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Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the title prize 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. Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, notes that it was in fact the pro wrestler Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who took them down with a powerful clothesline. Olesker insists he could have handled Gamble in a fair fight.

The Evolution of Professional Wrestling

The popularity in pro wrestling has seen ups and downs since its golden era in the eighties. Earlier this year, the wrestling giant landed a record-breaking agreement with the streaming service, worth an eye-watering sum, elevating the athletic spectacle further into the mainstream. In the UK, wrestling has a deep-rooted blue-collar background, producing top-tier competitors like international stars. Today, wrestling is branching out into performance arenas, with a range of productions across the country attracting fresh fans through comedy, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

When Humor Enters the Ring

Max Olesker, who once was known as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, introduced his comedy partner Gonzalez to the sport during their university days. The energy was incredible, Gonzalez recalls, comparing it to a over-the-top drama of heroes and villains. Together, they developed a show that merged comedy and grappling, persuading athletes they weren't making fun of the sport and getting comedians to jump off the ropes. First called their hit show, it won a major comedy award and has grown in appeal ever since.

Renamed Clash of the Comics, the show recently showcased Rosie Jones beating fellow comics at a large arena. Up next, it will headline a famous London theater, marking its first standalone run. The cast includes grapplers like Simon Miller and comedians such as Aisling Bea, with one comic throwing down an open challenge to anyone. Joining the fun, commentators like a familiar face will cheer on the bad guys, while Sara Pascoe supports the good guys. Comedy is central, but the main attraction is the action in the squared circle.

Behind the Scenes

Organizing such an production is a logistical nightmare. Comedians are sent to training facilities to learn the basics. Gonzalez explains, it's like how reality shows train celebrities for specific performances. Olesker adds that, much like those shows, there's plenty of backstage excitement among the cast, which helps the show run smoothly.

Grappling resembles performance art – you have an character, and you work to get the audience on your team

The Fine Line in Wrestling

The sport constantly walks a fine line between authenticity and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who organizes Fist Club, explains it as training to be an competitor and a acrobat, with parts of stunt work. It hurts, especially when mastering basic moves like the impact fall. The danger is present, even if choreography minimize injuries. Live performance adds to this, as shows blend scripted and spontaneous moments. As one creator says, the audience response directly influences what happens, unlike traditional theater.

She discovered wrestling by accident and fell in love with the space it provided. Traditional shows hadn't been welcoming for women, so she created Fist Club with drag kings like these artists. In their view, wrestling and variety performance are a perfect match, as both involve creating an alter ego 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 inspired to try the sport themselves. Featuring mostly performers, the night restricts straight male participants to a minority, mirroring the experience of minorities in mainstream wrestling. The organizer emphasizes the aim of attracting people who've never seen wrestling.

Great wrestling depends on the sell – convincing the viewers feel in the drama. Safety are paramount, but accidents do happen. Olesker broke his ankle in an initial performance, and another injured both toes during practice, though she says it could have been worse.

Wrestling as Art

In Glasgow, wrestling is being transformed through performance art. Artists George and Kok developed Still Lives using shibari, suspending people to form art pieces. They've worked with sportspeople in various cities, adapting the piece to each place. In Glasgow, they're featuring pro wrestlers to showcase endurance and physical limits.

Rope work and wrestling both require reliance and communication, navigating control and care. George explains that fighters signal during matches to create a narrative, showing mutual support even in conflict.

Dedication and Joy

Although wrestling's popularity may rise and fall, dedicated fans and performers stay steadfast. Months are dedicated preparing for events, and creations like Still Lives highlight the perseverance involved. By different styles, artists aim to honor wrestling, bring in new fans, and prove that it goes beyond identity, shape, or form.

Bandenberg sums it up: There's so much going on in real time, performed by people who love it. No one's in it for money; they see it as a creative expression that brings joy.