Jake Smith and Timmy Renz, longtime friends from Jena, have fulfilled a childhood dream by launching Exist2Inspire Wrestling. It is a family-friendly wrestling company. It aims to offer an alternative to often crude and adult-oriented wrestling content. Their company is built on the idea of crafting stories. It is also built on the idea of crafting characters. These can be enjoyed by fans of all ages. They avoid vulgarity and create a welcoming space for families. Renz and Smith have been close friends since middle school. They have been passionate about wrestling since childhood. Now, they want to share that passion with others. They want to share it in a positive, community-driven way.
Smith and Renz's journey to co-owning Exist2Inspire Wrestling began years ago. They were 13 when they began. As childhood friends and wrestling enthusiasts, they spent countless hours watching matches. They imagined their own personas. They dreamed of one day running their own show. Over the years, their friendship and love for wrestling only grew stronger. Today, Renz competes as Gluttony, The Bigtop Butcher. Smith competes as Rika Wildlee, Barker of the Bizarre. Their partnership in both life and wrestling reflects their shared vision. Their shared vision is to provide entertainment that brings people together. It also promotes positivity in an authentic and uplifting way.
A Mission Rooted in Family
Their company's mission is deeply rooted in family. Smith often shares a cherished memory. It is of his grandfather and father watching wrestling together on Sunday mornings. They drank coffee and milk before enjoying the show. He wants other families to experience those same joyful moments. They can experience it through their events. They can forge their own lasting memories. This vision aligns with Renz. He believes wrestling is more than just an activity. It is a shared experience that can bring generations together. It can also create a sense of tradition.
On Saturday, August 22, the Jena Fairgrounds will host Exist2Inspire Wrestling's latest event. The event is titled 'The Vision: The Gold Standard.' Doors open at 5 p.m. The first match starts at 6 p.m. The event is being sponsored by Poole's Pit Stop. It is a local Jena business. It shares their vision for community-focused entertainment. General admission tickets for the show are available for $10. Second- and third-row seats cost $15. VIP front row spots are $20. Vendor spaces are also available for $75. They provide local small businesses and creatives with opportunities. They can showcase their goods to an engaged audience.
Event Details and Lineup
The upcoming show features an impressive lineup of wrestlers, including Rika Wildlee, Revy Devereaux, OG Dolla Johnson, Damien Sport, Aiden Chaos, Athan Sorrow, Ashton Blake, Suenyo 'The Holy Ghost Gangsta,' and LC Green. Tag teams such as The Family Affliated and Sons of Plunder will also take the stage. All the performers at the event are familiar faces to Smith and Renz, having met through their travels and mutual dedication to the wrestling scene. Smith said that 'The Vision' is especially significant because it will see three of their company's championships on the line: the Inspirational Heavyweight Championship, the Motivational Openweight Championship, and the Co-Action Tag Team Championship. These titles represent the heart of their mission — to uplift, inspire, and provide a platform for talent to shine.
Tickets for the event will be available at the door, or fans can purchase them in advance by reaching out to Exist2Inspire Wrestling directly via Facebook or by contacting Smith at (318) 316-4037 or Renz at (318) 312-8908. Those interested in vendor spots can email E2IWrestling2026@gmail.com for more information. Smith emphasized that their goal is for wrestling to remain a cherished part of Jena's community for years to come, something families can enjoy and pass down through the generations.
A Legacy of Support, Dreams, and Positivity
A Passion for Inspiration
For both Smith and Renz, wrestling has always been more than just entertainment — it has been a constant in their lives. Smith credits wrestling with helping him through both good and bad times, and he wants others to experience the same sense of connection and purpose. Renz, who moved to Jena from Chalmette after Hurricane Katrina, understands the importance of community and shared dreams. He recalled a moment when a couple stopped by his workplace and saw a flyer for the show. They lit up at the sight of it, explaining that they remembered how wrestling once used to come to town — a reminder that there is a demand for this kind of entertainment.
Smith is especially passionate about inspiring the younger generation, particularly those who feel their dreams are dismissed. He was once told that his dream of becoming a wrestler was “stupid and dumb,” and that “there wasn’t any wrestling around here.” Despite these challenges, he and Renz are determined to show kids — and even adults — that they can pursue unconventional paths and achieve success. Smith didn’t start wrestling until his early 30s, but now he wants to open doors for others to follow their passions, whether it be wrestling or something entirely different. His hope is to empower a generation of dreamers to step outside the box and create their own opportunities.
Ultimately, Smith said nothing would bring him more satisfaction than growing old knowing that his and Renz's efforts helped inspire a new wave of dreamers. “There’s nothing that would make me happier,” he said, “than to see kids and young people accomplish something unique based on our work.” Their story is not just about wrestling — it is about believing in the power of dreams, the strength of friendship, and the importance of making the community a better place for all.