Rumble Wrestling, dubbed “the South East’s most popular family wrestling promotion” took to the ring at Selsdon Hall, Croydon this weekend as part of the 40th anniversary tour.
It was Rumble’s fifth time doing a show in Croydon – featuring seven wrestlers, some the best of buddies, some the worst of enemies, and even a family trio thrown into the mix.
The show started with all the wrestlers in the ring, and the following matches were decided by the order in which each wrestler was flung out of the ring on the first round.
Families, couples, pensioners and friends took their seats in the audience waving signs in the air, cheering their favourites and booing the rest.
The champion of the night was Nino Bryant, the eldest of the Bryant brothers.
“I wrestled with one of my favourite people to wrestle, and the crowd were super into it. I can feel the adrenaline rushing, but I am now knackered,” Nino told East London Lines after winning.
At the end of the match, there was a meet-and-greet, with children racing to the front to meet their favourite wrestlers.
Anna Clements, a Rumble Wrestling fan told East London Lines: “I’ve lived in Croydon since I was eight years old, and I absolutely love Rumble Wrestling. I’m so happy they come here. I’ve been watching them for years now. They’re really good with me too, they know I am partially sighted and they always let me sit at the front.”
On Croydon, Steve Barker, the founder of Rumble Wrestling, told East London Lines: “It’s quite a good wrestling town. It’s one of our smaller venues. I really like it because it’s a lot more intimate and the crowd get more involved because they are close to the action. It’s really great here in Croydon, they’re such a lovely crowd and we have some very dedicated fans”
Barker promoted his first show in Kent on November 1, 40 years ago. This year, on that date, Rumble Wrestling will be doing a show there once again.
Rumble Wrestling will next be visiting Croydon in February 2025.
