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Hoodslam (stylised as HOODSLAM), and currently branded as SlamTown, is a professional wrestling promotion based in Oakland, California. Created in 2010 by Sam Khandaghabadi (known professionally as Dark Sheik) as a regular gathering for wrestlers who wanted to perform edgier acts for adults, Hoodslam quickly became a popular attraction in the Bay Area, attracting over 1,000 attendees at each monthly show. Hoodslam performances combine the athleticism and tropes of professional wrestling with more bizarre, absurd characters, as well as profanity, sexuality, and public consumption of alcohol and other drugs, which are not considered appropriate at mainstream professional wrestling events. As a result, entry to Hoodslam shows is restricted to those aged 21 years or older.
The gathering continued to be held bi-monthly until May 2011, when people who lived at the Victory Warehouse had parties that got out of control and blamed it on the wrestling. However, in June 2011, slam poet Jamie DeWolf invited Khandaghabadi and the other Hoodslam wrestlers to perform as part of his underground variety art show, Tourettes Without Regrets, at a larger warehouse venue in Oakland, the Oakland Metro Opera House. The popularity of their performance ensured them a regular monthly spot at the Oakland Metro – on the same night as Oakland's First Friday art gathering – which continued to attract large crowds.
In October 2014, for the first time, the 1,000-person venue sold out before the show began.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoodslam was forced into a 17-month hiatus and unable to run shows from Spring 2020 until the Summer of 2021.
In 2023 Hoodslam left its traditional home of the Oakland Metro Opera House and moved to the Continental Club, a nightclub venue in the western part of Oakland.
In late 2025, as part of a storyline reboot involving an alternate timeline, the promotion has since been renamed to SlamTown.
As the show unfolds, the performers chant, "fuck the fans", which, according to O.J. Patterson, is a "unifying war chant" that functions as "part reminder not to take things too seriously and part demand for hedonistic excess."
Unlike other professional wrestling shows which play recorded music, Hoodslam frequently features a house band playing live music. Additionally, Hoodslam plays commentary for the matches over the house sound system. While the professional wrestlers take an intermission during the show, it's not unusual for a burlesque act to perform.
In addition to referencing a diverse array of pop-culture characters (besides Ryu and Ken, characters that have featured in Hoodslam include Mortal Kombat's Sub Zero, Johnny "Drinko" Butabi (a reference to the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury), and Juiced Lee (Bruce Lee)), parodies of other professional wrestlers are frequent in Hoodslam. Hoodslam shows have featured Pooh Jack (A parody of New Jack crossed with Winnie the Pooh), Prawn Cena (John Cena), the tag team of Stoner U (Rick Scott Stoner and Scott Rick Stoner, parodies of the Scott Steiner and Rick Steiner, the Steiner Brothers) and Thicc Martel (a parody of "the Model" Rick Martel).
Additionally, a number of performers such as Drake Younger and Shotzi Blackheart graduated from working in Hoodslam to advancing their careers into WWE.
Notable performers
Although local talent are the primary focus of Hoodslam shows, many former WWE and ECW wrestlers have made appearances at Hoodslam since 2013; amongst them have been Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Sinn Bodhi, Shelly Martinez, Gangrel, Sonny Onoo, Lita, Mansoor, and Mustafa Saed.
Championships
Current championships
As of February 08, 2026
Best Athlete in the East Bay Kenny K 2 December 6, 2024 + Oakland, California Defeated Keita at Hoodslam EnterTania XV to win the title back. GLAMpionship Mylo 1 December 6, 2024 + Oakland, California Defeated Mighty Mayra at Hoodslam EnterTania.
The holder of this championship is considered to be the primary representative of the Guilty Lethal Action Mayhem brand.Champion Ship Jeff The Shark 1 October 4, 2024 + Oakland, California Defeated Mylo in Special Referee Match where the Special Referee was Mighty Mayra, at Hoodslam FTF Mountain.
The Champion Ship is not represented by a traditional professional wrestling title belt, but by a literal ship (in a bottle). The holder of the title is being referred to as the Captain.Golden Gig Championship Cereal Man 1 January 3, 2025 + Oakland, California Defeated Dark Sheik, El Chupacabra and Juice Lee in a Four Way match to win the Vacant Championship.
The Golden Gig Championship is not represented by a traditional professional wrestling title belt, but by a large replica of a golden razor blade.Intergalactic Tag Team Championship Blood Bond 64 1 December 6, 2024 + Oakland, California Defeated MxM Collection (Mansoor) & (Mason Madden) at Hoodslam EnterTania XV.
Critical reception
Hoodslam has been seen as a highly accessible and inclusive pro wrestling company in California. According to Stacey Leasca of the Los Angeles Times, "It's loose and wild, a homegrown shot of adrenaline that doesn't just appeal to typical wrestling fans". According to John Moore of ProWrestling.net, "Hoodslam dials both the entertainment and in-ring to 11 leaving new and hardcore wrestling fans captivated and wanting more".
See also
Notes
External links
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