Story Preview: June 2018 (Warning: Spoilers)

Here's the preview of next month’s stories. There's one very special story, so think twice about spoiling yourself.

The Cast: Who's Who (May 2018)

Guys,

Well, all familiar faces in May, although two superstars got identity makeovers as the inspiration for this month's BIGBeast story.

The Cave Undercard 22

Buck/Red Marvel = Jacob Zemer (Model)

Review: JJ Allen vs. Taylor Reign (Muscleboy Wrestling)

Full disclosure: This video was provided to me by Muscleboy Wrestling.

Taylor Reign vs. JJ Allen was released back in catalogue 5 (MBW is now within a fortnight of releasing catalogue 8). As so often happens, it sat on my hard drive for a long time, but I eventually got around to it. I'm not sure why I didn't look at it, as I like both guys, but better late than never.

Taylor takes control of JJ (who doesn't seem to mind).

Review: Chase Addams vs. Kirk Donahue (BGEast)

Here I am, going out of order in my viewing. I still haven't watched the Pride Center matches from the BGEast event, while this supposedly happens after that. I actually OTA’ed the event, figuring some of it is going to a good cause. Although now that I type that, I realize that I'm not sure if that's actually true or not. Oh well, it's not like I was going to declare it as a charitable donation on my taxes. Point is that it seems to have removed my sense of urgency. VODs you need to deal with immediately. OTAs not so much.

Instead of watching the Pride Center event, I've gotten distracted by a couple of related matches from this latest catalogue. Although this compilation references the big event, Chase Addams vs. Kirk Donahue isn't a direct continuation of the Pride Center event. In fact, Chase isn't even on that card, but I guess he was in town and wanted a shot at Kirk. And frankly, who wouldn't? The jobber is simply fantastic at what he does.

Kirk Donahue heads from the pro show to a private
submission battle against Chase Addams.

Review: Braden Charron vs. Scrappy (Wrestler4Hire)

It's raining Scrappy over at Wrestler4Hire. No sooner did I stream his match against Ace Owens (reviewed here) than he had a second match available. And this time, the combination is even better. Scrappy vs. Braden is one that immediately captured my attention. I didn't really think about them meeting up, but as soon as I saw it, it felt right. Like an inter-generational match between two kindred spirits.

It feels like generations colliding when
muscle hunks Braden faces Scrappy.

Review: #584 Golden Boy/Gorilla vs. Joker/Quinn (UCW)

For those of you that read my stories, you know I'm a fan of tag team action. It's more challenging to write, but I try to do at least one a year. I love the psychology and the action of a really good pro wrestling tag team match. And under the layer of UCW-style chaos and crazy, Austin/Axel vs. Joker/Quinn turns out to be a really good pro wrestling tag team match.

It's a UCW tag team extravaganza.

One-Hit Wonders Part 2

In my first one-hit wonders (1HW) post (here), I said I was going to feature five of them. I covered two, so that leaves how many? Yes, three. Good job. Today's studs all faced great opponents that I'm sure many of you will remember. In fact, their opponents’ looks, personas and reputations are a big part of why I remember the 1HWs. That's not a knock. No wrestler can succeed on his own.

And it's not all about their opponents. Each of these 1HWs personally showed me the skill, personality and looks to succeed, but none of them ever even got to a second match, much less became a star. Still, their lone appearance makes them part of wrestling history and worthy of being remembered and recognized.

Eric Moreira: Fantasymen 26

Eric Moreira. 6'2"/186-lbs.

BIGBeast: The New Guy 5

This story is a reader commission.

"Uh oh. Time for my first match already? Who's up today? Godzilla followed by King Kong?"

Jimmy Wildfire doesn't look impressed with Steve's sarcasm. Jimmy replies, "Funny guy. Keep that sense of humor, jobber. Just two matches and some clean-up today then you're free. Until then, don't forget who's boss. Wear this." He tosses Steve white trunks, plus white elbow and knee pads. "Ring. 9am sharp. Just those, nothing else. And I mean nothing."

Steve nods, "Got it." He stretches his tanned muscular body out on the air mattress then rises with the thin white sheet hanging from his waist. He looks at the gear then asks jokingly, "Want me to wet the trunks down? Give the fans a thrill?"

Steve, the new guy.

Review: Justin Powers vs. Taylor Reign (Muscleboy Wrestling)

Full disclosure: This video was sent to me by Muscleboy Wrestling.

Taylor: "You must be the new jobber."
Justin: "Yes, I am."
Taylor: "Well, I'm the king here. You think you can wrestle?"
Justin: "I'll try it out."

BGEast is famous for holding onto videos (I saw a comment that they have 200 unreleased matches). They release things years after they film, some of them amazing, like the Cavey and BESTIE winner for overall match of 2017, Cole Cassidy vs. Josh Goodman.

Well, with Justin Powers vs. Taylor Reign, I'm now wondering if Muscleboy Wrestling isn't trying the same approach. Keeping some hot stuff in the bank so they're always ahead of the game.

The "new jobber" gets a lesson from the "king".

Review: Ethan Andrews vs. Rex Bedford (88Wrestling)

Full disclosure: This video was provided to me by 88Wrestling.

I believe that I have Ethan Andrews videos from seven different companies now (BGE, 8W, MOV, MBW, RHW, UCW, W4H). I think that's tied for the most with Austin Cooper/Frey (BGE, Can-Am, 8W, JF, RHW, TA, W4H). The guy definitely gets around. Outside of UCW and Movimus, he's usually a cocky, nasty heel. And he's usually a winner, unless he's facing an even tougher heel.

The frequent and varied videos means I've seen a lot of Ethan. Part of keeping things fresh is trying new things, like Ethan Andrews vs. Rex Bedford. It's the second ‘Tic Tac Toe’ match that I've seen (first one reviewed here). Guys are required not to just win, but win in a specific way. TTT can only end in one of three ways: win-lose-draw. So, which one is this?

Boys playing games.

Review: Eagle vs. Viking (Thunders Arena)

I was originally going to do both Eagle’s recent patio matches together, but it turned out to be impossible to whittle the images down enough to fit in one post. Eagle vs. Viking completed the patio round robin with Cason vs. Viking and Cason vs. Eagle. So far, it's 1-1 in terms of wins and losses. This match will break the tie. How did the series go?

Eagle's back, taking on the giant Viking.

Review: Cason vs. Eagle (Thunders Arena)

We're back with a couple of Eagle matches from Thunders Arena. I'm starting with Cason vs. Eagle then I'll cover Eagle vs. Viking in two days. These were no-brainer buys based on the talent, although I'm falling out of love with the patio as a setting for videos. However, Cason and Eagle make this work, especially if you like seeing guys knocked out.

Two of Thunder's hottest musclemen play around.

Review: #590 Austin Tyler vs. Miles (UCW)

Of all the underground groups, I'd say that UCW has been the most consistent. They know who they are and what they do well. Week after week, they've done this for years. Heck, they're closing in on a whopping 600 videos. So imagine my surprise when they went into a ring. What? Yeah, apparently UCW is evolving.

It's too early to judge the shift. I don't even know if the future is a mix of venues or if the garage days are over. However, I can judge the first ring match I've bought, the amazing Austin Tyler vs Miles, a newcomer to UCW, but not to wrestling.

Austin checks out the newest UCW stud, Miles.

Review: Ace Owens vs. Scrappy (Wrestler4Hire)

Scrappy won my 2017 Cavey for Favorite Wrestler and now he's spreading his incredibly wide lats and flying over to Wrestler4Hire. He did this a while ago, but Ace Owens vs. Scrappy is the first time one of his matches made it to streaming. Naturally, I had to check it out immediately to see how things go with W4H Scrappy vs. Thunders Arena Scrappy.

Scrappy gets introduced to new surroundings.

The Cave Undercard 22: Moneymaker vs. Red Marvel

The Locker Room

“Fuck no.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

Miguel asks suspiciously, “You're not gonna try to change my mind?”

I shrug. “No. Why would I?”

The freshly showered bodybuilder heel goes quiet, but the silence almost echoes in the locker room. His eyes narrow as he tries to figure out my game. Unfortunately for him, he can’t because I'm not playing one. I honestly don't care if he accepts this match or not. I promised that I'd try to set up a match with Miguel for someone and I've done that.

Miguel aka Moneymaker.