Behind the curtain of British pro-wrestling
Professional Wrestling is one of the biggest forms of entertainment on Earth.
Across the pond, WWE’s weekly programming draws television audiences of anywhere between 1.5m and 2m people.
In Britain, AEW’s ‘All In’ show at Wembley last year drew an estimated crowd of over 80,000, while top British talent such as Will Ospreay and Drew McIntyre are established stars in both promotions.
But pro-wrestling is a deep industry. Now far removed from the days of Giant Haystacks, Big Daddy, Mick McManus and Kendo Nagasaki, the British scene is not one blessed with American level resources.
As regional promotion British Kingdom Pro-Wrestling returned to Kennet School in Thatcham last month, we caught up with two of the company’s biggest stars to discuss their influences, ambitions and hopes for the future of the British scene.
First up is 28-year-old Bristolian, ‘The Stallion’ Chris Bronson, who certainly looks like a wrestler with his imposing frame and shoulder-length blond hair.
He plays an arrogant, entitled heel, the villain of the piece, and is set to take part in the evening’s main event.
The man himself however, is perfectly well adjusted.
“The first match I ever watched was Kane versus Big Show,” he recalls.
“They were both seven foot, jacked, and it just blew my mind at three years old.
“I wanted to do it as soon as I started watching it to be honest!
“But I was 21 when I started, which is quite late.
“I went to Uni, played Rugby and when I was finished I thought… I just want to try it!
“I haven’t looked back.”
Bronson, like all wrestlers, takes inspiration from what surrounds him.
“Well I want to be like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson,” he says.
“They’re the ones I watch and try to steal things from… try to emulate.
“It happens with people I wrestle too.
“If something works, then I’ll let them know I’m stealing it.”
Bronson’s character is one which grabs the fans’ attention, constantly up to no good and demanding attention or respect.
“My actual personality is just bland! It’s quite boring,” he jokes.
“You see things in people that you don’t like, when you’re out in everyday life.
“You just put that into a character and turn it up to 100%.
“We all know people who are cocky and arrogant. You just do that!
Bronson is deemed by many to be one of the South’s most promising talents, with previous talents from the promotion having gone on to overseas success.
“My dream is to go to WWE or wrestle in Japan and elsewhere,” he says.
“But I’m very cynical! I’m quite realistic with it.
“Hopefully I can just do some cool stuff. If I can wrestle in Japan or Mexico then I’ll be happy!”
At the other end of the spectrum is one of his opponents in the main event tag-match, ‘The English Lion’ Eddie Ryan.
Ten years Bronson’s senior and with 16 years of experience under his belt, Ryan runs his own wrestling school in his home city of Plymouth.
“I was halfway through university doing a business degree, which was one of the most boring things ever,” he reflects.
“I was sat there thinking, ‘what am I even doing this for?’
“I was watching wrestling with my mum, asking her that same question, and she said ‘well you always wanted to be a wrestler when you were a kid’. That was the seed.”
Ryan then moved to Swindon, training with what would eventually become Brit-King, before establishing himself as one of the country’s best talents.
“My favourite growing up was Bret Hart,” he says.
“I just remember being mesmerised by him, Ricky Steamboat, Randy Savage.
“But Doug Williams has been the benchmark of my career.
“He became a mentor for me, so I’ve stolen a lot of his stuff.
“When I met him in 2008 he was keeping British wrestling afloat on his back… it was in the doldrums.
“The crowds were small, the talent wasn’t there, no one cared.”
2018 saw the arrival of WWE’s NXT UK, a televised promotion which showcased the best of the British scene and provided a stepping stone for talent to make it to the big leagues.
Ryan was part of NXT UK, but since its closure in 2022 the British scene has struggled to retain that same momentum. So was the impact a positive one?
“Different people will give you different answers. I thought it was great!
“Any time that there’s a high level promotion, paying people a salary to do this, it's a good thing in my book.
“It gave people a platform to show how good they are.
“We’re all working towards doing this as a full time job. Something that breaks your body like this can’t be a hobby.
“When I started, the jump from the UK to WWE was as big as the Atlantic Ocean. NXT UK changed it. It gave us a stepping stone.
Currently, there is no British wrestling on national television, although Ryan was part of World of Sport tapings in Norwich last month, which produced a show currently being pitched to networks.
“So far in my career, the hottest period was from 2016 to 2019.
“There was a massive resurgence, but lockdown took it away.
“We lost that momentum, which is the hardest thing to get in wrestling.
“We’re starting to get that again, but it’s taken a long time.
“World of Sport gives us a platform on TV. There’s lots of positivity around that. They were very happy with the tapings and they think it will be picked up.
“I think this is the start of the climb. All you can do is make the most of the opportunities you’re given.”
In the main event, Ryan’s and his tag partner Antonio De Luca defeated Bronson and heel ally Tiger Ali.
The outcome was of course predetermined, but physical toll of landing on a canvas after falling from a six foot top rope is real enough.
The bumps, bruises and sacrifices were more than enough to entertain an enthusiastic crowd at Kennet School, but all involved will be hoping that bigger opportunities and much deserved recognition are on the horizon.
