Kiwi pro wrestler Travis Banks accused of manipulation following 'vile' relationship

Kiwi pro wrestler Travis Banks is facing allegations of manipulation and creating an unsafe working environment during a sexual relationship with a teenager.

The claims have been made by fellow pro wrestler Millie McKenzie who revealed the English based Kiwi wrestler was in a secret relationship with her when she was just 17. McKenzie alleges Banks manipulated his position of power when he was her trainer.

Banks, who grew up in Bulls, near Palmerston North, has admitted the "consensual relationship" when he was 30 and McKenzie (now 20), who is based in Coventry, was 17.

Banks, 33, who goes by the stage name of "The Kiwi Buzzsaw", also confirmed the relationship was when McKenzie was a trainee of his, in a statement posted to social media.

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The pro wrestling industry has been rocked by serious claims of alleged sexual harassment and sexual abuse as some female competitors have revealed allegations as part of the #SpeakingOut movement.

Banks has not been accused of any type of sexual abuse.

But McKenzie wrote on social media that the relationship had: "A massive effect on my mental health and self confidence.

"Regardless if the relationship was good or bad, which it was honestly vile. He was my trainer and abused his position of power.

"This man destroyed the last years of my childhood and my confidence and love for wrestling has gone."

She said she was speaking out because she did not want anyone else to go through what she alleges she had.

British professional wrestling promotion, Progress Wrestling, has acted swiftly, cutting Banks from its roster over the allegations.

In a statement advising of talent suspensions and departures in relation to the #SpeakingOut allegations, four male wrestlers have been let go with two more suspended indefinitely.

Banks, a former world champion with Progress, is currently signed to the WWE NXT UK promotion.

Banks issued a statement on social media, apologising for "any pain caused by the relationship".

"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 apologised 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," Banks' statement read.

That statement prompted McKenzie to post another series of tweets.

"How dare you Travis. I never had anything to apologise for."

On the same day as the Banks allegations, McKenzie also made similar claims against pro wrestler Killian Jacobs - who goes by the name of Jake Gittens - and is the promoter of Ironfist Wrestling.

Banks told Stuff last year that alongside his own career he also runs a wrestling school in Wolverhampton.

Banks returned to New Zealand in 2019 to compete at the SPW Southern Rumble on at Invercargill's ILT Stadium.