KMTV tries out Tunbridge Wells' new Pro Wrestling school

KentOnline / KMTV

Pro Wrestling Royale Academy was started by former WWE superstar, Ayesha Raymond and veteran wrestler, Boo Lemont.

Transcript

00:00 Professional wrestling is a sport that has seen a massive surge in popularity over the

00:08 last few years and the sport is now also making waves in Kent.

00:12 Tunbridge Wells recently saw its first ever Pro Wrestling Academy being opened in the

00:17 area.

00:18 The academy is run by ex-WWE star Ayesha Raymond and veteran wrestler Boo Lemon.

00:23 The pair run Pro Wrestling Royal Academy together and have classes every Thursday at the Camden

00:28 Centre.

00:29 As Ayesha says, she hopes the academy can revive the local wrestling scene.

00:33 "When I first started, Tunbridge and area, most of the coastal areas were where wrestling

00:40 was because it's from the carnivals, it's what wrestling is.

00:43 And it kind of sort of fiddles out after a while when wrestling kind of moves into nightclubs

00:47 and stuff.

00:48 So there hasn't actually been wrestling at Tunbridge Wells for about, I'd say about 10,

00:52 maybe 8-10 years.

00:53 Tunbridge yes, but not Tunbridge Wells.

00:56 So for me, I just want people to be aware that wrestling is still alive."

01:00 And Boo Lemon says he hopes to give back to the sport through the school.

01:04 "I want a legacy in all honesty.

01:06 I love professional wrestling.

01:07 It's given me friends, it's given me family, it's given me a life.

01:11 So I'm giving back and I'm really hoping that I can get some good students that can realise

01:16 their dreams, they can travel the world, they can see that this is an achievable thing.

01:21 Professional wrestling is a really fun and exciting job to have."

01:25 "Well as a lifelong wrestling fan, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn from two

01:29 of the best."

01:30 "This was my moment, to prove I was the next big thing.

01:34 All the years of pretend wrestling with my siblings was finally about to pay off.

01:39 Ayesha and Boo started me off with some bumps.

01:42 A bump involves stretching your hands to your side and falling flat on your back.

01:46 Professional wrestlers often take dozens of bumps in a single match.

01:50 "Get it!"

01:51 "Pick up!"

01:52 "One more!"

01:53 "One more!"

01:54 "Three!"

01:57 "Nice!"

01:58 "I was winded after three.

02:00 Next, was running the ropes.

02:02 Something every wrestling fan has thought of doing at least once.

02:06 After Boo taught me the correct technique, I actually picked it up pretty well.

02:10 "Get it!"

02:11 "Very well done!"

02:14 "There you go!"

02:15 "Now this is the back up!"

02:18 "Yay!"

02:20 And finally, Ayesha and Boo taught me a sequence.

02:24 Matches usually have several sequences.

02:27 But since I was a beginner, we started off at one.

02:30 And things were looking pretty good for me.

02:32 I could already see myself being the next big thing in wrestling.

02:35 Until...

02:36 "Whee!"

02:39 "Yay!"

02:41 "Yeah!

02:44 Perfect!"

02:46 Well after that, I think my dreams of becoming the next John Cena, I am the man.

02:50 And I think the wrestling is better left to the professionals.

02:53 While wrestling may not be for me,

02:55 Ayesha and Boo hope to continue to nurture the future stars of British wrestling.

03:00 Sheldon Dragwich for KMTV.

03:03 (audience cheering)

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