Health and wellbeing in professional wrestling

The challenge

However, unlike other UK sport and arts organisations, professional wrestling does not have an effective legislative body. Relationships between organisations within the profession as well as with external bodies have long been characterised by mistrust.

What’s more, the 2020 #SpeakingOut movement revealed that many wrestlers experience abuse and bullying that – without a governing body or code of conduct to protect them – is largely unaddressed.

The research team wanted to change this by creating a space for community members to meet and nurture improved relationships. In the long run, they hope that this will enhance health and safety, welfare and safeguarding within British professional wrestling.

Impacts and benefits

Loughborough is at the forefront of research around contemporary wrestling culture in the UK, chalking up several years of scholarly work and practice-based investigation.

Professor Warden co-founded Wrestling Resurgence with Sam West and John Kirby in 2017 and, over the years, she has fostered excellent relationships with the wrestling community, making her well-placed to broker networking opportunities and the sharing of good practice within this space.

As part of this Accelerator funded project, she co-convened two events with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Professional Wrestling and the Playfight Wrestling School.

The first, at the Houses of Parliament in November 2022, welcomed 60 visitors from the wrestling community – wrestlers, referees, promoters, trainers, artists and academics. A world first, it provided delegates with the opportunity to meet, build trust and move together towards positive change.

Inspired by a topic frequently referenced at the previous gathering – concussion and head injuries – the second was held in June 2023. It covered concussion recognition and management as well as guidance for a safe return to sport and work.

Both gatherings have given rise to a variety of materials which are freely available to the wrestling community via the Wrestling Research website.

The successful project gave rise to further activity for Professor Warden – some already with significant impacts.

She provided substantial evidence for Charlotte Nichols MP’s Parliamentary speech on wrestling licensing in June 2023. The Home Office has subsequently committed to investigate the issue and ensure greater parity between local councils.

In July 2023, she returned to Parliament to work with Danny Stone MBE and Heather Bandenburg (co-founder of Wrestival) on open-access materials providing advice to the wrestling community on a range of topics.

The ‘zine emerging from these discussions and co-designed with members of the wrestling community is currently published in draft form to further engagement. 

We were privileged to work with colleagues from the following organisations.

Banner images courtesy of Rob Brazier.