A new professional wrestling promotion is bringing body slams, tacos and ice cream to downtown Olympia.

Ascension Pro Wrestling will hold its debut show, "Rise Up," on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE. The two-hour event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is billed as family-friendly, rated PG-12.

Troy Kirby, who owns the promotion, told the Nisqually Valley News on July 31 that he launched Ascension to fill a gap in Thurston County after working with Oblivion Pro Wrestling's shows at Lacey's Beat Drop Kitchen and Event Center. Oblivion is set to leave Washington state at the end of 2026, according to Kirby.

"I kept hearing from a lot of wrestlers that they didn't like it when someone started a wrestling promotion because half the time, they wore their own belt," Kirby said. "I want it to be where there's a little bit of mystery in the storyline."

Kirby isn't new to local entertainment. He previously owned the Lacey Pocket Gophers, a semi-pro soccer team that ran from 2017 to 2021 and drew an average of 350 fans per game with extras like e-gaming trailers, concessions and t-shirt shooters.

What to expect

The roster includes wrestlers from the Olympia area and some who have competed at Grit City Wrestling in Tacoma. Every match will be filmed in 4K and uploaded to Ascension's YouTube channel after the show. Kirby said he plans to emphasize production values including lighting and projection effects.

The promotion also holds a theatrical wrestling school license, which Kirby said will allow him to bring in outside trainers and offer opportunities for aspiring wrestlers to sign up and train.

Tickets and food

Three ticket tiers are available through the promotion's ticketing page:

  • VIP: All-you-can-eat taco bar, Well 80 beer, early entry 30 minutes before doors to meet wrestlers, and premium front-row seating.
  • North/South Section: All-you-can-eat ice cream scooped fresh, full concessions access.
  • General Admission: All-you-can-eat ice cream and open seating.

Prices are listed on the ticketing page. T-shirts, including a kids' "Future Champion" shirt, will be available for $20 each at the door.

More shows ahead

This isn't a one-off. Ascension Pro Wrestling has two additional shows already on the calendar at the Olympia Ballroom: Saturday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 28, both from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Olympia Ballroom, established in 1920 and renovated in 2021, holds up to 300 people for general-capacity events.