A Hoodslam tag-team match pits the Stoner Brothers (Dustin, left, and Derek Mehl) and Sledge & the Lovefisters (Toby Reynolds, top) at the Oakland Metro Opera House. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Ringside fans get their underground pro wrestling fix at Hoodslam. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Sam Khandaghabadi is flung to the mat by Dustin Mehl. Khandaghabadi started Hoodslam in 2010 as an edgier alternative to traditional professional wrestling. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Joey Nuggs enters the ring with the Stoner Brothers at the Oakland Metro Opera House. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Hoodslam wrestlers Virgil Flynn III, top, and James C. (Mike Rayne) battle in front of a full house at the Oakland Metro Opera House. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Derek Mehl, a.k.a. Scott Stoner, receives an offering from a fan as he enters the ring. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Down for the “two count,” Virgil Flynn III reacts after failing to pin James C.(Mike Rayne). Referee El Sparko (Sparky Ballard) oversees the proceedings. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Sledge & the Lovefisters team up on Bobby Burgerhands (Thomas Martin) during a Hoodslam tag team match at the Oakland Metro Opera House. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The triumphant tag team of the Stoner Brothers, Bobby Burgerhands, Missy Hyashit and coach Joey Nuggs. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Aspiring wrestlers get training at Stoner U, held at Victory Warehouse. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Twins Derek, left, and Dustin Mehl -- known as the Stoner Brothers -- prepare to lead a wrestling workout. Accomplished and budding pro wrestlers gather for lessons from the brothers. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Training at the Victory Warehouse. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Derek and Dustin Mehl say they’ve been criticized for their choice of profession. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Hoodslam announcer A.J. Kirsh says: “It doesn’t matter what you’re into, what you look like, your religious, sexual anything, it doesn’t matter. Everybody has a good time at Hoodslam because everybody gets it.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
