Two Years

Today marks the second anniversary of this blog. It's gone a lot faster than I thought it would. I still can't imagine how other guys have done it for so long, but one post at a time, right?

Count 'em, Trent! One year. Two years.
(Trent Blayze vs. Darius - BGEast)

Last year, I spent a lot of my anniversary post (here) on who visits my blog. The composition and interests of my visitors haven't really changed, so I figured that this year, I'd give some insight into my process and why my blog is the way it is. I'll also look at results for my fellow data geeks at the end. And, of course, I've plopped in a bunch of images, a few of them new, for those of you that aren't interested in either of those topics.

The Cast: Who's Who (February 2017)

Guys,

This month, three out of four wrestlers were new, so if you haven't already, make sure to tell me what you think about them.

The Cave: The Adventures of SuperStar 13

Jae/SuperStar = Mike Carr (Model)

 

Review: KARN vs. Austin Cooper (Wrestler4Hire)

KARN vs. Austin Cooper is another Wrestler4Hire match that immediately caught my attention. The names alone were enough to get me to check it out, plus it was 28 minutes long. As I got into it, the scenario seemed interesting enough, but I did wonder if it could sustain a nearly 30-minute video. I actually watched it over several occasions, finding it works as multiple vignettes, rather than one long video. Why? Let's discuss ...

KARN starts out fast against Austin Cooper

Review: Bryan vs. Dante Rosetti (BGEast)

We're stepping into the wayback machine on this one from BGEast. Bryan vs. Dante Rosetti is a wonderful pro vs. joe video that is a classic, in my opinion. A friend only told me about this video fairly recently, but it's one that I have subsequently VOD'ed and really, really like.

I will be SPOILING this video. There's simply no way to talk about it without SPOILING the outcome.

Wait, why is big Dante trapped?

***** SPOILERS BELOW *****

Review: Zach Reno vs. Cam Zagucci (Wrestler4Hire)

Cam Zagucci vs. Zach Reno was a must-watch when Wrestler4Hire posted it. It's basically what W4H does really well. It takes two hot indie wrestlers and brings them into our world with a hot scenario, sexy gear and closeup camerawork.

It's all fun and games to start.

Review: Duke Russo vs. Dave Markus Rematch (Movimus)

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

The last time I watched a Duke Russo re-match, it ended up winning my 2016 Favorite Mat Match Cavey Award. It also helped Duke win my 2016 Favorite Wrestler Cavey. Yes, I really liked the second battle between Duke Russo vs. Case CT Thornton, even more than the first one. So when Movimus sent me Duke Russo vs. Dave Markus 2, I was really excited to see how it went.

Duke is back. Dave looks hard. Does this
re-match go any differently than last time?

Camp Grapple 1: Glacier vs. Stone

"What'd you just say, Surge?"

I start to answer Glacier's question, but I freeze as he quickly rolls off my cot. Of course the minute he entered my private quarters, he plopped himself down on my bed like he owns the place. Now he's aggressively moving up to me. We bump chests and I'm thrown back a step. The rugged-looking soldier is 6'1"/239-lbs of solid muscle. With his size, shaved head and raw animal intensity, Glacier can be intimidating. I'm a strong guy, but he has 50-lbs on me. Still, I step right back up into him. He doesn't move.

Glacier

Review: Blayne vs. Raptor (Thunders Arena)

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

Earlier this week, I received a couple of new matches from Thunders Arena. They showcase a new guy, Raptor, against babyface du jour Blayne and Thunders superstar Marco. Both matches are good, but I decided to review Blayne vs. Raptor because I watched it first and I think it's the most surprising.

Blayne faces Thunders' new beefy rookie

Review: Dario Espinoza vs. Dave Markus (Movimus)

Duke Russo is still my Movimus guy, but Dario Espinosa definitely made a big impression on me in his match against Ray Mousi (reviewed here). It was the kind of experience where I just had to see more. His only other match was his first one - this one against Dave Markus. It made my choice easy and fortunately, Dario delivers for me again.

It's Dario's debut vs. Dave Markus

The guys go hard on the mat

Review: #510 Marcus Ares vs Quinn Harper (UCW)

This Marcus Ares vs. Quinn Harper rematch is a UCW "Lost Video". That means it's an Elseworlds encounter where anything can happen. The last time these two battled (reviewed here), the mighty Ares crushed the former champ. From the start, you know it's going to be a totally different story, filmed in a parallel universe where our match never happened.

Muscles and youth mean nothing in Ares v Quinn,
an Elseworlds-style UCW "Lost Match" 

Review: Marco vs. Blayne (Thunders Arena)

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

Deep Impact-Armageddon. The Prestige-The Illusionist. Antz-A Bug's Life.

Sometimes people end up making movies about the same topic at the same time. Well, this video was a little bit of deja vu, too. It shares a lot of similarities with one of the videos I reviewed in January, but I'm not complaining. Marco vs. Blayne works really well for me on its own merits. The guys are gorgeous, the action is focused and the story is simple.

Marco lifts Blayne by the balls and jacket

Review: Austin Cooper vs. Mark Muscle (Wrestler4Hire)

Mark Muscle is a big man. He's got a freakishly amazing physique for a guy his size. It's easy to see why he's showing up all over the place, including Thunders Arena, Muscle Domination Wrestling and Wrestler4Hire. And yet, I haven't been compelled to jump on the bandwagon. I did buy Mark Muscle vs. Scrappy a while back, but I haven't actually watched it yet.

Mark Muscle dwarfs Austin Cooper.

The Cave: The Adventures of SuperStar 13

"That's it? Nothing else you want to tell me, Jae?"

"Nope. I wish my life was more exciting, Christian. Like I said, Cody's great, job is good." I breathe in deeply as I lift the heavy barbell into the air over my chest.

"Oh fuck, cut the crap, little buddy. I know you've been lying to me for months. I thought we were friends, but I guess not."

Me (Jae)