I’ll admit it. I’m a fan of pro-wrestling.

To put you at ease, let me start by admitting that eight months ago I wasn’t like this.

Before Anarchy Championship Wrestling’s Delusions of our Childish Days show last December, the last wrestling match I witnessed featured a tanned, mustached Hulk Hogan back when fans still saw him as the “Real American” and not a reality TV douchebag.

A friend had to really goad me into attending the ACW show, but after taking in this outdoor, interactive theater spectacle featuring acrobatic feats of athleticism, I walked out of The Mohawk a born-again wrestling believer.

And I’m not the last. In the world of independent pro-wrestling, Anarchy Championship Wrestling is out to start a revolution with all of the delicacy of a chair shot to the head.

It might take a little more convincing to get all you non-believers to give this over-the-top form of entertainment a shot.

That’s why I’m trying not to geek out too much by throwing around too many obscure wrestling references. (If I hadn’t toned it down, this article would have been peppered with numerous “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Dusty Rhodes quotes, if you weeeeill.)

But what you might not realize is how Austin-y independent pro-wrestling is. The small but mighty pro-wrestling collective personifies Austin’s mentality of gaining ground with grassroots promotions served with a healthy dose of Austin weirdness.

The beauty of an ACW show lies in the promoters’ willingness to think outside of the box, which creates a contagious, electric atmosphere. “Fanarchists” are known to arrive at the Mohawk early to grab drinks and join in with the trademark chants, cheers and jeers.

Similar to a Texas Rollergirls bout, ACW spectators are guaranteed to experience a totally unique form of live athletic entertainment like none other in the city.

The regular ACW roster features male and female wrestlers alike skilled in every form of fighting—from strong style to lucha libre—with breathtaking moves that highlight the drama of the characters and their matches.

The athleticism of wrestlers such as ACH and “Spitfire” Davey Vega are certainly awe-inspiring, while their in-ring routines are also sure to get a few laughs. ACW takes pride in the fact that they don’t have to worry about keeping their entertainment TV-PG, so everything is fair game.

This past May, ACW even held its first prom-themed show which featured a cake, punch, a prom king and queen, and of course a ladies’ match in prom dresses. Clearly, more fun than you’d ever see at a WWE Monday Night Raw event.

Still a toddler at five years old, the small but mighty ACW has made some serious strides toward big-ring notoriety.

While still basing most of their shows at the Mohawk’s outdoor venue, promotion has expanded to regular exhibitions in both San Antonio and St. Louis. Through online sales of DVDs, ACW has even established an international presence in Japan’s massive culture of wrestling fanatics.

Any established wrestling fan owes it to themselves to see what Austin’s ACW has to offer. Various stars and personalities from larger promotions make regular appearances at The Mohawk including past appearances by former WWE Superstar and Austin native Paul London, SHIMMER Women Athletes star and former WWE Diva Serena Deeb and Ring of Honor icon Chris Hero.

Following their July 17 show From Innocence to Insanity 5 at the Mohawk, ACW will return Aug 21 for Distrust, Dismay and Antisocial Behavior, featuring the return of Ring of Honor and ECW legend Jerry Lynn, the grizzled veteran who helped give guidance to many in ACW while the promotion was starting to take off.

Now of course you don’t have to end up the same way I did. But I guarantee, after one show, you’ll be a believer as well.