During a time when wrestling companies are struggling to organise events (unless you’re lucky enough to have a weekly television show ala WWE or AEW), one company has responded with a unique concept. REACH Wrestling is a South West-based wrestling company that recently unveiled its intentions to produce ‘Unit 10’, a series of wrestling events once a week during October. Unlike most companies however, these episodes will appear on their YouTube channel as free events and feature many of their Academy graduates.
REACH Wrestling is the brainchild of co-founders and professional wrestlers Jason King and Grayson Reeves as an attempt to capitalise on the passionate Plymouth fanbase. Their first event in July 2018 was headlined by hometown hero ‘English Lion’ Eddie Ryan taking on British Wrestling’s biggest secret, Charlie Sterling. July 2020 was planned for a two year anniversary special with a main event that had been built up since the inaugural event, but unfortunately had to be cancelled due to lockdown.
Since then, the company has expanded with regular family events every two months at the Plymouth School of Creative Arts, as well as several special events in Tavistock and Bodmin. They also incorporated an over-18s spin-off in a Plymouth Walkabout, affectionately referred to as the Thursday Night REACH series. Whereas the family events feature a PG environment with rare use of swearing, TNR was an opportunity for performers to utilise dirtier promos and even drink together at the bar.
The Championships and Divisions
There are currently three championships on the main roster and a fourth championship on their homegrown Academy roster.
The main title is the REACH Heavyweight Championship, originally won in an eight-man tournament at 365 Days Later (their one year anniversary) by Joel Redman after shockingly defeating fan favourite Eddie Ryan. The current champion is Charlie Sterling, after cashing in a REACH Contract briefcase on his rival Ryan to steal the title. By this time, Sterling had spent over a year desperately trying to earn a rematch against Ryan after his loss at the first event, and the two were primed to face off at the two year anniversary 730 Days Later.
The inaugural and current REACH Women’s Champion is the beloved Millie McKenzie, a rare consistency in a division that has unfortunately suffered multiple issues since its creation. During its short life, both Jamie Hayter and Jordynne Grace had to pull out of their first major women’s match, and Sierra Loxton suffered a horrific injury prior to her possible crowning as the inaugural champion.
Prior to lockdown, the first REACH Tag Team Champions were crowned in ‘Country Big’ Josh Knott and Big Grizzly (a surprise substitute for one of the most underrated heels in British Wrestling, ‘Bronco’ Brendan White). With a division including The Heritage City Hitmen, The Brothers Awe, Experiment In Terror, Pretty Deadly and others, the possibilities are endless for the championship.
The REACH Academy
After the success of their first few shows in 2018, co-owners Jason King and Grayson Reeves opened the only Plymouth-based wrestling academy. In just two years, REACH Academy have been rewarded with two of their own sold-out events, ala NXT, and even crowned their very own REACH Academy Champion in Joey Seven. Graduates from the Academy include the sledgehammer-wielding Jacob Kitto, and Vinnie Clay’s Monsters of Men tag team The Redwood and The Silverback, but the women’s division might have the most potential.
Facing off at the first ever REACH Academy show, The Rise, graduates L.A. Taylor (Rhea Ripley-esque bully) and Aurora (scrappy underdog) stole the show in their debuts and began a trilogy of matches that cemented them on the main roster. With the standard of graduates having already appeared, REACH’s intentions are to seemingly create a self-sufficient promotion that focuses on homegrown and untapped favourites of British Wrestling. Because of that, October’s ‘Unit 10’ series will seemingly focus on the Academy graduates in matches based at their training facility. During a time when live independent wrestling events are short on supply, it’s an opportunity not only for fans to enjoy some free wrestling, but a possibility for REACH Wrestling to expand their fanbase.
REACH Wrestling Match Recommendations
REACH Wrestling have all their shows available on Video-On-Demand subscription for just £3.99, and I’ve personally enjoyed every show I’ve attended for the tremendous atmosphere, excellent matches and intriguing stories.
However, if you are unable to subscribe, then some matches uploaded for free on REACH Wrestling’s official YouTube page that I’d recommend are the following:
REACH Wrestling The Beginning: Dick Riley vs. Grayson Reeves
The third match in their history featured co-owner Grayson Reeves taking on the fan favourite ‘Dirty’ Dick Riley. Any attempt from Reeves to play heel was quickly dispelled as both men were cheered on in a tremendous back-and-forth battle that left the crowd wanting more before going to interval.
REACH Wrestling Act 3: Team REACH (Jason King & Grayson Reeves) vs. PJ Jones and Marcus Baine
The main event of their third show, the hated PJ Jones had gained enemies in the co-owners after his arrogant attacks and cheating against them. In an example of the engrossing storytelling, Team REACH had the entire crowd behind them in an enjoyable brawl that was fun and cathartic.
REACH Wrestling 365 Days Later: Within REACH Ladder Match
To commemorate their one year anniversary and the strong depth in their roster, REACH had six of their best stars in ‘Bronco’ Brendan White, Lance Cole, Beano, Charlie Sterling, ‘Country Big’ Josh Knott and Lucian Phillips battling in their own version of Money In The Bank. Mixing in Sterling’s losing streak and his obsession with Eddie Ryan, White and Knott’s partnership, Phillips’ hatred of Cole for costing him a match earlier in the year, and Beano’s underdog spirit, it’s the sort of car crash madness that puts over all six competitors and sets up the next year of opportunities.
At a time when they could have given up, they’ve decided to put on four free episodes. The world outside may feel full of madness and a struggle, but wrestling continues to survive and offer an escape for those who need it.
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