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The comedian Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the championship belt during the comedic wrestling showdown. Just as he reached for it, fellow comic Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, sent everyone flying, and walked away with the coveted belt. Max Olesker, a comedian, clarifies that it was actually Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who delivered the blow with a powerful clothesline. Olesker insists he might have beaten Gamble one-on-one.

The Changing Fortunes of Professional Wrestling

The popularity in pro wrestling has seen ups and downs since its golden era in the 1980s. Recently, WWE secured a massive agreement with Netflix, worth billions, 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. Now, wrestling is branching out into performance arenas, with a range of shows across the country drawing in fresh fans through humor, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Max Olesker, who once was known as the Britain's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The atmosphere was incredible, he remembers, comparing it to a larger-than-life pantomime of heroes and villains. As a duo, they created a show that combined comedy and grappling, convincing pro wrestlers they weren't mocking the sport and encouraging performers to jump off the ropes. Originally titled The Wrestling, it won a prestigious prize and has expanded in appeal ever since.

Renamed the comedic clash, the show recently featured Rosie Jones beating Greg Davies at a large arena. Up next, it will take over a famous London theater, making its first independent run. The cast includes grapplers like popular fighters and comedians such as Aisling Bea, with one comic throwing down an public invitation to anyone. Joining the fun, commentators like Nish Kumar will cheer on the bad guys, while Sara Pascoe backs the heroes. Humor is key, but the real draw is the action in the squared circle.

The Logistical Challenge

Putting together such an production is a logistical nightmare. Comedians are sent to training facilities to learn the basics. Gonzalez explains, it's similar to how reality shows teach celebrities for particular performances. Another notes that, much like those shows, there's plenty of drama among the participants, which helps the show flow.

Wrestling is drag – there's an character, you're getting the crowd on your team

The Fine Line in Wrestling

Wrestling always balances on a fine line between reality and pretence. An expert, who runs Fist Club, explains it as preparing to be an competitor and a gymnast, with parts of stunt work. It hurts, especially when mastering fundamentals like the bump. Risk is real, though planned sequences minimize injuries. Live performance adds to this, as shows mix prepared and spontaneous moments. Olesker notes, the crowd's reaction directly influences what unfolds, unlike traditional theater.

Bandenberg found wrestling by accident and became captivated with the freedom it offered. Traditional shows wasn't inclusive for female performers, so she founded her own event with drag kings Rich Tea. In their view, the sport and cabaret are a perfect match, as both involve building an alter ego and winning over the audience.

New Audiences and Art Forms

Fist Club is for LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and sells out rapidly across the UK. Audience members have even been inspired to start wrestling. With primarily performers, the night restricts straight male participants to a minority, mirroring the reality of minorities in traditional events. The organizer stresses the aim of attracting newcomers.

A successful match depends on the sell – making the audience feel in the drama. Precautions are top priority, but injuries occur. One creator suffered a fracture in an early show, and Bandenberg injured both toes during practice, though she says it could have been worse.

Wrestling as Art

In Glasgow, wrestling is being transformed through artistic expression. Creators Luke George and Daniel Kok created an installation using shibari, hanging participants to create living sculptures. They've featured athletes in various cities, tailoring the piece to each place. In Glasgow, they're featuring pro wrestlers to showcase stamina and physical limits.

Rope work and grappling both require trust and dialogue, handling control and safety. One artist says that fighters communicate during matches to create a narrative, demonstrating cooperation even in combat.

The Heart of Wrestling

While interest in the sport may ebb and flow, committed participants stay steadfast. Months are dedicated training for events, and creations like Still Lives highlight the perseverance involved. Through these varied approaches, creators aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it goes beyond identity, body type, or form.

One organizer concludes: A lot happening live, performed by people who love it. No one's getting rich; it's viewed as a artistic expression that brings joy.