IT IS a venue more accustomed to music and salsa and tea dances, but The Regal in Oxford played host to a wrestling competition this month.

Contest organisers said they might now return to the venue following the success of the inaugural event.

Among the contestants was local wrestler Mark Haskins, who hailed it as one of the biggest nights of his career when he beat an international superstar at the sell-out show.

The 21-year-old, who lives in Great Coxwell, was the local hero on a star-studded bill of mainly Japanese professionals when Dragon Gate Invasion: UK arrived at the venue in Cowley Road.

A crowd of almost 500, including fans from Finland, the Netherlands and the US, packed out the venue to watch competitors including BxB Hulk, Dragon Kid and Cima – all TV stars in their native country – make their European debut.

Mr Haskins, a former Abingdon College student, said: “The set up was one of the best I’ve ever seen in this country.

“There were so many fans there, I think in the region of 400 or 500, and they were all ready to go and were there for a really good time.

“So many different factors made it exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.”

Mr Haskins, 5ft 8in, 11st 8lbs, is nicknamed The Star Attraction and his signature move is the ‘cradle tombstone piledriver’.

He played up to his reputation as a wrestling bad guy as he beat Japan’s Kagetora.

Event promoter Mark Sloan, a wrestler himself, said: “The event went extremely well, we were turning people away.

“Oxford has never seen wrestling like this.

“It was a perfect city for wrestling, we'd love to come back, The Regal was a great venue.”

The DVD of the wrestling can be ordered by calling 0239 265 2211. If you quote the Oxford Mail you can get the DVD for £10.