Death Match: Extreme Wrestling (2016) is a visceral visual document of one of wrestling’s most brutal and controversial subcultures—where performance, violence, and endurance collide in raw, unfiltered form. The book dives deep into the underground world of deathmatch wrestling, capturing a scene defined by barbed wire, glass, fire, and the physical limits of the human body.
Through a mix of ringside chaos and behind-the-scenes moments, it presents wrestlers not just as performers, but as individuals driven by obsession, identity, and a willingness to sacrifice for their craft. Bloodied bodies, improvised weapons, and explosive matches are juxtaposed with quieter portraits—revealing the contrast between the spectacle of violence and the humanity behind it.
Visually, the imagery is intense and confrontational. Close-up shots emphasize texture—skin, scars, sweat, and blood—while wider frames capture the theatricality of the matches and the charged atmosphere of the crowd. There’s a documentary honesty to it all; nothing is softened or stylized to make it more palatable.
Abdullah Kobayshi
128 Pages
Softcover
21cms x 29.6cms
Language - Japanese
2016
Condition 10/10
Death Match: Extreme Wrestling (2016) is a visceral visual document of one of wrestling’s most brutal and controversial subcultures—where performance, violence, and endurance collide in raw, unfiltered form. The book dives deep into the underground world of deathmatch wrestling, capturing a scene defined by barbed wire, glass, fire, and the physical limits of the human body.
Through a mix of ringside chaos and behind-the-scenes moments, it presents wrestlers not just as performers, but as individuals driven by obsession, identity, and a willingness to sacrifice for their craft. Bloodied bodies, improvised weapons, and explosive matches are juxtaposed with quieter portraits—revealing the contrast between the spectacle of violence and the humanity behind it.
Visually, the imagery is intense and confrontational. Close-up shots emphasize texture—skin, scars, sweat, and blood—while wider frames capture the theatricality of the matches and the charged atmosphere of the crowd. There’s a documentary honesty to it all; nothing is softened or stylized to make it more palatable.
Abdullah Kobayshi
128 Pages
Softcover
21cms x 29.6cms
Language - Japanese
2016
Condition 10/10