Local independent pro wrestler makes main event debut as part of IPW’s first show in Tenino

Wil Speight, better known as SP8 inside the squared circle, had the opportunity of a lifetime to wrestle in the main event of “Clash in Tenino,” an Inclusion Pro Wrestling (IPW) show that was held in his hometown at the start of the month.

He began his professional wrestling journey in 2006 when he began training. He officially made his debut in March 2018. Over seven years after his pro wrestling debut, SP8 was able to headline his first show when Inclusion Pro Wrestling (IPW) made its debut on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Stone City Event Center in Tenino. He teamed with “The Juice Box Kid” Kendall Marie and defeated the tag team known as “The Midnight Sonz.”

The big win for SP8 and “The Juice Box Kid” marked a big moment in the career of the Tenino-native, and the tag team itself. It was the first time either of the two teammates had the opportunity to close out a show. SP8 described the win as exciting and nerve wracking.
“I guess that is the best way you can explain it. I had a lot on my mind to make sure that the show … ran smoothly since it was my hometown. I absolutely felt under pressure, but not in a bad way. We had to tell a story,” SP8 told the Nisqually Valley News after the show.

He said that being able to tag with one of his longtime friends, “The Juice Box Kid,” was the highlight of the night for him. SP8 added the duo “go way back” and originally worked the ring crew for another local professional wrestling promotion, DEFY.

“If it wasn’t for DEFY, we wouldn’t have met each other. If it wasn’t for DEFY, I wouldn’t have gone back into professional wrestling again,” SP8 said. “Even though I wasn’t able to wrestle there, I was able to learn from a great wide variety of things in this industry because of them.”

In the aftermath of his debut on the main event scene, SP8 said he’s hopeful to continue representing the IPW brand and continue pushing forward despite the negativity and politics involved in professional wrestling.

“The drama that belongs outside the venue and not in. My goal is to create a safe space for the hard working people that haven’t felt safe and those that got away from the negativity and needed a safe place to train. That’s originally why I bought the ring in the first place,” he said. “My goal is to create an environment where everyone can work together as a team, as one, like the name represents. And to make sure they bring in the right people. This is all about inclusiveness. We all need to work together.”

Additionally, SP8 said he’d like to start traveling more to expand his wrestling education and create more opportunities in the wrestling industry. He believes that’s the best way he can learn and grow as a professional wrestler.

“My goal is to be champion before I hang up the boots,” SP8 said. “It’s also a goal of mine to prove to people that you can do something even when people say you cannot do it. No matter what your limitations may be.”

SP8 recently knocked off one of the dream matches from his list — and it even occurred in an IPW ring. He was able to share the ring with “The Ideal Reflection” Christopher Ryseck, a match he’d wanted for a while. The local wrestler also hopes to someday compete against the likes of Randy Myers, Frankie Flawless, Ethan HD and televised pro wrestling stars like Bobby Fish, All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) Brody King and World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) Drew McIntyre.