By Sara J. Hussain, Esq.
Dazzling outfits, shade-throwing, people slapping each other, and - wow, so much ass. Wait, this a wrestling match?! We at Budwell HQ were surprised to discover the world of independent wrestling and how much it shares with our favorite performance art, drag. This connection was highlighted when Chappell Roan rocked Lollapalooza in a luchador- inspired outfit, complete with a wrestling ring on stage.
Roan’s commitment to her art is undeniable, so when she channels Divine or lights up a doink dressed as the Statue of Liberty, it’s more than a gimmick—it’s an endorsement. While she’s vocal about her love for drag, what does her lucha lewk say about wrestling? Believe it or not, there are gay and trans wrestlers, and, then there is a whole world of exóticos, recently immortalized on film. But what about the world of regular degular, non-arena independent wrestling? In many parts of our country, it's more common to find a local wrestling promotion (think small rock club to small auditorium sized) than a drag circuit.
Roan’s commitment to her art is undeniable, so when she channels Divine or lights up a doink dressed as the Statue of Liberty, it’s more than a gimmick—it’s an endorsement. While she’s vocal about her love for drag, what does her lucha lewk say about wrestling? Believe it or not, there are gay and trans wrestlers, and, then there is a whole world of exóticos, recently immortalized on film. But what about the world of regular degular, non-arena independent wrestling? In many parts of our country, it's more common to find a local wrestling promotion (think small rock club to small auditorium sized) than a drag circuit.
So is there any crossover appeal for drag fans? Could wrestling scratch that itch? More importantly, could wrestling offer a safe space for drag fans at a time when they could really use one? (See Season 4 of We're Here, or any season, really.)
Having spent some time in both the worlds of drag and wrestling, here are some things we appreciate that they have in common:
1. Weirdos Are Welcome
We braced for the wrestling crowd at our first wrestling show to be trashy and hostile, and were prepared to make an early exit. It was refreshing to find it diverse and inclusive, and we were not the only Brown or queer faces in the room. Nachos and sweaty men? Ok. We're seated.
2. Audience Participation is Key
Both drag and wrestling rely on the crowd to keep the energy high. Whether it's cheering for a favorite queen or booing a heel ("bad guy" in wrestling jargon), the audience is essential to the experience. To show appreciation at wrestling, the crowd breaks into chants and sometimes they toss colorful streamers onto the ring. At drag shows, we wave dollar bills, baby!
3. Selling the Fantasy
Illusion! Spectacle! Drama! You've got to give the people what they came for, darling. Performers in both worlds strive to fully commit to their persona, blurring the lines of reality and conjuring up something mythical, like a comic book character they brought to life.
4. She Works Hard for the Money
If given the choice between death drops in six inch heels or body slamming people into the ground, we would say... please give us back our nachos. But seriously... do these folks have health insurance? This looks rough as hell. Show your support by tipping, buying merch, and showing appreciation, even if it's just a follow or a reshare.
5. Representation Matters
Both arenas offer platforms for marginalized voices. Drag empowers the LGBTQ+ community, while wrestling challenges stereotypes. Seeing diverse faces in these spaces expands one's consciousness, and reminds us that we have more in common than we may think.
Of course, we can't speak for every wrestling promotion out there, but the ones we have been involved with have been welcoming to women, BIPOC folks, and the LGBTQ+ community. Bonus: everyone seems pretty chill about cilantro.
See you at the Pink Pony Club,
Sara
If you're in the Detroit area, check out Sanctuary Fight Club. The shows are set up in a metal bar, for a night of intimate and unmatched high octane energy. Their next show is Friday, September 6. Shows sell out, so season tickets are available and encouraged. If you're lucky you'll see Jody Threat (pictured above) pour a beer on someone's head and then slam his ass into a wall. Grab a drink and scream your butt off!
If you're in the Midwest, stay in the loop with Hard Candy Events to see what drag royalty is coming your way, and always support your local queens. We were lucky enough to catch Detox when she swung through Cincinnati in all her womanly glory. The evening's lineup at the Birdcage included some legendary locals, like Chastity Marie, pictured above in Under the Sea Realness.
