Top Ranked Wrestling relaunches Feb. 21 in Chilliwack with family-friendly action, local talent, and a powerful comeback story.
A Fraser Valley Wrestling Revival
Get ready, Chilliwack. The lights are coming back on, the ring is set, and the crowd is about to roar again.
On Feb. 21, Top Ranked Wrestling (TRW) storms back into action at the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Building on Princess Avenue. The once-beloved Fraser Valley promotion is ready for a fresh start—and this time, it’s personal.
Leading the charge is Clint Istace, the former wrestler known to fans as RAGE. He’s not just relaunching a brand. He’s rewriting his own story.
Clint Istace: From Setbacks to Comeback
Two years ago, Istace opened up about his battle with addiction and mental health struggles after years in corrections work. Life hit hard. However, he didn’t stay down.
Instead, he trained hard at Matrix Boxing in Abbotsford. Then he returned to the ring at Abbotsford Agrifair 2024. That moment sparked something powerful.
“I want my comebacks to be greater than my setbacks,” Istace says.
Now, he has bought a new ring, recruited talent from across B.C., and built a plan focused on families. Kids 10 and under get in free. Wrestlers are expected to be role models. And the vibe? Think bold characters and classic 1980s energy.
Most importantly, Istace wants connection. He wants cheers. He wants kids to believe. And he wants to feel like himself again.
TRW’s Groundbreaking TV Past
TRW isn’t new to making noise.
Back in 2004, the promotion became the first since All Star Wrestling to land a television deal in British Columbia.
The man behind that leap was Abbotsford videographer Kevin MacDonald. After filming early TRW shows, he cut together a highlight reel and pitched it to KVOS-TV in Bellingham, Washington.
The general manager watched three minutes—and said yes.
Suddenly, TRW had a weekly TV slot.
That meant real pressure. Episodes had to be taped weeks ahead. Lighting had to be sharp. Commercial breaks had to fit. Wrestling had become serious business overnight.
MacDonald helped produce 62 episodes filmed at the Abbotsford Arts Centre. Meanwhile, a young Mauro Ranallo handled commentary—long before he called mega-fights like Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor and Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.
However, success on TV did not guarantee profit. Some fans stayed home and watched for free. Sponsors proved tough to secure. Eventually, costs outweighed revenue, and the run ended in 2005.
Still, TRW made history—and memories.
Stars Who Passed Through TRW
Over its short run, TRW featured names who later rose to global fame.
Among them were:
- Becky Lynch (then Rebecca Knox)
- Kyle O’Reilly
- Gurv Sihra
- Davey Richards
- Jacks Evans
Because of that legacy, expectations for the relaunch feel high. Yet Istace sees opportunity, not pressure.
A New Vision for B.C. Wrestling
Wrestling has boomed across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Therefore, Istace knows TRW must stand out.
He wants young wrestlers to gain experience in front of loud, supportive crowds. To help, he has partnered with Vancouver Island veteran BJ Laredo of Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling. He has also tapped talent from Prince George’s Primetime Wrestling.
The debut card features championship bouts, tag team clashes, and rising stars hungry to prove themselves.
Moreover, TRW already has future dates locked in. Shows are scheduled in Chilliwack and at Sts’ailes First Nation this spring. Indigenous representation is a priority. Community engagement sits at the heart of the mission.
More Than Matches—It’s Community
Istace has been touring the community with championship belts in hand. People stop. They smile. They ask for photos.
Then they share stories.
They talk about watching wrestling as kids. They talk about heroes. They talk about fun nights with family.
That reaction tells Istace everything he needs to know.
“It’s blowing me away,” he says.
Because in the end, this isn’t just about wrestling. It’s about belonging. It’s about affordable family entertainment. And above all, it’s about proving that second acts can shine brighter than the first.
On Feb. 21, when the bell rings in Chilliwack, Top Ranked Wrestling won’t just relaunch.
