The 1920s was a decade that saw the emergence of new forms of entertainment that would change the way people spent their leisure time. It was a time of great cultural and social change, marked by the rise of jazz music, the Harlem Renaissance, and the growth of cities. In this era, people were looking for new ways to amuse themselves, and that’s exactly what the Foundry Theater at Antioch College would provide for them. In the summer of 1920, a motley crew of wrestlers, known as the “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza,” would take the stage at the Foundry Theater. This troupe of wrestlers, who would later become known as Olde Wrestling, would be a part of a show that would bring together a diverse range of performers, including pugilists, politicians, luchadores, strongmen, and moonshiners. The show would be an anachronistic evening of bodyslams, leglocks, and chokeholds, with a performance that would be unlike anything that had been seen before. The “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” was founded by Justin Nottke, a resident of Yellow Springs, who had a passion for professional wrestling and the 1920s. Nottke had been involved in professional wrestling since middle school, where he and his friends would body-slam each other in their backyards. It wasn’t until he had donned the character of a 1920s pugilist that the lightbulb went off in his head. “I wondered, what if I made it even more niche?” Nottke said in an interview. “What if I did a show of my own and framed everything – the vintage characters, the setting, the music – in the 1920s?” The idea was met with enthusiasm by his friends and fellow actors-turned-wrestlers, and the first Olde Wrestling match took place in an old barn at the Huron County Fairgrounds in Norwalk, Ohio. Since then, the production has grown wilder and whackier, still steeped in the milieu of the early 20th century. Over the years, a number of recurring wrestlers have returned to the stage, including Scurvy Whiplash, Honky Dory, and former U.S. President William Howard Taft. “The idea is to create a sense of drama, comedy, and action,” Nottke said. “It’s not just wrestling, it’s performance art.” To achieve this, the troupe uses a range of techniques, including live ragtime music, a hype man to prompt attendees to shout out “huzzah” or “hogwash,” and encourages attendees to dress the part. The “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” is an all-ages show, and tickets are available for purchase online or at the door. The general admission price is $18, while children under the age of 10 and Antioch students can attend for just $5. The show takes place on Friday, April 11, at 7:15 p.m., with the ringside bell ringing at 7:45 p.m. To create a truly immersive experience, attendees are encouraged to dress in period-specific attire, from flapper dresses to seersucker suits. “We want to suspend disbelief and create a sense of wonder,” Nottke said. “It’s going to be like being in the 1920s, at least for that one night.”
The “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” is a unique and entertaining show that combines elements of wrestling, theater, and comedy. It’s a chance to experience a bygone era in a whole new way, and to see the wrestlers perform in a setting that is both nostalgic and anachronistic.
Key Highlights
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- “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” will debut at the Foundry Theater at Antioch College on Friday, April 11.
- Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and the ringside bell dings at 7:45 p.m.
- General admission is $18, and children under 10 and Antioch students can attend for $5.
- Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Meet the Founder
Justin Nottke is the founder of the “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” and a resident of Yellow Springs. Nottke had a passion for professional wrestling and the 1920s, and his love for the sport and the era led him to create a unique and entertaining show. In an interview, Nottke said, “I never thought this kind of art project would be going for this long. But we’re always trying new things – playing with history in different ways, showing folks who aren’t necessarily wrestling fans something they’ve never seen before. In many ways, Olde Wrestling is my love letter for something that I’ve been a part of for so long.”
Nottke’s experience in professional wrestling began in middle school, where he and his friends would body-slam each other in their backyards. He later donned the character of a 1920s pugilist, and the idea for the “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” was born. “I wondered, what if I made it even more niche?” Nottke said. The “Olde Wrestling Extravaganza” is a unique and entertaining show that combines elements of wrestling, theater, and comedy.
The Art of Olde Wrestling
Olde Wrestling is a form of performance art that combines elements of wrestling, theater, and comedy. The troupe uses a range of techniques to create a sense of drama, comedy, and action, including live ragtime music, a hype man to prompt attendees to shout out “huzzah” or “hogwash,” and encourages attendees to dress the part. The show is an immersive experience that transports attendees to a bygone era. The wrestlers perform in a setting that is both nostalgic and anachronistic, and the use of period-specific music and costumes adds to the sense of wonder and enchantment.
Technical Details
| Event Details | Event Name | Date | Time | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event Name | Olde Wrestling Extravaganza | Friday, April 11 | 7:15 p.m. | $18 (general admission) |
| Ticket Price | $5 (children under 10 and Antioch students) | |||
| Location | Foundry Theater at Antioch College |
Frequently Asked Questions
“I never thought this kind of art project would be going for this long.
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