The comedian Phil Wang was on the verge of securing the championship belt during Clash of the Comics. Just as he reached for it, Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, sent everyone flying, and made off with the shiny belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, a comedian, notes that it was in fact Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who took them down with a devastating move. Olesker insists he might have beaten Gamble one-on-one.
The Changing Fortunes of Professional Wrestling
The popularity in sports entertainment has seen ups and downs since its golden era in the eighties. Recently, the wrestling giant secured a record-breaking deal with Netflix, worth billions, pushing the athletic sport deeper into the public eye. In the UK, wrestling has a deep-rooted working-class background, producing world-class competitors like Will Ospreay. Now, wrestling is branching out into theatrical spaces, with several of productions across the country attracting fresh fans through humor, queer cabaret, and even art installations.
When Humor Enters the Ring
Max Olesker, who previously held the title as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, introduced his comedy partner Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The energy was electric, Gonzalez recalls, describing it as a over-the-top pantomime of heroes and villains. As a duo, they developed a production that merged stand-up and grappling, persuading athletes they weren't mocking the discipline and encouraging comedians to jump off the ropes. First called their hit show, it earned a major comedy award and has grown in popularity ever since.
Now known as Clash of the Comics, the show recently featured comedians beating fellow comics at a large arena. Up next, it will take over a famous London theater, making its first independent run. The lineup includes pro wrestlers like popular fighters and comedians such as well-known acts, with James Acaster throwing down an open challenge to anyone. Adding to the excitement, commentators like Nish Kumar will root for the bad guys, while Sara Pascoe backs the good guys. Humor is key, but the real draw is the action in the ring.
The Logistical Challenge
Organizing such an production is a logistical nightmare. The performers are enrolled to training facilities to learn the fundamentals. As one organizer says, it's similar to how reality shows train stars for specific performances. Another notes that, much like those shows, there's plenty of drama among the participants, which helps the show flow.
Grappling resembles drag – there's an alter ego, you're getting the audience on your team
Reality and Pretence
The sport always balances on a fine line between authenticity and performance. Heather Bandenberg, who organizes an LGBTQ+ cabaret night, explains it as training to be an athlete and a gymnast, with elements of stunt work. It hurts, especially when mastering 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 crowd's reaction directly influences what unfolds, unlike stage plays.
Bandenberg found wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the space it offered. Traditional shows wasn't welcoming for female performers, so she founded her own event with drag kings like these artists. For them, wrestling and cabaret are a natural fit, as both involve building an alter ego and winning over the audience.
Inclusivity and Innovation
Fist Club is for LGBTQ+ and women wrestlers and fills up rapidly across the country. Some fans have even been inspired to try the sport themselves. Featuring primarily performers, the night limits straight male wrestlers to a minority, reflecting the reality of minorities in mainstream wrestling. The organizer stresses the aim of attracting people who've never seen wrestling.
A successful match depends on the performance – making the audience feel in the drama. Precautions are paramount, but accidents occur. Olesker suffered a fracture in an early show, and Bandenberg broke both toes during training, though she considers herself lucky.
Wrestling as Art
Up in Scotland, wrestling is being transformed through performance art. Creators George and Kok created Still Lives using rope bondage, suspending people to form living sculptures. They've worked with sportspeople in various cities, adapting the piece to local culture. In Glasgow, they're featuring pro wrestlers to explore endurance and physical limits.
Bondage and wrestling both involve reliance and communication, handling control and safety. One artist says that fighters communicate during fights to create a narrative, demonstrating mutual support even in conflict.
Dedication and Joy
While interest in the sport may ebb and flow, dedicated participants stay devoted. Long periods are spent training for events, and creations like the installation highlight the perseverance involved. By different styles, creators aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and prove that it goes beyond identity, shape, or style.
Bandenberg sums it up: There's so much happening live, done by people who are passionate. No one's in it for money; they see it as a artistic expression that brings joy.
