When people think of pro wrestling, they often picture two men grappling in the ring. But women can be just as tough, if not tougher, in the squared circle.
Resistance Pro officials have banked on that philosophy with a female-fronted main event for “Split Second” on June 20 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6863 in Summit.
“That’s something that will make Resistance Pro,” said Leva Bates aka Blue Pants on WWE’s “NXT.” She will challenge “Crazy” Mary Dobson, who recently wrestled as Sarah Dobson on “NXT,” for the R-Pro women’s championship.
“I noticed a lot of companies where it’s two big guys going at it. This is two bright up-and-coming stars. That’s really cool to trust a main event with women, and women who are on the rise. That’s a really avant-garde concept. I thank Resistance Pro for believing in us.”
A fan of cosplay (costume play) including when she makes her wrestling gear, Bates is no stranger to the independent pro wrestling scene, debuting in 2006 and having been half of the inaugural tag-team championship team Lucha Sisters with Mia Yim for Florida-based Shine Wrestling.
Bates, of Orlando, Fla., likely is most familiar to Chicago-area audiences for competing in Shimmer Women Athletes in Berwyn where she has teamed with Allison Danger in Regeneration X and challenged Shimmer champion Cheerleader Melissa for the belt on the “Volume 58” DVD.
“It’s probably the first time I’ve been here since Shimmer so come check me out and see what the big deal is,” said Bates of the R-Pro event, which is also a fundraiser for Tracy Foster. The single parent of two children is battling cancer for a second time.
Bates has competed in “NXT” against Carmella, NXT women’s champion Sasha Banks, Dana Brooke and on the June 10 episode of the WWE Network show against Emma. Bates also was a Rosebud on a February episode of WWE’s “Raw” in a scene involving Paige borrowing something to wear to the ring.
“Right now I’ve accomplished a dream of mine. Whether I get signed or don’t get signed, I’ve wrestled for WWE, been on TV and worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in the ring. If I don’t do more of that, I’m still very satisfied, said Bates, who also video blogs for “The Geek Soapbox” with Lee Ponton.
“I do want to travel internationally and do more travel abroad even with just acting and entertainment. I’ve always wanted to see the world so I just keep doing it. Also, I love to keep branching out more with teeny tiny roles in independent films. I never stop. I never sleep. I just keep working.”
Virtusio is a freelancer.
Resistance Pro
When: 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) June 20
Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6863, 7256 W. 63rd St., Summit
Tickets: $10 to $20; general admission free for ages 3 and younger
Information: resistancepro.com or levabates.com
Etc.: Titled “Split Second,” the show is a fundraiser for Tracy Foster and features Leva Bates aka Blue Pants from WWE’s “NXT”
