The Cast: Who's Who (January 2017)

Guys,

2017 has started with my biggest star, some familiar-looking characters, two hot newbies and the launch of a new series. Phew.

The Cave 19

Jackson/The Owl = Pierre Vuala (Model)

Review: Marco vs. Slash (Thunders Arena)

Full disclosure: This match was provided to me by Thunders Arena

"Yeah, now you got the Dad-bod goin'. Can't keep up with me. Is that why you're doing so many ball claws? Because you know you can't wrestle any more?" 

-- Marco, Marco vs. Slash, New Years Eve 2016

The above lines come during The Break around the 9-minute mark of this 21-minute match, but for me, it was the true start of Marco vs. Slash. The entire 90-second flex-rest period brings the story of this encounter into focus. It launched my imagination and gave the whole thing a purpose. More importantly, it is The Break that actually turned this from being okay into a winner for me.

There are surprising layers when Slash battles Marco

Review: Dolf vs. Steel x 2 (Thunders Arena)

Full disclosure: One of these two matches was provided to me by Thunders Arena.

Thunders Arena sent me Dolf vs. Steel on the mats (here), so I figured I'd buy their first meeting in the ring (here). Both guys are always worth a look, so I didn't mind checking things out. It was like getting the videos at half price. The 20% off promotional code they had running at the time really sealed the deal in terms of value.

I was planning on doing two posts, but I think one single review is better and based on an analysis of comments and view results, so will you. Back-to-back reviews usually don't perform well. In this case, the matches are so similar that they should be discussed together, anyway. The setting changes from ring to mat. One video has a winner, the other doesn't. Other than those two points, the vibe, action and tone are comparable, although not identical.

It's a flex off on the mats

Two big bulls bump chests in the ring

Review: KARN vs. Joey Angel (Wrestler4Hire)

With so many matches available on Wrestler4Hire at any one time, plus my limited viewing windows, I'm never quite sure which ones to watch, much less review.

I picked KARN vs. Joey Angel. I missed reviewing the similar Joey Angel vs. Garrett Thomas, due to my busy holidays. However, if you're interested in that one, check out Bard's post on it here. It's really good, too.

Anyway, the main reason I chose this is that I like both these guys and they're somewhat unique to Wrestler4Hire, at least in this type of action. This whole video is very W4H from the talent to the action to the fact that there's a story here. So I figured, what the heck, let's talk this one.

Karn shows Joey what a pro can do

Review: Scrappy vs. Jake (Thunders Arena)

Full disclosure: This video was provided to me by Thunders Arena.

I didn't buy Scrappy vs. Jake and apparently you didn't either.

Scrappy opens Jake up, but none of you know it

All the bloggers got a message from Thunders Arena that basically asked us, "Why isn't this video selling?"

I don't know how anyone else responded, but I responded by asking about hot topics like the sales analytics around the wrestlers' sales histories and the impact of seasonality and frequency of releases. I basically posited some potential issues, but explained that they have information that would tell them a lot more than outsiders watching a video.

Review: Cole Cassidy vs. Joshua Goodman (BGEast)

This is my second "must-see" match from Ringwars 26, part of BGEast's catalogue 117.1.

I can appreciate BGEast's desire to always have matches in the can. I like having content uploaded well in advance, too. Still, they must have been holding onto the stellar combination of Cole Cassidy vs. Joshua Goodman for years. How many years? I can't be sure, but it's shot in 4:3 ratio and both guys look their best. This shows a level of restraint I don't think I possess.

It's superstar heel vs. superstar heel
when Cole faces Jungle Joshua

Review: Royce Perry vs. Zip Zarella (BGEast)

On the Arena, BGEast is out with catalogue 117.1, the first of the year. They're starting the year off right with Ringwars 26, which features two matches I definitely wanted to see, one I was open to seeing, and one I still have no interest in at all. With 3 potential winners, I decided to OTA it, spending the extra $20 instead of waiting for the matches I want to make it to VOD a month or more from now.

I'm covering the two matches I really wanted to see, one today and one on Friday. Both turned out great, so no regrets on my part. This first one features two hot new rookies and they really deliver on all counts, including looks, chemistry, and skill.

Hunky Royce vs Bad Boy Zip

*** WARNING: FROM THIS POINT ON, THERE ARE SPOILERS ***

BIGBeast: The New Guy 1

This story is based on a reader commission

At the Home for BIGBeast Wrestling

"WHAT? Where the fuck is Erik?"

I shrug nervously, "I don't know where Mr. Flynn went, but he's supposed to show this new guy around and I can't find him anywhere. The guy is gonna arrive any minute. You and me are the only ones here and I didn't think I should be the one to check him out." Uh oh, one of the toughest guys around is giving me a death stare. I start talking fast, "I mean, Mr. Wildfire, sir, I can 'check him out', if you know what I mean, but not the way -"

Jimmy Wildfire gives me an exasperated glare and I shut up. He's pissed, which makes me nervous and when I'm nervous, I ramble. BIGBeast Wrestling lists Jimmy at a generous 5'5" and 150-lbs, while I'm a real 6'4"/200-lbs, but he still intimidates me. I shuffle back and forth as I stand there wearing nothing but the yellow squarecuts, white pads and black sneakers that make up my uniform.

'Camera-boy' (me) and Jimmy Wildfire

Review: Kink-Avenger Breaking Point (Kink.com)

A year ago, I reviewed three superhero videos from Kink.com. That post was pretty popular, my 7th biggest review of the year, so I decided to do another. Fortunately, back in October, Kink released a new superhero video, Kink Avenger: Breaking Point. It features superhero Kink Avenger trying to stop villain Sado-Spectre from stealing the Orgazmatron.

The evil Sado-Spectre and his henchmen
try to take Kink Avenger to the breaking point

Review: #505 Kenny Star vs. Billy Gunn (UCW)

Timing can be weird. I decided to give UCW the Gold Cavey, but since then, we haven't clicked. The matchups have certainly enticed (Cole/Black, Nero/Diesel), but the scenarios haven't (kiddie pool title match, 'no homo' focus). This one also has a specific scenario, but it's a "Lost Match", so I was intrigued enough by the sight of Kenny Star getting torn apart to spend the low price of $9.99 on it.

I enjoyed Kenny Star vs. Billy Gunn, but I think it's a speciality taste. It's not a match. It's all one-sided punishment. Basically, Billy Gunn crushes Kenny in a brutal 100% squash with Kenny having literally no offense at all. There's a lot of abuse, a little bondage and a lot of trash talk. So if you're in the mood to watch this kind of rough beatdown, I think you'll enjoy this.

Billy: "Who's this?"
Kenny: "That's my man. He brings me luck."

Billy: "That's not your man. He's mine!"

Review: Dario Espinosa vs. Ray Mousi (Movimus)

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

Movimus might be telling me something. They certainly are expanding my experience with them. So far, it's been mostly focused on a couple of great wrestlers, Mikey Hanlon and Duke Russo. When Ray Mousi vs. Dario Espinosa showed up in my inbox, I put it on my list to watch, but I didn't really rush to do so.

My mistake. I really liked it and am now quite interested in Dario, too. Big, bad and beautiful, these two put on a great show.

ARGH!

Review: Jonny Firestorm vs. Calvin Haynes (BGEast)

Jonny Firestorm vs. Calvin Haynes from BGEast attracted my attention right away. I always consider Jonny matches, but it was his opponent that made this a must-buy. Surprising, since his debut was in a pool match, which normally doesn't interest me at all. I didn't even take notice of hunky Calvin Haynes, but fortunately, Bard wrote a great post about his debut ("Come with Me Big Boy"). I took the plunge, so to speak, and ended up liking the video and the rookie.

As fun as that was, I was more interested to see what the handsome hunk could do in a ring or on the mats. After watching this, I can say he does very well. This is a great ring debut for one of BGEast's hottest rookies of 2016. Hopefully BGEast has Calvin locked up for long time.

Calvin brings the hunk and Jonny brings the bash

Review: Scrappy vs. Blayne (Thunders Arena)

I don't think I've ever had a video that got as much attention before I even blogged about it as Scrappy vs. Blayne has received. The Thunders Arena video kind of took over the comments section of the Joey King vs. Scrappy review, so I had to check it out for myself.

All I have to say to the commenters is, "Thanks!" They were pretty much right. It's a breakout video for the stunning young Scrappy, presenting him in an exciting new way that I hope we see again very soon. It's not perfect for me, but it's well worth it.

Scrappy's a winner, this video is a winner,
and the viewer is a winner.

The Cave 19: The Bat vs. The Owl

"Hey."

Jackson gives me a slight head nod, "Hey."

Jackson

Me (Cody)