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Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the title prize during the comedic wrestling showdown. At the moment he reached for it, Ed Gamble stormed in, knocked everyone out, and walked away with the coveted belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, a comedian, notes that it was in fact Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who took them down with a devastating move. Olesker insists he might have beaten Gamble in a fair fight.

The Changing Fortunes of Professional Wrestling

Public interest in sports entertainment has fluctuated widely since its peak in the eighties. Recently, the wrestling giant landed a massive agreement with the streaming service, worth billions, elevating the muscle-bound spectacle further into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a deep-rooted working-class history, nurturing world-class competitors like international stars. Today, wrestling is branching out into theatrical spaces, with a range of productions across the country drawing in fresh fans through humor, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Max Olesker, who previously held the title as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The energy was electric, he remembers, comparing it to a larger-than-life pantomime of good versus evil. As a duo, they developed a show that combined stand-up and wrestling, convincing pro wrestlers they weren't making fun of the discipline and encouraging performers to jump off the ropes. Originally titled their hit show, it won a major comedy award and has expanded in appeal ever since.

Renamed Clash of the Comics, the show recently showcased comedians defeating Greg Davies at a large arena. Up next, it will headline Hammersmith Apollo, marking its first standalone appearance. The cast includes pro wrestlers like popular fighters and funny people such as well-known acts, with James Acaster throwing down an public invitation to all contenders. Adding to the fun, hosts like Nish Kumar will cheer on the villains, while Sara Pascoe supports the good guys. Humor is key, but the main attraction is the action in the squared circle.

Behind the Scenes

Organizing such an production is a huge challenge. The performers are sent to wrestling school to pick up the fundamentals. As one organizer says, it's like how TV programs train stars for particular performances. Another notes that, much like those series, there's plenty of drama among the participants, which helps the show flow.

Wrestling is performance art – you have an character, and you work to get the audience on your team

Reality and Pretence

The sport constantly balances on a fine line between reality and performance. Heather Bandenberg, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, explains it as preparing to be an athlete and a gymnast, with elements of dangerous moves. It hurts, particularly when learning basic moves like the impact fall. Risk is real, though planned sequences reduce harm. The liveness heightens this, as events blend prepared and spontaneous elements. As one creator says, the audience response shapes what unfolds, unlike stage plays.

She discovered wrestling unexpectedly and became captivated with the space it provided. Traditional shows wasn't inclusive for women, so she created Fist Club with drag kings like these artists. For them, the sport and variety performance are a perfect match, as both involve creating an alter ego and winning over the audience.

Inclusivity and Innovation

The event caters to LGBTQ+ and women fighters and fills up rapidly across the UK. Audience members have even been motivated to start wrestling. With primarily drag kings, the night limits male wrestlers to a minority, reflecting the experience of underrepresented groups in mainstream wrestling. The organizer emphasizes the aim of attracting people who've never seen wrestling.

Great wrestling relies on the performance – convincing the viewers believe in the action. Safety are paramount, but accidents do happen. One creator suffered a fracture in an initial performance, and another injured both big toes during training, though she says it could have been worse.

Wrestling as Art

In Glasgow, the sport is being reimagined through performance art. Artists Luke George and Daniel Kok created Still Lives using rope bondage, suspending participants to create art pieces. They've worked with sportspeople in various cities, tailoring the work to local culture. In the city, they're using pro wrestlers to explore stamina and physical limits.

Bondage and wrestling both involve reliance and communication, navigating power dynamics and care. One artist says that wrestlers signal during fights to create a storyline, showing cooperation even in combat.

Dedication and Joy

While wrestling's popularity may rise and fall, committed fans and performers remain steadfast. Long periods are spent preparing for shows, and artistic projects like the installation highlight the perseverance involved. By different approaches, creators aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it goes beyond identity, body type, or style.

One organizer sums it up: A lot happening live, performed by people who love it. No one's in it for money; it's viewed as a creative expression that spreads happiness.