Review: Ethan Andrews vs. Zack Johnathan (88Wrestling)

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

I like extra drama in my wrestling beyond just hot guys grappling. Stories, contrasting studs, gear, setting, whatever. Just give me some overt and clear reason why they're wrestling and I'll be much happier. This probably surprises no one, but it's in my head because recently, Joe made a request for a simple wrestling video without a story, posing, porn ...just two guys hitting the mats.

That’s so not me.

If a match doesn’t have a story, I’ll add it. I’ll add dialogue. And conflict. Ethan Andrews vs. Zack Johnathan is all about the story. And the story is the big reason why I like it so much.

Apparently, video games give you strong fingers,
which are perfect to claw a muscle jock's abs.

The guys are 'acting' here. Zack Johnathan is closer to his usual persona - he's an arrogant jock who has nothing but contempt for the meek and soft-spoken nerd sitting ringside. Zack looks amazing as always. His body is on point and his muscles are pumped and popping. It fits the role and makes him just awesome to watch. It's been a while since I've seen him in action, but it's like seeing an old friend who never ages.

Ethan Andrews is definitely playing a role here. He is playing a real Poindexter, like you'd find in an 80's movie. Glasses, bowtie with a short-sleeved shirt and a quiet nice-guy demeanor all confirms this is not our Ethan. Now, there could be some kind of story within the story, because he's at ringside with his light saber and expecting some live-action roleplaying. So, maybe this video is his LARP.

Overpowered by a nerd?
Zack can't believe what's happening!

Where's your fucking pride, Zack?
Oh, it's been bounced back up into your body? I see.

Ethan: "I am allowed to
kick you while you're down, right?"

This is not a squash, but I've chosen Zack getting dominated almost exclusively. Ethan does get dominated for stretches in both falls, but come on. That only exists to set up the revenge. The only exception in my images is the face-claw counter and that's just because I think face-claws are super-hot and under-utilized.

In this video, Zack and Ethan have never met and never acknowledge their seven (by my count) previous matches, so Zack has no idea his opponent might actually be capable. And Ethan's only wrestling experience here is video games. The 'acting' is a little awkward, but certainly strong enough to get you into the scenario. Since this is all about the muscle jock-skinny nerd paradigm, the more you can get into the story, the better this video is.

More guys should use the face claw. 

Who's the real nerd, pretty boy?

Those skinny arms can crush your ripped torso?

Action-wise, this is pretty standard stuff, but it's all executed well. I expected nothing less. Both guys know their way around the ring and storytelling through holds. There are nice nods to the scenario, like gamer-Ethan having remarkably strong fingers. He never breaks from the unassuming nerd persona, even as he dominates hunky Zack. Like I said, it's back-and-forth, but only technically.

Um, Zack? You're the one with the muscles!

Dude, you're letting a nerd choke you out ...
with your own arms? Pathetic.

Ethan just owns Zack's useless (but beautiful) carcass.

In the end, this goes exactly how you’d expect. It's titled "Revenge of the Nerds" after all. If you like the wrestlers and the nerd-beating-on-jock scenario, I think that you’ll find this fun and hot. Zack looks amazing and plays the asshole role well. Seeing him demolished by a guy who (in-story) only knows wrestling from video games is humiliating and feels somehow rewarding.

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RINGSIDE: REVENGE OF THE NERD

So that’s my take. What’s yours?

Alex