PGW: Professional Gay Wrestling, The

By: Amos Lassen

"The PGW: Professional Gay Wrestling: Season One"
On and Off the Mat
Amos Lassen

"The PGW: Professional Gay Wrestling" is the FIRST All-Gay Pro Wrestling Federation Series that acknowledges and represents openly gay men (and possibly Lesbians) in pro wrestling and sports entertainment! It is modeled after the classic late-night wrestling shows of the 70's and 80's. You might consider this a very gay version of the WWE! Season one is made up of six episodes of two matches with interviews and filmed story-lines that contain soap opera style plots and sub-plots. The series is at times outrageous and dramatic both I and out of the ring. There are none of the typical pro wrestling stereotypes. Instead, we get gay issues, representation, humor, drama and visibility in each half hour episode. For whatever reason, gay men seem to be drawn to professional wrestling yet they have been rejected by it and often openly laughed at. For some, I think it probably has to do with the formation of gay identity and sexual awakening (although I cannot find a reason for this) and with the PGW they are allowed the openness that was not always there.