Portland’s MetalMania blends wrestling and heavy metal for raucous event

Lisette Rodriguez was scrambling. In 90 minutes, the first wrestlers for MetalMania — the heavy metal-themed pro wrestling show she founded — would be taking the stage in a crowded Star Theater in downtown Portland.

But travel delays and other last-minute cancellations meant nearly half the wrestlers could not attend. That left Rodriguez having to rip up her schedule and start from scratch.