Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylie Jackson.
Rylie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi, my name is Rylie Jackson and I’m addicted to Professional Wrestling. It all started when I was young, my dad was the one who first showed it to me I remember seeing guys like Shawn Micheals and Bret Hart and I knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up. It was never looked at as a realistic goal but I think that’s what made me want to chase it, even more, to prove people wrong. I got my first official training from Ken Anderson (Mr. Anderson) at The Academy: School of Pro Wrestling in Brooklyn Park. I was only 16 at the time but there was no way I wasn’t gonna be in the first class. I had my first match and graduated from the Academy in 2017 after a year of training. I’m honestly grateful for everything they’ve done for me it was through them that I got my first opportunity to go wrestle in the UK. I went with my cousin Levy Cruise who’s also a wrestler and we got to stay with the famous Knight family over there. I learned so much from just traveling and wrestling with them for a month they took us in and treated us like family, literally the coolest people. I’m now 21 and have gotten to wrestle in 5 different countries and over 10 states! I think that’s pretty good for only being around for 4 years, wrestling is bigger now than it has been in a long time so all that’s only gonna grow cause I’m not planning on stopping anytime soon either.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been lucky enough to not have any major injuries so I’ve been able to stay pretty active. The big bump in the road was obviously the pandemic. Man when covid came it completely put a stop on the wrestling business especially on the independents. That shutdown was the longest I’ve had to sit out, my last show before the shutdown was in March of 2020 at F1rst Wrestling at the Rosedale Center. Went from selling out a MALL to not wrestling again until July of 2020 but even that wasn’t the same bc there was no audience. Luckily now there are policies in place that not just me but all wrestlers are able to wrestle in front of crowds again safely.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think my advantage and what sets me apart is how I started at a younger age so not all but a lot of the shows I do I’m one of the younger talents on the card. I go by The Young Gun Rylie Jackson for a reason haha. It helps that I look as good as I do obviously but I’m also able to pull a reaction out of the audience. No matter what it is whether it’s love or hate I ALWAYS get something which is huge in the sports entertainment business. One thing I’m pretty proud of is my recent match in Seattle for DEFY. DEFY is one of the biggest indies in the US and I recently made my debut there with my tag partner Levy Cruise. We went in to that show relatively unknown to that crowd but by the end of the match, we had the crowd loud for us! I’m really just proud in a whole of how far I’ve come and the places and great people I’ve met along the way.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
If you’re a wrestling fan out there trying to figure out how to get into wrestling my best advice is to find yourself the right school to get your training at. They’re all over the place just throw in a google search and see what’s close to you and who the trainers are. There’s a lot of great schools out there and that’s how I found The Academy.
If you’re currently training and already in a school what helped me was going to the local shows. There are independent wrestling shows all over and usually every weekend. Find your local promotions and see if they need help with set up and tear down, maybe help with camera work literally any way you can help a promoter will have an impact on them and they’ll remember you and it’ll help when you’re ready to wrestle shows. Even when you’re wrestling shows if you have a weekend off hop in a carload and help out at a show it’s a great way of networking and getting opportunities out of your home state! It’s good to have a core group of guys you like to ride with.
Pricing:
- T-shirts S – XL $20
- T-shirts 2x – bigger $25
- 8×10 autographed $10
Contact Info:
- Email: Ryliejackson00gmail.com
- Website: https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/ryliejackson
- Instagram: @rylie_jackson_yg
- Facebook: @TheYoungGunRJ
- Twitter: @TheYoungGunRJ
Image Credits
Mouses Wrestling Adventures
Indulging Disorderly
@1800westsmith
2XW Photography
Fe’s Photography
Knocked Out Films
