The comedian Phil Wang was on the verge of grabbing the title prize during Clash of the Comics. At the moment he reached for it, Ed Gamble burst onto the scene, knocked everyone out, and walked away with the shiny belt. Co-founder Max Olesker, a comedian, notes that it was actually the pro wrestler Bullit, acting as an enforcer, who took them down with a powerful clothesline. He maintains he could have handled Gamble one-on-one.
The Evolution of Pro Wrestling
The popularity in sports entertainment has fluctuated widely since its golden era in the eighties. Recently, the wrestling giant landed a massive agreement with Netflix, valued at an eye-watering sum, pushing the athletic spectacle further into the mainstream. In the UK, wrestling has a rich blue-collar history, producing world-class competitors like Will Ospreay. Today, wrestling is branching out into theatrical spaces, with several of shows across the country attracting fresh fans through humor, LGBTQ+ performance, and even living sculpture.
When Humor Enters the Ring
Max Olesker, who previously was known as the UK's youngest pro wrestler, brought his comedy partner Ivan Gonzalez to the world of wrestling during their college days. The atmosphere was electric, he remembers, comparing it to a larger-than-life drama of heroes and villains. Together, they created a show that merged comedy and wrestling, persuading pro wrestlers they weren't making fun of the discipline and getting comedians to take risks. First called The Wrestling, it earned a major prize and has grown in popularity ever since.
Renamed Clash of the Comics, the event recently featured comedians beating Greg Davies at a major venue. Up next, it will headline a famous London theater, making its first standalone run. The lineup includes pro wrestlers like Simon Miller and comedians such as Aisling Bea, with James Acaster throwing down an public invitation to anyone. Adding to the fun, commentators like Nish Kumar will root for the villains, while Sara Pascoe backs the good guys. Comedy is central, but the real draw is the action in the ring.
Behind the Scenes
Putting together such an event is a logistical nightmare. Comedians are sent to training facilities to learn the basics. As one organizer says, it's similar to how reality shows train celebrities for specific routines. Another notes that, much like those series, there's lots of backstage excitement among the cast, which makes the event flow.
Wrestling is drag – you have an alter ego, and you work to get the crowd on your team
The Fine Line in Wrestling
Wrestling always walks a tightrope between reality and pretence. Heather Bandenberg, who runs Fist Club, explains it as training to be an competitor and a gymnast, with parts of dangerous moves. There's pain involved, particularly when mastering basic moves like the impact fall. The danger is present, even if planned sequences reduce injuries. The liveness heightens this, as shows mix prepared and spontaneous moments. As one creator says, the audience response shapes what unfolds, unlike stage plays.
Bandenberg found wrestling unexpectedly and fell in love with the freedom it provided. Traditional shows wasn't welcoming for female performers, so she founded Fist Club with performers Rich Tea. For them, wrestling and variety performance are a natural fit, as both involve building an alter ego and winning over the crowd.
New Audiences and Art Forms
The event is for queer and female wrestlers and fills up quickly across the UK. Audience members have even been inspired to start wrestling. Featuring primarily drag kings, the show restricts straight male wrestlers to a minority, reflecting the experience of minorities in mainstream wrestling. Bandenberg emphasizes the aim of welcoming newcomers.
A successful match relies on the performance – making the viewers feel in the drama. Precautions are top priority, but accidents do happen. One creator broke his ankle in an early show, and another injured both toes during practice, though she considers herself lucky.
Wrestling as Art
In Glasgow, wrestling is being reimagined through artistic expression. Creators George and Kok developed Still Lives using shibari, suspending participants to create art pieces. They've featured sportspeople in different locations, tailoring the piece to each place. In the city, they're featuring pro wrestlers to explore endurance and what the body can do.
Bondage and grappling both involve reliance and communication, handling power dynamics and care. One artist says that fighters signal during fights to achieve a storyline, showing cooperation even in combat.
Dedication and Joy
Although interest in the sport may rise and fall, committed participants stay devoted. Long periods are dedicated preparing for shows, and creations like the installation highlight the perseverance involved. Through different styles, creators aim to celebrate wrestling, bring in new fans, and show that it transcends identity, shape, or style.
One organizer concludes: There's so much happening live, performed by people who are passionate. No one's getting rich; it's viewed as a artistic art form that spreads happiness.
