Wrestlers could be shown red card in hybrid league

Richardson said he was inspired by former American wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart [Supplied]

One of the league's owners, Richardson competed between 2003 and 2010 mainly in the north-east of England.

Now 42, he said he wanted to bring football's "tribalistic fan approach" to wrestling so that fans could follow their squad of wrestlers across 10 matches each season with a winning team crowned at the end.

With the seasons mimicking football, the league will run from August to May with the North East Outlaws competing at home in their first match.

The league will also involve former England stars as guest coaches.

Red cards could also be shown for bad behaviour.

A illustration of what the ring will look like [Supplied]

"We are trying to combine the football aspect even more by having the rings with green canvas and pitch markings," Richardson said.

"The managers sit in the dugouts at ringside", he added. "We've got a huge, ridiculous inflatable tunnel that the wrestlers come out of."

Richardson said the main focus was to make the event affordable for families "because everything is expensive".

He added that he wanted local football fans to get behind the Outlaws and help them to be the first league champions and "put the region on the map".

D'Lo Brown will wrestle TV star Grado in a tag match in Newcastle [Supplied]

Brown, who has fought the likes of American wrestlers Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Stone Cold Steve Austin, will also be a permanent fixture in the league.

Managing the Yorkshire Titans, he will also compete in Newcastle.

He said: "Considering my love for both American football and European football, I feel this format is the perfect marriage of the two. It has the perils of relegation and the thrill of competition.

"Whether it's Newcastle, Yorkshire or Liverpool, any time I have the opportunity to return to the United Kingdom it puts a huge smile on my face."

Brown said he would offer his team bits of advice acquired throughout his career and "hopefully that will lead to the Titans having an edge in the league table".

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Related internet links

• The National Wrestling League