Fighting for a Cause

‘Big Daddy became the best known Wrestler in British History, he even had his own comic.’

Wrestling for children who grew up the 1970’s in the UK was all about an overweight, middle aged man named Shirley Crabtree. Going by the stage name ‘Big Daddy’, Shirley was the emblematic talisman for a movement that was popularised by a weekly TV magazine on ITV’s World of Sport. Their reign of popularity came to an abrupt end when Big Daddy killed a fellow competitor in a freak accident live on air, when doing one of his signature moves, the ‘Belly Flop’. The TV show was withdrawn and British Wrestling was soon eclipsed by the more glamorous and exotic WWE wrestling imported on to Sky TV from the US.

Since the early 1990’s a resurgence in interest has emerged, with many teenagers fixated with the showy WWE keen to practice and replicate the moves they have grown up with.

‘Following long time promoters such as John Freemantle, Scott Conway, Brian Dixon and Ricky Knight are younger, newer and fresher organisations such as Real Quality Wrestling (RQW) and LDN Wrestling.’

These new breed of promoters aim to combine the fundamental techniques of British Wrestling with the showmanship and entertainment that WWF bred crowds have come to expect from the sport. What emerges is an interesting mix of US glamour and suspention-of-disblief theatrics, combined with a slower more British mix of wrestling using holds and moves that are more technical and only truly appreciated by the learned expert. RQW focuses on the more dramatic displays of exhibitionism, with fireworks and video displays adding to the atmosphere of packed halls with moody lighting. It is an unashamedly commercial enterprise.

LDN wrestling instead focuses on giving fans an outlet for their enthusiasm, a place for them to practise and learn, and a cheaper alternative for those who want to see Wrestling locally, in a family environment. There is a passion and enthusiasm for wrestling that has a particular Britishness to it that does make the US version seem detached from its origins. Many matches are fought on the basis of UK country rivalries, and this allows the crowd to become more involved and the outcome of the matches actually matters. Due to the relatively small network of London based clubs the wrestlers have become a family of friends, and the backstage atmosphere is one of lively banter and sportsmanship.

Whatever the future holds for British Wrestling, it appears to be on its way back into the mainstream; a dedicated cable channel TWC (The Wrestling Channel) shows many of the weekly fights, and promotes the rosters of both RQW and LDN. This gives the organised events a special legitimacy as the ornate boom mounted cameras add a much needed air of glamour and showbiz to the dimly lit leisure centre halls of north London.