Mayor Adam Stockford and his fighting partner Desmond Dukes faced off against two wrestlers on Saturday night.

Stockford joined Championship International Wrestling for a “Saturday Night Slam” at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds Sept. 17.

CIW put on a one-hour show that featured wrestling matches between unique characters. A man from the “Heart of America” wrestled a Californian, and a goose-themed character wrestled “Baron Voodoo.” A “micro” fighter took to the ring, only to be arrested by a wrestler playing a corrupt cop. Teams of wrestlers also faced off, and one team nearly left the arena before throwing trash cans at each other.

Stockford and Dukes fought as a tag team against two wrestlers, who played proud Russians.

The crowd booed as Stockford’s opponents came out waving a Russian flag. The adversaries insulted the town of Hillsdale, then Stockford and Dukes entered the ring accompanied by Rick Derringer’s song, “Real American.” 

Stockford defeated his opponents, who embarked on a bout of illegal tricks while the referees were distracted. After Stockford won, teenagers in the crowd chanted “Rocky IV,” referencing the movie in which American fighter Rocky Balboa defeats his Russian opponent.

“I’m an athlete, a former boxer, former highschool wrestler as well, so it was really great at 42 years of age to be able to get back into a ring,” Stockford said.

The crowd seemed thrilled to see the fights, and carefully followed along with each match. 

Hillsdale College freshman Patrick Hamilton said both locals and students enjoyed the event. 

“The fight was unexpectedly thrilling,” Hamilton said. “It was full of amazing acts and costumes, and just a real sense of patriotism.”

Stockford is running for a second term this November. 

“I’m feeling very confident about the upcoming election,” Stockford said. “The people of Hillsdale know how hard I’ve worked. They know I’m available, and I’ll treat them with the respect an employee is due his employer.”