“Listen up; there’s a storm coming like nothing you’ve ever seen, and not a one of you is prepared for it.”
The following quote is by Michael Shannon’s character in the vastly underrated Take Shelter, but it feels massively appropriate for REACH Wrestling, who have captured the imagination of the South West, and specifically, Plymouth, Devon. They have currently promoted three tremendous events, The Beginning, The Second Coming and ACT 3, all three of which have sold out to tremendous acclaim. But even with that, the fans were majorly surprised when on October 21st REACH Wrestling made a huge announcement: not just one, not just two, but FIVE upcoming events, throughout 2019. With a year’s worth of events to look forward to, as well as an ongoing story over several of the events, I decided to do a mini-preview for the upcoming year ahead, to suggest if you haven’t gone to a REACH event yet, then why not? I’ll also add a couple of predictions for upcoming storylines as well.
During a seemingly innocuous interview with #TeamRB member Taylor, Jason King subtly dropped a hint for an over-18’s show, one that was almost missed entirely, and now we have a huge upcoming event. Team Reach will follow up their excellent main event against Winners And Sinners with another tag team match against The Magnums (‘Dirty’ Dick Riley and ‘Filthy’ Chris Walker), one which could prove an excellent main event. There is also the first ever women’s match in REACH history, which originally was going to feature Jamie Hayter, but who unfortunately had to drop out. In order to make up for it, Reach announced a huge match featuring two huge talents: Impact Wrestling’s Jordynne Grace will take on Dragon Pro Wrestling’s Sierra Loxton. Two huge matches already announced for an event that is officially uncharted territory for REACH Wrestling. Oh, and also, there’s a pretty famous British talent involved, someone I personally saw perform live nearly twenty years, who has participated in several major American promotions such as Ring Of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling and Impact Wrestling…’The Phoenix’ Jody Fleisch.
Here is where it all begins. With four matches dedicated to the tournament, the other two matches will most be multi-person matches to allow more people on, such as a tag team match or even a triple threat (I can hope). My theory for these four matches, are the following:
Eddie Ryan will face ‘Bronco’ Brendan White. White has quietly been displaying himself as one of the most consistent elements of REACH, some excellent heel work combined with in-ring ability, and he will offer a tremendous opponent for main eventer Ryan. This will also be an opportunity for White to prove his ability against a main eventer, and Ryan’s victory could be hard earned against all the odds such as Knott or even Sterling getting involved.
‘Dirty’ Dick Riley will face ‘Country Big’ Josh Knott in connection with their recent Tag Team match at ACT 3. Knott has successfully defeated Beano in singles action, whilst Riley has defeated Grayson Reeves and Brendan White in successive events. Riley is on a very successful winning streak, having been the only wrestler to win at every event so far, so it’ll make sense for him to go over again.
Charlie Sterling has been wanting a rematch with Eddie Ryan for months, and this tournament will give him an opportunity. I believe he will challenge Grayson Reeves, building on their interaction in the lead-up to ACT 3. Sterling could quite probably challenge Grayson with the agreement that if Sterling wins, and Ryan wins, then Sterling will finally get his long awaited rematch.
Left over is Joel Redman, who looked fantastic in his debut for ACT 3, and a new entrant, Roy Knight, formerly The Zebra Kid who participated in Frontier Wrestling Alliance. Knight is of the British professional family lead by Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya and a twenty-year veteran in the business. Knight was a big announcement for REACH, but it’ll be an interesting development to see him against one of the best wrestlers on the British scene.
This event will feature two huge singles matches, to determine the finalists for Anniversary Of REACH, with one the main event, and the other just before the interval. I believe Charlie Sterling will finally get his long awaited rematch against Eddie Ryan, quite possibly with a stipulation attached, such as a Last Man Standing match or even an I Quit match, to truly end their feud. This will serve as the main event, whilst the interval will feature Joel Redman taking on the very popular ‘Dirty’ Dick Riley, who is the only individual as of ACT 3 to be undefeated. With Riley have been so successful so far, it would require a huge match for his winning streak to end, and Redman will suit this as he already has heat for being from Exeter, so lean into it and have him end a popular individual’s winning streak. Afterwards, you may even have Riley attacked by a heel tag team, only to be saved by his partner ‘Filthy’ Chris Walker in preparation for the upcoming Tag Team Division.
Anniversary of REACH: One Year. One Champion
One year in the making, and close to one year of me writing for Rasslin Blogs (shameless plug), so this feels like a massively important event all round. This will be the biggest event in REACH Wrestling history, with most likely a half hour time limit for the first Champion, quite possibly featuring Eddie Ryan (the first ever main eventer in REACH history) against the biggest star in UK wrestling, Joel Redman, a rematch from ACT 3. The main difference will be, unlike before, there HAS to be a winner. I can even imagine a huge promo beforehand on the ReachTron, featuring clips from ACT 3, Reach 4 and Reach 5, and even some interviews from both men, to give the sense of history. Most likely, there will be a match for Number One Contendership, either in a battle royal or big singles match, a few tag team matches for feud enders and a women’s match, is my theory. For their Anniversary, REACH will most likely want to go big, make it feel like a true event, so for the first time, we might even extend into seven or even eight matches?
The first event following the successful crowning of the first ever REACH Champion. There’s a possibility that at the previous event, there would be a Number One Contender’s match or battle royal, which allow some tremendous build-up for the Champion’s first ever title defence. There will most likely be at least one tag team match, one women’s match, and two singles matches dedicated to setting up possible challengers for the Champion.
Yes, REACH has an event for one year’s time. By now, there will not only be a REACH Champion defending his Championship once again, but quite possibly a Tag Team Championship maybe, in time for the one year anniversary of REACH’s first ever tag team match. There have been several Tag Teams so far that have appeared in REACH, Heritage City Hitmen from The Beginning, ’Country Big’ Josh Knott and ‘Bronco’ Brendan White since The Second Coming, Team Reach (Jason King and Grayson Reeves) as of ACT 3, and The Magnums (‘Dirty’ Dick Riley and ‘Filthy’ Chris Walker) introduced as of Thursday Night Reach. This also doesn’t consider REACH recently being contacted by The Brothers Awe, but REACH Wrestling’s decision to put off having their first tag team match until ACT 3 for the culmination of two massive feuds has made a Tag Team Division feel special, and I would love to see all five teams involved in such a division. By now, there is most likely also a developing Women’s Division, building on their debut at Thursday Night Reach, with the possibly of a Women’s Champion being crowned in time for February, in recognition of the anniversary of their first appearance in REACH Wrestling.
REACH Wrestling have taken a huge chance by revealing their plans for the next year, and it could crash and burn. Have they taken too big a change? Have they overreached their aim? Or are they growing something special, developing a momentum, creating a following? I believe the latter, but there’s a curiosity in what can occur from now until this time next year, as a year is equivalent to a decade in wrestling. This time next year, REACH Wrestling could be planning for events around Devon, the South West, or who knows, maybe even up country. I’ll get into more depth before each upcoming event, but this is the notice, the call to arms, the realisation that REACH Wrestling has proved itself with three tremendous events, each improving on the last, and they have confidence in themselves and their fans. Read the reviews, hear the acclaim, buy the tickets, and immerse yourself into the world of REACH.
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