The Future Has Arrived: Bradford’s Own Jay Smillie Signs with Kingdom Wrestling!

The landscape of Kingdom Wrestling has just shifted. We are ecstatic to officially announce the signing of one of the most freakishly athletic, highly sought-after prospects in the industry today—and best of all, he’s a hometown boy. Welcome to the roster, Bradford’s very own Jay Smillie.

If his name sounds familiar, it is because Jay has spent his entire career breaking barriers and tearing up fields across multiple sports. Now, he is bringing that unmatched explosive power, speed, and competitive drive directly back home to Kingdom Wrestling.

An Elite Dual-Sport Pedigree

Jay Smillie is not your average rookie. He enters the wrestling world with a sporting resume that speaks for itself:

• International Rugby Star: Former Jamaican international rugby player, bringing world-class grit and agility.

• Gridiron Greatness, NFL Calibre Athlete: Earned a coveted spot at the NFL International Combine (21/22), proving his raw physical metrics are in the top 1% of global athletes.

Forging a New Legacy

Jay hasn't just been resting on his natural athletic gifts. He has been obsessively transitioning his elite conditioning into the art of professional wrestling. To ensure he is world-ready, Jay has been grinding across the absolute best training grounds in the country, honing his craft with:

• Kingdom Wrestling

• Pursuit Pro Wrestling

• Elevation Wrestling

• Future Shock Wrestling

Beyond his rigorous academy training, Jay has already shared the ring and sharpened his tools alongside elite WWE Superstars and world-renowned veterans like Pete Dunne, Rockstar Spud, Nathan Cruz, and Robbie X.

He is a blue-chip prospect, and while the global giants are watching, he has chosen to plant his flag right here in West Yorkshire.

First Appearance: Chain Reaction Next Friday

The locker room is officially on notice. You won't have to wait long to see him, because Jay Smillie will be in the building next Friday night at Chain Reaction.

While he won't be stepping inside the ropes for physical action just yet, the Bradford powerhouse will be watching the show from a front-row seat in the crowd. He is coming to eye up the competition, analyse the roster, and let everyone know exactly what the future of Kingdom Wrestling looks like. When a hometown man with the speed of an international rugby winger and the power of an NFL running back is watching your every move from the fans' section, you better bring your A-game.

Do you have your tickets for next Friday night? Come out and show some love for Bradford's newest wrestling superstar. Witness the arrival of Jay Smillie live at Chain Reaction! Head over to the comments and let us know which Kingdom Wrestling star you think Jay has his eyes on.

From Living in a Skip to Sports Personality Nominee: The Inspiring Journey of Bradford’s Gareth ‘Angel’ Thompson

The Bradford district has always been home to champions, but true victory isn’t just about winning titles—it’s about what you do with your platform to lift others up.

In a phenomenal nod to local impact and community transformation, Bradford’s own professional wrestler, entrepreneur, and mentor Gareth ‘Angel’ Thompson has officially been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year at the 2026 Men's Porch Legacy Awards.

This prestigious nomination highlights an extraordinary leader who uses his faith, his wrestling ring, and his deeply personal story to rewrite the future for men and young boys across Yorkshire.

A Shared Mission: Where Growth Begins

To understand why this nomination is so well-deserved, you only have to look at the heart behind the hosting organisation. Men's Porch CIC, a Bradford-headquartered non-profit founded in 2018 under the visionary guidance of Director Tope Dada, is built on a vital mission: empowering men from all walks of life, fostering growth and community while staying practical and relatable.

Men's Porch provides a safe space where vulnerabilities are turned into strengths, and where men are encouraged to thrive in their health, family, faith, and purpose.

Gareth Thompson’s life and work are a mirror image of this very blueprint. Through his trailblazing national charity, Kingdom Wrestling, Gareth has spent years dismantling barriers and creating spaces where people who feel isolated can find real brotherhood, guidance, and spiritual restoration.

Redefining Masculinity Through a Powerful Personal Testimony

Gareth’s capacity to mentor the next generation comes from a place of radical authenticity. Known in the ring as the powerhouse "Gareth Angel"—a three-time World Heavyweight Champion and 2024 Stairway to Heaven Briefcase winner—Gareth's real-life battles eclipse anything ever scripted for the canvas.

Gareth’s childhood was marked by severe adversity:

• Growing up in a fatherless home

• Navigating poverty, neglect, and bullying

• Surviving childhood sexual abuse

• Experiencing teenage homelessness, which at one point forced him to live inside a commercial skip

Everything changed when Gareth found his Christian faith in 2011. Recognizing the grace that pulled him out of those dark spaces, he dedicated his life to service. He spent seven years helping families break the cycle of debt with Christians Against Poverty (CAP)—even featuring in the BBC Two documentary The Debt Saviours—before blending his two greatest passions: Jesus and pro wrestling.

Bodyslams and Baptisms: The Power of 'Wrestling Church'

Gareth revolutionized community outreach by pioneering the "Wrestling Church" concept, historically anchored at St. Peter’s in Shipley.

As detailed in a prominent BBC News Feature, Gareth utilizes the classic good-vs-evil storytelling of professional wrestling to communicate biblical truths like resilience, forgiveness, and hope. It’s a dynamic environment that breaks the traditional mold of church, welcoming marginalised groups, individuals struggling with mental health, and men who otherwise feel alienated by conventional institutions.

Mentoring Excluded Youth

Beyond the packed weekend shows, Gareth's leadership shines brightest in his hands-on schools and mentorship work. Partnering with organisations like the Bradford AP Academy and North Huddersfield Trust, Gareth runs wrestling training sessions specifically designed for children who have been excluded from mainstream education.

According to a moving BBC News Report, the sport provides these young boys with a safe environment to channel their energy, build self-confidence, learn discipline, and find a positive male role model who truly understands their struggles. Some of his students have even taken up the mantle to train alongside him, directly learning what authentic, positive masculinity looks like in action.

A Bradford Blessing: Extensive Media & Leadership Impact

Whether he is writing columns, appearing on media outlets, or speaking at men's breakfasts, Gareth's entrepreneurial spirit and leadership qualities set him completely apart. His innovative approach to social change has captured national attention, including a dedicated 30-minute BBC One documentary, The Bradford Church of Wrestling.

Furthermore, Gareth's commitment to community empowerment was recently underscored when Kingdom Wrestling was named a finalist for Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2026 Keighley & Airedale Business Awards.

For the Bradford district, having a homegrown leader like Gareth is an absolute blessing. He turns the hardships of his past into a roadmap of hope for the young boys of today, ensuring they don't have to navigate their challenges alone.

How to Cast Your Vote!

The public voting window for the 2026 Men's Porch Legacy Awards is officially open, but it won’t stay open for long! You have until 16th September 2026 to make your voice heard and back this phenomenal local champion.

Let’s rally behind a man who leaves everything in the ring and gives even more back to our community.

🗳️ Cast your vote for Gareth Angel Thompson today on the official Men's Porch Legacy Awards Voting Page.

Don't forget to head over to Instagram, follow @mensporchlegacyawards, like the voting announcement post, and drop Gareth's name in the comments to ensure your vote is counted!

Kingdom Wrestling is shortlisted for prestigious local award.

Kingdom Wrestling, the UK’s first faith-based professional wrestling charity, has officially been named a finalist for the prestigious Social Enterprise of the Year award at the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards 2026.

The shortlists, which celebrate the hardest-working, most innovative, and dedicated organizations driving the community forward, were announced on Wednesday 26th August 2026. The nomination highlights Kingdom Wrestling’s ongoing commitment to supporting, empowering, and uniting young people and families across the Bradford district through the unique power of sports entertainment.

Sponsored by Participate & Airedale Enterprise, the Social Enterprise category recognizes organizations that put community first. The announcement follows a highly successful summer for the charity, which recently made headlines for its innovative "Read-a-Slam" project at Keighley Library and the ever popular "Courtyard Clash" at Darley St Market. The library event drew over 200 local children and families to watch professional wrestlers act out iconic children's literature inside the ring, bridging the gap between physical sports and literacy, while Courtyard Clash has been seen over 300 fans attend both events in 2026.

"Being shortlisted validates the incredible hard work of our coaches, volunteers, and athletes who make our mission possible every day," said Gareth Thompson, Founder and CEO of Kingdom Wrestling. "As a working-class lad from Keighley myself, having our charity recognised right here in the Airedale community means everything. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside so many inspiring local organisations on this year's shortlist."

This local recognition builds upon an impressive year for the registered charity (No. 1206156), which was also crowned the UK 2026 Company of the Year in Sports Entertainment. Beyond their large-scale live events, Kingdom Wrestling delivers critical youth development work, alternative education provision, and work placements in partnership with Shipley College.

The winners of the 2026 awards will be revealed at a glamorous ceremony at Victoria Hall in Keighley on Friday 25th September 2026.

Local supporters can keep up with the charity's latest community initiatives or secure tickets to the grand ceremony directly through the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards Tickets Page.