Dressed to Kill (and loot)

Hit'em Hard and Make'em Bleed

Of Bodices and Bruises
Roller derby was reincarnated in 2001 with the formation of the all-female Lonestar Rollergirls derby league in Austin, Texas. The league not only reintroduced roller derby as a full-contact sport for women, but infused it with a riot grrl-meets-burlesque aesthetic that openly aligned it with other indie/alt groups and cultural practices. Team uniforms now included fishnets, corsets, miniskirts and heavy make-up. Punk bands and burlesque performers headlined the half-time shows.

The Lonestar Rollergirls attracted a legion of fans and a lot of media attention. They became the subjects of numerous articles, documentary films (including 2007's Hell on Wheels) and even a short-lived television series (Rollergirls).

Through media exposure and word of mouth, all-girl roller derby leagues began to appear in cities across the U.S. Canadian, British and Australian leagues soon followed. With new leagues cropping up every few months, the sport has, once again, become something of a global sensation.

Contemporary roller derby has reinvigorated the sport's signature blend of toughness and parody. These skaters don't shy away from the shoulder checks, hits and collisions that first made roller derby an audience favourite. The skaters celebrate acts of overt aggression, openly throw around threats and play out personal "rivalries" for the crowd's enjoyment.

But this isn't the WWE: The outcomes aren't predetermined, and skaters' conduct on the rink isn't choreographed or faked. Bruises and injuries are not only common but a source of "machisma" pride among skaters. Referees strictly regulate contact, and skaters must follow the official rules and safety standards even while creating an atmosphere of pure mayhem.

The spectacle of roller derby obscures the fact that, beneath the fishnets and the hip checks, this is a highly organized sport. Blocking is legal, but skaters aren't allowed to "grab block" each other from behind. Elbow jabs are fine, but "clotheslining" is prohibited. Making it look like a no-holds-barred free-for-all is just part of the game.

The sport's sense of playfulness and irony also offsets the violence. This can express itself in many different ways depending on the league and the teams involved. The Lonestar Rollergirls transform penalties into elaborate comedic punishments that can include spankings or sumo wrestling. The Gotham Girls Roller Derby (in New York City) even have their own "jeerleader" squads who wear cheeky costumes and shout insults at the opposition.

Derby teams have tongue-in-cheek names. They sprinkle their mottos and websites with allusions to violence and bloodlust. Double entendres are frequent, as are pop culture references. There are the Heavy Metal Hookers from Philadelphia, the Throttle Rockets based out of Seattle, and the Faster Pussycats in Vancouver. Similarly, every player skates under a nickname or pseudonym, like Alma Bichess (of the Tommy Gun Terrors) or Fisti Cuffs (of the Manhattan Mayhem).

The skaters' pseudonyms are important. Each name is unique, and must be verified against an official database before a skater can assume it. The pseudonym becomes a player's "derby name," used both on and off the rink. A skater's achievements, reputation and stats are all associated with her derby name. Part theatrics and part bookkeeping, these names are an integral component of the skater's identity within the world of roller derby.