Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers at C2E2 2020

As a credentialed media member at C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) 2019, I was looking for interesting things to cover. When I saw the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) on the schedule of events, I was intrigued. After attending their event, I was impressed, entertained and hooked.

CLLAW features fascinating and colorful women characters engaging in arm-wrestling battles. It borrows a bit from pro-wrestling, roller derby and live theatre. The result is unlike anything I have ever seen.

The Sideshow Theatre Company produces CLLAW as a fundraiser to benefit Sideshow and other community organizations. CLLAW's roots go back to a 2008 fundraiser in Charlottesville, VA. From the hugely popular reaction, it was clear that something special happened. The Chicago league joined the fun in 2009 and has been growing ever since.

When I looked at the C2E2 2020 schedule, I saw CLLAW was having another event. I immediately put it on my schedule for coverage. Held late on Saturday afternoon, it would be the perfect way to end the day.

A CLLAW event features women arm-wrestlers, a couple male referees and a few other men and women who participate in various other roles in the production. Much like wresting, the arm wrestlers (and actually all involved) have colorful names and attire to match their names. Combatants' names include Gal Fieri, Amelia Ear-Hurt and more funny (or punny) monikers. Sir Elton Brawn wears eyewear fitting her Captain Fantastic persona.

Saturday's event started with emcee (or "Mistress of Ceremonialisms") Harry Scaray explaining the rules. There would be a tournament, with 8 participants. Each match was a best "2-of-3" 20 second arm wrestling battle. If neither wrestler won a 20 second match, a tie or stalemate was called and the winner would be decided in a different manner.

Last year, I had no idea what the tie-breaker would be, but from the reaction of the fans, I knew it would be special. Special it was. Last year's tie-breakers included a full-body paper-rock-scissors battle and a dance-off. I was hoping for more ties this year to see what other extra fun there would be.

Ms. Scaray explained about 'betting” using CLLAWBux. Bets could be placed on each of the arm-wrestlers. After the match, a random draw is made from the winner and the loser bucket. Prizes (some sillier than others) are awarded accordingly. Out of the “loser” bucket, I won a CLLAW wristband! Money raised goes to nonprofit organizations. Although betting is really just a cover to get a few more donations and to give away more CLLAW swag, the fans get quite rowdy in their support of their chosen combatant.

The crowd, I estimated at a few hundred, filled the room. There does still seem to be a question if the action is real sport. We know it is real in that there is a stage, arm-westling platform, arm-wrestlers, etc., but are the matches predetermined? In wrestling jargon, a bit of "kayfabe” is still alive and that's a good thing. I think we all really know the answer, but even a sliver of a question adds to the mystique.

After her explanations, Ms. Scaray introduced Vallery Dolls to sing the National Anthem and introduce the combatants. There was nothing goofy about his (yes his) singing. He totally belted out the song.

The matches moved quickly, with only one tie-breaker needed. A ferocious thumb-wrestling match was selected to break the stalemate. In the end, Amelia Ear-Hurt reigned supreme. She took centerstage and soaked in the well-deserved thunderous applause.

With that, the show ended. The participants gathered on the stage for a group photo, which they very graciously allowed me to join. Afterwards, everyone mingled a bit.

CLLAW holds regular events at the Logan Square Auditorium. I look forward to attending one of these events. I saw how much fun CLLAW was at C2E2 and I would love to see a full event of theirs. I imagine it will be even more entertaining at their home with their regular fans.

Their next show date hasn't been announced yet, nut I will be following CLLAW on social media for the show announcement and to get updates. Until then, "Wrists up!" (to use the CLLAW vernacular.) That's a phrase I learned from Harry Scaray, although she credits former emcee Rockke L. Squelch with coining it.

Thank you to CLLAW for their hospitality and access. Thank you to C2E2, as well.