Natalie TharraleosNatalie Tharraleos chats with Adam Bowler about local Wrestling
N:Can you tell us about the history of wrestling in East Leeds- has it always been a popular sport here?
A: I started running shows in 2012 at Harehills Working men’s club. It was popular in the area due to having another promotion who were running shows till they closed. Since I started in Harehills a number of promotions have done wrestling events in the area and made it more popular. Its been popular for years – people used to run shows before my time.
N: Tell us a bit about where the wrestlers come from. Who can people expect to see?
A: Some of the main wrestlers we have are Leeds wrestlers Council Estate Cason Riley, and me! I have just started and have lots to learn. Others are Current CUKPW Champion Matty Mayhem from Newcastle, Harley Hudson who has just been signed to American wrestling company TNA from Liverpool and the CUKPW Linda Memorial champion Drake Wynter.
Linda was my mum and one of the owners of CUKPW. She passed away in 2021 and I decided to create a championship belt in her memory
N: Are there many female wrestlers?
A: There are lot of females in British Wrestling. At the moment we have CUKPW Women’s Champion Saraya Knight, Lucie Lee, Lucy Sky, Future TNA star Harley Hudson.
N: Where can people go to see a match in East Leeds?
CUKPW runs shows at The Anglers Club on Stoney Rock Ln, Leeds LS9 7TB
N: If you’ve never been to match before, what can you expect on the night?
A: Expect a bit of everything. Comedy, drama, excitement. Wrestling shows can be a varied experience with a bit of something for everyone.
N: What makes a match great?
A: A good wrestling match can bring you in and plays on your emotions. Whether that’s to make you laugh, cry or anything else. Most importantly a good match speaks to you on that primal emotional level
N: Can you share a stand out moment?
A: Stand out moment for me, there could be a few. First winning the CUKPW Linda Memorial Championship with a great manager by my side. At that time Laetitia which was made in memory of my mum when she past away in 2021. It was a special moment to me. She meant the world to me, and was always there for me, so winning the belt was great, in a way I felt I didn’t deserve it back then but since then I have trained and worked my backside off to earn a shot sometime soon. The second moment, I would say just being in the ring wrestling the guys who I have, like Josh Bradford, Drill, Maverick Matt and Mr Hayward, from one of the biggest UK Wrestling company’s WAW.
The shows would not be great without the team effort, from the set up of the ring, wrestlers, fans who show up, and I am thankful for WAW owners Julia Hamer & Ricky Knight for all their help also.
