The Cast: Who's Who (November 2016)

Guys,

No one new this month, but several new identities thanks to Jae's active imagination.

The Cave: The Adventures of SuperStar 12

Jae/Superman = Mike Carr (Model)

 

Review: Lucas Payne vs. Gunner Bayani (RHW 1.0)

This month's classic Rock Hard Wrestling match is Lucas Payne vs. Gunner Bayani.

I truly believe that this could have been a battle between two icons if both guys had stuck around. They both impressed me, but neither returned to fulfill their wrestling destiny. So instead of Gunner being on the level of talented lightweight bad boys like Eli or Ethan and Lucas rivaling musclemen like Dash or Austin, they are mere footnotes in the storied history of RHW.

Hard fought and hard-hitting - this match is great

Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Wrestling

In the US, today is known as Small Business Saturday. Started by American Express, it's a day where folks get encouraged to spend some dough at small businesses.

Well, I'm making the pitch that you spend your money with some very deserving small businesses - wrestling producers! These guys put a ton of hard work and effort into making videos for us. It's expensive to do and we're still a niche audience, so let's show our appreciation by supporting their efforts.

They bend over backwards to try and amuse us.
(Flash LaCash vs. Kip Sorell - BGEast)

Won't you support a wrestling company today?
(Bulldog vs. Dominic - Thunders Arena)

Review: Brute Baynard vs. Kelly King (Wrestler4Hire)

One of the strengths of Wrestler4Hire is the ability to get hot pro wrestlers into this kind of up close and personal private action. As one of the 18 matches available to members, Brute Baynard vs. Kelly King was an immediate watch when I saw it. Both these pros are all over the gay wrestling scene, producing matches for multiple companies, and I've enjoyed several of their matches.

Big pros face off in this "Grudge Match"

Review: Duke Russo vs. Shon Tracy (Movimus)

Full disclosure: This match was provided to me by Movimus.

Is perfection boring? Maybe sometimes, but not yet when it comes to Movimus' current unstoppable superstar, Duke Russo. I recall that Max Anderson was unbeatable for while, but I can't imagine he ever had the air of pure awesomeness that Duke brings to the mats. Well, he's back and he's more dominant than ever in Duke Russo vs. Shon Tracy.

Duke still looks like a superhero

But with a little bad boy attitude thrown in

Review: Ty Alexander x 2 (Wrestler4Hire)

Squash is a very broad term for matches where one wrestler dominates from start to finish. Usually the dominant stud is a heel and the jobber is a face, but not always. I know there are folks who say they love them and folks who say they don't, but for me not all squashes are the same. They vary in storyline, action, personality, and tone.

Ethan really enjoys playing with Ty

While Lon uses the opportunity to put Ty through his paces

Review: Kid Karisma vs. Mister E (BGEast)

I don't have every Kid Karisma match, but I have more than my fair share. Kid Karisma vs. Mister E is one of the matches that attracted me to BGEast's Demolition 21, helping to make it worth OTA'ing.

There's no "mystery" here - this is a
Demolition match that earns the name 

Kid Karisma is an icon. He is easily one of my favorites of this generation. I'm sure it's not easy to be as perfect as he always is, but somehow he manages it and I appreciate it. And the fact that he's exclusive to BGEast makes him even more special.

The Cave 18: Independence Day 2

"Luke! I'm here. Where should - oh, hi. Sorry, didn't realize he had company."

Me (Ryan) arriving to help Luke set up

Review: Alex Waters vs. Zack Johnathan KOTR7 (RHW)

UCW has rejuvenated my interest in their belt. Can Rock Hard Wrestling do the same? I skipped the last two King of the Ring matches, unable to summon any interest in either one. Now we've got King Zack Johnathan vs. Alex Waters.

Two veterans in a KOTR disappointment

Putting Alex back in the KOTR series convinced me to buy this. The guy is my favorite RHW wrestler and his last KOTR appearance is one of my two all-time favorites (now tied with Alex v Bruce, reviewed here). I've seen these two wrestle and I liked it, so it became an immediate download.

So how'd it go? Meh.

Review: Kayden Keller vs. Dylon Roberts (BGEast)

BGEast is out with another group of matches. Demolition 21 is the only video that caught my eye. It features Kid Karisma (Joe reviewed it here) and Flash LaCash in full heel mode. However, Kayden Keller vs. Dylon Roberts is the match I decided to watch and review first.

Review: Steel vs. Tank (Thunders Arena)

Nobody does muscle on muscle like Thunders Arena and Steel vs. Tank certainly qualifies. They're both big guys, but that's where the similarities stop. Among the many appealing things that made me interested in this video, there are contrasts in their age, size and gear that create inherent and engaging storylines.

This video has two surprises, one of which I liked
and one I really didn't, but overall, I liked it

Review: #493 Nick Diesel vs. Tyson the Hammer (UCW)

UCW is making a huge year-end push to keep their Favorite Promotion Cavey Award. After lulling me in with a series of sexy fun, they've dialed up the intensity and gone back to basics with the hardest hitting and most chaotic homoerotic brawls in the business. Nick Diesel vs. Tyson the Hammer is another winner starring two of the best in a surprisingly stiff match.

Nick v Tyson is 'Slap yo momma good'

The Cave: The Adventures of SuperStar 12

The Cave Locker Room

"Ugh, did you see that Luke guy is here again? He's such a clingy bitch. Don't you think so, Jae? I mean, he's not even wrestling today. I feel like I should ask him to leave. Ryan's too nice to tell him to get lost, but I'm sure he doesn't need the distraction."

And here's Pete bringing the drama to my day. I'm like, "Just keep it cool, man. Luke's here with Ryan and you do NOT wanna piss Ryan off. Remember what happened to Cody when he interfered in the guy's dating life. Ryan's a nice guy, but the dude can snap fast. Just ride it out."

Jae (me)