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Phil Wang was about to claim of grabbing the title prize during the comedic wrestling showdown. Just as he reached for it, fellow comic Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, knocked everyone out, and walked away with the shiny belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, a comedian, notes that it was in fact Bullit, acting as an enforcer, 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 seen ups and downs since its golden era in the 1980s. Recently, WWE landed a massive deal with Netflix, worth an eye-watering sum, elevating the athletic spectacle deeper into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a deep-rooted working-class history, nurturing world-class talent like Will Ospreay. Now, wrestling is expanding into theatrical spaces, with a range of shows across the country drawing in new audiences through humor, LGBTQ+ performance, and even living sculpture.

Comedy Meets Combat

Olesker, who once held the title as the Britain's youngest pro wrestler, introduced his comedy partner Ivan Gonzalez to the sport during their university days. The energy was electric, Gonzalez recalls, comparing it to a over-the-top pantomime of good versus evil. As a duo, they developed a production that combined stand-up and grappling, convincing pro wrestlers they weren't mocking the discipline and getting comedians to jump off the ropes. First called The Wrestling, it won a major comedy award and has grown in popularity ever since.

Now known as Clash of the Comics, the show recently featured Rosie Jones defeating fellow comics at a major venue. Up next, it will headline Hammersmith Apollo, making its first standalone run. The lineup includes pro wrestlers like Simon Miller and funny people such as Aisling Bea, with James Acaster issuing an open challenge to all contenders. Joining the excitement, commentators like Nish Kumar will root for the villains, while another host supports the good guys. Humor is central, but the main attraction is the action in the squared circle.

The Logistical Challenge

Organizing such an event 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 specific performances. Olesker adds that, much like those series, there's lots of backstage excitement among the cast, which helps the event flow.

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

The Fine Line in Wrestling

The sport always balances on a tightrope between reality and performance. An expert, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, explains it as training to be an athlete and a acrobat, with elements of stunt work. There's pain involved, particularly when mastering fundamentals like the impact fall. Risk is present, even if planned sequences minimize injuries. Live performance heightens this, as events mix scripted and improvised moments. Olesker notes, the audience response shapes what happens, unlike traditional theater.

She found wrestling unexpectedly and became captivated with the freedom it offered. Traditional shows hadn't been inclusive for women, so she founded her own event with drag kings Rich Tea. In their view, wrestling and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve building an character and winning over the crowd.

Inclusivity and Innovation

The event caters to queer and female wrestlers and fills up quickly across the UK. Audience members have even been motivated to start wrestling. Featuring mostly drag kings, the night limits straight male wrestlers to a minority, mirroring the reality of underrepresented groups in mainstream wrestling. The organizer emphasizes the aim of attracting people who've never seen wrestling.

A successful match relies on the sell – making the viewers believe in the drama. Precautions are paramount, but accidents do happen. One creator suffered a fracture in an early show, and another injured both toes during practice, though she considers herself lucky.

The Artistic Side

In Glasgow, the sport is being transformed through performance art. Creators George and Kok developed Still Lives using rope bondage, hanging people to form art pieces. They've featured athletes in different locations, tailoring the work to each place. In the city, they're featuring pro wrestlers to showcase stamina and physical limits.

Bondage and wrestling both require reliance and communication, navigating control and safety. One artist says that wrestlers signal during fights to achieve a storyline, demonstrating mutual support even in combat.

Dedication and Joy

While wrestling's popularity may rise and fall, committed participants remain devoted. Months are dedicated preparing for events, and artistic projects like the installation emphasize the perseverance involved. By these varied approaches, artists aim to celebrate wrestling, attract new fans, and show that it goes beyond gender, body type, or form.

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 brings joy.