Portland's Queer Wrestling Circuit Fuses Comedy, Drag, and Genderfluid Fun

"The only thing missing is the overt hetero-performative energy that typically punctuates a wrestling match. It's the latest installment of the House of Danger Queer Wrestling Variety Show, the brainchild project of Clancy Kramer, who wrestles as Clemente Danger."

"The original thing was I just wanted to find some people to practice with who were sort of at the same level as me, so we could all build up together. T-boy Wrestling has since dissolved its operations, but appetite for the concept lingered."

"Kramer was also getting interested in the local stand-up comedy scene. It didn't take long before she melded the two. Other live performance elements, like draglesque, fit nicely under the variety show label."

House of Danger Queer Wrestling Variety Show is a Portland-based indie wrestling production founded by Clancy Kramer, who wrestles as Clemente Danger. The project emerged from Kramer's desire to find training partners at similar skill levels after discovering T-boy Wrestling, a Los Angeles-based trans wrestling organization. When T-boy Wrestling dissolved, Kramer channeled that momentum into creating Portland's own queer-centered wrestling production. The variety show format incorporates live comedy commentary, draglesque performances, and wrestling matches in a dimly lit venue at the Swan Dive. The February show featured four matches, including Kramer competing against Kylie Karma, showcasing amateur wrestling moves and theatrical elements that distinguish it from mainstream wrestling's typical heteronormative presentation.

Read at Portland Mercury