The Queen Of Queensland Wrestling
By Tessa Armstrong
For those of you who do not already know me (although everyone should), I am Tessa Armstrong, the ‘Queen of Queensland Wrestling.’ I debuted 3 years ago and have been dominating all around the country ever since. I am a former United Pro Wrestling (UPW) Women’s Champion and have wrestled all over Queensland, as well as interstate. In this piece I’ll be covering my thoughts, experiences and opinions on wrestling; all of which are 100% correct, of course, because they are MY opinion.
I originally started my wrestling journey as a fan in Melbourne. I used to attend PCW events weekly and really admired people like Indi Hartwell, Aysha and Erika Reid. To see strong, Australian women competing in professional wrestling – something I had loved for years – inspired me to research where I could start training. Unfortunately, when I was ready to jump into it, Covid hit.
By the end of 2020, I graduated high school and moved up to Queensland. Honestly, I thought I would never have the opportunity to watch or be involved with independent wrestling again. The Queensland wrestling scene was nothing like it is in Melbourne. While it is certainly growing and improving now, I had never heard of any wrestling promotions in Queensland! Until one day I stumbled across UPW. I attended a tryout and have been on an uphill climb ever since.
When I started at UPW, Tommy ‘The Gun’ Winslow and Andre Irons – formally the ‘Hired Guns’ – took me under their wing. I learnt a lot from them on how to bend the rules to my advantage. They gave me the confidence I needed to realise I truly am the baddest b*tch in the ring.
While the UPW Women’s Championship is no longer in my possession, I am still currently the longest reigning Women’s Champion. I made history by winning the first Women’s battle royale in QLD, winning the first women’s tag team match in UPW, winning the first women’s main event on an intergender UPW card and a main eventing the first all-women’s show in QLD. I am very grateful for UPW and am so lucky to have started my journey there.
Queensland women’s wrestling is on the rise lately. I’ve been lucky enough to step in the ring with (and beat) Billie Mac, Xtina Kade, Lil Marz and Jazzy. Kyla Knight is currently touring America; Eugenie has been all over the country in some of Australia’s biggest promotions, and a mystery woman has recently debuted with ‘The Sanctum of Salvation’ at UPW. But most importantly, since beating me for the UPW Women’s title, Maddy Jaye has been gaining a lot of momentum; defending it against an array of interstate talent. Needless to say, there are many women who could claim to be the best in QLD but I’m more than happy to settle that debate in the ring with any of them.
As for me, in this year alone, I have accomplished so much. I have expanded within QLD and made my debut at Pro Wrestling League and Atomic Pro Wrestling, wrestled at AWS in Sydney, debuted where it all began at PCW in Melbourne, successfully defended the UPW Women’s championship against Axe Massacre from Adelaide and become a mainstay at NHPW in Perth; having wrestled international AEW stars Diamante and Vipress and joined the ‘Sons of Samuel’. It has been incredible to represent QLD and prove why we deserve more eyes, however, there is still a long way to go for women’s wrestling in this state. Unfortunately, there are not many of us, so we need to push harder to get new opportunities, receive interstate recognition and continue to improve. Nonetheless, the future for myself and the rest of the Queensland women looks very promising.
So, what exactly does the future hold for Tessa Armstrong and Queensland Wrestling? Recently joining my side is Connor K. Together, we plan to command Queensland and all of Australian wrestling. Both the male and female locker rooms of every promotion in every state should be on watch, because we are coming (Not to toot our own horns).
Concerning the rest of the women in QLD; big things are in our future. Pro Wrestling League in association with Renegades of Wrestling are hosting a massive event next year on the 14th of February at Eaton’s Hill Hotel; ‘Super Show’. It is guaranteed to be a huge evening featuring both female and male talent from all across Australia! It’s a super exciting time to be a women’s wrestler in QLD, we’re on the cusp of some truly incredible things. So, watch us as we continue to break down doors, shatter glass ceilings and remember to always bow down to yours truly, the Queen of Queensland, Tessa Armstrong.
Follow me on Instagram: @tessa_armstrong_pw
