YORK wrestler "Hot Blooded Dom Black" is counting on the crowd in his home town to cheer him on to victory at a tournament in Fibbers this month.

The venue has seen the popularity of the sport and its family-friendly shows soar in popularity in a city that isn't a traditional hot-spot for wrestling.

True Grit Wrestling is hosting a one night, eight-man tournament to crown the first ever True Grit Heavyweight Champion.

And Dom, 24, who works at City Screen cinema in Coney Street, when he is not in the ring parading as a super hero, reckons he is in with a chance over his opponent, Luke Menzies, a former rugby Super league player.

"Luke is as big as a mountain and twice my size, but I am relying on my minster magic working on the crowd," he said.

"I have a great following as I am Huntington born and bred and through all my schooling. I am a home town hero."

Dom loved the Marvel heroes and took up wrestling when he was 18. He initially had to travel to a wrestling school in Sheffield, but now trains closer to York in Morley, near Leeds. "The whole scene has grown up and increased in popularity including in York," he said.

"At Fibbers it is an action-packed family show with colourful characters. It is suitable for families and teaches children about good versus evil."

In York Dom plays a good guy, an "outrageous, passionate lover boy". But he admits he loves playing a baddie in tournaments outside York.

Tim Hornsby of Fibbers said: "Wrestling has become quite a regular - and popular - event at Fibbers. People can’t quite believe a full size ring fits in to the venue and the raised balconies mean that fans get really get up close to the action."

Promoter James Carr said: "Local families in York have really embraced this and we really hope they will give their local lad some support, as he hopes to score a huge upset.

"The event will feature some of the best professional wrestlers in the country today including former Super League player Luke Menzies, who will soon be setting off to wrestle for WWE in America, so he won't be back in York for a while.

"The tournament will also feature British champion David Graves, WWE UK star Saxon Huxley, International wrestlers El Ligero and Boris Koslov and more."

Tickets from www.fibbers.co.uk for a special online discount.