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The comedian Phil Wang was about to claim of grabbing the title prize during Clash of the Comics. Just as he reached for it, fellow comic Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, sent everyone flying, and made off with the coveted belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, a comedian, clarifies that it was actually the pro wrestler Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who delivered the blow with a devastating move. Olesker insists he could have handled Gamble in a fair fight.

The Evolution of Pro Wrestling

Public interest in sports entertainment has seen ups and downs since its peak in the eighties. Earlier this year, WWE landed a massive agreement with the streaming service, worth billions, pushing the muscle-bound sport further into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a deep-rooted blue-collar background, producing top-tier talent like Will Ospreay. Now, wrestling is expanding into performance spaces, with a range of productions across the country attracting new audiences through comedy, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Olesker, who previously held the title as the Britain's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Gonzalez to the sport during their university days. The energy was electric, he remembers, comparing it to a over-the-top drama of good versus evil. Together, they created a production that merged comedy and grappling, persuading athletes they weren't mocking the discipline and encouraging performers to jump off the ropes. Originally titled The Wrestling, it earned a prestigious prize and has expanded in appeal ever since.

Renamed the comedic clash, the show recently showcased comedians defeating fellow comics at a major venue. Up next, it will take over a famous London theater, marking its first standalone run. The lineup 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 excitement, hosts like Nish Kumar will root for the bad guys, while another host backs the heroes. Humor is central, but the real draw is the spectacle in the ring.

The Logistical Challenge

Putting together such an event is a huge challenge. Comedians are enrolled to training facilities to learn the basics. Gonzalez explains, it's similar to how reality shows teach celebrities for specific performances. Another notes that, akin to those series, there's lots of drama among the participants, which helps the event flow.

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

Reality and Pretence

Wrestling constantly balances on a tightrope between reality and pretence. An expert, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, describes it as preparing to be an competitor and a gymnast, with parts of stunt work. It hurts, particularly when mastering fundamentals like the impact fall. Risk is real, even if planned sequences minimize harm. 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 found wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the space it offered. Traditional shows wasn't inclusive for female performers, so she created Fist Club with performers like these artists. In their view, wrestling and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve creating an character and winning over the audience.

New Audiences and Art Forms

Fist Club is for queer and female fighters and sells out quickly across the UK. Some fans have even been inspired to start wrestling. Featuring primarily drag kings, the night restricts male wrestlers to a small percentage, mirroring the reality of minorities in traditional events. The organizer emphasizes the goal of welcoming people who've never seen wrestling.

A successful match depends on the sell – making the viewers feel in the action. Safety are paramount, but injuries do happen. Olesker broke his ankle in an early show, and Bandenberg injured both big toes during training, though she considers herself lucky.

The Artistic Side

In Glasgow, the sport is being transformed through artistic expression. Artists George and Kok created Still Lives using shibari, suspending participants to create art pieces. They've worked with sportspeople in different locations, tailoring the work to each place. In Glasgow, they're featuring grapplers to showcase stamina and what the body can do.

Bondage and grappling both involve trust and communication, navigating control and safety. George explains that fighters signal during fights to create a narrative, showing mutual support even in conflict.

The Heart of Wrestling

While wrestling's popularity may rise and fall, committed fans and performers remain devoted. Long periods are dedicated training for events, and creations like Still Lives highlight the patience involved. Through these varied approaches, creators aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and show that it transcends identity, shape, or form.

Bandenberg concludes: There's so much going on in real time, done by people who love it. No one's in it for money; it's viewed as a artistic expression that spreads happiness.