Coming just before the dawn of big-business pro wrestling and the WWE, many aficionados consider the 1970s to be the sport’s heyday.
But tomorrow Manchester’s own New Wave Wrestling Alliance is bringing the golden era back to the city with a day of old-school action.
The doors of the historic Victoria Baths in Longsight will fling open at 3:30pm, and the first bell will ring an hour and a half later, signalling the start of the grappling, slamming and assorted mat-slapping moves.
Founded in Manchester by Lauren-Klair Soar and wrestler Daniel Woodward, many feel the NWWA and other regional counterparts are wrestling at its true grassroots.
The raw, high-octane performances are certainly a far cry from the overly-polished extravaganza that the WWE has become.
Soar, the NWWA’s manager, said: “The building owner told me how great a wrestling ring looked in there and, with my background in international wrestling, little light bulbs started going off!
“We started talking wrestling and the rest is history.”
The Baths, a grade-II listed building, will be transformed into a magnificent wrestling spot where the ring will be fitted into the empty swimming pool.
“It’s been a pleasure working with the baths so far, they’re as excited about this project as we are,” Soar said.
“We’re so excited to be personalising the show into such an intricate part of Mancunian history.”
Stars like Nathan ‘The Show Stealer’ Cruz, ‘Delicious’ Danny Hope and ‘the Mexican Sensation’, El Ligero will all be in action alongside Liverpool’s No.1 wrestler, Zack Gibson.
The monikers slone, which sound as though they’ve been plucked straight from a campy TV movie, could be worth the price of admission.
However there’s more than wrestling on show – bouncy castles, face painting, food and drinks will also be on offer.
Adult tickets are priced between £10 and £12, while kids get in for £7 via www.skiddle.com and www.ringsideworld.co.uk.
Image courtesy of Cheekablue, with thanks.
