Full disclosure: This video was sent to me by 88Wrestling.
Any new venture takes some time to figure out. Even with my blog, I've switched a lot of things around.
88Wrestling grew out of
Rock Hard Wrestling, but a few of my favorite things didn't make it to the new group. On the production front, the black background that made bodies pop was missing, as was the crisp videography and closeups. With the more recent videos, they've returned and everything is better for it.
Ethan Andrews vs. Chad Daniels is the first video I've seen with the new approach and it really does make a huge difference.
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| Superstar heel plan a takeover. |
Both these guys are familiar, but
Ethan Andrews is a verifiable superstar. This is the fifth different company I've seen him at, plus he has some kind of leadership role at UCW. Co-owner, maybe? Whatever. Anyway, this video puts him in the familiar role of stud-wrecking super-heel. He looks good in his black tights and bracelets, suiting his role.
Chad Daniels is a handsome hunk with a surfer vibe, but he's certainly not a chill dude. Like all these guys, he's cocky and certainly not a babyface. Chad has a lot of arrogance, but it might be misplaced when facing a guy like Ethan. The blond stud is wearing standard issue blue squarecuts, looking ready for action.
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| Ethan's lean and luscious in all black. |
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| Chad's meaty muscles are put on display. |
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| Bigger is not necessarily better in this match. |
Ethan shows up for his debut in a hoodie and mask, going for a look, but honestly I don't think he needs the props. The guy is excellent as the baddie and can convey danger just by being himself. There's some banter that makes me wonder if these guys talk about storylines before their match, because it seems like they don't. It's not a big deal, but I do wonder.
By the end, it's clear that the storyline is actually Ethan just looking to make his presence known. Chad is a mere stepping stone on the way to the champ. The superstar never won the King of the Ring in RHW, coming close against Dash in my third favorite RHW match ever, but he ultimately fell short. He's certainly deserving of a shot on a macro-level, but I can see why he might need a few impressive wins just to properly establish him here.
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| Ethan puts everyone on notice. |
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| Big Chad can't overcome skill. |
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| Just another day at the beach? |
It's not a 100% squash, but the outcome is never in doubt. Ethan is too good and too smart to lose to a big part-timer like Chad. The action is standard, but I did like the extended arm torture. There's a casual ease to the humiliating domination Ethan so smoothly dishes out. Chad's a good sufferer, fulfilling his designated role well.
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| Sheer contempt for the prettyboy. |
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| And that's one way for skill to beat size. |
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| Shh, Chad, it'll all be over soon. |
In the end, Ethan works his heel magic, owning the ring, Chad and the near future. He builds his case for a title match while stomping all over the mid-tier surfer stud. If you like seeing popular prettyboys manhandled, you'll likely like this one.
What are other bloggers saying?
So, that's my take. What's yours?
Alex
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