Mighty Joe back to delight grapple fans
AWRESTLER who appeared in musicals at Stockport Plaza as a teenager will take to its stage again - but this time is ready to rumble.
Joe Fisher, 22, from Hazel Grove, will be at the Mersey Square theatre once more as he prepares to perform clotheslines and splashdowns on his opponent.
He appeared there as a teenager in Annie and as Fagin in Oliver, and also works behind the bar.
But he will be a ‘baddie’ of a different kind as wrestling returns to the Plaza on Sunday, February 5, for the first time since 2012.
Joe, a theatre student at Salford University, said: “With wrestling or acting there is an adrenaline rush where you want to perform but it is different.
“The audience are encouraged to get behind my opponent, the more they want me to get beaten the better it is.
“People ask me why I do it because it is tough and it hurts but the adrenaline rush and the atmosphere from the crowd is amazing.”
Joe, who stands at only 5ft 6in tall but goes to the gym six times a week, began wrestling at the age of 18.
He is a member Grand Pro Wrestling, in Manchester, and hopes to make a career out of the sport.
His fighting name and in the ring persona are being kept under wraps until the show.
Joe said: “I’ve been a fan of wrestling for a long time, I remember when I was eight getting home from swimming and watching WWE Smackdown.
“It was the storylines behind it, they were gripping, you have goodies and baddies and I always wanted to be a baddie.
“I’m hoping to make a name for myself and one day wrestle in Japan and America. So to be able to try and start this at Stockport Plaza, where I was on stage in shows is great.
“I’m willing to put the time and effort in, do the training, have the right diet and do everything possible.”
Ted Doan, Plaza manager, said: “We have always called him ‘Showbiz Joe’ as he is an absolute star so we are really looking forward to seeing him on stage again.
“We kept getting asked if we would be having wrestling again so everyone is now getting ready to rumble.”
It is hoped that wrestling will once again become an annual or bi-annual event at the Plaza.
The show starts at 6.30pm, tickets are £10 (£8 concessions). Call the box office on 477 7779.