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New school run by American entertainment wrestler Al Snow to set up in New Malden

Posted: Dec 14th 2015 By: Rachel Burford

One of the world?s most famous American entertainment wrestling stars has chosen to open a first of its kind academy - in New Malden.

Al Snow, who portrays a schizophrenic brandishing a severed mannequin head in the ring, has set up a wrestling school with business partner and fellow wrestler Simon Van Der Wolf.

The Al Snow Wrestling Academy is launching on December 14 in Hampton Court, with a view to open full time in a secret 5,000sq ft location in New Malden in February 2016.

But the men and women who want to learn at the illustrious new school better be ready to work hard and pass a rigorous entrance exam.

With the majority of male entertainment wrestlers being at least 6ft 2in and weighing more than 240lb, Mr Van Der Wolf has insisted it is "not going to be easy" getting in.

He said: "People who might be tall but only weigh a few stone are going to have to realise this might not be for them right now.

"We will be following a university-style syllabus and the training will be tough. When we get hit by a chair, we get hit by a chair.

"We want to encourage women to try out too. There are a lot of really tough women out there."

Exams to get into the new school will be held in the new year for beginner, intermediate and advanced level pupils.

Mr Snow, real name Allen Ray Sarven, splits his time between the States and Mr Van Der Wolf?s house in Weybridge, where the pair first came up with the unique academy idea over some Hungarian beers.

"It was a drunken evening in Weybridge and we just decided that nothing like this existed and it should," said Mr Van Der Wolf.

"There will be the chance for our best pupils to become professional wrestlers and go on tour. Wrestling is more than just getting smacked in the face. It?s about working the crowd. We?ll be teaching people how to do that."

The teachers will be made up of a number of famous World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stars.

One of the teachers will be John ?Bad Bones? Kilner.

Mr Kilner said: "You want to be a star? You tough enough? Come to Al Snow?s Wrestling Academy and we are going to make you the next superstar. Be there."

The Al Snow Academy is holding its first promotions event from on Monday, December 14 at 1pm at the Olive Square in Hampton Court.

Everyone who is tough enough is welcome.