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Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the championship belt during Clash of the Comics. At the moment he reached for it, fellow comic Ed Gamble stormed in, sent everyone flying, and walked away with the coveted belt. Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, notes that it was actually Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who took them down with a powerful clothesline. Olesker insists he could have handled Gamble one-on-one.

The Changing Fortunes of Pro Wrestling

The popularity in sports entertainment has seen ups and downs since its golden era in the 1980s. Earlier this year, the wrestling giant landed a record-breaking deal with the streaming service, worth an eye-watering sum, pushing the athletic sport deeper into the public eye. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a rich blue-collar history, nurturing world-class talent like international stars. Today, wrestling is branching out into theatrical spaces, with several of productions across the country drawing in new audiences through humor, queer cabaret, and even living sculpture.

Comedy Meets Combat

Olesker, who previously was known as the Britain's youngest pro wrestler, introduced his comedy partner Gonzalez to the sport during their university days. The energy was electric, Gonzalez recalls, describing it as a over-the-top pantomime of good versus evil. Together, they created a show that merged stand-up and wrestling, persuading pro wrestlers they weren't mocking the discipline and getting comedians to jump off the ropes. Originally titled The Wrestling, it earned a major prize and has expanded in appeal ever since.

Now known as the comedic clash, the event recently showcased comedians defeating fellow comics at a major venue. Coming soon, it will headline Hammersmith Apollo, making its first independent run. The lineup includes pro wrestlers like Simon Miller and comedians such as well-known acts, with one comic throwing down an public invitation to anyone. Joining the fun, commentators like Nish Kumar will root for the bad guys, while another host supports the heroes. Humor is central, but the real draw is the spectacle in the squared circle.

Behind the Scenes

Putting together such an event is a logistical nightmare. The performers are sent to training facilities to learn the basics. As one organizer says, it's similar to how TV programs teach celebrities for particular routines. Olesker adds that, much like those series, there's plenty of backstage excitement among the participants, which makes the show run smoothly.

Grappling resembles drag – there's an alter ego, and you work to get the crowd on your team

Reality and Pretence

Wrestling always walks a fine line between authenticity and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who organizes Fist Club, describes it as preparing to be an athlete and a gymnast, with parts of stunt work. It hurts, particularly when learning basic moves like the impact fall. The danger is real, even if planned sequences minimize harm. Live performance adds to this, as events mix scripted and spontaneous moments. Olesker notes, the audience response shapes what unfolds, unlike traditional theater.

Bandenberg found wrestling unexpectedly and became captivated with the freedom it provided. Mainstream wrestling wasn't welcoming for women, so she founded her own event with drag kings 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 caters to LGBTQ+ and women fighters and sells out rapidly across the UK. Some fans have even been motivated to start wrestling. With mostly performers, the show restricts straight male wrestlers to a minority, mirroring the experience of minorities in traditional events. The organizer stresses the goal of welcoming newcomers.

Great wrestling depends on the performance – making the viewers believe in the drama. Safety are paramount, but injuries do happen. One creator broke his ankle in an initial performance, and Bandenberg broke both big toes during training, though she says it could have been worse.

The Artistic Side

Up in Scotland, the sport is being transformed through artistic expression. Artists George and Kok developed Still Lives using rope bondage, suspending participants to create art pieces. They've worked with athletes in different locations, tailoring the piece to local culture. In Glasgow, they're using pro wrestlers to showcase endurance and physical limits.

Rope work and grappling both require trust and communication, navigating power dynamics and care. George explains that fighters communicate during fights to create a storyline, showing cooperation even in combat.

Dedication and Joy

Although interest in the sport may ebb and flow, committed fans and performers remain devoted. Months are spent preparing for events, and creations like the installation emphasize the patience involved. By these varied styles, creators aim to celebrate wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it transcends identity, shape, or style.

One organizer concludes: A lot going on in real time, done by people who love it. No one's in it for money; it's viewed as a creative art form that spreads happiness.