UK Ring Announcer Bags Historic IMPACT Wrestling Gig
Simon Cassidy becomes first Scottish ring announcer to work for a major US promotion.
Ring announcer Simon Cassidy will be familiar to fans of hardcore independent promotion ICW, but now he'll become the first Scottish announcer to work for a major US company when IMPACT kicks off its 'UK Invasion' tour in Glasgow on 26 October.
Speaking exclusively to WhatCulture, Cassidy said he's "absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful" to be handpicked as the perfect host to launch IMPACT's return to these shores. Simon has been ring announcing for nearly 12 years, and has long been heralded as the best emcee in the UK - fans worldwide even got to enjoy Cassidy's energy and unique style when ICW content was broadcast on WWE Network/Peacock.
"To be given the opportunity to be the first Scottish announcer to work for a major American promotion in my home country is unbelievable, and I absolutely cannot wait to see some of the best in the world tear it up in Glasgow".
It's been one hell of a journey for the one-time podcast host. Simon explained all when discussing how far he's come since those early days trying to break into the industry:
"Little known fact: My first ever “professional” gig in wrestling was actually interviewing Jeff Jarrett more than 11 years ago as a journalist doing media for the IMPACT UK tour. To go from being a student (sitting with a portable recorder in the foyer of the Hilton!) stumbling my way through questions, to being master of ceremonies for the kick off on their return to the UK still seems surreal to me. It’s been a long, wild and weird road to get here, but just goes to show that you never know where life will take you!".
Insane Championship Wrestling has hosted some of its bigger events at Glasgow's O2 Academy before, so Cassidy will be in familiar surroundings. He's also expecting to spot a few locals around ringside who regularly see him work on indy shows all around the country.
"I may be biased, but I firmly believe Glasgow is the absolute best wrestling city in the UK. It was the birthplace of the boom that saw the UK wrestling scene become the envy of the world, and has the wildest fans you will encounter anywhere on planet earth. I can’t wait to see and feel the energy they bring to the O2 Academy on the 26th, and hopefully I'll see some familiar faces in the crowd".
Limited tickets are still available for IMPACT's three-day UK Invasion tour. Please CLICK HERE for more information. Follow Simon on Twitter/X and on Instagram at @Simon_Cassidy1!