American Wrestling League premieres Nov. 30 in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Wrestling League has created a professional league for America’s college and international wrestlers to continue their wrestling careers after graduation.

The league is an important initiative to get wrestling into the marketplace and grow the sport.

“This is a game changer for wrestling that puts our best wrestlers in the spotlight and allows us to innovate and reach new audiences,” founder Wayne Boyd said. “We plan to put a team in every state.”

The league launches in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the U.S. Cellular Center on Friday, November 30.

Teams are coached by World Champions Kyle Dake and David Taylor and the lineups feature World medalists, NCAA champions and Iowa fan favorites.

“Finally, wrestlers have a career path to develop their skills and marketing presence beyond college. Everyone in wrestling is going to benefit from this,” said Dake, a Four-time NCAA champion and recent World gold medalist.

 “We have an electrifying lineup for our first event,” said Taylor, also a recent World champion. “These guys have been competing and representing USA around the world at the senior level and are primed to go head to head in a dual meet in front of a hometown crowd. We’re really looking forward to seeing our fans there.”

Expect sparks to fly with former Iowa Hawkeye matchup three-time All-American Tony Ramos and NCAA champion Cory Clark. These guys know each other well from being teammates, but competition brings out a whole new level of excitement.

James Green, a three-time World medalist will go against the University of Iowa’s four-time All-American Brandon Sorensen. Green wrestled for Nebraska and has been a force on the international level, winning two silver medals and a bronze.

The Jordan Oliver / Zain Retherford match is highly anticipated as both are competing against each other to make the World Team and have a history of epic battles.

Doors open up at 6pm at the U.S. Cellular Center, where there will be activities for the kids, an opportunity to meet the athletes, and a pre-event social and after-party.

The event will also help meet community needs through Chuck Yagla’s Light the Night and Mike Duroe’s fight to Pin Cancer. These efforts inspire the wrestler in all of us to take on our toughest challenges and find a cure.

Information on tickets, streaming and memberships are available at: AmericanWrestling.org