Wrestlers could be shown red card in hybrid league

Former professional wrestler Dragon Aisu said he wanted to bring the "tribalistic fan approach" to the entertainment sport [Supplied] A former professional wrestler has launched a hybrid league that is a mash-up between the entertainment sport and football. Dragon Aisu, real name Dante Richardson, from Middlesbrough, said he would launch its debut season on 9 August at the Vertu Arena in Newcastle. The National Wrestling League (NWL) involves regional teams managed by famous names from both sports, including American professional wrestler D'Lo Brown and former Liverpool star Neil "Razor" Ruddock.

"Football is all about passion, rivalry and backing your team, and wrestling has the characters, drama and atmosphere to go with it," said Ruddock. "So bringing the two together just makes sense. " Six squads of wrestlers wearing their team kit will compete for 15 minutes with those that score the most falls [goals] within that time declared the winner and awarded three points, just like in football.

Similarly, teams will pick up a point apiece for a draw. Ruddock explained: "It's right up my street, which is why I am excited to get involved - Newcastle fans are some of the loudest in the country, so the atmosphere in there is going to be unbelievable. " Inspired by former American wrestler, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Richardson pursued a career as an English wrestler.

Among his accomplishments, he twice won a tag team championship. Richardson said he was inspired by former American wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart [Supplied] One of the league's owners, Richardson competed between 2003 and 2010 mainly in the north-east of England. Now 42, he said he wanted to bring football's "tribalistic fan approach" to wrestling so that fans could follow their squad of wrestlers across 10 matches each season with a winning team crowned at the end.