England's Wrestling Church seeks converts with baptisms and body slams

Sitting around a wrestling ring, the parishioners roared when local hero Billy O’Keeffe threw a fighter named Disciple to the ground.

England's Wrestling Church seeks converts with baptisms and body slams

SHIPLEY, England — Sitting around a wrestling ring, churchgoers roared as local hero Billy O’Keeffe body-slammed a fighter named Disciple. Beneath stained-glass windows, they whooped and cheered as burly, tattooed wresters tumbled into the aisle during a six-man tag-team battle.

Sitting around a wrestling ring, the parishioners roared when local hero Billy O’Keeffe threw a wrestler named Disciple to the ground. Surrounded by stained glass windows, they applauded and cheered at the downing of the crowded and tattooed fighters during a clash between six men grouped into two teams.