestling’s new Metra Division Champion. …
Local up-and-coming star Elayna Black, who has wrestled for several promotions in the area, was an extra at Wednesday’s NXT live TV show near Orlando after earning the opportunity in a WWN Seminar/Tryout.
Matt Winchester (aka Beer City Bruiser) was named the 2019 Male Wrestler of the Year at the Midwest Wrestling Reunion last Sunday in Rosemont. Beer City Bruiser wrestled Jay Bradley at SNS SuperShow 2 in Kenosha, Wis., back in May. (File photo by Mike Pankow)
Tip of the cap: The 2nd annual Midwest Wrestling Reunion took place last weekend at Moretti’s in Rosemont and several awards were handed out.
Matt Winchester, better known as Beer City Bruiser, was the 2019 Male Wrestler of the Year, “Miss Natural” Heather Patera was the 2019 Women’s Wrestling Award winner, “The Urban Sensation” C-Red was the 2019 Manager of the Year, Southern Illinois/St. Louis-area promoter Herb Simmons won the 2019 Promoters Award, Nacho Barrera and Kevin Clark (better known as Zebra Kid) earned 2019 Lifetime Achievement Awards, and “Two Count” Lou Tufano was the 2019 Official of the Year
Coming attractions: AAW Pro holds “Defining Moment” this Saturday night at Logan Square Auditorium with Sami Callihan defending the AAW Championship against Josh Alexander. Also, AEW’s Darby Allin faces Jacob Fatu in Allin’s final appearance for AAW. …
Announcements of matches for the exciting “All Glory” show from IMPACT Wrestling at 115 Bourbon Street on Oct. 19, featuring talent from Chicago-area and Midwest promotions, are starting to trickle out. Laynie Luck will defend the Zelo Pro Women’s Championship against Shotzi Blackheart while Velazquez, “Filth King” Brubaker, GPA, Project M.O.N.I.X. and Bryce Benjamin will square off in a five-way match. More matches will be announced in the coming days. …
Former ECW and WWE star Raven will be part of Wrestle League’s show this Saturday night on the North side of Chicago. …
“Shogun” Chris Logan will challenge Mark Reconsile for the Rocket Pro Wrestling Championship at the Joliet promotion’s “Darkness Falls” at St. Joseph’s Park on Oct. 12. …
ECW legend Tommy Dreamer has been booked for Chicago Style Wrestling’s Oct. 18 show in River Grove. …
POWW Entertainment’s WrestleRage 17 in Addison on Nov. 9 will have a four-way match for the POWW Championship with Vic Capri defending the title against Acid Jazz, Tylor Sullivan and Ruthless Ramon.
Catch Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow talking local and national pro wrestling every other week on The Broadcast Basement, available wherever you download podcasts or at https://broadcastbasement.podbean.com/.
