RISE Has Fallen On Hard Times
The women’s promotion may be holding its final shows this weekend.
The women’s revolution has hit a major stumbling block.
Kevin Harvey, owner of women’s promotion RISE, has announced that there is a “nearly 100% chance” that the RISE-ASCENT taping on July 8 will be the last event for the company. In an open letter posted on the company’s website, Harvey explained the current financial situation and apologized to talent and fans alike for most likely having to pull the plug.
It’s shocking news considering the Illinois-based developmental brand had recently partnered with Impact Wrestling to host training seminars and create original content for IMPACT Wrestling’s Twitch channel and the Global Wrestling Network (GWN) multi-platform service. Plus, RISE launched its own weekly episodic program on nearly all platforms via Twitch less than six weeks ago.
However, despite emerging alliances and opportunities, ticket sales have recently dwindled. Even after lowering prices, Harvey said, the RISE 8 and RISE 9 seminars combined don’t make up half the attendance of any prior seminar. Before Harvey shared his letter, RISE 8 ticket sales paled in comparison to its previous Los Angeles show in January, which has historically been the promotion’s best market for live event attendance.
However, RISE tweeted that its event last Friday was sell out, no doubt thanks to the groundswell of support for the company since the news.
The situation is dire for RISE 9, though. Fewer presale tickets have been sold for the show in Naperville, Illinois, than for the promotion’s inaugural event in November of 2016. It’s a head scratcher because just three months ago in the same Chicago market, the company sold out in advance.
Seeing the writing on the wall, Harvey has pulled all tickets from the online store for RISE 10-INSANITY, which was originally slated for October 18 in Berwyn, Illinois.
“This week the realization hit me that I can just no longer do it on my own financially,” Harvey wrote. “I am at a point where there are going to be significant personal hardships and struggles. And sometimes when you’re in the hole, you eventually have to realize how deep it is and you have to stop digging.”
Several in the wrestling community took to social media to urge support for the place where many of today’s rising stars honed their craft.
My heart hurts. Women like myself NEED RISE! It’s helped so many further themselves & their crafts. It’s a super special place for wrestlers & fans. I miss Rise 1 all the time. Thank you, @KevinHarveyWPWC, for Rise, your hard work, & vision! I KNOW Rise will be back!❤ https://t.co/bcXo9vOmTL
— A • R • I • A (@TheAriaBlake) June 25, 2018
If we didn’t see it’s value.. we would not be trying to take control..
A place for the Demon Assassin to run free and carry out the Shadow’s will..
— The Demon Assassin (@WeAreRosemary) June 25, 2018
This is such a sad thing to see. We need to save the platforms for women’s wrestling and opportunities. I WISH I had an opportunity like this a decade ago. We need to SAVE RISE!!!!!!!! https://t.co/UKhEyrf2tm
— Kimber Lee (@Kimber_Lee90) June 25, 2018
Rise is refreshing, Rise is about opportunity, Rise is a platform and most important, Rise books the Killer Death Machines!!😉 Seriously, Rise makes me excited to get on the road and wrestle. I hope it’s not falling, please support the future of wrestling! https://t.co/Ajgw4pDK6I
— Nevaeh (@nevaehOi4k) June 26, 2018
One of my biggest life goals is to wrestle at a shimmer weekend. This INCLUDES Rise. I would be so sad to see it be over already. All the women I have seen thrive over the wrestling seen because of places like rise is crazy. You can see all the good it was doing for these girls. https://t.co/bgKsHTvKEG
— avery (@averywrestling) June 25, 2018
RISE was originally designed to be a feeder system for SHIMMER, with 34 talents having gone on to compete in the promotion. RISE has also served as a springboard to STARDOM, with six talents having been selected for a tour of Japan in a few weeks. Notable names who have competed in RISE include NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler, Impact Wrestling Knockouts Taya Valkyrie, Rosemary, Kiera Hogan and Tessa Blanchard, former Ring of Honor star Deonna Purrazzo, MLW’s Chelsea Green and Aria Blake, and even Smackdown General Manager Paige’s mum, Saraya Knight.
Harvey has encouraged fans of RISE to spread the word, informing new viewers how to stream the shows, purchase DVDs or Blu-rays and where to catch live events. “Maybe we can all come together in a way that can help RISE soar once more,” he wrote. “Or maybe this will be where RISE gets its final entry into the history books. No one can ever say we didn’t try our hardest.”
RISE 9 takes place at the Illinois Basketball Academy in Naperville, Illinois, on July 7.
For tickets and more information, visit rise-wrestling.com.
Follow RISE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
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