The National Wrestling League, a show which will see pro wrestling and football collide, is set to launch later in the year, with opening dates and teams announced.
The promotion was officially announced on April 20 with a teaser on social media, followed by further information on the rules, teams and opening fixtures on its website.
Combining football and pro wrestling, the matches will be contested with 15-minute time limits, with points awarded for pinfalls and submissions, while count outs and disqualifications will see points awarded to the opposing team.
The full rules listed are as follows:
- Every match is 15 minutes with half-time break.
- Teams score by pin-fall, submission, disqualification or count-out.
- Referees can issue yellow and red cards for unsporting behaviour and serious offences.
- A red card results in disqualification and the opponent being awarded a fall.
- The team with the most falls earns points for their team.
- 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.
Six teams will be part of the league, 5 from England and 1 from Scotland:
- Midlands Destroyers
- London Executioners
- Glasgow Hitmen
- Manchester Manics
- North East Outlaws
- Yorkshire Titans
Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes said the following to Features of Wrestling about the new venture:
“We believe there’s a gap in the market of live entertainment right now so The National Wrestling League really is wrestling, reimagined. We’ll be using a lot of elements from football and bringing them to the wrestling ring.”
First Fixtures Announced For National Wrestling League
The first 3 shows in the League are set to take place in Newcastle, Manchester and Glasgow
- August 9 – Newcastle
- September 27 – Manchester
- October 10 – Glasgow
The Manchester date is advertising an appearance from Kurt Angle, along with D-Lo Brown and Jake Hager being listed as competitors. Grado will be at the Newcastle date.
Team members have not been announced at the time of writing.
