ON the day that Randy “The Ram” Robinson makes his comeback in The Wrestler at the cinema, “Vampire Warrior” Gangrel’s world squad will face Britain’s best in the Grand Opera House ring tonight in York. What perfect timing.

Sabre-toothed heavyweight Gangrel, the white-shirted rule-bender from the WWF and WWE, has flung out a challenge for a four-a-side team event with room for solo and tag contests and four corners matches.

And the big news is that he will introduce bearded Puerto Rico heavyweight “Man Mountain” Rocky Rainier for his first action on this side of the Atlantic, all 6ft 9 of him. Watch out too in this All Star promotion for Scotland’s hard-hitting “Highlander”, Drew McDonald, one of Europe’s most experienced heavyweight campaigners in his third appearance at the Opera House.

“I’d done amateur wrestling and karate for nine years, when a friend of mine who ran a school for wayward boys and girls in Perth put on a wrestling show to raise funds for the school, and when one of the wrestlers had to pull out, like a fool I stepped in and I’ve been doing it professionally ever since,” says Drew, who moved to Leeds 25 years ago to pursue his career.

“I’ve had a fair few injuries, like my legs being temporarily paralysed after a back injury seven years ago. They cleaned my spine out after two years and told me not to go back to wrestling, but I’ve never been any good at listening,” he says, laughing at his own bravado.

Well, would you argue with a tattooed man in pink leotard and clashing red kilt? On the other hand, isn’t Drew taking a risk?

“I think it’s no more risky for me than anyone else. I’m very fit,” he says. “My peak weight is about 20 stone, I’m just over 22 stone at the moment, with a 21½ inch neck, a 44 inch waist, a 60-inch chest and a 21½ inch arm width.”

How tall are you, Drew? “I’m 6ft… I used to be 6ft 1, but after the surgery I might be about 6ft,” he says, although he is less precise about his age. “How old am I? Well, I’m over 21.”

The press release is somewhat confusing as to whether Drew will be guest-fighting as a Scot in Gangrel’s world squad or joining up with Londoner James Mason’s best of British team.

“I don’t really get pleasure from whether they’re English, Welsh, Irish or American: they’re all in there to get their ass kicked by me,” he says.

Tickets cost £12 or £35 for a family (two adults and two children under 16) on 0844 847 2322 or the Wrestlecall hot line, 09068-121884, or in person at theatre box office.