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The comedian Phil Wang was about to claim of grabbing the championship belt during the comedic wrestling showdown. At the moment he reached for it, fellow comic Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, knocked everyone out, and made off with the coveted belt. Max Olesker, one of the show's creators, clarifies that it was actually Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who took them down with a devastating move. He maintains he might have beaten Gamble in a fair fight.

The Evolution of Professional Wrestling

Public interest in sports entertainment has seen ups and downs since its golden era in the eighties. Earlier this year, WWE secured a record-breaking agreement with Netflix, worth billions, elevating the athletic spectacle deeper into the mainstream. In the UK, wrestling has a rich blue-collar history, producing world-class competitors like international stars. Today, wrestling is expanding into performance arenas, with several of productions across the country drawing in new audiences through comedy, queer cabaret, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Max Olesker, who previously held the title as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, introduced his comedy partner Ivan Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The atmosphere was incredible, Gonzalez recalls, describing it as a over-the-top drama of heroes and villains. As a duo, they developed a production that merged comedy and wrestling, persuading pro wrestlers they weren't making fun of the discipline and getting comedians to jump off the ropes. Originally titled their hit show, it earned a prestigious prize and has grown in appeal ever since.

Now known as Clash of the Comics, the event recently showcased Rosie Jones beating fellow comics at a large arena. Coming soon, it will take over a famous London theater, making its first independent run. The lineup includes grapplers like Simon Miller and comedians such as well-known acts, with one comic throwing down an public invitation to all contenders. Adding to the fun, hosts like Nish Kumar will root for the bad guys, while another host supports the heroes. Humor is key, but the real draw is the spectacle in the squared circle.

Behind the Scenes

Putting together such an event is a huge challenge. Comedians are enrolled to wrestling school to learn the basics. Gonzalez explains, it's like how TV programs teach celebrities for specific performances. Another notes that, akin to those series, there's plenty of backstage excitement among the cast, which helps the event run smoothly.

Grappling resembles performance art – there's an alter ego, you're getting the crowd on your side

The Fine Line in Wrestling

The sport always balances on a fine line between reality and performance. Heather Bandenberg, who organizes Fist Club, explains it as training to be an athlete and a gymnast, with elements of stunt work. There's pain involved, especially when learning basic moves like the bump. Risk is present, though choreography reduce injuries. Live performance heightens this, as shows blend prepared and spontaneous moments. Olesker notes, the audience response directly influences what unfolds, unlike stage plays.

She found wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the space it offered. Traditional shows wasn't inclusive for women, so she founded her own event with drag kings Rich Tea. In their view, wrestling and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve building an character and engaging the crowd.

New Audiences and Art Forms

The event caters to queer and female wrestlers and sells out rapidly across the UK. Some fans have even been motivated to start wrestling. Featuring primarily drag kings, the night restricts male participants to a minority, reflecting the reality of minorities in traditional events. The organizer stresses the goal of welcoming newcomers.

A successful match relies on the performance – convincing the viewers feel in the drama. Safety are top priority, but accidents do happen. Olesker broke his ankle in an early show, and another injured both big toes during training, though she says it could have been worse.

The Artistic Side

Up in Scotland, wrestling is being transformed through performance art. Creators Luke George and Daniel Kok created an installation using rope bondage, suspending people to form living sculptures. They've worked with sportspeople 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 reliance and communication, handling control and care. One artist says that wrestlers communicate during matches to achieve a storyline, demonstrating mutual support even in combat.

Dedication and Joy

Although wrestling's popularity may rise and fall, dedicated fans and performers remain devoted. Long periods are dedicated preparing for shows, and artistic projects like the installation emphasize the patience involved. Through different approaches, creators aim to celebrate wrestling, bring in supporters, and show that it transcends gender, body type, or style.

One organizer sums it up: There's so much happening live, done by people who love it. They're not getting rich; it's viewed as a artistic expression that spreads happiness.