Review: Alex Waters vs. Zack Jonathan (RHW 1.0)

It feels like I'm settling into a heavy BGEast/Thunders Arena focus on my blog. It's not intentional, just the way things are happening nowadays. I'm trying to break it up, but I'm bound by what's released and what I want to watch.

I feel like someone with 500 channels complaining there's nothing to watch. UCW would be the easiest to do more on, but Joe is all over their videos. I only do downloads and don't do subscriptions, which impacts Cameron Matthews, Jonny Firestorm and BWN. Yes, Cameron and Jonny have offered downloads, but you have to register at Wrestler4Hire and Jonny's VOD's are pricey. My tastes in Movimus are based entirely on the wrestlers, so I don't buy a ton from them. I don't know what's up with Can-Am, but it's all crotch stuff these days. I've bought from Krushco and MDW, but so far they're not really my thing. I've looked at Spotland Scrappers, but I'm not sure where to begin or what I'm really getting. Did I miss anyone?

Oh yeah, Rock Hard Wrestling.

Alex vs. Zack = Classic RHW Action

For obvious reasons, I don't get much of a chance to review RHW videos these days. They're neither plentiful nor do I find the rare new ones that do come out all that inspiring. I've decided not to let that hold me back. At one time, they were my favorite producer and most of those matches came out before I even had a blog. My reviews of older matches do pretty well, so there’s no reason I can’t look back.

I'm going to try to do a 'classic' RHW video every month. For some of you, these might be new and inspire you to try them. For others of you, these might be fun trips down memory lane and inspire to re-watch a classic. Or give you an opportunity to tell me that I have no idea what a classic is.

For some reason, I have always been very myopic in my approach to RHW. Perhaps it's the homogeneity of their roster and products. I started with Jake Jenkins and only Jake Jenkins. I can't remember why, but it was likely a review or coverage by another blogger. I bought every Jake match I could and that's all I bought.

Out of all of his opponents, only Alex Waters made the leap from "that nameless guy Jake wrestled" to "my new must-buy stud". Why? Well, obviously his looks, but more than that, Alex has incredible charisma. He's got a southern swagger that's charming and endearing. He's cocky and arrogant, but somehow still likable. It's a tough combination to pull off, but he does it.

Alex is a natural

Alex vs. Zack was one of the first Alex matches I watched. I think it's a great showing for him when he was very new. Now, if this was RHW 2.0, Alex would've been squashed by Austin or Ethan and you'd never know how great he is. Here, veteran Zack actually lets the new guy shine, while bringing his own personality and talents out, too.

Alex: "The back of a champion."

Zack gets to be strong without making Alex look weak

The dynamic is set up brilliantly as 'cocky new stud' vs. 'boss of the ring'. Alex is working out with no shirt on (tsk, tsk ... he doesn't even rack his weights, either). Zack takes umbrage with his lack of gym etiquette. A minute in and we're headed to the ring. The guys strip off their shorts and Alex quickly proves that he might be new, but he's no novice.

It's 30 minutes of action with three falls and great stretches of domination by both guys. They play well off each other. Alex loves to talk and Zack responds in kind. The moves and holds are well done. All the RHW favorites are here for your viewing pleasure. The gorgeous tanned bodies are pounded, pummeled, stretched and bent to their limits and beyond.

Alex goes for a ride

Alex: "I hear you're the boss of this ring. I don't
know about that. I don't see it."

Alex is all shook up

Zack put on display

As an aside, can I just say how much I appreciate that Zack's torso is actually red after receiving some punches and slaps? You don't see that very often. It's a little thing, but this match is full of little things that make it just awesome. Alex fighting back in an over-the-knee backbreaker. How often do you see that? Alex's obvious distress in a real camel clutch. The whole thing feels intense.

Alex pounds those gorgeous pecs

And you can actually see the results

Alex is really suffering

I love that he tries to fight the backbreaker

I really recommend this one if you haven't bought it. I wouldn't rate it as the very best of RHW (I covered that here), but it's darn good. It's a perfect introduction to the essence of the RHW experience. I also think that it makes Alex's best matches (vs. Dash Decker, vs. Bruce Ballard) even better by providing character background and context for who he is.

So that's my take. Have you seen it? What did you think?

Alex