‘Clash on Campus’ sees wrestling rock University
The stars of Kingdom Wrestling, the UK’s first faith-based professional wrestling charity, slammed their way into the University of Bradford for an action-packed show.
‘Clash on Campus’ saw a crowd of enthusiastic fans enjoy a night of suplexes, clotheslines and powerbombs inside the University’s cavernous atrium.
Fans of all ages gathered for what is intended to be the first of regular campus-based events.
Action from a three-way bout at ‘Clash on Campus’. Images credit: University of Bradford
Famous face
Gareth ‘GK’ Kelly, of Bradford rap group Bad Boy Chiller Crew, formed part of the line-up and wrestled in the first match.
After his victory, the rapper challenged Kingdom Wrestling founder, Gareth Atkinson, who wrestles under the name Gareth Angel, to a future match, saying there was ‘only room for one Gaz in Bradford’. Gareth Atkinson then came towards the ring to confront Kelly, and the two men had a stare down in the atrium.
The event featured six wrestling matches, including singles bouts, an intergender contest won by female wrestler Scarlett, and a tag team match.
Other Kingdom Wrestling stars in action at the University event included Dylan Chase, Tommy Rocker and the masked Young Horus.
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- Scarlett waves goodbye to her beaten opponent. Images credit: University of Bradford
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- Gareth Angel in control of his opponent. Images credit: University of Bradford
‘Inspiring your audience’
Mr Thompson, who runs the company from St Peter’s Church in Shipley, said the event was all about delivering a message of ‘positive masculinity’.
He said: “This is about delivering a message of positive masculinity; it’s about storytelling and connecting and inspiring your audience.”
The 38-year-old father-of-three, who also wrestled at the ‘Clash on Campus’ event, held on Friday 12 December, winning a three-man bout, said he hoped to hold the events monthly at the University of Bradford.
Away from in-ring action, Kingdom Wrestling runs a training academy, a men’s mental health group and work with schools.
The stars of Kingdom Wrestling in action at the University of Bradford. Images credit: University of Bradford