This drama comedy stars Sylvester Stallone as Cosmo Carboni, who along with his two brothers is trying to claw their way out of poverty. The exit signs point to Paradise Alley, a sleazy private club where the floorshow consists of raucous wrestling matches with big purses. But their climb to success is halted when the local gangster Stitch puts up his malicious and dangerous wrestler Frankie the Thumper to fight against Kid Salami in a 22-round meat-pounder.