Community Corner
"Smiley" Kylie Takes the World by Storm
Former Oak Forest resident and graduate of Oak Forest High School takes part in Warrior Wrestling 3.
As soon as Kylie Rae took to the runway, screams of support joined by applause was heard throughout the arena. Looking every bit a pageant princess contender, Kylie Rae wasn’t there for a beauty pageant trophy.
Born Brianna Rae Sparrey, she grew up in Oak Forest and graduated in 2010 from Oak Forest High School. In college she fell in love…with the sport of wrestling.
“I started wrestling training in 2013, which was my junior year of undergrad at Lewis University” said Rae.
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“Although the wrestling training was not through the school, it was through a company called Freelance Underground Wrestling Academy in Villa Park, IL.”
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In 2015, Rae moved to Houston, Texas to train under WWE Hall of Famer Booker T for 2 years.
This was Rae’s first appearance at Warrior Wrestling held at Marian Catholic High school in Chicago Heights. The pro-wrestling shows usually bring between 750- 1000 wrestling fans with the proceeds going towards scholarships for students.
“If I didn’t love wrestling I wouldn’t be doing it,” Rae laughs. “You wake up, you’re bruised and you’re broken then you get up, it just brings out the kid in you. With being a local show, Rae’s family was in the crowd, it didn’t affect Rae.
“My mom told me she’s proud of me,” begins Rae. “She can see that I’m doing what I love and that I’m genuinely happy.”
At the recent Warrior Wrestling show, Kylie Rae wrestled Jordynne Grace. Grace retained the Progress Wrestling Women's Championship over Rae.
“Jordynne Grace is one of my favorite opponents of all time,” said Rae. “She is one of the best wrestlers I’ve been in the ring with. I learn so much from her. Looking back at the ring as more wrestlers took to the mat, Rae kept watching the moves.
“This has been my dream since I was seven years old,” Rae said. “Today I’m living that dream at the age of 26.”
Wrestling full time, Rae still finds time to attend Governors State University.
“I’m getting a degree in communications,” Rae adds. “Once I graduate I’m planning on doing something in the wrestling world. I would love to make WWE. It’s so hard to get there. It doesn’t take a company to make me happy I’m still living my dream.”
Warrior Wrestling 4 is coming to Marian Catholic High school in Chicago Heights on Friday March 15th. Tickets are now on sale. For more information go to: www.warriorwrestling.net
