🔗 Share this article

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 made off with the shiny belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, clarifies that it was actually the pro wrestler Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who delivered the blow with a devastating move. He maintains he might have beaten Gamble in a fair fight.

The Changing Fortunes of Pro Wrestling

Public interest in sports entertainment has seen ups and downs since its peak in the eighties. Recently, the wrestling giant landed a record-breaking agreement with Netflix, valued at billions, elevating the muscle-bound sport further into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a rich working-class history, producing top-tier competitors like Will Ospreay. Today, wrestling is branching out into performance arenas, with several of shows across the country drawing in fresh fans through comedy, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

When Humor Enters the Ring

Max Olesker, who previously was known as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their university days. The atmosphere was incredible, Gonzalez recalls, comparing it to a larger-than-life drama of heroes and villains. Together, they created a show that merged stand-up and wrestling, persuading athletes they weren't making fun of the sport and encouraging comedians to take risks. Originally titled their hit show, it earned a prestigious prize and has grown in popularity ever since.

Now known as Clash of the Comics, the event previously showcased comedians beating fellow comics at a large arena. Coming soon, it will headline a famous London theater, marking its first independent appearance. The cast includes grapplers like popular fighters and funny people such as Aisling Bea, with one comic issuing an open challenge to anyone. Joining the fun, commentators like Nish Kumar will cheer on the bad guys, while Sara Pascoe supports the heroes. Comedy is central, but the real draw is the spectacle in the ring.

The Logistical Challenge

Organizing such an production is a huge challenge. Comedians are enrolled to training facilities to pick up the basics. As one organizer says, it's like how reality shows train celebrities for specific routines. Another notes that, much like those shows, there's lots of drama among the cast, which makes the show run smoothly.

Grappling resembles drag – you have an alter ego, and you work to get the audience on your team

Reality and Pretence

Wrestling constantly walks a fine line between reality and pretence. An expert, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, explains it as preparing to be an athlete and a gymnast, with elements of stunt work. There's pain involved, especially when learning fundamentals like the bump. The danger is present, though choreography minimize harm. The liveness heightens this, as events mix scripted and improvised moments. Olesker notes, the audience response shapes what unfolds, unlike traditional theater.

She found wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the space it provided. Traditional shows wasn't welcoming for women, so she founded her own event with performers like these artists. For them, wrestling and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve building an alter ego and winning over the crowd.

New Audiences and Art Forms

The event is for LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and fills up rapidly across the UK. Some fans have even been motivated to try the sport themselves. Featuring mostly performers, the night restricts straight male participants to a small percentage, mirroring the experience of underrepresented groups in traditional events. The organizer stresses the goal of attracting people who've never seen wrestling.

A successful match depends on the sell – convincing the viewers feel in the drama. Safety are paramount, but injuries do happen. One creator broke his ankle in an initial performance, and Bandenberg injured both big toes during practice, though she considers herself lucky.

Wrestling as Art

Up in Scotland, the sport is being transformed through performance art. Artists Luke George and Daniel Kok created Still Lives using shibari, hanging people to form living sculptures. They've featured sportspeople in different locations, adapting the piece to each place. In Glasgow, they're featuring pro wrestlers to showcase endurance and physical limits.

Rope work and wrestling both involve reliance and dialogue, handling power dynamics and safety. One artist says that wrestlers communicate during matches to create a narrative, demonstrating mutual support even in conflict.

Dedication and Joy

While wrestling's popularity may rise and fall, committed fans and performers remain steadfast. Months are spent training for events, and creations like the installation emphasize the patience involved. By different styles, creators aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it transcends gender, shape, or form.

One organizer concludes: A lot going on in real time, done by people who are passionate. No one's in it for money; it's viewed as a artistic expression that brings joy.