Writer’s Note: This is an Over-18’s event, and due to that, there will be some language used that will not be censored (mainly as I don’t want the page covered in snowflakes). So please be warned, just like an Over-18’s event, there will be rude language featured.
In the days preceding Thursday Night Reach, you could feel the anticipation, you could hear the excitement in the voices, and you could tell you were in preparation of something special. The Facebook groups dedicated to Reach Wrestling were counting down the days, there were Previews, polls, Jason King and Grayson Reeves were sharing their enthusiasm in the lead-up, there were even groups organising meeting up in the bars nearby, reminiscent of groups meeting up before Rugby or Football matches. I myself had joined five others for a booth at Walkabout, two I knew previously and the other three I was getting to know, becoming friends with. When you entered Walkabout, usually recognised as bar/club environment, what quickly impressed was how obvious it seemed Reach Wrestling had taken over. The big screen normally utilised for Premiership or International football matches now was used for the ReachTron, and in front of it was the wrestling ring, looking pristine and atmospheric. On the left of the ring was the Announce Table and also an elevated level where the Booths were organised and I would be sat, whilst in front of the ring was a steel railing used to block the audience off, reminiscent of the ECW faithful. There was an active audience who were already preparing for drinks, whilst near the entrance were several wrestlers with merchandise, saying hello to the fans, including big stars such as Candy Floss and Sierra Loxton. This event felt less like a normal wrestling show, and more akin to a celebratory party, many people seemed to instantly know each other and mixed in amongst one another, people rejoicing in meeting after talking mostly through the Facebook groups.
One of the elements that adds to Reach Wrestling shows is the familiarity of the people involved, it’s seeing Jason King walking amongst the crowd shaking hands and welcoming them, it’s Grayson Reeves interacting with fans online and inviting new people alike, or seeing MC Joseph Obrey enter the ring to a fun ovation as he gees the crowd up and gets them chanting “Joe, Joe, Joe”, like a much less intimidating Samoa. It’s bumping into ‘Mad Dog’ Vinnie Clay as he takes a break amongst the crowd, it’s chatting with ‘The Eye’ Dave Rawles before the event kicks off as he admits he’s been feeling the hype and anticipation himself, it’s seeing ‘The Voice’ Carl Andrews get comfortable at the announce table as he converses with fans and King. It’s playfully booing the introduction of young referee Cameron as he makes his way towards the ring (whereas at ACT 3, he only refereed one match, here he refereed at least three and slotted in seamlessly in with the rest of the crew), it’s the appreciated return of Senior Referee Callum Miller as we prepare for the second half. It’s all these recognisable elements that combine to create an atmosphere unparalleled at any live event I have ever participated in, the audience are psyched beyond anticipation, the noise is loud and resonating, as if the hype has enveloped the Reach Army. Reach Wrestling kicked off with another excellent count down featuring clips from ACT 3, including the time limit draw between Eddie Ryan and Joel Redman, Man Like Beano’s tremendous victory over ‘Country Big’ Josh Knott and ‘Bronco’ Brendan White, Joseph Miller’s attack upon Blake Harrison and the excellent main event between Team Reach and Marcus Bain & ‘The Winner’ PJ Jones. And it is here that I must make an unfortunate confession: I got so drawn into the entire event that my notes on the matches are quite minimal in comparison to my usual detail, I legitimately put my notes to the side as I was too enthralled in the matches, so I apologise for the relative basic nature of this review. There is another review as written by my fellow colleague Gary Daw being posted tonight, which is more about the overall match quality and thoughts, as opposed to my overall feel of the night and such.
Singles Match:
Lance Cole Vs ‘The Lion’ Eddie Ryan
I probably couldn’t think of a better choice to open the event as the already rambunctious crowd were whipped into a frenzy as the hometown favourite Eddie Ryan came out to a huge ovation. It’s also an excellent choice as subtext, as Ryan represents the family atmosphere and entertainment that has occurred at all previous REACH events, whereas here he could unleash a more adult side to him, playing into the Over-18 environment. It began with Lance Cole coming out in a brash, sexualised manner, writing his hips in a style reminiscent of Rick Rude, pontificating and insulting the crowd. Cole would refer to the crowd as “wankers”, even gesturing the wanker sign, only for the crowd to respond with a chant of “asshole”. Eddie would then ask “Who the fuck are you?” to a raucous reaction of laughter from the crowd, saying how Cole has insulted his people. “I may be the Lion, but you’re the pussy!” and in one sentence, it was cemented: this was an adult event.
Cole would have the early offence to screams of “asshole”, but would end up losing his pants, getting both kicked up the ass and spanked as he laid over the railings. It was mildly impressive how long Cole was able wrestle with his ass bared to the world, almost to a Ric Flair-level. Exchanges of chops on the outside between the two, with Cole wetting his hand in preparation of a painful chop, only for him to slap the turnbuckle after Ryan dropped, before Ryan cemented Cole’s embarrassment by dropping him testicles first onto the railings. Eddie would attempt a suplex over the ropes but Cole would hangman the left arm of Ryan, with Ryan reversing an attack with a middle rope roll-up and Gutwrench Suplex. Ryan would go for Golden Globes to a panicky Cole in the corner, only for Cole to grab the referee in desperation. Shots would be exchanged to the sound of cheers, Cole with a big reverse elbow for a two-count. Cole would go up top as chants of “Eddie Ryan” and “fucking asshole” would resonate around the crowd. Cole would execute an excellent Rick Rude hip-swerving Splash off the top only for Ryan to move and Cole to crash and burn.
Ryan would hit a huge Double German Suplex, and then a Superkick, only earning a two-count. Ryan’s attempt at a middle rope suplex would be reversed into a Cole front suplex, but Cole would end up in the Golden Globes position for a second time, with Ryan successfully hitting it this time. Ryan would follow up with a Tombstone Piledriver to gain victory! A fun and entertaining kick-off to the event, setting off the evening in the right manner.
Winner Via Pinfall – Eddie Ryan
Fatal Four-Way Fatal-Five Way Six-Man Match:
‘Country Big’ Josh Knott Vs Danny Duggan Vs Sammy Smooth Vs Kelly Sixx Vs Jim Diehard Vs Beano
The crowd wave a collection of blow-up sheep as Knott entered, with chants of “Let’s Go Linda”, with the first debutante Danny Duggan entering next to a fair reaction from the crowd. The second debutante Sammy Smooth has a massively appropriate namesake sauntering to the ring, gyrating on the turnbuckle, whilst the third debutante Kelly Sixx (the most well-known of the debuts) would enter to some huge support. As the Fatal Four-Way would begin, suddenly there would be a surprise entrant in the fourth debutant, Jim Diehard! As MC Obrey tried to leave the ring, suddenly another new combatant would arrive, in fan favourite Beano to a huge ovation from the crowd! I admit, this is the moment that I put my phone aside and just went along for the ride, as this was a massively messy (in a good way) match that was nonstop action, reminiscent of a TNA X-Division match, or a WCW Cruiserweight match, full of entertaining interplay and shocking high-flying action. Diehard was a large and violent inclusion, almost akin to Samoa Joe in the old X-Division, throwing people around with aplomb, whilst Smooth possessed great character and personality, catching the attention of the crowd. Kelly Sixx and Danny Duggan had some good interactions, the type that I would love to see more of, whilst Beano and Knott were the solid veteran Reach competitors who got the crowd hyped. In the end, Knott would use his cowbell to knock Beano out and steal the victory, possibly continuing the feud they that has been brewing since The Second Coming. This was such a fun match, one that continued the crowd’s excitement and showed something yet to be seen in Reach Wrestling. The high flying style hasn’t really been able to be utilised due to the more claustrophobic set-up of previous events, so they took advantage and that was excellent booking by Reach Wrestling.
Winner Via Pinfall – ‘Country Big’ Josh Knott
Tag Team Match:
Team Reach (Jason King and Grayson Reeves)
Vs
The Magnums (‘Dirty’ Dick Riley and ‘Filthy’ Chris Walker)
Team Reach come out in a more heel-esque attitude, Jason in spandex tights as opposed to his normal briefs, with Grayson and himself flipping the crowd off and talking trash. The Magnums enter to a great reaction, dancing along in a gyrating manner, and this is where the alcohol that had been flowing so freely was starting to take effect, I admit. Jason and referee Callum start off the match by being flabbergasted at the size of Walker’s…member, both taking a look and making comedic faces. In one of the more unique moments I’ve ever seen, all four men would make their way to the bar, where they would all partake in a round of shots, which the crowd absolutely loved. To be fair, the crowd were massively into this match, having a riotously fun time as the competitors interacted in a more comedic, light hearted but saucy style than normal (which included the sight of Jason having his tights pulled down to reveal a black thong). A Neckbreaker/Moonsault combo by The Magnums on Grayson would get them just a two count to a good reaction from the crowd. Grayson would have lube emptied in his mouth before The Magnums would hit him with a Double Superkick. Riley would create his own version of a Mankind Mr Socko with a condom respectively, putting the Mandible Claw on King at the same time as Walker bummed King from behind (again, some sights I never expected to see), but in the end, Team Reach would hit a double reversal for three count. Afterwards, King and Grayson would grab a microphone (there were some slight audibility issues through the night, that meant you get the overall gist but not as distinctive as normal), and make a huge announcement. To the absolute shock and excitement of the audience, they announced that they would be going to Bodmin Jail for Reach: Invasion in June! My entire booth called out in shock, with hands to the head, in a memorable live moment that was played perfectly. The decision to put Team Reach over the favourites The Magnums make sense, as supposedly this was meant to be a one-off appearance by The Magnums, whilst Team Reach could become favourites for when a Tag Team Titles are announced. It also demonstrates a lack of nepotism in going for Tag Team matches rather than World Title or Main Events without earning it..
Winner Via Pinfall – Team Reach (Jason King and Grayson Reeves)
No Disqualification Match:
‘The Winner’ PJ Jones Vs Psycho Phillips
We return from the break to find one of mine and fellow #TeamRB member Gary’s favourite, PJ Jones coming to the ring. Jones has demonstrated himself as one of the best villains in the South West, often able to escape with victory despite seemingly being overwhelmed. Phillips originally appeared in the first ever match at The Beginning, losing to Chris Andrews in a solid opening match, but returned here to a much larger reaction than his last appearance. I think this can demonstrate the importance of who someone was facing, I’m not suggesting that anybody could have faced Jones and had a good reaction, but his obnoxious qualities have frustrated the fans as well as Team Reach, so they want to see him get his a** kicked. So because of that, the audience would have cheered anybody facing him, but they especially get excited to see someone like Phillips, a violent sociopath capable of tremendous damage to Jones. Jones would try cheating quickly but Phillips would be able to hurt him using kicks, clotheslines and headbutts to down Jones. Phillips was hitting some painful chops, leaving the crowd wincing in pain along with. After a good back-and-forth match, Phillips would grab a chair, screaming maniacally “He’s fucking dead!” with the crowd cheering wildly. To the shock of many, though, Lance Cole would appear in disguise and throw powder in Phillips’ face, allowing Jones to get the victory. A slightly surprising choice of combination, but PJ Jones’ original tag team partner, the hardcore Marcus Bain, hadn’t been enough to beat Team Reach. Instead, Jones gets a physical upgrade in Cole, one who is tremendously strong and can help protect Jones in future, whilst Cole is now alongside a winner who can give him new opportunities. In fact, they may even become a true tag team, seemingly just in time for a possible future Tag Team Titles opportunity? The match itself had a great atmosphere, Phillips connected with the audience much stronger this time and whereas the first event I was very much unbothered whether he returned, now I find myself wanting to see him return.
Winner Via Pinfall – ‘The Winner’ PJ Jones
Triple Threat Fatal Four Way Match:
Sierra Loxton Vs Candy Floss Vs Millie McKenzie Vs Gisele Shaw
Without question, the most anticipated match of the entire night. The match that had the most changes to it, as we went from Jamie Hayter and then possibly Jordynne Grace, to a Triple Threat match featuring three of the best Women Wrestlers in the entire country with the eldest being just twenty years of age. This match was winning polls of most anticipated, and the atmosphere, the feeling of excitement as the match began, was electric. The reactions for all three women were huge, and the crowd were all on their feet, desperate to see the awesomeness they will unleash.
And then, just like earlier tonight, a shock appearance as a former trainee of Lance Storm, Gisele Shaw, would enter the ring, announcing she would now make this match a Fatal Four Way. This is the match I made my least amount of notes for as I was enraptured, these four put on an absolute cracker of a match, with an undercurrent of a story where Shaw would manipulate Loxton into helping her throughout the match. There were several moments where Loxton would question, Shaw would hit her, and then Loxton would follow, showing how horrendous Shaw could be, which would even lead to Millie and Candy working together against their two opponents.
Millie and Candy would demonstrate themselves as a very fluid tag team, a begrudging respect between the two, but Shaw’s manipulations and hubris would end up costing her, as Millie McKenzie would hit a vicious German Suplex on her. Unfortunately, Loxton would attack Millie and steal the pinfall on Shaw, a desperate Candy unable to get into the ring in time. This match was excellent and probably the undoubted highlight for many fans, including myself. The interesting element is that there feels like there are several possible storylines that could occur from here, Millie might want revenge on Loxton, Loxton and Shaw might end up combusting and having a match, but then again Candy Floss and Millie McKenzie might want to prove to themselves who the better wrestler is, or the two might want to fight Shaw, or maybe even a tag team match where Millie and Candy Floss take on Shaw and Loxton? I for one cannot wait to see where they go from here, an excellent performance from all four women.
Winner Via Pinfall – Sierra Loxton
Singles Match:
Charlie Sterling Vs ‘The Phoenix’ Jody Fleisch
And it is now time for our main event, featuring one of the biggest British stars in the history of wrestling in Fleisch. I remember seeing Fleisch quite early in my life, possibly 1997-99, where he would feature in a one-night four-man tournament, defeating Jonny Storm in a Ladder match in the Final. This match should hopefully offer Sterling the opportunity, if he wins, to get the much wanted rematch with Eddie Ryan he’s been desperate for since The Beginning. The two would quickly leave the ring, with Jody even staggering under a velvet rope that I was holding up, battling around the bar, which would culminate with Fleisch hitting a gorgeous Cross Body off a table! Fleisch would follow up and impress even more with a lovely Hurricarana off another table! The crowd were completely rampant during this ECW-esque brawl, finally coming back to the ring where Sterling would attempt to slow the match down, get back on top. Fleisch would attempt a Springboard Hurricarana that would be reversed into a Sit-Out Powerbomb for a two-count as a huge “Jody” chant began to reverberate around the arena. Sterling would attempt a Superkick and accidentally knock out the referee, with Sterling looking to take advantage by grabbing one of the treys used to carry beers around. Fleisch would reverse a tray attack with a Tornado DDT onto it, but the referee was still down. Sterling would take advantage with a low blow, followed up by a Styles Clash and a Tombstone for a close two-count! Fleisch would then respond with his own low blow, smack the metal tray off Sterling’s head and then hit his patented Phoenix 720 DDT for the three count! This was an excellent match with a lovely blend of highflying, brawling and technical in-ring acumen, Sterling is good at telling a story whilst Fleisch is world class at entertaining the crowds, and this crowd were into every moment. Unfortunately for Sterling, he still couldn’t achieve his dream of a rematch against his rival, Eddie Ryan.
Winner Via Pinfall – Jody Fleisch
This was an excellent event, a wonderful party atmosphere throughout and guaranteed not a single person who bought a ticket left disappointed. In fact, afterwards, many people stayed on to have drinks with some of the wrestlers, and I in fact shook the hands of every wrestler I saw, thanking them for a fantastic performance and great event. There are two elements I feel will convey how good the event was: the first was that when in conversation with a security guard called Wendy afterwards, she admitted that as a non-fan of wrestling (she’d last watched back during WWF time, so probably pre-2002) that she’d still had a tremendous time. The second element, and possibly the biggest compliment I can give; there were several male debutants in Lance Cole, Danny Duggan, Sammy Smooth, Jim Diehard, Kelly Sixx, ‘Filthy’ Chris Walker, Jody Fleisch, and all four women wrestlers in Sierra Loxton, Gisele Shaw, Candy Floss and Millie McKenzie, and I would gladly see every single one of them return. There was not a single debutant who didn’t impress the audience, didn’t leave the crowd wanting to see more of them, and Reach Wrestling needs to bring each of them back again, no question. During my review of ACT 3, I mentioned there were twelve possible ongoing stories, and despite this event seemingly being used in a manner that would allow new faces and new opportunities, several stories have come out of this event:
- Lance Cole has seemingly created a partnership with hated PJ Jones, where do they go from here?
- Josh Knott stole another victory from Beano, could they revisit their feud? And what about the other competitors, will they want revenge against Knott as well?
- Team Reach won again, this time against The Magnums, gaining tremendous momentum and possibly preparing for a future Tag Team possibility?
- Charlie Sterling lost again in a match against Jody Fleisch, meaning his opportunity to face Eddie Ryan has been taken again, will he ever get a rematch against Eddie Ryan?
- Sierra Loxton impressed in her victory, but who will she face next?
One of the biggest surprises is that looking back over this event is how many favourites didn’t appear at this event, such as ‘Bronco’ Brendan White, Big Grizzly and Joseph Miller, as well as big names such as Iestyn Rees and Joel Redman who have appeared previously. This event has opened up many opportunities for Reach Wrestling, not only have they introduced many new Superstars who the audience liked, but they now have two different audiences they can cater to; they can do the over-18 events for one type of audience, and also the family events for a different audience, spreading their opportunities and marketing. The possibilities for Reach Wrestling are endless, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what comes next after such a fantastic night. Their next event will be in March, where we begin the Journey For Gold.
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