Travis Banks has continued wrestling after being outed by Millie McKenzie in the Speaking Out Movement.
The New Zealand-born star became a big name on the British indie scene. He was an innovative wrestler who wrestled for all the major UK companies, most notably for Progress Wrestling.
His performances earned him a contract with the WWE in 2017. Travis Banks was a key part of NXT UK, even wrestling Noam Dar at NXT UK: Takeover Cardiff.
However, his career as a star in the UK came crashing down on one notable day in 2020.
Travis Banks Was Accused By Millie McKenzie During Speaking Out
Travis Banks was just one of the many names who had their careers ended by the Speaking Out movement. On June 20th, British wrestling favourite Millie McKenzie revealed a series of texts, showcasing Banks’ abusive actions during their secret one-year-long relationship.
Banks and McKenzie got together when she was just 17, and training under him. He cheated on her repeatedly, and would have been 30-years-old when the relationship began.
There was a clear imbalance of power, given the age gap and the fact he was her trainer. He also used abusive language, calling her vile names and proclaiming, “nobody will ever love you like I do”. This was despite his actions and words being completely to the contrary, allegedly.
“Finding a hotel I’m staying in, finding my room number and knocking on my door for hours, continuously messing me when I ask you to leave is NOT OKAY.” Millie McKenzie Tweeted, before adding screenshots of their text conversations.
She then linked a screenshot of the UK Government website, specifically showing the Sexual Offence Act of 2003. As he was in a position of trust over Millie McKenzie while she was under the 18, their relationship and his behaviour do constitute a crime, if what she is saying is to be believed.
Travis Banks Saw Things Very Differently
After the accusations had been made, Travis Banks released a statement about Millie McKenzie’s accusations. He admitted she was a trainer of hers, and that their relationship formed naturally as their friendship blossomed.
He claimed that the relationship simply broke down, and apologised for his actions. However, he did no address anything specifically that she claimed, nor denied anything that was said.
“Millie was a trainee of mine at Fight Club: Pro. She was also a close personal friend. We would be at shows together, attend the same social events, travel together and hang out at the wrestlers house where I was living. It was through this friendship a consensual relationship was formed.”
“The relationship broke down between both parties and it ended. After it ended we agreed to talk it out. We apologized to each other for any individual actions behind the relationship breakdown. After seeing these comments, I can only repeat my apology. I am truly sorry for any pain caused by the relationship.”
Progress & WWE Fired Travis Banks After His Abuse Came To Light
Soon after Millie McKenzie’s Tweets were released, the Kiwi wrestler found himself out of his job as a pro wrestler.
WWE released Travis Banks, as well as British wrestler El Ligero, on June 26th, 2020. This was just over a week after the allegations came to light.
His termination signalled the end of Banks’ chance to become a wrestling superstar, despite impressing in his NXT UK tenure.
He even lost his job with Progress wrestling. Along with other wrestlers, including JD McDonagh (Jordan Devlin, at the time), El Ligero and David Starr, Travis Banks was fired from Progress wrestling, just one day after the allegations came to light.
Travis Banks Wrestled In Mexico Under A Mask And With A New Name
Despite his reputation being in tatters, Travis Banks managed to continue his wrestling career in Mexico. He was booked to wrestle for Bandido’s “Big Lucha” promotion in 2021.
Travis Banks wrestled in a battle royal at the Big Lucha Mexicanos Al Grito De Guerra show in September 2021. Despite the Backlash, and Bandido apologising for booking him, this wouldn’t be Banks’ last appearance in Mexico.
A wrestler called Galáctico appeared at their show a month later, and he looked very familiar.
Fans figured out that Galáctico was actually Travis Banks because of his stupidity. Despite trying to hide his identity, the Kiwi wrestler wore a set of boots he previously wore in the WWE. He wore the same boots and kneepad combination in multiple matches, including one against El Liger in NXT UK.
Despite Bandido now deciding not to book him, Travis Banks continues to wrestle in Mexico. They apparantently have a much more relaxed attitude to what he was accused of, especially given Alberto Del Rio wrestles regularly to this day.
