Spandex Ballet: A Work, of Art?

So, how did this unusual space work as a venue for a wrestling show? In short, too sweet brother! The high ceilings, excellent AV and pumping beats upped the ante and the brutal concrete walls, industrial ceilings and neon colour scheme gave the evening the feel of an 80’s sci-fi movie - no mean aesthetic. This was a wonderful location to watch Wrestling and should provide inspiration to other promoters who want alternative locations to set up their squared circle.

Also, the contemporary’s floor is hard... really hard. With no matts to protect the in-ring performers, I was terrified for their fragile bones every time they plummeted over the top rope, which certainly added to the jeopardy. The ring was perhaps on the petite side, but this was a small price to pay for the fringe benefits including civilised amenities and a proper fully functioning bar. Not a warm can of red-stripe or shop-soiled refresher bars in sight.

The show was notable as an ideal “jumping on” point for any poor fools who hadn’t previously seen live indie wrestling and might find the usual leisure centre with the ubiquitous whiff of chlorine and sweat undesirable or intimidating. Resurgence did an admirable job of luring in a new audience with the  accessible location and stylish presentation. It was also fun to be at a show where significant proportion of fans weren’t well-drilled in the established “etiquette” of chants. Feel like shouting “Wooooo!” after a piledriver – just go for it!!!

Fittingly, as women’s wrestling is currently at an all-time high, the opener was an exciting all-female fatal four-way. The popular Millie McKenzie was unavailable but Shax, Lana Austin, Bobbi Tyler and Kanji made the most of the opening slot, illustrating to first time attendees why live wrestling works so well. As the chops and “whams” echoed around the contemporary’s high ceilings you could see winces of concern written large on the gawping faces of the crowd. Kanji ultimately won with an impressive aerial display, but Bobbi Tyler stood out with her entertaining heel schtick - studied disdain and good old-fashioned cheating. Spandex was on, and more importantly the crown was warm.

This was followed by a comedy tag match between two funny (and massive) tag-teams. The Hench-men and the Anti-fun police. These guys had good chemistry and amused the crowd throughout, both teams could brawl and get a laugh. Banter, brainbusters and an amusing parody of Mexican Lucha…more please!

Doubtless the match most fans will remember was the Artcore match, a respectful parody of ultra-violent garbage matches that hoary old ECW fans will remember fondly from back in the day. Replace the tin-tacks, barbwire and fire with easels, big pencils and crayons - you get the idea. This unusual concept was well suited to the idiosyncratic bunch of talent on display. Promising local talents Visage and Kyle Kingsley, entertaining surf-bum Chuck Mambo, saucy Jack Sexsmith, vibrant Big Wavey and upcoming WWE star Saxon Huxley (aka Muscle Cat) packed the ring like sardines. Particularly well-oiled sardines.

This already deeply lively scenario was even further enlivened by the surprise addition of heavy-hitter Jimmy Havoc, a man who genuinely made his name in the blood-drenched hardcore style that Resurgence wryly parodied here. Jimmy’s unexpected arrival really got the hardened wrestling fans juiced up and it was notable to see how this spread to new initiates - “I’m not sure why I’m cheering for this angry looking Goth, but I’m going with it Paula!”

This match was a riot, quite literally, the focus firmly on humour and in-jokes instead of blood and guts. The choke-slam onto the crayons was particularly amusing, and Jimmy Havoc adapted to this silly environment well, launching a vicious series of papercut attacks on his rivals. This brilliant scenario brought genuine tears to the eyes, other grapplers should note – you can get as big a crowd pop with a piece of A4 between the toes, as you can with two-by-four across the nose.

So, to the break for a green-mist flavoured craft beer and the chance to mingle with, and vicariously bask in the glory the super human cast; a proud and very enjoyable tradition at this sort of show. This aspect of Wrestling is perhaps something that most wouldn’t anticipate, but the direct interaction is wonderful. The chance for a chat, a photo and even buy a t-shirt from a performer who may be plying their craft in front of millions in a couple of years, as doubtless some of these performers will, is not something you get in mainstream sport or theatre.

Chakara and Candy Floss were next, and were unfortunate to go on right after the break, the crowd perhaps somewhat exhausted by the demands of the Artcore match and confused by the unisex toilets. These two are doubtless stars of the future, and this comedy match, based around their genuine friendship, whilst enjoyable at points and featuring some crunching offense towards the end, perhaps didn’t permit them to shine quite as brightly as we know they can.

Subsequently, Notts boys, Stixx, Joseph Connors and Gabriel Kidd put on the best traditional match of the evening. These three impressive specimens went old-school, smashing their bodies with reckless abandon and looked to be in serious in danger of rupturing the ring on occasion – I should point out this is no bad thing. Eventually the apprentice triumphed over the masters as Kidd secured victory after an unusual spear/single leg dropkick combo. Connors played to type (why, Conners, why?) by refusing a show of respect from Stixx, his former mentor and paterfamilias of the Notts wrestling scene, perhaps teeing up a match in future?

Finally, in a clever, and knowing piece of booking we had “The Bastard” Dave mastiff up against flamboyant face-licker, Cara Noire. Mastiff epitomising the old school British wrestling scene and Cara representing the avant-garde. Noire is a winning combination of Rudolph Nureyev and The Ultimate Warrior and was picked as the figurehead of Resurgence’s promotional campaign; his distinctive image a suitable fit as avatar for this stylish promotion. Wisely the resurgence team left enough time on the card to make this match last, the slow pace and contrasting styles gradually drawing in the crowd, with Noire correctly victorious.

The time-honoured post-match “bushwhacking” provided a promising preview of the venue’s technical capabilities as Resurgence cleverly nailed their political colours to the mast. A cool scratchy promo from Tory-boy heel, Spike Trivet, was blasted on the monolithic concrete walls as the king of “strong and stable” style, knowingly berating the use of arts-council grants to fund such frivolous activities by annoying lefty-liberals. Great stuff!

This close-to-the-bone angle got the fans going at the shows climax, chants of “Tory scum” and “Resurgence” echoed around the gallery as Trivet expertly tenderised Noire with a steel chair, wisely setting up a hot angle for “Top of the Chops” in Leicester.

After the show we caught up with promoter Dr Clare Warden, “This was such a great venue, bringing Wrestling as an artistic practice to one of the premier arts venues in Britain was a total joy.” She told us,  “Seeing a man like Dave Mastiff, who personifies the history of British Wrestling and has worked so hard to establish the scene, in the ring with Noire, who is the future was a delight.”

What a great night; as fans of art enjoyed their first Wrestling show, some fans of Wrestling simultaneously enjoyed first significant period of time in an art gallery. This sort of cultural cross over has a distinctly aspirational quality that should be, and was, applauded. Well done Wrestling Resurgence!

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