the not so illegal wrestling federation

I first came across the Illegal Wrestling Federation in March 2015, after spotting a Craigslist advert in Houston calling for new wrestlers. By the time I met them a few months later, they had already begun to gather momentum, earning local television coverage and acquiring their first wrestling ring. I was invited to attend a training session as they prepared for their largest live event to date.

The IWF positions itself apart from the growing wave of backyard wrestling. Founded by Marcos Perez, it offers those without access to the professional circuit a space to perform, an outlet driven by passion rather than spectacle. It is framed as a safe, inclusive environment: no thumbtacks, no real blood, no pursuit of harm. If anything appears violent, it is carefully stage, an illusion rather than an outcome.

Within minutes of meeting the roster, it was clear this was a federation operating beyond ego and unnecessary violence, free from judgement around appearance or background. What stood out was their shared commitment, not a spectacle of shock, but to the simple enjoyment of wrestling. Something that unlike many other spaces still allows room for amateur participation, for fun, and for a genuine sense of community.

Captured on 6×7 medium format film.