WRESTLIN' - Kamil Zihnioglu

With revolutionary slogans and a message of support for the unemployed, this was no ordinary wrestling match. Muscles bulging, hair flying, the wrestlers put on quite a show _ with losers tossed out of the ring in the grande finale. But the aim of the catch wrestling gala in the communist-run Paris suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine wasn’t to make profits 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 hammer-and-sickle t-shirt. A poster advertising the show portrayed a masked wrestler gripping President Emmanuel Macron _ decried by critics as a “president of the rich” for his pro-business policies _ in a stranglehold. Saxophonists marched in wearing masks and capes like wrestling heroes. In a mass fight, one team simultaneously hoisted opponents on their beefy shoulders and tossed them down. The group’s two women drew cheers in a one-on-one fight. In the corridors of the municipal sports hall, they stretched their legs, or recovered from a punishing match. At the end, excited children clustered around the ring, seeking autographs. Attendees came from various walks of life including the disabled, minorities and people in suits and ties talking about the injustice of France’s decades of high unemployment. Entry was free for kids and just 8 euros for the rest, and the 1,200-capacity hall was full. Funds go to the non-profit association.

Text by Angela Charlton

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.

In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 musicians perform during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France.

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.

In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Ace Angel, left, warms up as rival wrestler PV Red looks on before taking part in a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France.

France Catch Wrestling Show Wrestler Lord Steven Crowley, top, jumps on Zack at the wrestling charity gala in Ivry Sur Seine, south of Paris, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. About 1000 visitors attended the event, organised for the thirtieth anniversary of APEIS. The french association is involved in the fight against poverty and unemployment in France.

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.

France Catch Wrestling Show Children watch the show at the wrestling charity gala in Ivry Sur Seine, south of Paris, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018.

In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestlers Camille, left, and Delia, right, take a break while Lord Steven Crowley, background, look on during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France.

In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, wrestler Alex Legrand warms up just before climbing onto the ring during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France.

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.

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.

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, people watch wrestlers Darkmundo and Alex Legrand fighting during a wrestling charity gala in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, France.