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The comedian Phil Wang was on the verge of securing the championship belt during the comedic wrestling showdown. At the moment he made his move, Ed Gamble stormed in, knocked everyone out, and walked away with the coveted belt. Max Olesker, a comedian, notes that it was in fact Bullit, Gamble's henchman, who delivered the blow with a devastating move. He maintains he might have beaten Gamble in a fair fight.

The Evolution of Professional Wrestling

The popularity in pro wrestling has seen ups and downs since its peak in the eighties. Recently, WWE landed a record-breaking agreement with the streaming service, valued at an eye-watering sum, pushing the muscle-bound sport further into the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, wrestling has a rich blue-collar history, producing top-tier talent like Will Ospreay. Today, wrestling is branching out into performance spaces, with a range of shows across the country attracting fresh fans through humor, LGBTQ+ performance, and even art installations.

Comedy Meets Combat

Olesker, who once was known as the Britain's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Gonzalez to the sport during their university days. The atmosphere was electric, Gonzalez recalls, describing it as a over-the-top drama of good versus evil. Together, they developed a production that combined comedy and wrestling, convincing pro wrestlers they weren't mocking the sport and getting comedians to take risks. Originally titled their hit show, it won a prestigious prize and has expanded in popularity ever since.

Renamed Clash of the Comics, the show previously showcased Rosie Jones beating Greg Davies at a large arena. Up next, it will take over Hammersmith Apollo, making its first standalone appearance. The cast includes pro wrestlers like Simon Miller and funny people 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 another host backs the good guys. Comedy is central, but the main attraction is the spectacle in the ring.

Behind the Scenes

Putting together such an event is a huge challenge. The performers are sent to wrestling school to pick up the fundamentals. Gonzalez explains, it's similar to how TV programs train celebrities for specific performances. Olesker adds that, much like those series, there's lots of drama among the cast, which helps the show flow.

Grappling resembles performance art – you have an character, and you work to get the crowd on your side

The Fine Line in Wrestling

Wrestling constantly walks a fine line between reality and performance. An expert, who organizes Fist Club, explains it as training to be an athlete and a acrobat, with elements of dangerous moves. It hurts, particularly when learning fundamentals like the bump. Risk is real, though planned sequences reduce harm. Live performance adds to this, as shows blend prepared and spontaneous elements. Olesker notes, the crowd's reaction shapes what happens, unlike stage plays.

Bandenberg discovered wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the space it provided. Traditional shows wasn't welcoming for female performers, so she created Fist Club with performers Rich Tea. For them, the sport and cabaret are a natural fit, as both involve creating an alter ego and engaging the audience.

New Audiences and Art Forms

The event is for LGBTQ+ and women fighters and sells out rapidly across the country. Some fans have even been motivated to try the sport themselves. Featuring mostly drag kings, the show restricts male wrestlers to a minority, mirroring the experience of minorities in traditional events. The organizer stresses the goal of attracting newcomers.

Great wrestling depends on the performance – convincing the audience feel in the drama. Safety are paramount, but accidents occur. Olesker broke his ankle in an early show, and another broke both big toes during training, though she considers herself lucky.

Wrestling as Art

Up in Scotland, the sport is being transformed through artistic expression. Artists George and Kok created an installation using rope bondage, suspending participants to create living sculptures. They've featured athletes in various cities, tailoring the work to each place. In the city, they're featuring grapplers to showcase endurance and physical limits.

Rope work and grappling both require reliance and dialogue, handling control and safety. George explains that wrestlers signal during matches to achieve a storyline, showing mutual support even in conflict.

Dedication and Joy

Although interest in the sport may rise and fall, dedicated fans and performers stay steadfast. Months are spent preparing for shows, and creations like the installation highlight the perseverance involved. Through these varied styles, artists aim to honor wrestling, attract supporters, and show that it transcends identity, body type, or form.

Bandenberg sums it up: A lot going on in real time, done by people who are passionate. No one's in it for money; it's viewed as a artistic art form that spreads happiness.