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Phil Wang was on the verge of securing the championship belt during the comedic wrestling showdown. Just as he reached for it, Ed Gamble stormed in, knocked everyone out, and made off with the coveted belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, a comedian, clarifies that it was in fact the pro wrestler Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who took them down with a powerful clothesline. He maintains he might have beaten Gamble in a fair fight.

The Changing Fortunes of Pro Wrestling

Public interest in pro wrestling has seen ups and downs since its golden era in the eighties. Recently, the wrestling giant landed a massive agreement with the streaming service, worth an eye-watering sum, elevating the athletic spectacle further into the public eye. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a rich working-class history, producing world-class competitors like Will Ospreay. Now, wrestling is branching out into theatrical spaces, with a range of shows across the country attracting new audiences through comedy, LGBTQ+ performance, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Max Olesker, who previously held the title as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, introduced his comedy partner Ivan Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The atmosphere was incredible, Gonzalez recalls, comparing it to a larger-than-life drama of good versus evil. Together, they developed a production that combined stand-up and wrestling, persuading pro wrestlers they weren't making fun of the discipline and encouraging performers to take risks. Originally titled their hit show, it earned a major comedy award and has grown in appeal ever since.

Renamed Clash of the Comics, the event previously showcased Rosie Jones beating Greg Davies at a large arena. Up next, it will headline a famous London theater, making its first standalone appearance. The cast includes pro wrestlers like popular fighters and funny people such as Aisling Bea, with one comic throwing down an open challenge to anyone. Adding to the fun, hosts like a familiar face will cheer on the bad guys, while another host supports the heroes. Comedy is key, but the main attraction is the spectacle in the ring.

The Logistical Challenge

Putting together such an event is a logistical nightmare. Comedians are sent to wrestling school to pick up the basics. As one organizer says, it's similar to how reality shows teach stars for particular performances. Olesker adds that, much like those shows, there's lots of drama among the participants, which helps the event run smoothly.

Grappling resembles drag – you have an character, you're getting the audience on your side

The Fine Line in Wrestling

The sport always walks a fine line between authenticity and performance. An expert, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, describes it as training to be an athlete and a acrobat, with parts of stunt work. It hurts, especially when learning fundamentals like the impact fall. Risk is present, though planned sequences reduce injuries. The liveness heightens this, as shows mix scripted and improvised moments. Olesker notes, the crowd's reaction directly influences what happens, unlike stage plays.

She found wrestling unexpectedly and became captivated with the freedom it provided. Mainstream wrestling hadn't been inclusive for female performers, so she created her own event with drag kings like these artists. For them, the sport and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve building an character and winning over the audience.

Inclusivity and Innovation

Fist Club is for LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and fills up quickly across the UK. Some fans have even been inspired to try the sport themselves. With primarily performers, the night limits male participants to a minority, mirroring the reality of underrepresented groups in traditional events. The organizer emphasizes the goal of attracting newcomers.

Great wrestling relies on the sell – convincing the audience believe in the drama. Safety are paramount, but injuries occur. Olesker broke his ankle in an initial performance, and Bandenberg broke both big toes during practice, though she says it could have been worse.

Wrestling as Art

Up in Scotland, the sport is being transformed through artistic expression. Creators Luke George and Daniel Kok created Still Lives using shibari, suspending people to form art pieces. They've worked with sportspeople in different locations, tailoring the work to local culture. In the city, they're using grapplers to explore stamina and physical limits.

Rope work and wrestling both involve trust and dialogue, handling control and care. One artist says that fighters signal during matches to achieve a narrative, demonstrating cooperation even in combat.

Dedication and Joy

While interest in the sport may rise and fall, dedicated participants stay steadfast. Long periods are spent preparing for shows, and artistic projects like the installation highlight the patience involved. By these varied styles, artists aim to honor wrestling, bring in new fans, and prove that it goes beyond gender, body type, or form.

Bandenberg concludes: There's so much happening live, performed by people who love it. They're not in it for money; it's viewed as a creative art form that spreads happiness.