SEASIDE HEIGHTS — Kevin Matthews is here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church for one reason: "To destroy, embarrass, humiliate and tear apart an American favorite."

His manager, Royce Profit, announces this while the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Matthews skulks around the ring in yellow briefs cut with black lightning bolts.

The "American favorite" refers to The Patriot, a 41-year-old former television wrestler who specializes in the full-nelson slam. He said he fought Matthews, 24, about seven years ago and won. Matthews, who promoters claim was fired from the World Wrestling Entertainment this year because he was too cocky (the Brooklyn native said he actually left because of a torn bicep), is ready for a rematch, which brings him to Our Lady Saturday in front of about a hundred local families.

Meanwhile, members of the Seaside Heights Fire Department hand out popcorn and hotdogs in back. This is their fundraiser, after all � an odd one, they'll admit, even odder when considering the choice of venue � but it's one that works.

Ever since a firefighter returned with his son from a match put on by the National Wrestling Superstars and suggested the circuit become the department's annual fundraiser, even the church has reaped some of the profits, Capt. Pat Canavan said. Pro wrestling's popularity may have declined nationwide in recent years, according to a 2005 ESPN poll, but not in Seaside.

Crowds of children found seats inside the church's parish center and slung a heavy mix of cheers and insults � "Get back in the ring, you (wimp)!" � through masks that duplicated the ones worn by their favorite wrestlers.

When Wasted Youth snuck ringside to flog a downed Corrupted Youth � an intrusion that enabled Corey Havoc to win � Jordan Asri, 8, stormed over in a Rey Mysterio mask to expose Wasted Youth and his illegal interference. But there was nothing he could do � the referee hadn't seen it. A heated Jordan returned to his seat.

For him and his brother Jamie, 13, the live match was a first. Usually they settled for Pay-per-View or the Wii Smack Down video game.

"It's part of their Christmas present," said their father, Hafid Asri, of Toms River, who saw a poster ad for the event one day in a Laundromat. "They were so excited."

Jamie's all-time favorite wrestler is CM Punk � "because he's awesome" � but Saturday, he settled for The Patriot.

Although they made up the majority of the audience, fathers and sons weren't the only demographic making noise. There was the woman feeding her baby a bottle while yelling "You're a sucker, anyway!" to Corey Havoc; and Darlene Burns, 56, contently watching all "the bodies" with her 14-year-old granddaughter, Porsche Valykeo.

Burns, of Toms River, said she has been coming to wrestling matches since she was 16 � from the $300 tickets she paid to meet WWF star John Cena backstage in Atlantic City to the VIP seats she had reserved Saturday.

"It doesn't get old because they're always bringing new ones in," Burns said. "You never get sick of something you love."

Motives for being there did vary between the sexes, however. Where Michael Stefanelli, 9, liked Mr. Kennedy for his Swanton Bomb move, Porsche opted for J.D. Smoothie "because he's cute."

All total, 14 wrestlers fought six matches at the afternoon event. They ranged from ex-superstars like The Patriot to more local talent like The Equalizer from Lacey. In the main event, The Patriot pinned Kevin Matthews after Cooter, one of the Inbred Hillbillies, interfered with a rubber chicken. Saturday evening at the second show, 300-pound Saddam Insane would make an appearance.

Joe Panzarino has run NWS full time since 1995. Based in Hazlet, he travels around the country recruiting those wrestlers on their way up � "Weekend Warriors," he calls them � and those on the way down with expired World Championship Wrestling contracts.

"Even I'm shocked at the variations of people that come to see my wrestling," the 56-year-old promoter said. "You get lawyers and truck drivers, seniors and moms. There are a lot of closet wrestling fans out there, more than you expect."

* * * * * * * * *