After The Bell

Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling, the largest wrestling company in Canada, is celebrating its 18th year. Globe and Mail photojournalist John Lehmann created these photo diptychs by photographing the wrestlers at a recent match in their full kits, then making matching portraits of them in the context of their day jobs a few days later.

There’s a lot of acting involved in wrestling, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, says the co-owner of Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling – Canada’s largest wrestling company.

“We always hate it when people say wrestling is fake,” says Mary Diaz. “It’s not fake. It’s predestined and possibly choreographed. If someone is thrown through a table, that is happening and they have to stay in character.”

Ms. Diaz says wrestlers routinely have to switch between being good guys – i.e. a “babyface” – and bad guys – also known as a “heel.” “It’s like any performance – TV, movies or even singing. They have to be good at acting or they wouldn’t have a character,” says Ms. Diaz. Her 18-year-old Port Coquitlam-based operation puts on various regular events with its cast of heels and babyfaces. On July 12, they will be holding the Tables, Ladders and Chairs event at the venerable Commodore Ballroom.

The title refers to the weapon of choice for performers, but Ms. Diaz says not to be fooled by the furor. “In real life, [wrestlers] are some of the nicest people around. But in character, they’re not so nice necessarily. It’s acting.”