The Cast: Who's Who (July 2020)

Guys,

My double dose of CLAW went over like I thought it would, but I thought both stories were good. And I was glad to bring Jeff back, although the four-year gap may have resulted in a lot of readers not even knowing/remembering who he is.

CLAW 9

Koke = Khuslen Khan (Model)

Review: Brendan Byers vs. Gabe Steel (Muscleboy Wrestling)

Muscleboy Wrestling has their new catalog out. Six new videos, of which they sent me four to check out. You'll notice no disclosure at the top, because instead of talking about any of those, I'm talking about one they didn't send me. I appreciate the gesture but when I looked at catalogue 21, it was Brendan Byers vs. Gabe Steel that intrigued me the most and it's the one I had to watch.

This is a match i needed to see!

Review: Steve Mason vs. Ivan Guerrero (Hunks Wrestling)

Full disclosure: The video was provided to me by Hunks Wrestling.

Iván Guerrero could be my new favorite thing in the world, replacing the Happy Endings reunion special which had a good four-day run. He's smoking hot but my ever-changing NFTITW designation is about way more than that. He's got a cool detached self-confidence that's sexy and scary. His smirking smugness and condescension would probably be irritating in real life, but in a wrestling video, it's hot as fuck. I wish I understood everything he says. HW subtitles the plot-driving bits but I feel like every word from his mouth is likely a gem of pure bitchy dismissiveness.

Steve clearly had no idea what he was in
for when he picked up my man Iván.

Review: Chase Addams vs. Kayden Keller (BGEast)

It’s one thing to be a heel. It’s quite another to be the “top heel”. By its very nature, a heel vs. heel battle ranks the nasty boys on toughness, smarts and skills. I said the same thing in my last two reviews of Kayden Keller, battles against Brendan Byers and Rolf Fulton, using them to rank three of BGEast's bad asses. Now, Kayden is back facing Chase Addams, both guys putting their “top heel” aspirations on the line. Wow, Kayden sure isn’t ducking anyone, is he?

It's go time for the top heels.

Review: Garrett Thomas vs. Mighty Vinny (W4H)

Like a lot of people, my Twitter timeline has been filled with ordinary-looking objects that are actually cake. It is/was one of those momentary trends that both amuses and terrifies. I'll go on record and say that I don't think either of these guys are cake, but without slicing them open, there's no way to be sure. However, they're both pretty sweet and tasty looking. See how I brought that around?

Trying to show the boss up? Bad move, kid.

CLAW 10: Jeff vs. 'Lethal' Lee Evans

Dusty Inn. A Bar and Motel West of Tucson AZ.

“Man, that was rough, Ben.”

Me. Jeff.

Review: Rob Adonis vs. Lee Thomas (NewPro Wrestling)

This match has come up in blog conversation a couple of times. The first time was on Sean Pford's Inner Jobber blog when he saw an image and wanted an identification. I was able to provide it (a rare feat for me). While that post is gone, it directly led to my review of Pepper Parks vs. Brad Smith from NewPro Wrestling. This time, Rob Adonis vs. Lee Thomas from NewPro 5 came up on my review of Young Ady vs. Max Morrison as a related teacher vs. student video.

It's teacher v student in this
"vintage" match.

Review: Paradise Loft (Spotland Scrappers)

Paradise Loft features the Spotland Scrappers debut of Lewy "Ripper" Paradise. Seems like this must have been a big deal at the time. It's not called Smiler Loft, after all. Of course, that wouldn't be nearly as clever a title ... I mean,  they've got a wrestler named Paradise wrestling in a loft. The title practically writes itself. Still, I figured the tattooed prettyboy was meant to be the primary draw.

Paradise looks pretty sweet to me.

Review: Ty Alexander vs. Kenny Star (BGEast)

In the past, I've done special posts on or around July 4th, including red-white-and-blue trunks, Wade Cutler and "fireworks". Last year, I was on vacation in the two weeks prior so I missed it, but I did share vacation pics from Alaska. This year, I wasn't sure what to do, so I chose a regular review. There is a little bit of fortuitous wardrobing as Ty Alexander comes to the mats wearing appropriately themed trunks and shoes.

Ty makes this video somewhat themed for the day.

CLAW 9: Koke vs. Xander

Ben’s Office at CLAW

“A heel turn?”

“Yep.”

“Oh.”

I try to hide my disappointment, shocked that Ben would do me like this. I’m Mateo, the best face at Championship League of American Wrestling aka CLAW. Or at least I was. I thought I was doing great, but now my character is being changed. Probably to make way for a new face wrestler. Probably Ryker. He’s a loser with a sob story and nice-guy-Ben is falling all over himself to give him a chance to rebuild his failed career. Now at my expense.