A former WWE wrestler has praised Swindon after spending time in the town ahead of performing. 

The Brian Kendrick is a former cruiserweight, (interim) WWE champion and WWE Tag Team champion but he has recently spent a few weeks in town as he prepares for a match at Brit King Pro's big wrestling event at The Deanery School. 

And reacting to his stay in Swindon, The Brian Kendrick was full of praise for the area.

“I have spent a few weeks in Swindon and I have gotten to see a bit and learn about its history," he told the Adver.

"Swindon is a town that deserves more reverence.  I am proud to wrestle in Swindon. I am proud to wrestle for Brit King Pro, a Swindon-based wrestling promotion with lots of great home-grown Swindon talent."

"I hope to make Brit King Pro proud to bring me. 

The television superstar will be headlining the local Swindon wrestling promotion's  'supershow' Kingdom Rising 2024 where he will be facing Japanese wrestler Kota Minoura, here on partnership with overseas promotion Dragon Gate.

"Kota Minoura is a world-class wrestler who I am excited to compete against," he said, "I will be equally excited to wrestle any member of the Brit King Pro roster if the opportunity presents itself."

Tickets for the show taking place on Saturday, May 11, are still available with doors opening at 6pm. 

Also on the show, Swindon’s own ‘Silverback’ Saime Sahin will take on Tiger Ali in 'a huge match' to determine the number one contender for the British Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship

Kingdom Rising 2024 will also see the return of ‘The English Lion’ Eddie Ryan who lived and trained to become a professional wrestler in Swindon before going on to compete across the world.

Ryan, who is known by many for his reign as 5 Star Real Wrestling Champion, and his time in WWE NXT UK, will face off against the truly bizarre ‘Spectacular Trickster’ Charles Crowley.

Angelo Mochizuki Jr (also of Dragon Gate) will defend The British Kingdom Pro Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Championship in a six-way elimination match. His challengers will be: Chris Ridgeway, ‘The Ice King’ Jakk Sellström, highflying Nico Angelo, Lee Hunter and Mega Pegasus.