Culture Surfing - B.R.A.W.L.

Billed as “just like real wrestling, only fake,” Dad’s Garage Theatre’s improvised wrestling show, B.R.A.W.L., bounces back into the ring for its fourth season beginning Friday, May 18, and plays at 10:30 p.m. Fridays through July 13. Co-directed by Scott Warren and improviser/wrestling teacher Steve Platinum (aka Steve Scarborough), B.R.A.W.L. features less audience participation compared with other improv formats but makes up for it with flamboyant opponents, show-to-show storylines and bouts staged like real pro wrestling (if only real wrestling were staged). Matches of all sorts usually end with a wrestler’s signature move or “finisher” — in the list below, can you tell the real pro-wrestling moves from the ones staged in B.R.A.W.L.?

40 Acres and a Mule Kick: A powerful back kick between the legs of an opponent (as delivered by Reparation H)

The 11th Commandment: A submission move that combines an arm lock with a camel clutch (as delivered by Paul “The Pope” Pachowski)

The Worm: A wrestler bounces four times on one foot while the audience spells out “W-O-R-M,” followed by a karate chop to the throat (as delivered by Scotty 2 Hotty)

The Almond Pancake: A reverse pedigree where the opponent is driven face-first into the mat from between the user’s legs (as delivered by the Chef)

The Mandible Claw: A vicelike grip applied to the jaw and interior of the mouth by a sock-covered hand (as delivered by Mick Foley)

The Spaghetti Junction: A tangled-up submission move (as delivered by Chad Champion)

The Tumbleweed: A devastating steamroller (as delivered by El Dorado)

The Stink Face: An obese wrestler hikes his trunks up into his butt crack and forces his opponent’s face in between said cheeks (as delivered by Rikishi)

Answer: “The Worm,” “The Mandible Claw” and “The Stink Face” are all real wrestling finishers.