Biggest spectacle yet for show renamed Clash Of The Comics

Comedians including James Acaster, Aisling Bea and Nish Kumar are to wrestle alongside pro grapplers in the biggest show of its kind yet.

Clash Of The Comics – the Edinburgh Fringe spectacular previously known as just The Wrestling – is to play the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, West London, on October 8.

The main event will feature Ed ‘The Gambler’ Gamble and Phil Wang – and last night at Progress ​Wrestling at London’s Electric Ballroom, Gamble and his massive henchman ‘Bullit’ stole Wang’s championship belt to set up the storyline. 

Gamble said: ‘It makes me physically sick to see Phil Wang holding championship gold, which is why I took it from him. That may be against the rules of wrestling, but the only rules I obey are those set by various casinos. And at the Hammersmith Apollo I’m gonna kick Wang’s head off his stupid shoulders, because on October 8 all bets are…on.’

Wang replied: ‘For over two years, I was proud to call myself the reigning comedian’s ​wrestling champion. But, on the very night I was meant to receive MY brand new Clash of the Comics championship belt, that treacherous snake Ed Gamble stole it from me. 

‘Now at the Hammersmith Apollo, he’s going to learn a harsh truth: gambling doesn’t pay. I will be the only hammer smith there that night - when I forge a hammer from pure vengeance and bring it crashing down upon him.

‘The hammer is my fist, in case you’re wondering.’

Also taking part in the new show – which will be in aid of Comic Relief – are Greg James, Rosie Jones, Max & Ivan, Maisie Adam, Abi Clarke,  Matthew Crosby, Jazz Emu, Flo & Joan plus pro wrestlers Simon Miller, Cara Noir, Bullit, La Cyclonic and ‘Prince of Mumbai’ Rishi Ghosh.

Olga ‘Rock Hard’ Koch, who acts as backstage reporter on the show, said: ‘It was only a matter of time before Max & Ivan brought the Wrestling to a venue that was truly worthy of the spectacle. The Apollo will finally meet its match, a ​wrestling match! 

‘I feel incredibly lucky to be able to attend this monumental event and even luckier to report on it.’

Meanwhile, Acaster has vowed to finally break a multi-year losing streak, in which he has failed to ever deliver a single Wrestling move. He said: ‘2025 shall finally be the year I triumph as a wrestler and the entire world will know the name James "James Acaster" Acaster.

‘ I vow to defeat my enemies with brute force and absolutely, under no circumstances, get knocked unconscious with a metal tray again.’

The show was devised by the comedy double act of Max Olesker – who used to be a pro wrestler –  and Ivan Gonzalez.

Max said: ‘On October 8, the Eventim Apollo will live up to its namesake – Apollo, god of war. 

‘And just like in war, some of us will be brave, some will be ruthless… and some, like me, will be completely unprepared and utterly terrified,’ added Ivan.

Previous shows have seen Nish Kumar being thrown through a table, Rosie Jones sensationally defeat Greg Davies and Richard Gadd backflipping into the ring to compete in a ladder match.

Some tickets go on sale at 10am on Wednesday and on general sale at 10am on Friday.

Published: 31 Mar 2025