Lyanna Smythe.
Pronunciation:
"Lee · Ann · A "
S · my ·th (rhymes with writhe)
Growing up as your typical wrestling fan in a small town of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Lyanna Smythe was just like many others; obsessed with wrestling and dreaming of main-eventing WrestleMania. You've heard that story many times, haven't you? A competitive cheerleader through high-school she really thought it would come easy to her. At seventeen, Lyanna went to wrestling school. A week later she dropped out. While she loved that world, the actual wrestling was not for her. Still, it fascinated her. So many companies, so many different opinions, so many people all in love with the same sport; yet everything speaking about it seemed the same. Older, ex-wrestlers dominated the podcast scene and often time their views seemed so antiquated. Taking inspiration from fellow Canadian and self-made interviewer, Alicia Atout, Lyanna decided to go for it. All she wanted was to hear someone share her perspective, for the younger and new generation of fan. If you want something done, you gotta do it yourself. So she did it herself. Enter the creation of her podcast/youtube show: Lock-Up with Lyanna: For the casual Wrestling fans.
It might seem crazy, she was no wrestler, had no backstage experience; hell she wasn't even a super-fan with an encyclopedic knowledge, but that was the point. A show for casuals, to just talk and get more immersed in the world of wrestling. It was also a chance for the more experienced fan to come in and share what they love, give recommendations and share their favourite matches. A community-driven idea, the goal was to make a community where everyone could share their thoughts, with no ridicule. Everyone is a different type of fan, her show aims to cater to those who just want to talk wrestling.
Of course, she also wanted to secure some interviews and high-profiles guests. You can often find Lyanna at shows, mingling and soaking in the action for herself. She hopes to befriend wrestlers and get backstage, just to enjoy the atmosphere that only pro-wrestling can bring. There are so many wrestling fans, all over the world, maybe a celebrity guest or two could come on and share their love of the sport. It's a big world, and there are plenty of voices in it already, its a very tall task to get noticed, but Lyanna Smythe is full of one thing; ambition.
Podcasting Career 2020-2023:
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Lyanna started a monthly podcast to pass time and keep herself busy while finishing her degree in journalism. After about a year, the podcast took off and gained some traction in North America. Notable guests include wrestlers such as Candice LeRae, Cora Jade, Finn Balor, and Cameron Grimes. She also featured presenters such as Jackie Redmond and Kayla Braxton. When lockdown finished, Lyanna was even invited backstage to shows like Smackdown, on occasionally given a press pass. In the early winter of 2023, Lyanna put her podcast on Hiatus. Her desire to travel and fatigue with script writing meant she no longer found the same enjoyment. Wanting to explore more of the outside world, her podcast concluded.
Road trip and self-discovery 2023 - 2024:
Always one full of wanderlust, but never able to act on it, Lyanna's life took an interesting turn early in 2023. A few days later, Lyanna made the bold decision to abandon everything she knew, her safe comforts of home, and go on a massive road trip with the woman she had just met. What followed was a year-long trip from state to state, a journey of self-discovery, acceptance and awareness. The young Canadian finally began to open up and allow her adventurous side to be seen. The year was full of activities and decisions that would have surprised her. She became much more confident, ambitious, and willing to get what she wanted.
2025: Wrestling Burnout.
After a break from podcasting, Lyanna realized she no longer carried the same passion for Wrestling. As a fan, sure, she still enjoyed it, but as for trying to work in the industry? No, it wasn't for her. Fans had criticized her, been mean, stalkerish, and accused her of too many random, tribalistic things. It was time to move on. With no other job to lean back on, it was time for a new chapter. It started with a steady drop-off. Lyanna simply stopped uploading to her professional page. After about six months of downtime, she slowly began to reintroduce herself back into the public eye.
2026 - Present: Modelling and Advertisement Era.
Local journalism was not going so well. A few news stories for local stations, keeping a low profile, and writing a few articles, Lyanna was bored. Then came an offer that inspired her. A local hockey equipment brand offered Lyanna a contract to model their gear for a few photoshoots. She agreed, and the shoot went viral across Ontario. More offers followed, mostly sports brands, but a few beauty companies as well. It was freeing, it paid well, and most importantly, it was fun. Then came the biggest offer, Adidas. A campagin modeling sports wear for such a major brand exploded her popularity, bringing Lyanna back into the public eye. Hiring an agent, Lyanna committed to being a full-time model. Suddenly, she was in TV commercials, advertisement pages on social media, magazines, and the very occasional music video. Lyanna was now attending sports events as an advertiser, most notably the 2026 World Cup Finals. As her popularity continues to grow, Lyanna feels fulfilled after a year of downtime.