Ed Gamble steals Phil Wang’s Clash Of The Comics Belt at PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 178

Clash Of The Comics, previously known as The Wrestling, is heading to London’s iconic Eventim Apollo on 8th October for an unforgettable night where comedy collides with professional wrestling.

Originally founded by comedians Max & Ivan at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2011, Clash Of The Comics sees top comedy stars stepping into the ring to face off against each other and some of the UK’s finest professional wrestlers.

The headline bout will feature comedians Phil Wang and Ed Gamble in the much-anticipated Battle For The Belt.

Tensions reached boiling point at PROGRESS Wrestling’s Chapter 178: Fix Your Hearts event last Sunday. Max & Ivan attempted to award Phil Wang the Clash of the Comics Championship, only for Ed Gamble and PROGRESS wrestler Bullit to interrupt the ceremony. Gamble and Bullit launched into a scathing promo, branding PROGRESS fans “a bunch of incels,” before brutally attacking Max, Ivan, and Phil Wang. PROGRESS Proteus World Champion Simon Miller intervened heroically, but Gamble and Bullit still managed to escape with the championship belt, which rightfully belongs to Wang.

Speaking about the upcoming grudge match, Gamble said, “It makes me physically sick to see Phil Wang holding championship gold, which is why I took it from him. That may be against the rules of wrestling, but the only rules I obey are those set by various casinos. At the Hammersmith Apollo, I’m gonna kick Wang’s head off his stupid shoulders. On October 8th, all bets are… on.”

Phil Wang fired back, “For over two years, I proudly held the comedian’s wrestling championship. But Ed Gamble stole my new Clash of the Comics belt just as I was about to receive it. At the Apollo, Gamble will learn that gambling doesn’t pay. I’ll forge a hammer of vengeance—my fist—and bring it crashing down upon him.”

Also confirmed for this epic evening of entertainment are stars James Acaster, Aisling Bea, Greg James, Rosie Jones, Nish Kumar, Maisie Adam, Abi Clarke, Olga Koch, Matthew Crosby, Jazz Emu, and Flo & Joan, with more surprise guests to be announced.

Max & Ivan expressed their excitement for the event: “On October 8th, the Eventim Apollo will truly live up to its namesake, Apollo, god of war. Some will be brave, some ruthless, and others, like us, will be utterly terrified.”

Backstage reporter Olga “Rock Hard” Koch added: “It’s about time Max & Ivan brought this incredible event to a venue worthy of the spectacle. I feel lucky to be attending and even luckier to be reporting.”

James “James Acaster” Acaster hopes this event will finally mark the end of his wrestling losing streak. Acaster boldly stated, “2025 will be the year I triumph. The world will finally know the name James ‘James Acaster’ Acaster and I definitely won’t be knocked out with a metal tray again.”

Tickets for Clash Of The Comics at the Eventim Apollo go on sale from Wednesday 2nd April – sign up for the pre-sale via clashofthecomics.co.uk.