On Friday, May 2, the gymnasium at Reynolds Middle School won’t just be hosting a wrestling event, it will become a place where community and student voice take center stage.
This is the annual Reynolds Rumble, a professional wrestling fundraiser unlike any other. Part pep rally, part performance, and all heart, the event is organized by seventh-grade Language and Literature teacher Nathaniel Andes, who brings his real-life experience in the world of professional wrestling into the school he proudly serves.
“I’ve been teaching for years and wrestling for nearly a decade,” Andes shared. “The Rumble is the one time a year where those two worlds collide in the most chaotic, fun, and meaningful way.”
The purpose behind the event is as heartfelt as the crowd is loud. All proceeds from Reynolds Rumble support the school’s student council, helping fund school dances, community events, spirit weeks, and student-led initiatives. But beyond the dollars raised, the event gives students something even more powerful: a shared experience.
“Most of our students wouldn’t say wrestling is their favorite thing, but on this night, they become the biggest fans,” Andes said. “They cheer the heroes, boo the villains, and completely immerse themselves in the stories unfolding in the ring. The volume, the energy, it’s indescribable.”
This year, Andes is headlining against a longtime friend, Sage Matthews, a match with emotional weight after Matthews recently insulted Reynolds students, calling them “brats” and questioning their behavior. For Andes, that crossed a line.
“If I back down from someone who disrespects my students, what message does that send them?” he said. “They give so much effort, and they bring so much energy. I’ll do the same for them.”
What makes this event special isn’t just the wrestling. It’s the way the crowd, made up of students, families, teachers, and neighbors, comes alive. People who’ve never watched wrestling before are on their feet, laughing, booing, clapping, shouting. For one night, everyone lets themselves be in the moment, together.
The Reynolds Rumble has also become a celebration of community partnerships. This year alone, 11 different groups and sponsors have stepped up to support the event. From Three Legacies Wrestling to Lancaster Recreation Commission to sponsors like Tellus360 and 551 West, it’s a reflection of how deeply connected the event has become to the Lancaster community.
“I’ve wrestled in venues across the region,” Andes said, “but nothing compares to the crowd at Reynolds. The joy, the noise, the feeling—it’s unmatched.”
So why should you come?
Not just to support student council. Not just to see teachers and pro wrestlers face off in the ring. But to experience what it looks like when a community shows up, not just in the stands, but in spirit.
Because at Reynolds, when the bell rings, it means something.
- General Admission : $15.00
- SDoL Student/Parent/Guardian: $5.00
- Seating is first come, first served
- Doors open at 6:00 pm
- Bell rings at 6:45 pm
To purchase tickets:
- Call or text: 717-808-6762
- Visit: swoprowrestling.org/tickets
- Venmo: @Nathaniel-Andes
- Cash App: $NathanielAndes