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Pro-wrestler Matt Powell, AKA Mad Dog Maxx, explores the history of British wrestling and its recent resurgence, especially in the Midlands.

Mad cap professional wrestling was huge in the 1970s and 80s. Characters like Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy became a firm fixture on television with ITV devoting Saturday lunchtimes to the clashes between the titans. The public loved it, viewing figures were huge and these were massive stars. But in 1988, ITV pulled the plug and wrestling seemingly fell into obscurity.

However, in one corner of England it never really went away and, four decades on, wrestling isn鈥檛 just remembered, it鈥檚 surviving and thriving.

Matt Powell is someone whose love of those literally larger than life characters became such an obsession that, for the past few decades, he's been emulating them as a top wrestler himself. He introduces us to a world that is far from a fad of the past but a sport inspiring cross generational participation and interest in the heart of Britain.

Young men of the Midlands have found a focus with the sport. In an area that was plunged into the post-industrial world when local industries collapsed, wrestling has given them structure and life goals.

Women are getting in on the act too. Elise is a mother of six who sees herself as an inspiration to other women. She took up wrestling - reluctantly - in her 40s, and says if she can do this, anyone can. Her daughter Hayah has followed her into the ring. She's 16, was born to be a wrestling 'villain', and is already booked for a season training in Japan once the pandemic passes.

Matt also meets Nuneaton鈥檚 Scrubber Daly, former tag-team partner for the legendary Giant Haystacks. who started wrestling in 1983. Scrubber learned from renowned actor and wrestler Pat Roach, who listeners may remember from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet) and who ran a course for wrestlers in Birmingham. It was so brutal that, out of the 136 people to start the course, only two completed it.

Recorded on the road in the West Midlands including the Black Country, we get to the very crux of what it both means to be a professional wrestler and how the sport is helping create a community which embraces and unites people from many different backgrounds.

A Made in Manchester production for 大象传媒 Radio 4

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