Regan Lydale on the Rise

I have written many times about young wrestler Regan Lydale. Turning professional a couple years back, Regan is far more advanced than her experience and age would indicate. 

At Elk Grove Rotary Fest, I had the privilege of watching Regan face Melanie Cruise in a mixed tag match. Mel was tagging with her brother Stonewall for the first time, while Regan's partner was Hardcore Craig.

There was lots of intrigue in this match, but for me it came down to seeing Mel versus Regan. Years ago, as Resistance Pro started, Melanie was the first champ and Regan was a teenage fan who wanted to be a wrestler. Now, 10+ years later, here they were in the same ring for the first time.

My message here is if you are a wrestling fan, go out and see Regan when you can. Regan is fast on the rise. She is winning titles and gaining exposure. I see her signing with one of the bigger companies within a couple years. She is that good!

Regan Lydale and me in Elk Grove Village, IL-July 2025.

Regan Lydale on the Rise!

Even if you don't like wrestling, you have to love this story. It is one of a young girl having a dream, working hard at it and embarking on her path. It is the story of Regan Lydale (aka Cameron).

I first met a young Cameron about 12 years ago when I was with Resistance Pro Wrestling and she was a fan with a dream of being a pro wrestler. A lot of youngsters have huge plans that don't develop for whatever reason. Not Cam. She started working towards her goal many years before she could legally become a pro wrestler.

My pal Tommy Else (also from our RPro days) was her first trainer. Tommy did not take his role lightly. He coached Cam on every aspect of wrestling. They worked out, watched videotape and talked. He wanted Cam to understand and appreciate all about wrestling, including entrances, engagement, gear and other things often overlooked.

After a few years, Cam was ready for more training at the Freelance Wrestling Academy, where she worked with veterans like "The Ego" Robert Anthony and Kylie Rae. Cam got her first wrestling match at a Freelance event. That is also where she picked her ring name. Cam officially became Regan Lydale. Now with a couple years on her resume, Regan is legit. She has won a few titles, wrestled out of state and logged in many matches. 

Earlier this month, Tony and I went to POWW's Rumble in the Harbor to see Regan wrestle Shawna Reed, a young veteran of the ring. Regan won the match, earning a spot in a match later this year which would crown POWW's first women's champ. I'm betting on Regan no matter who she faces.

I have never seen a young wrestler work so hard, achieve so much and have so much fun as Regan. It is a joy to watch and nobody deserves it more than Regan. She is a total sweetheart.

Tony and I proudly wore our "Big Hoss Hippie" shirts to support Regan. This picture means a lot to Tony and me.

Tony, Regan Lydale and me in Winthrop Harbor, IL-May 2025.

Friend Encounters: Regan Lydale and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

This picture is bittersweet. It features two of the best folks I know. Unfortunately, it was taken at an event I was supposed to attend, but was knocked out with the flu.

Tony and I have a similar mindset about wrestling and wrestlers. We have exposed each other to wrestlers we knew and liked separately apart from each other. Nearly every time, the other of us felt almost exactly the same way.

One such example was Regan Lydale. I have known Regan from the RPro days, when she was a fan of Tommy Else and the company. She always wanted to be a wrestler and over the last several years, she worked very hard to make that goal a reality. Now, she is one of the top rising stars on the Chicago area scene. Actually, I shouldn't limit her. She's wrestled in other states. I believe sje actually won a title in a couple other states.

Needless to say, Tony immediately became a fan, citing the same reasons I like her. She's excellent in the ring (especially for being so young). She's hugely popular with fans. She's got a great look and an engaging personality.

I should have been in this picture, but there will be other times. I better hurry though. Regan is bound for bigger things.

Regan Lydale and Tony in Fox Lake, IL-January 2025.

Friend Encounters: Regan Lydale and Mike Pankow

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today features a veteran and a youngin'. That would be Mike Pankow and Regan Lydale, respectively.

Mike is a veteran journalist and the creator of Windy City Slam, a wrestling news site and podcast. Mike has done so much work in wrestling, he is a celebrity in his own right. Everyone knows when Mike is on the scene, it is a big event.

Regan is the youngster, with barely a year on her professional resume, but several years of actual wrestling training. I have known Regan for a long time and have watched her progress, which has been amazing. First trained by my pal Tommy Else, then with the Freelance Academy, Regan has worked hard on her overall skill set and it shows. She is already very popular with the crowd, while ever-improving in the ring. She still has a way to go, only because she is so young, but she is way ahead of most her age.

I encourage everyone to checkout Regan on social media and wrestling events. Also, go to WindyCitySlam.com to see Mike's great coverage.

Mike Pankow and Regan Lydale in Joliet, IL-March 2024.

Congratulations Regan Lydale

I first met Cameron many years ago at Resistance Pro Wrestling. She was a young fan, who loved wrestling. That love never died. In fact, it intensified.

Once she was old enough, she started training to be a wrestler. First, she worked with Tommy Else, then a tag team champ at RPro. When she progressed enough and was old enough, she started training at Freelance Wrestling Academy.

Since then, she morphed into Regan Lydale and has wrestled all over the Chicago area. She works hard, often being at shows to help even when she is not wrestling. I have seen her wrestle many times and she always impresses with her in-ring work and the fan reaction she gets.

In mid-February, Regan won her first title for Honor Among Wrestling in Iowa. I am so happy for her, as is Tommy.

She is talented, but still very young. Her future is bright, if she stays in wrestling. She has the size, look, talent and charisma needed.

It has been a pleasure following her journey. Congratulations to Regan! She truly earned this title and moment.

Regan Lydale and me in Chicago, IL-February 2024.

Friend Encounters: Regan Lydale and Tommy Else

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Today I present two friends who have a wrestling connection. My friend Tommy Else actually introduced me to his friend Regan Lydale, only she wasn't Regan Lydale back then.

Many years ago, Tommy won an audition to become part of Resistance Pro Wrestling. A Personal Trainer by profession, Tommy quickly adapted to his new role as a manager/wrestler, eventually becoming one-half of the tag team champions Body Magic.

At some point, a teenager who had a huge interest in wrestling asked him to train her. Because she was not 18, she couldn't actually wrestle, but Tommy taught her the basics of all aspects of wrestling. She eventually moved on to the Freelance Wrestling Academy to continue her training. It was there when she morphed into Regan Lydale.

I have seen her wrestle several times. I know of her passion. I see her doing the little things on shows even if she isn't wrestling. If she continues on this path (and I believe she will), her future is bright.

Tommy will argue he is the celebrity in this Friend Encounter. I counter that while Tommy at one time was the face of RPro, he has gracefully faded into the background while Regan is the rising star. Maybe that is a better way to put it. Tommy was the bigger star, but Regan is the future star.

For a better idea of both, check out our interview at The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcasr - Ep. 36: Regan Lydale. If you get the chance to see Regan wrestle, do not miss this young wrestler.

Regan Lydale and Tommy Else in Chicago, IL-September 2023.

The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast Ep. 36: Regan Lydale

When I last featured fledgling wrestler Cam Raithel, she had not wrestled an official match. Today, I feature Cam again, but it's not quite the same Cam.

Cam appeared on Episode 4 of The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast. Recently, she made another appearance or should I say Regan Lydale made the appearance. A lot happened between the appearances, most notably Cam developing Regan, her wrestling alter ego and Regan wrestling several matches. Cam/Regan discussed all of it.

Cam and Tommy made me realize something interesting about name changes. I always thought they would want to wrestle under their given name. I didn't even think they might want to develop another personality or an extension of their personality.

Cam talks about the reasons behind her name change and how she came up with the new name. Both are interesting tales., as is the rest fo her story.

I am very excited to be following Cam's journey from the beginning. As Tommy states, she will go as far as she wants in the world of wrestling. She has the look, ability, charisma and attitude to go on to a bright future. 

Check out the video on The Johngy "OR ELSE" YouTube channel or listen to it on Spotify. Check back here as I provide recurring updates on her career.

Regan Lydale and me in Chicago, IL-September 2022.