Masked Evangelists, Clad In Tights Wrestle For Jesus

[matcom]

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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Can professional-style wrestling really be the next frontier for Christian outreach?

Small bands of masked evangelists, clad in tights and armed with biblical names, argue it is. The violence and intensity of wrestling, they claim, can be the perfect way to attract the alternative, younger crowd.

At the beginning of some "Wrestling for Jesus" shows, wrestler Chase "Darkness" Cliett is strapped to a massive wooden cross on stage as piercing music is played. A group of evil wrestlers beats and bloodies him before the good guys dramatically come to his rescue. Later, after a horned fellow in a red suit is knocked out, the preaching begins.

But it's not for everyone; many churches won't even consider letting them perform.

One performance ended with real fighting, real cursing and a repentant participant stretched-out face-down in the ring weeping.

They're not the only wrestling group to heed the call, according to The Christian Post.

Another group, Christian Wrestling Federation, is based in Texas. It has a board of eight preachers in addition to a core of dozen entertainers that use each match to entertain the crowd and preach, the newspaper reported.

Ultimate Christian Wrestling, based in Athens, Ga., is another group that features booming music and special effects, according to The Christian Post.

http://www.wftv.com/sports/8141328/detail.html