Differently from some other university students, Lewis Gibson, a young man in his early twenties, has a curious hobby that may become a full-time job in the recent future. Also known as Ryan Lewis, the character he plays while on the ring, he is one of the most promising young wrestlers in the North East.

   Game night in Northumbria University, organized by the Pro Wrestling Society, and Ryan Lewis is one of the stars. His apparent shyness differs from the confident and aggressive character he plays while wrestling. It is a hard challenge for him to separate both, being the most difficult part the ability to control his nerves. “It’s weird because when I am out there I am not nervous, but before, people tell I am a total wreck”, said Lewis. For the young wrestler, it is important to see Wrestling not only as a performance but as a sport like any other. He trains three times per week in Rad Pro training centre with the guidance of a coach.

 

“My dad loves to come to the shows

and he’s one of the people standing going nuts" .

​

   Wrestling was always a dream for him since he was a kid, being his biggest influences Triple H, Kevin Owens and Jason Prime, a North East born professional wrestler. Lewis started to look for a wrestling school with the help of his mother when he was just 14 at the time of the big Wrestling boom, especially in the US. However, back then, there were less options available in the region, than the ones today, and he ended up practicing American football and rugby. Both sports were very important even when changing paths to Wrestling only a year and half ago. “When I played football, I was kind of aggressive, not as a person but when I get on the field” he said.

   His family was always supportive of his choice to become a wrestler and his father doesn’t miss any of his fights. “My dad loves to come to the shows and he’s one of the people standing going nuts”, he said.

   So far, Ryan Lewis participated in three shows in Northumbria University and several others in the North East that he even lost count of. The next step is trying to reach the professional league but going easy with that: “I am not thinking about going to America but get on the big shows in the region, then in the country and then take it from there”, he said. For him, this is a true dream and what makes him most proud about being a wrestler is the possibility to do something he really loves and how hard he has worked to reach the level he is now, even when fear comes in the way. “Fear can be two different ways, it can make you forget anything and run away or you can face everything and rise”.