Wrestling Gem: Pro Wrestling: EVE

Hi guys,

I'm back with another of my Wrestling Gem series and this time I'm looking at a promotion close to my heart in so many ways.

A few months ago, I wrote an article about the truth behind the women's revolution in wrestling and I spoke to Emily and Dann Read from Pro Wrestling: EVE about it and they were so truthful about it. However, even though the article touched upon the revolution as a whole, I don't think it does justice to Pro Wrestling: EVE in general. 

Pro Wrestling: EVE is a British independent women's wrestling promotion mainly based in The Resistance Gallery in Bethnal Green and really, for me and so many others, a pioneer in not just British wrestling but women's wrestling as a whole. Founded by Emily and Dann Read, they created this company at a time where women's wrestling wasn't at the forefront of many people's minds, never mind the companies themselves. It was still fillers for many people and women weren't being given the same opportunities that they deserved.


Speaking to Emily and Dann, their inspirations behind creating EVE came from watching the business itself expand, but not seeing this same change for the women in the industry.

Emily: We weren’t seeing strong women who were playing 3D characters, we weren’t even seeing diversity in the women we were seeing. Women can be strong and powerful without having a flat belly. Women can be all shapes and sizes and are all strong and powerful. Showing diversity in character and the way they look is so important and we just weren’t seeing it. 

Dann: One of the main inspiration, if not the main, I can look at numerous points in my life when I was looking at things and saying it needed to change by being part of the industry before running a promotion and seeing that the girls, no matter how hard they worked, weren’t being taken seriously at all and weren’t being given opportunities. 

Sticking to their word, they are pushing the boundaries of women's wrestling in so many ways. Pro Wrestling: EVE held the first ever all-female professional wrestling event in London in March 2016 and, unlike WWE who had one show and left it at that, they've carried on putting on these shows from the large scale Wrestle Queendom and She-1 to their smaller scale, weekly shows in East London. They cater for families who want a great day out but also more hard core fans.



They are shows that make people feel safe from start to end and Emily and Dann make sure this happens. Before every show, Emily comes into the ring and goes over the rules . This isn't to spoil anyone's fun but the case of 'generally being a decent human being'. With so much negativity and toxicity in this business, it's so nice to know that you can take your kids or grandparents to an EVE show and not have to worry about about crude or offensive and you're just free to be yourself and enjoy the show.

As someone who isn't seen as beautiful by normal standards, EVE is so refreshing with women on their roster of  women of all shapes, sizes, colours and creeds. We have home grown talent from Rhia O'Reilly, Millie McKenzie and Jamie Hayter. You've then got household names from across the world like Emi Sakura, Jordynne Grace and Chihiro Hashimoto. No one woman on this roster is similar to another. All of these women pride themselves on being different and are not ashamed of their quirks. All this does is just make crowds feel at ease. I know I've watched EVE matches and found myself being inspired by these women and feeling like I can relate to them: I mean I want to be BFFs with every single one of them.

They also have the EVE Academy every Saturday and is for any women who want to become a wrestler, but might feel more comfortable doing it surrounded by other women. I wish I'd known about this when I was living in Bow because there isn't anywhere near me that have classes at a good time on a day where I would have no commitments. It also seems like it would be the perfect atmosphere to learn from some of the best!

As well as showcasing and training an amazing range of talent from women of all kinds, they are also pioneering change with their agreement with EquityUK. I won't lie and say that I completely understand all the ins and outs of this, because I'm not that in tune with legal business, but what I do know that it's a step in the right direction for the rights of wrestlers. With Equity, EVE are giving their wrestlers a union to get the rights and recognition they deserve. (More can be read at http://www.evewrestling.com/Equity/)


If you don't want to believe me, then here's proof from more fans of EVE on why the promotion is so amazing:

'The women all get to show their talents, unlike most companies who only show very small selection every week or month'

'I'd been to 43 live wrestling shows before my first Eve show. A lot of them were fun, some were outright tremendous, but until Eve I'd never really had a home promotion. It might be a three hour journey each way to get to the show, but it's honestly worth it every time.'

'It's the most open and fun company. I truly feel all are welcome and the audience is really nice to each other e.g. tall lads at the back'

Pro Wrestling: EVE is definitely a gem in the wrestling world that doesn't get enough credit and attention. Based in Bethnal Green, it gives women and people who don't feel safe at wrestling shows a haven to enjoy themselves and not be judged. It's a place where we see real life female superheroes. Like us fans, Emily and Dann know that things still need to be done to bring women's wrestling to the same standard and respect as men's and are seeing the fight as long journey not something that can be fixed with one show. But, with EVE carrying on doing their thing, they're playing such a massive part and need more credit then they get.

Hopefully you enjoyed my second Wrestling Gem and hopefully it will persuade you to go out at watch EVE when you can whether in person or on demand (https://eveondemand.pivotshare.com) - also, remember to follow them on Social Media @ProWrestlingEVE on Twitter and EVE - Riot Grrrls of Wrestling on Facebook!

As always, let me know what you think about the show and to keep up to date with all things wrestling and be first to know when I post something new on here or a new podcast (or even when if you just want to chat), follow me on social media at:
(@Wrestling_Chat on Twitter and Wrestling Chatter on FB and WrestlingChatter96 on IG)!

Until next time,

Bye