Hoodslam
Founded | 2010 |
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Headquarters | Oakland, California |
Founder(s) | Sam Khandaghabadi (Dark Sheik) |
Sister |
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Website | www |
Hoodslam (stylised as HOODSLAM) is a
History
Hoodslam was founded by Sam Khandaghabadi, who had been wrestling since the age of 14. She[a] called together other wrestlers she had met on the West Coast and convinced them to come to the Victory Warehouse in Oakland, a place where underground metal shows were regularly performed. Although 25 wrestlers were invited to perform on the first show, only 14 wrestlers showed up.[2] Khandaghabadi did not charge admission for any of the first five shows held in 2010.
The gathering continued to be held bi-monthly until May 2011, when people who lived at the Victory Warehouse had parties that got out of control and blamed it on the wrestling. However, in June 2011, slam poet Jamie DeWolf invited Khandaghabadi and the other Hoodslam wrestlers to perform as part of his underground variety art show, Tourettes Without Regrets, at a larger warehouse venue in Oakland, the Oakland Metro Opera House.[2] The popularity of their performance ensured them a regular monthly spot at the Oakland Metro – on the same night as Oakland's First Friday art gathering – which continued to attract large crowds.[2]
In October 2014, for the first time, the 1,000-person venue sold out before the show began.[2]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoodslam was forced into a 17-month hiatus and unable to run shows from Spring 2020 until the Summer of 2021.[3]
In 2023 Hoodslam left its traditional home of the Oakland Metro Opera House and moved to the Continental Club, a nightclub venue in the western part of Oakland.[4]
Spin-off brands
The eventual success of Hoodslam would lead to the creation of several spin-off brands from 2019 onwards, including the LGBT+ and women-orientated show Guilty Lethal Action Mayhem (GLAM)[5] and the cosplay-based Sexy Goodtime Wrestle Show. Another Hoodslam spinoff is Beachslam, which focuses on providing wrestling events in nearby Santa Cruz and Knightsen, California, featuring many of the same performers and characters as Hoodslam--as well as several new, regional or experimental characters.[6]
Style and characteristics
According to Khandaghabadi, Hoodslam, unlike traditional professional wrestling, is a form of
As the show unfolds, the performers chant, "fuck the fans", which, according to O.J. Patterson, is a "unifying war chant" that functions as "part reminder not to take things too seriously and part demand for hedonistic excess."[8]
Unlike other professional wrestling shows which play recorded music, Hoodslam frequently features a house band playing live music. Additionally, Hoodslam plays commentary for the matches over the house sound system. While the professional wrestlers take an intermission during the show, it's not unusual for a burlesque act to perform.[7]
In addition to referencing a diverse array of pop-culture characters (besides Ryu and Ken, characters that have featured in Hoodslam include
Notable performers
Although local talent are the primary focus of Hoodslam shows, many former WWE and ECW wrestlers have made appearances at Hoodslam since 2013; amongst them have been Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Sinn Bodhi, Shelly Martinez, Gangrel, Sonny Onoo, Lita and Mustafa Saed.[9][10][11][12]
Additionally, a number of performers such as
Championships
Current championships
As of April 26, 2024
Championship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held |
Location | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Athlete in the East Bay Championship | Kenny K | 1 | November 3, 2023 | 175 | Oakland, California | This is considered the primary championship title in Hoodslam | |
GLAMionship (GLAM Championship) | Hop Daddy | 1 | August 18, 2023 | 252 | Oakland, California | The holder of this championship is considered to be the primary representative of the Guilty Lethal Action Mayhem brand | |
Hoodslam Champion Ship Championship | Mylo | 1 | January 5, 2024 | 112 | Oakland, California | The "Hoodslam Champion Ship Championship" is not represented by a traditional professional wrestling title belt, but by a literal ship (in a bottle) .
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Hoodslam Golden Gig Championship | Vipress | 1 | July 7, 2023 | 294 | Oakland, California | The "Hoodslam Golden Gig Championship" is not represented by a traditional professional wrestling title belt, but by a large replica of a golden razor blade . In professional wrestling terminology, to "gig" is to cut oneself open and bleed to simulate having suffered a wound during the match.
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Intergalactic Tag Team Championship | The Emo Heads (Brooke Havok & D-Torch) |
1 | October 6, 2023 | 568 | Oakland, California |
Critical reception
Hoodslam has been seen as a highly accessible and inclusive pro wrestling company in California. According to Stacey Leasca of the Los Angeles Times, "It's loose and wild, a homegrown shot of adrenaline that doesn't just appeal to typical wrestling fans".[14] According to John Moore of ProWrestling.net, "Hoodslam dials both the entertainment and in-ring to 11 leaving new and hardcore wrestling fans captivated and wanting more".[15]
See also
- Incredibly Strange Wrestling - A 1990s professional wrestling promotion based in neighbouring San Francisco featuring a similar absurdist and Punk approach to professional wrestling
Notes
- ^ Khandaghabadi came out publicly as a trans woman during a Hoodslam show in 2019.[1]
References
- SF Chronicle. Archived from the originalon 17 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Bien-Kahn, Joseph (4 November 2014). "The Drunken, Bloody Pro Wrestling of Hoodslam Isn't for Kids". vice.com. Vice Media. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- ^ a b Bartlett, Amanda (30 August 2021). "The wildest underground pro wrestling show, Hoodslam, returns in San Francisco". SFGate. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "List of Hoodslam events". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "GLAM Brings Women-Centered Wrestling to the Oakland Metro". The East Bay Monthly. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Luke (10 May 2016). "Beachslam opens second season in East County". Contra Costa Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Edwards, Dana (20 October 2013). "A little raunch doesn't throw Hoodslam fans". SFGate. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- ^ Patterson, O.J. (3 April 2014). "Oakland's Hoodslam Is Crazy; Go To It". The Bold Italic. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- Pro Wrestling Torch. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "SHOW RESULTS - 9/5 Hoodslam in Oakland, Calif.: THE Brian Kendrick, Shelly Martinez part of this month's show". Pro Wrestling Torch. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "SHOW RESULTS - 1/2 Hoodslam in Oakland, Calif.: The Brian Kendrick, Golden Gig Title match, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Lita Makes Surprise Appearance at Hoodslam Wrestling Show". 411 mania. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
- ^ "Oakland's Hoodslam Is Crazy; Go To It". 3 April 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Leasca, Stacey (2014-12-04). "Inside the pro wrestling ring: Up close at Hoodslam". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ Moore, John (February 14, 2024). "Hoodslam's "Vivisection" Results (2/10): Moore's in-person report from the show featuring former Maximum Male Model Mansoor, Brooke Havok vs. Vipress, James C vs. Emo Rob".
External links
- Official website
- Hoodslam on Twitch
- Hoodslam on Twitter