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Phil Wang was about to claim of grabbing the title prize during the comedic wrestling showdown. At the moment he made his move, fellow comic Ed Gamble stormed in, knocked everyone out, and made off with the coveted belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, clarifies that it was in fact the pro wrestler Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who delivered the blow with a devastating move. Olesker insists he might have beaten Gamble one-on-one.

The Changing Fortunes of Pro Wrestling

The popularity in pro wrestling has fluctuated widely since its golden era in the eighties. Earlier this year, the wrestling giant secured a record-breaking agreement with Netflix, worth billions, pushing the athletic sport further into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a deep-rooted blue-collar background, producing world-class talent like Will Ospreay. Now, wrestling is expanding into performance arenas, with a range of shows across the country drawing in new audiences through comedy, LGBTQ+ performance, and even living sculpture.

Comedy Meets Combat

Olesker, who once was known as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, brought his collaborator Gonzalez to the sport during their university days. The atmosphere was incredible, he remembers, comparing it to a over-the-top drama of good versus evil. As a duo, they created a production that combined comedy and grappling, convincing athletes they weren't mocking the discipline and encouraging performers to jump off the ropes. First called their hit show, it won a major comedy award and has expanded in appeal ever since.

Renamed the comedic clash, the show previously showcased comedians beating Greg Davies at a major venue. Up next, it will headline Hammersmith Apollo, making its first standalone run. The lineup includes grapplers like Simon Miller and comedians such as Aisling Bea, with James Acaster issuing an open challenge to all contenders. Joining the excitement, hosts like a familiar face will cheer on the villains, while Sara Pascoe supports the heroes. Comedy is key, but the real draw is the spectacle in the squared circle.

The Logistical Challenge

Organizing such an production is a logistical nightmare. The performers are enrolled to training facilities to learn the basics. Gonzalez explains, it's like how reality shows teach stars for specific performances. Another notes that, much like those shows, there's plenty of drama among the cast, which helps the event run smoothly.

Wrestling is performance art – there's an alter ego, you're getting the audience on your team

Reality and Pretence

Wrestling always walks a fine line between authenticity and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who runs an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, describes it as training to be an athlete and a gymnast, with parts of stunt work. There's pain involved, particularly when learning fundamentals like the impact fall. Risk is present, even if choreography reduce injuries. Live performance heightens this, as events blend prepared and improvised elements. Olesker notes, the audience response directly influences what happens, unlike traditional theater.

Bandenberg found wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the space it provided. Mainstream wrestling hadn't been welcoming for women, so she founded Fist Club with performers Rich Tea. For them, the sport and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve creating an character and winning over the audience.

Inclusivity and Innovation

Fist Club is for LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and fills up rapidly across the UK. Some fans have even been inspired to try the sport themselves. With primarily performers, the show limits male wrestlers to a small percentage, reflecting the experience of underrepresented groups in mainstream wrestling. The organizer emphasizes the goal of welcoming people who've never seen wrestling.

Great wrestling relies on the performance – making the viewers feel in the action. Safety are top priority, but injuries occur. Olesker suffered a fracture in an early show, and Bandenberg broke both big toes during training, though she considers herself lucky.

Wrestling as Art

In Glasgow, the sport is being transformed through artistic expression. Creators Luke George and Daniel Kok developed an installation using rope bondage, suspending people to create living sculptures. They've worked with sportspeople in different locations, tailoring the piece to local culture. In the city, they're featuring grapplers to explore endurance and what the body can do.

Bondage and grappling both require trust and dialogue, navigating power dynamics and care. George explains that fighters communicate during matches to achieve a narrative, showing mutual support even in combat.

Dedication and Joy

Although interest in the sport may rise and fall, dedicated fans and performers remain devoted. Long periods are spent training for events, and creations like Still Lives emphasize the perseverance involved. By different styles, artists aim to honor wrestling, bring in supporters, and prove that it transcends identity, shape, or style.

Bandenberg sums it up: A lot happening live, performed by people who are passionate. They're not in it for money; they see it as a creative expression that brings joy.