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Micro wrestlers entertain fair crowd

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Photo by Cat Szalkowski-Patneau

Micro-wrestler Pitbull reaches out to tag in a teammate during the tag-team match of the midget wrestling exhibition at the Rock County Fair Wednesday.

Photo

Photo by Cat Szalkowski-Patneau

Micro Wrestling Federation's Ricky Benjamin puts a move on Pitbull during the midget wrestling exhibition at Rock County Fair Wednesday.

Photo

Photo by Cat Szalkowski-Patneau

Micro-wrestler The Kid, gets some tough moves put on him by fellow micro-wrestler, Jaymazing, as a crowd of enthusiastic fairgoers cheer on the midget wrestling exhibition at the Rock County Fair Wednesday.

JANESVILLE — When J-Mazing was introduced to the crowd, he walked out to bass-thumping rap music and roaring applause.

He flexed his muscles, flashed the peace sign and did the moonwalk across the wrestling ring.

He later flew off the top ropes to elbow drop a wrestler, smashed his head with a garbage can and speared him with a pool cue.

J-Mazing might be 4 feet tall, but he fought dirty and would have intimidated any man. He was tough, cocky and absolutely ruthless.

He was one of five wrestlers in the Micro Wrestling Federation, described as “the greatest little show on earth,” who performed at the Rock County 4-H Fair on Wednesday.

The event had sparked controversy in the community.

Opponents said the sport was degrading, wrong and had no place at a youth fair. Proponents said the wrestlers were athletic, entertaining and equal to others.

Fair officials said it was a family show chosen to attract a new demographic of people. Some swear words and sexual lyrics could be heard in the show’s music.

“I came out to support the midgets,” James Ferguson of Stoughton said. “It’s no different than two grown men fist fighting. People go out and watch that, too.”

Hundreds of people ranging from toddlers to grandparents packed the grandstands. Rap, heavy metal and country music blasted the air. Everyone was amped.

The wrestlers did body slams, leg drops and clotheslines. They beat one another with chains, clipboards and garbage pail lids. They flew off the ropes and performed high-flying stunts. They even beat up the ref, a woman.

“It was the best event I’ve ever seen,” Anthony Daniels of Janesville said while waiting to meet wrestlers. “I think it’s better that they have small people doing it because it’s more entertaining. I loved it.”

Afterward, kids and adults got pictures with the wrestlers. They received autographs. They also had the option of buying a T-shirt that stated, “I support midget violence.”

The wrestling was similar to World Wrestling Entertainment. The wrestlers have personas, just like those in WWE. Micro wrestlers had names such as Pit Bull and The Kid.

“You could tell they were good athletes,” Anthony Daniels of Janesville said.