Despite some differences in emphasis and naming conventions, the two styles are considered to be the same, and may be referred to collectively as 'Westcountry Play', or 'Westcountry Wrestling'.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth century many Devon wrestlers used to wear "baked" boots when wrestling, which could cause serious injury to opponents (on rare occasions leading to death).

[110] Another example in the Western Times (1933) where the writer had spoken to old ‘Farmer Ridd, who farmed on Glebe Farm’, Exeter:“I remember him telling me that he had wrestled in all parts of Devon, and on one occasion he was badly bruised about the legs that the last three miles to his home he crawled on his hands and knees.”[111][112]The result was that few spectators chose to watch wrestling, whilst fewer wrestlers opted to compete, thus driving down participation.

Gambling was interwoven into the sport, which meant that match-fixing became an easier way to have a financial gain from a wrestling event.

Mr. W. Phillips, of Devonport, is one of many who has been attracted to the revival of Cornish wrestling, and he has tesirous steps taken to introduce the sport into Devon.

The introduction of Cornish wrestling into Devon— the old-time Devon style, was too brutal for it to stand a chance of revival— may not easy of accomplishment, but once the initial steps have been taken success will be assured if the present intention of introducing it as sport chiefly, and not altogether a lasttime for spectators.

[116]The event gained limited interest, such that "...junior members were received with great enthusiasm, and they have on several occasions since had practice bouts.

The Cornwall Association secretary, Mr. W. Tickell, Bodmin, replied, and stated how he was "very pleased that a revival of wrestling Devon was possible, as for many years there were matches between the two counties."

A few months later, an article appeared in the Western Times exploring the new 'proposed revivial of the game':I hear that a movement is afoot to revive wrestling in Devon.

This news will be welcomed by followers this form of sport, and especially those participants in it in the days when wrestling was the feature of rural entertainments.

Half a century ago— and more recent years—no village revel or fair was worthy of the name if it did not include in its programme a wrestling contest.

Nothing took the fancy of the countryside or got so much grip on the rural manhood as the bouts that were invariably fought out in the arena between the giants of this game.

Therefore one welcomes the proposal of well-known sporting gentleman in the Tiverton district who, I understand, want to see wrestling restored in the county.

There are still some of the old hands left who would glad to assist and coach the youth of the countryside in this manly game, and doubt some the best of the Cornish players would be willing to give an exhibition match.

2nd attempt (2014–Present): A local project called 'The Devonshire Wrestling Society' (DWS) started in 2014 to bring back the practice of the sport.