Former Nationwide worker turned wrestling champion to have homecoming match
A wrestler who trained in Swindon is returning to the town as a heavyweight champion for a big match.
Eddie Ryan was born in Plymouth but moved to Swindon to train at the Four Front Wrestling Training School, which is known for producing some of the UK's most successful international wrestling stars.
While living and working in the town, including time at Nationwide, Ryan developed his craft and laid the foundations for a career that would take him around the world.
He has since competed for major promotions including WOS Wrestling and WWE's NXT UK, and has shared the ring with global stars such as Rey Mysterio, Jake Hager (formerly Jack Swagger), challenged Drew McIntyre (then known as Drew Galloway) for the TNA Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship, and defeated former ECW Champion Hardcore Holly.
Now returning to the very town where it all began, Ryan will defend his title after recently defeating Bristol's 'The Stallion' Chris Bronson to become the new British Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
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Kingdom Rising 2025 will be held at the Deanery Academy in Wichelstowe on Saturday, May 10, from 5.30pm. Tickets are still available from https://britishkingdompro.com/swindon-events
Eddie said: 'It's great to return to Swindon, where I lived and worked for many years as I trained to become a professional wrestler.
'The town was my launchpad. It has produced some of the best in the world. I've wrestled internationally, but now to return as champion is a real full circle moment.'
Weighing 170 lbs (12 stone) when he began training, Eddie has packed on 62 lbs (4.4 stone) of lean muscle to compete as a Heavyweight, currently standing at 232 (16.5 stone).
Kingdom Rising also features Japanese star Ryoya Tanaka.
Representing the renowned Dragon Gate promotion in Japan, Ryoya will travel from Nagoya to Swindon as part of a long-standing tradition in which promising Japanese wrestlers are sent overseas to gain experience, exposure to different wrestling styles and to test themselves against top talent in other countries.
Ryoya arrives fresh from a major victory over Hyo at Dragon Gate's Dead or Alive 2025 event, held in front of four thousand fans in Japan.
A spokesperson for the event said: 'Join us for a family-friendly evening of high-octane action featuring stars from around the world. Witness the homecoming of Eddie Ryan, a champion forged in Swindon.'
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