Mitch Ryder wins Atomic Pro Wrestling’s World Championship title

Despite having his ribs busted by a cowardly ambush in the hours before the title fight, Toowoomba’s homegrown champion Mitch Ryder has won the Atomic Pro Wrestling belt. Read how he did it here.

Toowoomba pro wrestling prodigy Mitch Ryder has taken home the inaugural Atomic Pro Wrestling World Championship title, thrilling crowds when he came from behind for the win.

The international wrestling superstar had won the right to fight for the title after he bested 20 opponents in the APW Royal Rumble in December 2022.

As the contestants were announced ahead of the title fight on Saturday, Ryder was attacked from behind by his opponent, Rip Rielly, who busted his ribs and dragged the wounded warrior to a nearby table before body slamming him.

Rip Rielly and Mitch Ryder came toe to toe in the first Atomic Pro Wrestling World Championship title fight at the weekend. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Despite the brutal injury inflicted in what can only be described as a cowardly ambush, Ryder returned to the ring about an hour later, limping but hungry for revenge.

After a gruelling 15 minute slugfest, Ryder was crowned the winner to rapturous applause from his legion of fans who turned out to support him.

APW founder Haydn McMurtrie said the win showed the calibre of wrestler Ryder was.

“Mitch has wrestled all over the world, but for him to win the APW championship, in his hometown, in front of his family, means the world to him,” he said.

“Ryder has got the athleticism, and he is good with the crowd.”

Mitch Ryder won the Atomic Pro Wrestling World Championship belt. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The championship fight night featured seven bouts, including a two-on-one handicap and a tag-team match up.

The next Atomic Pro Wrestling night, titled Locked and Loaded, will be held at Clifford Park on March 4.