‘I think I just never grew up’
Oak Forest native pursuing her pro wrestling dream
After graduating from Oak Forest High School a few years back, Kylie Rae promised her parents she would attend college if she didn’t find another career worth pursuing.
That pursuit led her back to another area high school Saturday for a pro wrestling matchup against a Texan in front of hundreds of cheering spectators at Marian Catholic’s gymnasium in Chicago Heights.
It’s a punishing career choice, one rife with the pain of executing and being the recipient of high-flying kicks and body slams.
But professional wrestling is all the 26-year-old Oak Forest native wants to do.
“I think I just never grew up,” said Rae, who is known as Smiley Kylie in the ring. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever been passionate about in my entire life.”
She said she’s been a fan of professional wrestling since she started watching it on TV some 20 years ago.
Rae said after watching wrestling, she’d practice some of the moves with her older brother and sister on the family’s trampoline.
She had always dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler, a role she likens to a real-life superhero.
She travels the country to perform in professional
wrestling shows almost every weekend, and has even traveled to Japan to perform.
On top of that, Rae has been training almost every day of the week for nearly the past five years and has been performing in the ring nearly the last three years.
With all the traveling, it helps to have a venue close to home at Marian Catholic High School.
The wrestling shows there were started last spring by the school’s principal, Steve Tortorello, as a fundraiser for scholarships.
Saturday’s event marked the third Warrior Wrestling show and featured more than 20 wrestlers.
Tortorello said all the proceeds from ticket sales and concessions after paying the wrestlers go toward scholarships for Marian Catholic students.
He said the last Warrior Wrestling show, which was held in September, raised more than $15,000.
Another show is scheduled for March 15, with tickets starting at $30.
Tortorello said he’s happy to help a local wrestler achieve her dream, but he also believes Rae has what it takes to make it to the the pinnacle of pro wrestling, the WWE.
“Her charisma, positive energy and overall spunk are remarkable,” Tortorello said. “It’s a true rarity to watch a star rise with the speed of Kylie Rae. Wrestling fans have quickly rallied behind her because she’s such an adept performer and such a genuine human being.”
Smiley Kylie’s ring persona is that of a good girl next door image and has garnered a lot of fan support. That support was evident Saturday as dozens of people lined up for her autograph during a meetand-greet session before the matches began.
One of those in line was Brooklyn Smiley, 9, who said Rae is one of her favorite wrestlers, and not just because of her familiar ring name.
“She’s always smiling,” Brooklyn said.
Brooklyn’s dad, Jason Smiley, said they drove from Westville, Ind., to watch the show.
Another fan, Andrew Rybarczyk, of Crestwood, said Rae’s popularity can be chalked up to her being a likable person who’s great with fans. Plus, he said, she is a very good wrestler.
On Saturday, the 145pound Rae challenged 160pound Jordynne Grace, of Texas, for the Progress Women’s Championship belt.
The match was filled with several high-flying stunts with no wrestler appearing to grab the edge until the very end, when Grace held Rae down for the three-count.
Rae and Grace rehearsed many of the moves before the match in an empty gymnasium but their performance looked very real, as were their bruises.
Rae said she auditioned for the WWE last February, but understands the odds for any wrestler making it to the top are slim. Still, it’s her ultimate goal, and she believes she has what it takes to get there.
Until then, she’s maintaining a high profile both online and in the ring, win or lose.