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Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the championship belt during Clash of the Comics. At the moment he made his move, Ed Gamble stormed in, sent everyone flying, and made off with the coveted 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 powerful clothesline. Olesker insists he might have beaten Gamble one-on-one.

The Evolution of Professional Wrestling

Public interest in sports entertainment has seen ups and downs since its peak in the 1980s. Earlier this year, the wrestling giant secured a massive deal with the streaming service, worth an eye-watering sum, pushing the muscle-bound spectacle deeper into the public eye. In the UK, wrestling has a rich blue-collar background, nurturing top-tier talent like Will Ospreay. Today, wrestling is expanding into performance arenas, with a range of productions across the country drawing in fresh fans through comedy, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Max Olesker, who previously held the title as the Britain's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Gonzalez to the sport during their college days. The atmosphere was electric, Gonzalez recalls, comparing it to a larger-than-life drama of heroes and villains. Together, they developed a show that merged stand-up and wrestling, convincing pro wrestlers they weren't mocking the discipline and getting performers to jump off the ropes. First called their hit show, it earned a major comedy award and has expanded in popularity ever since.

Renamed the comedic clash, the show recently featured comedians beating fellow comics at a major venue. Coming soon, it will headline a famous London theater, marking its first independent appearance. The cast includes pro wrestlers like Simon Miller and comedians such as Aisling Bea, with one comic throwing down an public invitation to anyone. Adding to the fun, hosts like a familiar face will cheer on the bad guys, while Sara Pascoe supports the good guys. Comedy is key, but the real draw is the spectacle in the ring.

Behind the Scenes

Organizing such an event is a logistical nightmare. The performers are sent to training facilities to pick up the basics. As one organizer says, it's similar to how reality shows train celebrities for specific routines. Olesker adds that, much like those series, there's plenty of backstage excitement among the cast, which helps the event run smoothly.

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

Reality and Pretence

Wrestling always walks a tightrope between reality and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who runs an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, explains it as training to be an athlete and a gymnast, with elements of dangerous moves. There's pain involved, particularly when mastering basic moves like the bump. Risk is real, though choreography minimize injuries. The liveness adds to this, as shows blend prepared and spontaneous moments. Olesker notes, the audience response shapes what happens, unlike traditional theater.

Bandenberg found wrestling unexpectedly and became captivated with the space it provided. Mainstream wrestling hadn't been inclusive for female performers, so she created Fist Club with drag kings like these artists. In their view, the sport and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve building an character and engaging the audience.

Inclusivity and Innovation

The event is for LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and fills up rapidly across the country. Some fans have even been inspired to start wrestling. With primarily drag kings, the show limits straight male wrestlers to a small percentage, reflecting the reality of minorities in traditional events. The organizer stresses the aim of welcoming people who've never seen wrestling.

Great wrestling relies on the performance – making the viewers feel in the drama. Precautions are top priority, but accidents do happen. Olesker suffered a fracture in an initial performance, and Bandenberg broke both big toes during training, though she says it could have been worse.

Wrestling as Art

In Glasgow, wrestling is being reimagined through performance art. Creators George and Kok developed Still Lives using rope bondage, suspending people to create living sculptures. They've worked with athletes in various cities, tailoring the piece to local culture. In the city, they're featuring grapplers to explore stamina and physical limits.

Bondage and grappling both require trust and communication, navigating control and safety. One artist says that fighters communicate during matches to create a narrative, demonstrating mutual support even in combat.

The Heart of Wrestling

While interest in the sport may ebb and flow, dedicated fans and performers stay steadfast. Months are spent training for shows, and artistic projects like the installation highlight the patience involved. By these varied styles, creators aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it goes beyond identity, shape, or form.

One organizer sums it up: There's so much going on in real time, performed by people who are passionate. They're not getting rich; they see it as a artistic art form that spreads happiness.