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

Raptor is charming and fun. He confidently gets right into the whole Thunders thing, which is great. You will notice that the big, beefy rookie brings a unique physique to Thunders Arena. Instead of bodybuilder or fitness model, think football or classic pro with nary an ab in sight. Thunders has a "look" and Raptor is different. Different can be good, but I think it's worth noting. I like Raptor's look in his bright yellow trunks, but there's more to the story.

In Marco vs. Raptor, the rookie mentions that he's coming off an injury, so he's not in what he considers his best shape. Interestingly, Raptor almost appeared in one of my stories. I source a lot of my base images from the Frick's Sexy Pics Tumblrs (two of which are linked on the side of my blog). In an "it's a small world" moment, Raptor was featured on his blog and I was interested in him as a possible character.

Anyway, I don't know if Raptor plans to work back into modeling shape, although based on his comments in the Marco video, it sounds like it might be a goal. No matter what he decides, his personality really shines here and he's super-engaging to watch, so I'm good either way.

Raptor - post-injury, pre-injury.

Blayne powers big Raptor up.

Blayne is at his physical and attitudinal best here. He's been consistently ripped, but it's his dusting of chest hair and facial scruff that takes him up another level. He's simply amazing in tiny floral trunks that we've seen on Bolt. And in terms of personality, this is a cocky Blayne that I haven't seen before. Maybe it's the macho chest hair, but he's clearly finding his comfort zone.

225-lbs is nothing to cocky Blayne.

Blayne's torso is ripped, but Raptor works it hard.

This back-and-forth match could've been pretty amicable, except that Blayne brings the bad boy. He's looking for someone to beat on then resorts to cheap shots like a low blow and eye gouge. Raptor seems like a nice guy, but he's not a wimp. He fights back hard, the force and intensity increasing as the match continues.

Pec claw + ab punch? Perfect combination.

Timmmmbbeeeeerrrrrr!

Has Blayne had enough of big Raptor?

Any notion of a squash is ended fast. Blayne is first to strike with a great takedown and armlock. From there, they trade control until pretty much the end when one guy does dominate and score a definitive and hot win. Along the way, there are some nice moves along with some big ab abuse on Blayne. Raptor gut punches the ripped stud on multiple occasions in multiple ways, so fans of that kind of action will especially like that.

Is Raptor a chiropractor on the side?

Yep, Blayne likes this new cocky and competitive role.

That's one way to get back in top shape.

In the end, I was pleasantly surprised that this match was so competitive. Raptor adds another charming, fun stud to Thunders, but also one who seems completely comfortable on the mats and in front of the camera right away. Blayne cements his status as a rising star, as well as showing a new side to him. Maybe someone will even commission Blayne to heel in the future.

What are other bloggers saying?

RINGSIDE: RAPTOROUS

So that's my take. What's yours?

Alex