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The comedian Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the title prize during the comedic wrestling showdown. At the moment he made his move, fellow comic Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, sent everyone flying, and walked away with the coveted belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, clarifies that it was in fact the pro wrestler Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who delivered the blow with a devastating move. He maintains he could have handled Gamble in a fair fight.

The Changing Fortunes of Pro Wrestling

Public interest in sports entertainment has fluctuated widely since its golden era in the eighties. Earlier this year, WWE secured a massive deal with Netflix, worth billions, elevating the athletic sport further into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a rich working-class history, producing world-class talent like international stars. Today, wrestling is expanding into performance spaces, with several of shows across the country attracting new audiences through humor, LGBTQ+ performance, and even art installations.

When Humor Enters the Ring

Max Olesker, who once held the title as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, brought his collaborator Ivan Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their university days. The energy was incredible, Gonzalez recalls, comparing it to a larger-than-life pantomime of heroes and villains. As a duo, they created a show that combined comedy and wrestling, persuading pro wrestlers they weren't making fun of the discipline and encouraging comedians to take risks. Originally titled their hit show, it earned a major prize and has expanded in popularity ever since.

Renamed the comedic clash, the show recently featured comedians defeating Greg Davies at a large arena. Up next, it will headline Hammersmith Apollo, making its first independent appearance. The lineup includes grapplers like Simon Miller and funny people such as well-known acts, with James Acaster throwing down an open challenge to anyone. Joining the fun, commentators like Nish Kumar will root for the bad guys, while Sara Pascoe supports the good guys. Comedy is key, but the main attraction is the action in the squared circle.

The Logistical Challenge

Organizing such an production is a huge challenge. Comedians are enrolled to wrestling school to learn the fundamentals. Gonzalez explains, it's similar to how TV programs teach stars for specific routines. Another notes that, much like those shows, there's plenty of drama among the cast, which makes the show flow.

Grappling resembles drag – there's an character, you're getting the crowd on your side

Reality and Pretence

The sport always walks a tightrope between authenticity and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who runs an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, explains it as training to be an competitor and a gymnast, with parts of stunt work. There's pain involved, particularly when learning fundamentals like the impact fall. Risk is real, though choreography minimize injuries. The liveness heightens this, as events blend scripted and improvised elements. Olesker notes, the crowd's reaction directly influences what happens, unlike traditional theater.

She discovered wrestling by accident and fell in love with the freedom it provided. Traditional shows hadn't been inclusive for women, so she created her own event with performers Rich Tea. In their view, the sport and cabaret are a natural fit, as both involve creating an character and engaging the audience.

Inclusivity and Innovation

The event caters to LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and sells out quickly across the UK. Audience members have even been inspired to start wrestling. Featuring mostly performers, the night restricts male wrestlers to a small percentage, reflecting the reality of underrepresented groups in traditional events. Bandenberg stresses the goal of welcoming people who've never seen wrestling.

Great wrestling relies on the performance – convincing the audience believe in the drama. Safety are paramount, but injuries do happen. Olesker broke his ankle in an early show, and another injured both big toes during training, though she says it could have been worse.

The Artistic Side

Up in Scotland, wrestling is being reimagined through performance art. Artists George and Kok created an installation using shibari, hanging participants to create art pieces. They've featured athletes in various cities, tailoring the piece to each place. In Glasgow, they're featuring grapplers to showcase endurance and what the body can do.

Bondage and wrestling both involve trust and communication, navigating control and care. George explains that fighters signal during fights to achieve a narrative, demonstrating mutual support even in conflict.

The Heart of Wrestling

While interest in the sport may rise and fall, dedicated fans and performers stay devoted. Long periods are dedicated training for shows, and artistic projects like Still Lives emphasize the patience involved. By different styles, artists aim to celebrate wrestling, bring in new fans, and prove that it goes beyond identity, body type, or style.

Bandenberg sums it up: There's so much going on in real time, done by people who love it. They're not in it for money; they see it as a creative art form that spreads happiness.