The Making Towns Classic comes to the Nashville Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 12, 2018. It’s a two-session show – first one starts at 3:30PM, and the second one at 7:30PM. But, one of the competitors in the 16-woman field is Angelus Layne, someone who Nashville graps fans should know all too well for her work in Southern Underground Pro over the course of the last year.
Layne recently sat down with the Kick Out At Two podcast to discuss the Making Towns Classic, her rivalry with Kevin Ku in SUP, and much more.
I listened to the episode, and I couldn’t help but stop and think – “man, Angelus Layne has done some pretty cool shit in Nashville.”
For one, the Music City has always been a rather traditional pro wrestling market. I can remember seeing her at the first SUP show I attended last year and getting a little nervous…like, “ehhhhhh – is this going to work in this town?” Well, it did. Stupid me.
Her program with Kevin Ku lasted the better part of an entire year, and honestly, I’m still not convinced that it’s actually over. The two constantly one-upped each other – cranking up the aggression and the viciousness of attacks at each turn. Layne showed up to shows in an “I broke Kevin Ku’s neck” t-shirt. It was physical, emotional, and powerful stuff. But, where they really excelled was in the execution of the program, and how it sets each wrestler up for the future.
Here’s this tough, tatted guy in Ku, who comes out and just gets his shit wrecked. We’re talking chair shots, piledrivers, you name it. Layne beat the shit out of Ku so much that they built a real hero out of it. And, they never made Layne look like the victim – a major criticism of women’s involvement in mainstream pro wrestling today.
Instead, Layne looked like the stereotypical monster heel. Someone that could just come out and beat the ever-loving shit out of you for no reason at all should the mood so strike her. She’d go to any length to accomplish what she wanted, and she played that role perfectly.
By the time Achy Breaky Heart rolled around in February, fans of the show were flat out thirsting to see Ku get his revenge.
It’s a sign of where our city’s at in its development, too – and, really – I should’ve known better. Nashville is much more than rhinestones and cowboy boots in 2018, and the progressive development of the city has touched every facet of entertainment…pro wrestling’s no different.
Layne’s pioneering intergender wrestling in the market. Where other companies are still trying to run the same, tired old wrestling shows, SUP is creating something different. But, she’s just the woman for the job.
But, it’s more than that. It’s not just playing a role and doing something different. It’s owning an idea and excelling with it – taking something that not everyone understands and creating something better than anyone imagined. That’s what Layne has done in SUP. Use me as an example. I didn’t know whether the new indy style would work in Nashville at all…much less a big time, hard-hitting intergender rivalry! And, I was sucked right in. I’m not the only one either judging by how the crowd seems to increase exponentially at each SUP show.
I believe it was Wilkman who called her the “Stone Cold Steve Austin of East Nashville” on that episode of Kick Out At Two. If not, then… well, shit…I’m sorry guys. #RealJournalism
Anyway, the nickname fits. Layne deserves some recognition for the work she’s done in this town over the course of the past year. I can’t wait to see her on 5/12 at the Making Towns Classic. We’ll be there – so should you.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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