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The comedian Phil Wang was on the verge of securing the championship belt during the comedic wrestling showdown. Just as he reached for it, fellow comic Ed Gamble stormed in, sent everyone flying, and walked away with the shiny belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, notes that it was actually the pro wrestler Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who took them down with a powerful clothesline. He maintains he could have handled Gamble in a fair fight.

The Changing Fortunes of Professional Wrestling

Public interest in pro wrestling has fluctuated widely since its golden era in the eighties. Recently, WWE secured a record-breaking deal with Netflix, worth billions, pushing the athletic spectacle further into the public eye. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a deep-rooted working-class history, producing top-tier competitors like international stars. Now, wrestling is branching out into performance arenas, with several of productions across the country drawing in fresh fans through comedy, LGBTQ+ performance, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Max Olesker, who once was known as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, brought his collaborator Ivan Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The energy was electric, he remembers, describing it as a larger-than-life pantomime of heroes and villains. Together, they created a show that combined stand-up and grappling, convincing pro wrestlers they weren't making fun of the sport and getting comedians to jump off the ropes. Originally titled The Wrestling, it earned a major prize and has grown in popularity ever since.

Renamed Clash of the Comics, the event recently showcased Rosie Jones defeating Greg Davies at a large arena. Up next, it will take over Hammersmith Apollo, marking its first standalone appearance. The lineup includes pro wrestlers like Simon Miller and funny people such as well-known acts, with James Acaster issuing an public invitation to anyone. Joining the excitement, commentators like Nish Kumar will cheer on the bad guys, while another host supports the heroes. Comedy is key, but the main attraction is the spectacle in the squared circle.

Behind the Scenes

Putting together such an production is a logistical nightmare. Comedians are sent to wrestling school to pick up the fundamentals. Gonzalez explains, it's similar to how TV programs train stars for particular performances. Another notes that, much like those shows, there's plenty of drama among the participants, which helps the event run smoothly.

Wrestling is drag – you have an alter ego, you're getting the audience on your team

The Fine Line in Wrestling

The sport always balances on a fine line between authenticity and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, describes it as training to be an competitor and a acrobat, with elements of dangerous moves. There's pain involved, especially when learning basic moves like the bump. The danger is present, though choreography reduce injuries. Live performance heightens this, as events mix prepared and spontaneous elements. Olesker notes, the crowd's reaction directly influences what unfolds, unlike stage plays.

She discovered wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the freedom it provided. Mainstream wrestling wasn't welcoming for women, so she founded Fist Club with performers like these artists. For them, wrestling and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve creating an character and engaging the audience.

New Audiences and Art Forms

Fist Club caters to queer and female wrestlers and sells out rapidly across the UK. Audience members have even been motivated to try the sport themselves. With mostly drag kings, the show limits straight male wrestlers to a small percentage, mirroring the experience of minorities in mainstream wrestling. The organizer emphasizes the goal of attracting newcomers.

A successful match depends on the performance – convincing the audience feel in the drama. Precautions are paramount, but injuries occur. Olesker suffered a fracture in an initial performance, and another broke both big toes during practice, though she considers herself lucky.

The Artistic Side

In Glasgow, the sport is being transformed through artistic expression. Creators Luke George and Daniel Kok created Still Lives using shibari, hanging participants to form art pieces. They've featured sportspeople in different locations, tailoring the work to local culture. In the city, they're featuring grapplers to showcase endurance and physical limits.

Bondage and grappling both require reliance and dialogue, navigating power dynamics and safety. George explains that fighters communicate during fights to create a narrative, demonstrating mutual support even in conflict.

Dedication and Joy

Although interest in the sport may ebb and flow, dedicated participants remain devoted. Months are spent training for shows, and creations like the installation highlight the patience involved. By these varied styles, creators aim to celebrate wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it transcends identity, body type, or style.

Bandenberg sums it up: There's so much happening live, performed by people who love it. They're not in it for money; they see it as a creative expression that brings joy.