Wrestling matches provide an action-packed story time at US libraries, in photos

BENICIA, Calif. (AP) — The handwritten sign at a Northern California public library warned patrons to expect more noise than usual. That warning quickly proved to be an understatement as professional wrestlers, accompanied by booming music, thundered into the reading space and jumped into a ring flanked by row upon row of bookshelves.

Dozens of children and adults greeted the theatrics with hoots and hollers at the Benicia Public Library in Benicia, California.

Welcome to “Lucha Libro,” a high-energy, action-packed story time that is bringing live wrestling matches to libraries across the U.S. to promote literacy. Founded in 2024, “Lucha Libro” plays off the name of the popular Mexican-inspired sport of Lucha Libre. Libro means book in Spanish.

Libraries are typically sedate places, but the wrestlers did not hold back. They body slammed their opponents and aerial kicked each other in the chest.

Among the brawny wrestlers was “Llama Jack,” sporting a black mask with furry ears, who read “Llama Llama Time to Share,” before being interrupted by his rivals barging into the ring. He took them down in minutes and then finished the story.

Over 40 events are planned this year at libraries from California to New Jersey. One of the most popular wrestlers on the circuit is the fighting librarian, “Richard Shhnary.”

The idea started in 2024 when Lucha Libro's CEO, Jerry Rocha, and co-founder, Victor Dwight, were approached to put on a show at a local library, Rocha said in an email. Dwight wrestles as “Victor Von Richter.”

A year later, Lucha Libro debuted at the Benicia library.

Two worlds that were never meant to cross paths have since collided in the most spectacular way, Rocha said.

This gallery was curated by photojournalist Jeff Chiu based in San Francisco.

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Wrestler TJ Black reacts as he walks past books during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans watch as wrestler Hitman Wayne lies on the ground after losing a match against Rufio Banderas during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Victor Von Richter, left, reacts after being hit by Astro Knox, right, in a Lucha Libro pro wrestling match at the San Jose Public Library Educational Park Branch Saturday, May 9, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestlers Loverboy Leo, middle left, and Joey Gonzo are seen through shelves of books during their match at a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Llama Jack gestures to fans before competing in a Lucha Libro pro wrestling match at the San Jose Public Library Educational Park Branch Saturday, May 9, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestlers Jiah "the Crazy Cajun" Jewell, middle left, and El Chupacabra compete near book shelves at a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans react during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans watch as wrestler Elliot Rey, middle top, applies a hold on TJ Black during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans react during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling match at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans watch as wrestler Jaguar Montoya, top, stomps on OC Hayes outside of the ring during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans react as wrestler Julz Rafael, cneter, walks toward the ring during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans watch as wrestler Hitman Wayne, middle top, applies a hold to Rufio Banderas during their match at a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Jaguar Montoya, top, applies a hold against OC Hayes during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Jaguar Montoya prepares for a match during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Astro Knox, right, hits a member of Young Steel during a tag team match at a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Llama Jack greets fans during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

A fan has his mask adjusted during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Fans watch a tag team match between Llama Jack and Astro Knox against Young Steel during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Loverboy Leo laces his boots before his match at a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Rufio Banderas warms up before a match during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestlers Llama Jack, center left, and Sampiro compete in a Lucha Libro pro wrestling match at the San Jose Public Library Educational Park Branch Saturday, May 9, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Wrestler Llama Jack reads a Llama Llama book in the ring during a Lucha Libro pro wrestling event at Benicia Public Library Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Benicia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder.

Houston agreed to pay Milwaukee $4,227,273 to offset most of McCullers' remaining salary, leaving his cost to the Brewers at $2.5 million. Astros general manager Dana Brown said they created flexibility in payroll and the roster for a team currently three games back of Texas in the AL West.

“Make no mistakes, we are still trying to improve this team," Brown said. "We are still actively talking about acquiring a left-hand bat.”

Milwaukee cleared space on the 40-man roster by placing left-hander Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list.

Milwaukee went into the All-Star break with a five-game lead in the NL Central and trailed the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for best record in the NL. The Brewers' 3.48 ERA ranks second in the majors behind only the New York Yankees but injuries to their starting rotation left them seeking depth.

Two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff is on the 60-day injured list after an MRI exam revealed a new injury to the anterior capsule in his shoulder, which was surgically repaired after the 2023 season. Left-hander Kyle Harrison was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with tightness in his throwing forearm.

McCullers, 32, is son of former big league reliever Lance McCullers. He helped Houston win the World Series in 2017 and 2022, and has spent his entire career with the Astros.

McCullers Jr. is 53-40 with a 3.85 ERA over 154 games. He was an All-Star in 2017, had Tommy John surgery in November 2018 and missed the 2019 season. Surgery in June 2023 kept him out through the 2024 season, and Brown said McCullers was an inspiration for grinding through the injuries.

“He was battling to come back," Brown said. "I think Milwaukee having a few injuries right now made sense that he can get some opportunity there.”

He has $6,727,273 remaining of his $17 million salary in the final season of an $85 million, five-year contract. The Astros will pay Milwaukee $914,005 on July 31, $1,770,885 on Aug, 31 and $1,542,383 on Sept. 30.

McCullers, is 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA in eight starts. Inflammation in his right shoulder landed him on the 15-day IL on May 19, and he has been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Gordon, 27, made his major league debut in 2025. He went 6-4 with a 5.34 ERA and a save in 20 games. Gordon has started one of his four appearances with Houston this season.

Fielder, 21, the son of former Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and grandson of Cecil Fielder, made his professional debut in 2025. He was in Class A before the trade. Brown called Fielder a true professional and patient hitter with good plate discipline.

“Most likely will play the outfield, although he’s played some first base and second base. But you know good bloodlines, of course,” Brown said. "And you know just the opportunity to acquire a young bat”

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FILE - Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox, File)