combat

This Saturday, the spotlights of the Lille barrier casino will not be on a theater scene or a concert, but in a wrestling ring. La Banger Zone Wrestling (BZW), the main French federation in the discipline, organizes its greatest spectacle of the year there, baptized Games are made. Nearly 1,000 spectators are expected for an evening mixing American show, licked storytelling and high -level sports performances. A real summit for a sport-spectacle still too often misunderstood in France, but which becomes professional at high speed.

The main match will see Joseph Fenech Jr compete, a rising figure and current BZW champion, in Trent Seven, British wrestler and ex-Superstar of WWE. A prestigious poster for a structure which intends to demonstrate that the French wrestling has nothing to envy to its Anglo-Saxon cousins.

Banger Zone Wrestling: rise in power of a French scene

For a long time, the hexagonal wrestling was confined to an image of good -natured entertainment or muscular caricature. But in recent years, a new generation of wrestlers and organizers has been working to transform the landscape. “The French wrestling is less ridiculous and more professional”, sums up Joseph Fenech Jr. His name now circulates in European circles, and it embodies this desire for credibility and rigor which wins the local scene.

One of the symbols of this ascent is called White Aigle. Young wrestler with recognizable mask and fluid technique, he recently passed the WWE tries (tests), the largest world organization. “Eagle Blanc is really credible, whether by his appearance, his technique in the ring or even his entry. He has everything of an international professional”, admires Fenech Jr. like him, other French talents multiply the appearances in Germany, England or Spain, in search of European or even global recognition.

An ambitious map, between local stars and global stars

The Lille show was not half thought of. In all, six fights are scheduled, mixing 100 % French duels with more international clashes. In addition to Trent Seven, several figures from the world scene will be present, such as Baron Corbin, a well -known figure in WWE fans, Ninja Mack or the members of the CPF (scented club of France), popular faction of the independent scene.

The will of the organizers is clear: to offer a show worthy of the major American productions, while keeping a strong French identity. “We have to make beautiful cards to attract as many people as possible. We add a lot of storytelling so that fans come to see the outcome or the continuation of a story,” explains Fenech Jr. The idea is no longer simply to align fights, but to forge intrigue, to create a loyalty of the public around characters and rivalries.

The event has already generated a strong expectation on social networks, with fans coming from the whole region but also from Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. The choice of barrier casino as a prestigious location is also a way of hoisting the wrestling at an unprecedented level of visibility.

A first: French wrestling at the cinema with the banger zone wrestling

But the great novelty of this edition is its live broadcast in several cinemas in France. A first in the history of hexagonal wrestling. Spectators who cannot go to Lille will be able to follow the show as a large sporting event, comfortably installed in the red armchairs in their projection room.

This diffusion symbolizes the ambition of a French wrestling that wants to anchor itself in popular culture, far beyond the simple niche. “It is a huge spotlight. We hope it will make you want to other cities, other cinemas, other broadcasters to be interested in it,” hopes the organization. If the formula is seduced, it could be replicated for the next big Bzw.

A discipline in search of recognition

Beyond this Saturday event, Games are made is part of a wider strategy: to develop the look at the wrestling in France. Long considered a parody or a simple entertainment of a fair, professional wrestling now wants to be recognized for what it is: a demanding physical discipline, certainly scripted, but framed by high -level athletes and solid structures.

Banger Zone Wrestling wants to play this role of locomotive. She trains her talents, develops her tours, professionalizes her communication. It is counting on major events like that of Lille to bring down the last shots and establish herself as a full -fledged cultural actor.

This Saturday evening, the lights will be robbed in the ring. And perhaps, also, on a larger future for French wrestling.