Villens United By Chris Haskell

Call me sentimental, but I miss the days when a couple women with bad perms and way too much make-up would brawl over bargains at a Caldor clearance sale…

It’s that type of comedic violence that the ladies of B.L.O.W.W. (Boston League Of Women Wrestlers) have bled and sweat into every show, blow by BLOWW since 2004.

These aren’t a bunch of scantily clad Barbie dolls pulling each other’s hair; these are some of the baddest lady warriors from the darkest corners of the Boston area.

Trash talk leads to a few girls trying to beat each other senseless in front of a live rock band while the crowd cheers and chuckles. Most shows seem more like an odd barroom brawl turned wrestling match and the small intimate venues they usually play let you get a front row seat to the madness.

The ladies – and sometimes gentlemen – of BLOWW are dying to entertain and thrill local audiences.

Now over a decade strong, many of the original BLOWW babes have retired after years of severe beatings; but the new cast of vicious vixens still carry the torch for their fallen sisters. Pyscho killer Stabitha La Kills, Tag team The Bradlees Babes, and punk rocker powerhouse Punky Bruiser are just a few of names amongst the murder’s row that now grace the mats.

The retired legends of BLOWW aren’t gone for good and often return for shows to rile up crowds and add a little extra mayhem. Stories often involve the never ending struggle of who will take ownership of the league.

The shows aren’t just a girls club. There have been a few guys to join the ladies over the years as referees or ring boys and local talk show host Kyle Colston often joins these days as Frankie Redhawt, or one of his other characters and matches are usually reffed by former wrestler Poindexter O’ McAllahan.

Both the guys and gals collaborate to craft costumes, rivalries, and characters and have become a happy dysfunctional family in doing so. The shows are truly a fun labor of love amongst a close-knit group of friends.

Whether outdoors or indoors, barroom floor or center stage, these girls have come for a fight that will not disappoint. Shows are often played with a couple local rock bands headlining, providing riffs to incite whacky violence. Recent shows have been played with singer/songwriter Carissa Johnson and local favorite Stars Like Ours. Popular local lady punk band Petty Morals will be headlining BLOWW’s next upcoming show at SomerStreets on September 18.

Upcoming dates for shows and headlining bands are updated on the BLOWW Facebook page and the league’s website blowwboston.com

If you’re in need of a kiss with a fist I recommend checking out this unique underground show. Good music, good laughs and good times are what are slowly making these shows a local cult favorite. Get on out and support your local lady wrestlers!

Later ‘Villens … enjoy the violence…