Portland’s MetalMania blends wrestling and heavy metal for raucous event

Lisette Rodriguez was scrambling. In 90 minutes, the first wrestlers for MetalMania — the heavy metal-themed pro wrestling show she founded — would be taking the stage in a crowded Star Theater in downtown Portland.

But travel delays and other last-minute cancellations meant nearly half the wrestlers could not attend. That left Rodriguez having to rip up her schedule and start from scratch.

While others might have cracked under the pressure, Rodriguez remained cool and collected. Thinking on your feet is essential in pro wrestling, whether you’re on the mat or working behind the scenes, she said.

“I think that’s one of my strengths, that I’m able to handle situations calmly,” Rodriguez said.

That level of improvisation was on full display during the latest event for MetalMania, which in less than two years has become one of the highest-profile wrestling events in Portland. In a scene known for high-flying antics, its unique format combining wrestling with heavy metal shows has attracted aficionados and wrestling newbies alike.

Rodriguez had an idea to combine two of her loves — wrestling and heavy metal — into one high-octane show. She noted a lot of famous wrestlers use metal songs as their introduction to the ring.

“I thought it would be really cool to have a band play while there’s nothing happening,” she said. “I think that people don’t know that they like wrestling until they see it live.

The format is straightforward, with wrestling matches alternating with heavy metal performances. Rodriguez said the goal is to never have a break in the live show and always have something for the audience to anticipate.

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And there’s also been a focus on diversity. Many local wrestling shows tended to be overly white and male, Rodriguez said. She wanted her show to include more female wrestlers and people of color, especially those with backgrounds in the Mexican masked-wrestling style known as lucha libre.

“I think it should be equal opportunity ass beating,” she said.

Like any good wrestling show, there are always some volatile personalities on display. Matthew Justice, a MetalMania regular who’s been on the independent wrestling circuit for more than a decade, said it’s more than just a “wrestling event.”

“Any event like this, where wrestling is not the main focal point,” Justice said, “it gives people a reason to be exposed to it and realize that it’s not necessarily what they think in their mind when they hear ‘pro wrestling.’”

And the bands often cover the spectrum of heavy-metal music. This night there were three acts: Portland metal bands Tar Pit and Blade, and Tijuana “horror metal” band Monster Wolf headlining.

Tar Pit’s bassist, who goes by Rainbo, said he’s played in multiple MetalMania shows. As a musician and a longtime wrestling fan, he said it’s a very different atmosphere than playing a normal show.

“It’s a different energy,” he said. “As a musician, it makes you want to play harder.”

For Rainbo, MetalMania is also one of the best examples of Portland’s wider independent wrestling scene, one known for packed DIY shows at VFW Halls and Eagles Lodges, and legendary television broadcasts.

“I think what people don’t realize is that the Portland wrestling scene is really strong,” he said. “I wish more WWE fans could come here and see this, because I think they would love it.”

Trying to involve everyone

As anticipation built, Rodriguez sat at the production booth, constructing a new schedule: There would be multiple three-way fights, male vs. female fights and surprise appearances throughout the show.

But it would’ve been difficult for the crowd to notice any last-second change. The last fight alone saw a three-way fist fight in the audience, a recycling bin used as a weapon and multiple bone-crushing hits that seemed destined to destroy the stage.

Crowd participation was a constant. Fans pounded the mat in glee as gigantic wrestlers landed flat on their backs only a few feet away. Some had to dive out of the way whenever someone tumbled out of the ring.

And then like a wave, the crowd would shift to the stage to take in the next band, ready to play as soon as the fight ended.

El Paso, Texas, wrestler Chuco Bumm, who calls himself “everyone’s favorite homeless wrestler,” said the show exemplified why so many wrestlers are attracted to performing in Portland — everyone in the building has some kind of role to play.

“Portland just has its own unique culture,” he said. “It’s very entrenched in wrestling, very entrenched in music. We’re going to try to involve everyone, try to make everyone feel a part of it.”