Toryglen teen buzzes after performing with wrestling heroes in match of the night

A Toryglen teen is buzzing after performing with his wrestling heroes in a top event

Paul McDermott performed in his second-ever wrestling match alongside his idols, the Govan Team, at the Glasgow School of Wrestling’s Student SmackDown show to take on Thatcher's Cabinet in a three-on-three tag match.

Lanarkshire Live reported how Paul, who has autism, won his first-ever wrestling match in what was ‘the greatest moment of his life’ after breaking his kneecap.

This time around, the 19-year-old had 25 people supporting ‘Rowdy Roddy Piper Paul’ in the 350-capacity crowd to watch him claim the victory for his team.

One of those supporters was his sister, Emma McDermott, who spoke about how proud the whole family was of him.

The nursery worker said: “We knew he was going to be in that match, but the outcome was such a surprise. It was one of the matches of the night.

“It all comes naturally to Paul, he has such charisma. He was up against Thatcher’s Cabinet and Paul hates them because they hit Ravie-Davie with a Margaret Thatcher book. They had a Thatcher cardboard cutout and Paul took it and started jumping up and down on it, which wasn’t rehearsed or anything. That’s Paul for you though.

“Paul did his entrance to ‘I Need a Hero’ by Bonnie Tyler and then he went on to team with the Govan Team, who he just loves.

“The difference in how much he has progressed since the first show is amazing.

“His confidence just keeps growing and he’s made so many friends. He’s always asking when the next one is, he just loves it so much.”

Some kids, starting from age five, fought their hearts out in the show, with many having their lives changed for the better since starting the wrestling school.

Owner of the Glasgow School of Wrestling and TikTok star, Ravie Davie McCallum, spoke about the impact the school has on his students' lives.

He added: “We have tons of kids coming to the school every week who have just grown in confidence each session.

We had so many on the show who have embraced it.”

*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.