Pro wrestling has always lived somewhere between sport, theatre, and obsession. In this Live Via Satellite episode of The Commentary Booth, Jamie Apps sits down with writer and filmmaker Taleena Lee to explore that space, and the deeply personal journey behind her wrestling-themed anthology series, Australian Wrestling Story.

What begins as a conversation about discovering wrestling in the most unexpected way slowly opens into something more intimate. Taleena traces her path from teenage fandom, through film school during COVID, to writing a six-part horror-infused TV series designed by a wrestling fan, for wrestling fans. Along the way, she speaks candidly about grief, creativity, and the strange comfort wrestling can offer when life gets heavy.

Highlights Breakdown:

How Taleena discovered wrestling through a storyline she initially hated

The personal loss that shaped her connection to wrestling and storytelling

Turning a film-school idea into a horror-infused wrestling anthology

Why Australian Wrestling Story is being built for fans first

Paying tribute to the Australian wrestling scene and its performers

The challenges of creating independently, from writing to social media

Drawing inspiration from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, American Horror Story, Yellowjackets, and the Australian independent wrestling scene, Australian Wrestling Story blends split timelines, psychological horror, and wrestling mythology into something that feels familiar but also unsettling in the best way. Taleena describes the show as “Dark Side of the Ring meets American Horror Story”, and once you hear her unpack it, that comparison sticks.

Jamie and Taleena also dig into the realities of independent creation, wearing too many creative hats, building a grassroots audience online, and why paying respect to the Australian wrestling community sits at the heart of the project.

It’s a thoughtful, occasionally funny, sometimes emotional conversation about storytelling, fandom, and why wrestling continues to resonate far beyond the ring.

FOLLOW TALEENA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

- Instagram

- TikTok

This week’s episode is brought to you by

Australian Wrestling Cards

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