With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling event.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 (L to R) wrestlers Nelson Fernandes, Alex Legrand, Ace Angel, and Zach, bottom, headlock wrestlers Lord Steven Crowley, Darkmundo, Maeven, and PV Red, fight during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
Muscles bulging, hair flying, the wrestlers put on quite a show — with losers tossed out of the ring in the grand finale. But the aim of the catch wrestling gala in the communist-run Paris suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine wasn't to make a profit or showcase celebrities.
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With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling event.
Muscles bulging, hair flying, the wrestlers put on quite a show — with losers tossed out of the ring in the grand finale. But the aim of the catch wrestling gala in the communist-run Paris suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine wasn't to make a profit or showcase celebrities.
Instead, it was celebrating the anniversary of a charity group called the Association for Employment, Information and Solidarity with the Unemployed and At-Risk Workers.
A wrestler nicknamed "The Red" sported a Russian-style fur hat and a hammer-and-sickle T-shirt. An advertising poster portrayed a masked wrestler gripping French President Emmanuel Macron — decried by critics as a "president of the rich" for his pro-business policies — in a stranglehold.
Saxophonists marched in wearing headgear and capes, just like wrestling heroes.
In the corridors of the municipal sports hall, the wrestlers stretched their legs or recovered from a punishing match.
At the end, excited children clustered around the ring, seeking autographs. Those attending included people from all walks of life, many talking about the injustice of France's decades of high unemployment.
Entry was free for kids and just 8 euros ($10) for the rest, and the 1,200-capacity hall was full. Funds go to the nonprofit association.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Zack claps hands with children during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. Attendees included people from various walks of life, many talking about the injustice of France’s decades of high unemployment, while excited children sought autographs from the wrestlers, this was no ordinary wrestling match with its message of support for the unemployed. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Ace Angel ties his mask before taking part in a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
Instead, it was celebrating the anniversary of a charity group called the Association for Employment, Information and Solidarity with the Unemployed and At-Risk Workers.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Lord Steven Crowley, top, jumps on Zack during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
A wrestler nicknamed "The Red" sported a Russian-style fur hat and a hammer-and-sickle T-shirt. An advertising poster portrayed a masked wrestler gripping French President Emmanuel Macron — decried by critics as a "president of the rich" for his pro-business policies — in a stranglehold.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, children watch a fight during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. Many attendees talked about the injustice of France’s decades of high unemployment, while excited children sought autographs from the wrestlers, but this was no ordinary wrestling match with its message of support for the unemployed.(AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
Saxophonists marched in wearing headgear and capes, just like wrestling heroes.
In a mass fight, one team simultaneously hoisted opponents onto their beefy shoulders and tossed them down. The group's two women drew cheers in a one-on-one fight.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Camille, left, fights with Delia during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, the group’s two women drew cheers in a one-on-one fight, but this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
In the corridors of the municipal sports hall, the wrestlers stretched their legs or recovered from a punishing match.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestlers Delia, center left, and Camille fight during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
At the end, excited children clustered around the ring, seeking autographs. Those attending included people from all walks of life, many talking about the injustice of France's decades of high unemployment.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, people watch wrestlers Darkmundo and Alex Legrand fighting during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
Entry was free for kids and just 8 euros ($10) for the rest, and the 1,200-capacity hall was full. Funds go to the nonprofit association.
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Ace Angel lies on the ground after being thrown out of the ring during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Zack claps hands with children during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France. Attendees included people from various walks of life, many talking about the injustice of France’s decades of high unemployment, while excited children sought autographs from the wrestlers, this was no ordinary wrestling match with its message of support for the unemployed. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)