Spectacle of Excess: Wrestling as American Performance Art
An unforgettable night.
A full-size wrestling ring in the Speed Art Museum
and some surprises.
Thank you to our title sponsor Republic Bank Foundation,
with support from the Speed Art Museum.
a one-of-a-kind live conversation on wrestling as performance art—right in the heart of Kentucky
DATE & TIME:
June 11th, 2025
Cash bar opens at 5:30pm | Program begins at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION:
Speed Art Museum, 2035 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY
Step into the world of suplexes, over-the-top personas, and body-slamming storytelling as Kentucky to the World brings you a one-of-a-kind live experience featuring WWE legend and OVW operator Al Snow in conversation with Sam Ford, board chair of Kentucky to the World and the only person to have taught a course on U.S. professional wrestling at MIT.
This program isn't just about wrestling—it’s about wrestling as athletic performance art. From its gritty carnival roots to its place at the center of pop culture, professional wrestling blends theater, athleticism, and spectacle in ways no other entertainment medium does. As French theorist Roland Barthes once described it, wrestling is “a spectacle of excess”—and this event brings that spectacle to life.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
A live conversation held inside an actual wrestling ring at the Speed Art Museum
Insightful stories and cultural commentary from two of wrestling’s most thoughtful voices
A spotlight on Kentucky’s pivotal role in shaping the global wrestling industry
A celebration of iconic wrestling figures who got their start in this region—from "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Hillbilly Jim to The Rock, Dave Bautista, and John Cena
As part of the evening, the wrestling ring itself will be on display as a bold pop-art centerpiece inside the Speed Art Museum, highlighting wrestling’s status not just as a sport or an entertainment—but as a dynamic, living art form.
Whether you’ve followed wrestling for decades or you’re simply curious about its cultural impact, this event promises to be enlightening, entertaining, and totally unique. Expect laughs, insight, nostalgia, and maybe even a surprise or two.
Space is limited, so grab your tickets now and be part of a truly immersive experience that blurs the line between sport, spectacle, and storytelling.
Limited space. Big personalities. Don’t miss it!
Photos courtesy Instagram/@therealalsnow
THE CONVERSATION HOSTS
Al Snow began his professional wrestling career May 22nd 1982 performing all over the world for the last 37 years. He is a WWF / WWE superstar and has held numerous championships including one half of WWF's world Tag team titles European Champion and 6 time Hardcore Champion. He was the star of MTV's hit reality TV show for 3 seasons Tough Enough and the commentator/ host for several of WWE's television shows.
Toward the end of his 13 year tenure with WWE, he became the head trainer for their developmental training in their farm system of OVW. Taking on the role of Writer, Director and Producer of OVW's television show. Upon his departure, Al became the Producer and Vice President of Talent Relations and Television for Impact Wrestling. After leaving Impact Wrestling he continued to perform all over the world and created the Al Snow's Wrestling Academy. At the present time there are approximately 15 academies in 8 different countries.
To build this network further he purchased OVW in 2024 and they are the very first and only professional wrestling academy to receive accreditation from the state office for proprietary education as a trade school in the world. He is currently the CEO of Gladiator Spons Network the parent company of OVW and Top Knotch Boxing.
Last but not least, he released a book he wrote about his career and life lessons he has learned from professional wrestling titled; Self Help Life Lessons from the Bizarre Wrestling Career of Al Snow.
Sam Ford began his days in newspapers writing a pro wrestling column for rural Kentucky news outlets. He has written about pro wrestling in Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, and his work on the subject has been featured on Elle, America with Jorge Ramos, The Washington Times, Nikkei, Les InRocks, and various other books and publications.
He taught semester-long courses on pro wrestling at both MIT and Western Kentucky University and has published a range of academic essays on the popular performance art. Sam has been a licensed pro wrestling manager in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and participated as a performer for the independent Kentucky wrestling organization Universal Championship Wrestling.
While at Simon & Schuster’s Tiller Press, he helped publish legendary pro wrestling commentator Jim Ross’ book Under the Black Hat and worked with Ross on his follow-up 2024 book with BenBella Press, Business Is About to Pick Up, which commemorates Ross’ 50 years working in the wrestling business.
All Day Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - SWING BY THE SPEED ART MUSEUM!
And see the full-size wrestling ring up close in the Grand Hall!
This is a perfect opportunity for snapping pics with friends and family in the center of the action. Whether you're reliving your wrestling fandom or just want to capture a moment in the spotlight, this is your chance to stand in the ring like the legends. Don’t miss it!
Visit the Speed Art Museum’s website for General Admission tickets.
Speed Art Museum Photo: wHY Architecture
From the Blog -
Turnbuckles and Bluegrass: How Wrestling Stars in Kentucky
Here in Kentucky, we are known for many things: horses, bourbon, corvettes, and pro wrestling. Wait. Pro wrestling? Yes. Pro wrestling. That competition amongst men and women to be the best in the squared circle, where the grapplers punch, kick, jump and anything else possible to win, has a rich and distinct connection to the Bluegrass.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Dearbone
