CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Local wrestler Austin Fouts, who has found success traveling the Midwest participating in wrestling shows, has recently co-founded his own promotion company — RUGGEDpro Wrestling. The inaugural event “New Year, Who Dis? is slated for Jan. 26

Local wrestler Austin Fouts, who has found success traveling the Midwest participating in wrestling shows, has recently co-founded his own promotion company — RUGGEDpro Wrestling.

Since 2015, he has been wrestling for Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW), but decided he also wanted to branch out and form his own business, alongside Tyler Jones and Chris Manning.

Fouts said the goal of his new company is to bring a “new, fresh feel” to the world of professional wrestling.

“I want to bring family-friendly wrestling entertainment to town at an affordable price, with the town in mind — trying to bring positive stuff to make Marshalltown thrive as a whole,” he said. “Some other shows out there are too edgy for the younger audiences or it’s too much for kids, so everyone can go and have fun at these.”

His roster of wrestlers, which include males and females, will appear in the inaugural RUGGEDpro Wrestling event “New Year, Who Dis? Presented by Golden Koi Tattoo and Body Piercing” on Jan. 26 at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and a start time at 7 p.m. General admission is $15.

“So far, we’re working on building strong relationships with other businesses in the community,” Fouts said of his various sponsors. “By the end of 2019, we will be a full, legally-licensed LLC; right now it’s a sole proprietorship, based off my (work).”

Fouts and Jones will also be participants at this first event, doing a Marshalltown Street Fight Tag Team Match.

“They are hard-hitting, fast-paced wrestling matches. My goal is not only to put on the best wrestling shows, but be the best promotion for wrestlers to work for,” he said. “We’re trying to help them develop their talent and hone their craft so they can be the best wrestlers they can.”

Fouts said for the next three years, he plans on having the company focus on Iowa-based events in Marshalltown and other cities, with the eventual goal of touring outside of Iowa.

To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/RuggedProWrestling

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at

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