It might be ‘fake’ - but you can’t say it’s not fun.

There was plenty to cheer, boo and laugh about as All Star Wrestling came to the Corn Exchange in Ipswich.

And cheating prospered in the early matches, with wrestlers using the ropes to get the three-count over their rivals.

The Ipswich crowd was treated to seeing international TV stars, as former Total Nonstop Action Television Champion and two-time X Division Champion Doug Williams graced the ring, as well as Oliver Grey, who was one half of the inaugural tag-team champions in World Wrestling Entertainment’s developmental territory NXT.

However there was a distinct lack of creativity with entrances, as all but one wrestler, Thunder, came out waving a flag, either representing their patriotic status as a babyface Brit, or to signify their status as a heel, waving a flag that had nothing to do with England or the UK.

But the youngsters in the crowd were treated to some good wrestling, cheering their favourites and greeting them as they entered, cheering with high-fives as they won, or commiserating them with a pat on the back if they were unsuccessful in their valiant efforts to beat the villain.

And the action was too much for some – notably ‘John’ the referee, who despite being rolled up for a pin by James Mason at one point, struggled to make it down to his knees to make a potential three-count at various points throughout the four bouts before the main event.

The main-event had the potential to be a classic, as ten wrestlers stepped in the ring for an over-the-top-rope elimination battle royal. However, it seemed as if the promoters thought they were running out of time as after a couple of minutes of tangling near the ropes, the eliminations came thick and fast and within 15 minutes Oliver Grey had thrown Thunder over the top rope to win match.

Overall, while top-quality wrestling was ultimately in short supply for the die-hards, the entertainment was in full flow for the young families and those who chose to engage in the pageantry. It was escapism at its finest.