Professional wrestling has been present in the UK for over one hundred years. It began with Greco-Roman wrestling in the early 20th century, followed by catch wrestling or all-in wrestling in the 1930s. The sport kept on growing throughout the years, eventually attracting WWE’s attention in the 2010s.
Over this entire period, UK fans were able to enjoy spectacular performances of numerous wrestling stars. Just a few of them are Dynamite Kid, British Bulldog, Will Ospreay, Drew McIntyre, William Regal, and Wade Barrett. These wrestlers managed to reach the top thanks to several hidden secrets.
Streaming Platforms & Betting Sites
In the early days of wrestling in the UK, people could only watch the fights in person. Or, they would hear about the big fights on the radio. Then came the TV, and many more fans were able to spectate the fights. However, it wasn’t until the appearance of the Internet that it started to generate big numbers.
Popular streaming platforms were crucial as they turned the small UK wrestling promotion into a global show. The top streaming services that made this possible are YouTube, Peacock, and Triller TV.
The sport grew even bigger when betting sites started including wrestling matches on their platforms. Today, almost every reputable bookmaker listed on GG in Ireland offers such events. Many UK wrestlers made a name for themselves thanks to streaming and betting platforms.
Influential Trainers & Mentorship
Another main reason for the rise of UK wrestling stars is their influential mentors and coaches. This is especially the case with younger wrestling generations as they get to learn from various top trainers.
The mentorship from established and highly experienced wrestlers helped many rising stars become better at what they do. They managed to expand their skills and craft and gain worldwide recognition. One of the top trainers and managers, and a former wrestler who deserves mentioning, is Larry Sharpe.
Hybrid Wrestling Style
UK wrestling stars stand out in terms of their fighting style, making them fun and exciting to watch. They combine the modern athletic flair with a technical catch wrestling style. This includes developing technical skills like motion, stance, lifting, and penetration, as well as holding on and submission.
The featured mix of old school and new-age skills gives a unique take on the sport. It allows British wrestlers to get better promotion and acceptance wherever they go.
The Influence of UK Wrestling Schools
There are several top wrestling schools in the UK that have managed to train and develop numerous wrestling stars. They help individuals get better at the sport even at a young age.
Some of the best wrestling schools in the UK that are worth mentioning are the Monster Factory, The Knight Family’s WAW, Fight Club: PRO, and The London School of Lucha Libre. All of these schools focus not only on ring preparation and philosophy, but also on dealing with the media and promotion.
Character Developing & Storytelling
Every UK wrestler who had a successful career also had an intriguing and captivating persona. The unique appearance and character allowed them to make an impression and capture the fans’ attention.
On top of that, star wrestlers also worked hard on their storytelling, which includes timing and surprises. The build-up to a ring fight is something that increases the overall excitement during every match. UK wrestlers are masters in this craft as they keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
International Exposure & Adaptation
We also need to mention the influence of major wrestling promotions like the WWE in UK wrestling. This company and competition open their doors and provide a platform for many British talents to show off their skills. Pete Dunne and Drew McIntyre are only a few of the top wrestlers who appeared in the WWE.
But these UK wrestlers wouldn’t have achieved worldwide recognition if they weren’t able to adapt to the featured competition. They kept the cultural elements while incorporating the WWE standards.
Loyal and Supportive Fans
No wrestler from the UK would have made it on the big stage without strong local support. Luckily, British people are loyal and strong supporters in every sport that includes their countrymen.
Wrestling is, of course, one of the sports where thousands of fans cheer for UK fighters at almost any arena. They are easily recognisable as they are super loud, passionate, and creative in terms of song lyrics.
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