The Chicago Wrestling Club ( CWC ) is not a launching pad for the next Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, The Rock, Kurt Angle or any other professional wrestling sensation.
And the CWC certainly isn't a gay sex club.
This is real wrestling, periodthe amateur kind that has made its home in the high school and college ranks.
'This is not an opportunity to cop a feel. If you come out, you better be serious; you better be ready to wrestle. This is not a grab-ass session,' said Mark Wheeler, 41, of Chicago, one of the club's organizers and a coach for the group of about 20 wrestlers who developed a friendship last summer at the Gay Games and formed the CWC late last year.
'Your opponent will be trying to tear your arm out of its socket,' Wheeler said. 'To me, that's not too erotic.'
They predominantly wrestle freestyle, as opposed to folkstyle, which is used in high school and college; or Greco-Roman, which is the oldest form.
'We just want to go out and wrestle, and we've formed some pretty good friendships through the club. It's good for your soul; it's good for your mind; it's definitely good for your body,' said Wheeler, an attorney who lives in Lakeview. 'Our goal is to expand the club, increase knowledge of wrestling and eventually host a tournament, much like New York City, which hosted a tournament in January.'
Wheeler and CWC teammates Josh Watkins and Matt Stemple will be in California this weekend for the 2007 San Diego Bulldogs Wrestling Weekend and Tournament.
Wheeler was the captain of the wrestling team at Wyoming ( Mich. ) Rogers High School, where he was an all-area competitor and 19-11-2 as a senior and also a three-year football player. Wheeler coached wrestling at Jackson Park Junior High School from 1985-87 and also was a high school football coach from 1985-88.
He attended Olivet College in Battle Creek, Mich., where he wrestled for one season.
Wheeler placed fourth in the Gay Games in the 198-pound weight class.
'Wrestling is a good way to try to stay active, stay young, and show that you can still do it. The camaraderie on the club is phenomenal,' he said.
The CWC is open to all, male and female ( 18 and older ) , regardless of sexual orientation. There are two straight members on the team. The club holds open practices every Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at Quads Gym, 3727 N. Broadway.
'This club truly has rekindled a competitive spirit in me [ and has ] reminded me of my high school and college days,' Wheeler said.
See www.wrestlechicago.com .