We're superheroes,’’ declares G.Q. Gallo, a professional wrestler and co-founder of Impact Zone Wrestling. “We have to portray that we're larger than life.’’

And he and his wrestlers do just that every other Tuesday night during their nearly two-hour performances at Tempe bar The Sets.

When IZW star Adrenelyn takes the ring, the crowd — about 30 people
between the ages of 16 and 40 — goes ballistic. The 22-year-old wrestler, who is clad in a plaid skirt and white blouse tied loosely over a white tank top, looks like she could tend bar at the Library Bar & Grill. It's hard not to notice her buff arms, which command attention and make her
look as if she could easily break a person in half.

Her pigtails bounce in a fury as she attempts to pummel her monstrous opponent. The crowd cheers her on, shouting encouragements such as “Beat that swine down’’ and “Kick some ass, Adrenelyn.’’

But after a few minutes in the ring, the young woman falls to the ground in a sweaty heap after her opponent takes her out.

“You really have to have good medical insurance to do this,’’ says Adrenelyn, who has broken her nose twice while wrestling. “It takes a lot out of you. To be in the ring for seven minutes, you feel like you just ran a marathon.

‘It definitely takes a unique type of person to put their bodies through what we put our bodies through. I do it because I love performing in front of people. I don't care if I win. I don't care if I lose. As long as the crowd either loves me or hates me, I'm happy.’’

Adrenelyn, who has been wrestling for three years, says she views the sport more as an extracurricular activity than career choice.

“But if WWE comes knocking on my door and says, ‘Hey, we'd like you to come practice with us,’ I would be all for it,’’ she says.

Adrenelyn is one of several students enrolled at IZW, a Phoenix-based school that coaches aspiring wrestlers ($3,500 for 14 months) and hosts the bi-weekly night at The Sets. Since the school was founded in 2000, Gallo says, a few students have gone on to the WWE.

“We're not in the WWE, but we're just trying to get there,’’ says Gallo, 25. “We'll get there one day.’’

Since IZW started the night — which features WWE ring announcer J.J. Roberts — at The Sets in mid-May, Gallo says the crowds have been gradually improving.

“I think people like this because it's better than a WWE show to the point that you're right up there,’’ he says. “You're up front and you can see everything.’’

But for those dreaming of breaking into the WWE, Adrenelyn warns,

“You've gotta have something in you. You've gotta have the will to do it.
Not just anybody can get in the ring and be a pro wrestler. It takes a certain type of person to do that.’’

Impact Zone Wrestling
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Sets, 93 E. Southern Ave., Tempe
How much: $5, all-ages
Info: and www.impactzonewrestling.com