Review: Scrappy vs. Tristan (Thunders Arena)

Tristan: "See these trunks? I took these from some young zipperhead with a smart mouth, a pretty face and not much else. Just like you."

Scrappy: "Was that in the 70's?"

This is officially my first Thunders Arena match of 2019. So far, I've been watching ones that I purchased last year and they sent me seven freebies last month, one of which I reviewed. Scrappy vs Tristan, however, was bought from the website in 2019. I haven't really been feeling them so far, plus Underground Wrestler was posting a lot of the same guys on their Patreon. All it took to bring me back was one look at this superstar pairing.

Scrappy: "Fuck. They're going to give me
fucking grandpa to wrestle."

Okay, now this is what I call a fantasy matchup. Scrappy and Tristan are two of my ALL-TIME favorite mega-stars. They're entertaining, talented and gorgeous. Tristan shows up in gold (which is apparently THE color to wear these days), looking tanned, muscular and full of attitude. Scrappy's rocking silver disco ball trunks with his pale fireplug physique.

In many ways, Scrappy is a new Aryx. They're both sexy bad boys who can win or lose, but always remains arrogant and supremely confident. Aryx was really the first heel-jobber character I remember in gay wrestling videos. While he's bulked up over the years, he hasn't lost any of his ferocity or skills. And Scrappy is an expert in the role of cocky muscle-jobber.

Tristan: "Little fucking jobbers like you come
along each and every year."

Scrappy: "I saw some of your videos actually. They
showed them to me. They were on VHS!"

Tristan: "You have been watching my tapes, because all
you're doing is stealing my fucking lines."

There's an immediate and logical conflict in this one. It's only natural that Scrappy would want to prove himself against the master. I mean, that's what young guys do. The quips are flying fast and furious to start this one. Right from the start, Scrappy is unleashing the age-focused insults, calling Tristan 'grandpa'. Tristan is no slouch in the trash-talking department, responding in kind, unimpressed by yet another young muscle dude trying to take over.

Scrappy: "I see you got some of that
old man strength in you."

Scrappy: "This young jobber's gonna show
grandpa just how it's done."

Tristan: "You wanna degrade an old man? I'm gonna
teach you some respect for your elders."

Action-wise, things feel limited, but it's really not by Thunders' standards. I think it's because the holds are long-held, and the sleepers and trash-talk are so memorable. There are other moves, including a bearhug, a full nelson, scissors, a single-leg crab and a Boston crab. Once they get going, it's actually pretty non-stop and it's all very hot because of the dynamics. There are submissions and knockouts with both guys going out during the match, but there is a final winner.

Tristan even brings back one of his classic Aryx-lock holds, which got me thinking. I can't think of a definitive 'Scrappy' hold or move. The appeal and importance of signature holds and moves is one of those things that separates guys who aren't as into wrestling from guys who are. If it was up to me, I'd get all these guys trained in some hot, sexy, named move that's they use regularly.

Tristan: "Now I'm going to find your cell phone. I'm going
to call a couple of your little friends. And we're going to
see who I'm going to do this to next."

Scrappy: You must be pretty old, trying to come in here
and wrestle on the new guy's mat."

Tristan: "I'm a hopeless romantic. The only thing missing
here is a candle while we spoon together."

In the end, I loved seeing these two together and they kept things lively and sexy. Tristan is as great to watch now as he was back in the day. Scrappy makes the perfect rival for him, because of their many similarities and one key difference. I hope Tristan's teaser is more than idle trash-talk. Cason and Loki would look great in an Aryx-lock.

What are other bloggers saying?

RINGSIDE: GET SCRAPPY

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

Alex