Review: #635 Chase Michaels vs. El Fuego (UCW)

When I mentioned that I'd need to re-look at UCW in the wake of Austin Tyler's departure, a kind reader suggested that I check out El Fuego. He had completely escaped my notice, so I didn't really know if I'd appreciate the recommendation or not, but fortunately this reader seems to understand my tastes, because El Fuego is right up my alley.

El Fuego brings the fire to UCW against Chase.

Happy Labo(u)r Day

Let's celebrate all the hard-working wrestlers out there ...

He works hard for the money;
so hard for it, honey.

Review: #603 Gorilla/Golden Boy vs. Chase/Miles (UCW)

Don't be confused by the title of this post. In their previous tag team match, the heel team renamed Austin and Axel as Gorilla and Golden Boy, respectively. I love it. No one uses those names here. The closest reference is when Miles tells Gorilla, "Get your stinkin' hands off me", which is reminiscent of "Take your stinkin' paws off me, you damn dirty ape!" Yeah, I don't think the reference was intentional.

Anyway, I'm going to use these names in this review because I can. And probably in any related review for them as a tag team. The names play off Gorilla’s big (for UCW) muscles and Golden Boy’s special place in the promotion, but I also think they're sexier and more fun. But what about Gorilla/Golden Boy vs. Chase/Miles? Is it sexy and fun?

It's a classic face vs. heel tag match.

Review: #593 Austin Tyler vs. Chase Michaels (UCW)

With UCW transitioning action to a ring, I was curious and understandably nervous about what it meant. The first match I watched, Austin Tyler vs. Miles felt ... different (see my review here). However, the tag team match featuring Golden Boy and The Gorilla taking on Joker and Quinn Harper (reviewed here) worked out quite nicely, feeling both new and familiar at the same time.

Which way does Austin Tyler vs. Chase Michaels tilt the scale?

Ropes are the new brick wall when
Austin meets Chase in the UCW ring.

Review: #550 Chase Michaels vs. Max Ryder (UCW)

In the comments for my Austin Tyler vs. Erik the Viking review (here), I received two recommendations for other matches. Chase Michaels vs. Max Ryder was the second one. It's another UCW video in the classic style with a couple of twists - one at the start and the other at the end - that were inspired by a reader of this this blog.

Chase and Max go for it.

2016 Cavey Awards: Wrestlers

Welcome to the 2016 Cavey Awards.

The coveted Cavey

A year ago, I handed out my inaugural Cavey Awards to my favorite wrestlers, matches and producers. I was really happy with how it all turned out, so I definitely wanted to continue. Now, I have made some changes, but nothing too dramatic.

I am still calling the winners "Favorites" rather than "Best". I feel like "Best" sounds like an objective measure that can be argued, but someone's "Favorites" is clearly personal, subjective and can't legitimately be debated. Questioned, maybe, but not argued.

The rules stay the same. For each category, I have (a) watched the wrestler in action, (b) seen the match, or (c) purchased something from the producer. Only videos I watched for the first time between 12/1/15 - 11/30/16 are eligible, regardless of when it was released or purchased.

Now, on with the show ...

Review: #474 Chase Michaels vs. Derrick Cole (UCW)

When last we saw Chase Michaels, he was sandbagging UCW champion Axel with new facial hair and a new attitude (reviewed here). I didn't spoil the ending of that match, but now I can, because you can't actually buy Chase Michaels vs. Derrick Cole without learning if Chase is the champion or not.

So that's your warning to turn back now before I reveal if this is a title match or not.

Is this a match or is it a title match?
Is Chase the champ or a stepping stone for Derrick?

Review: #490 Axel vs. Chase Michaels (UCW)

After watching a bunch of fun and flirty UCW matches, I'd forgotten how great they are at serious matches. Axel vs. Chase Michaels has two lean hot studs, a ton of tension and non-stop brawling. While other guys are pausing to flex and preen, this video starts going hard from one-minute in and literally doesn't stop until the champ has his belt at the end.

Axel suspects nothing as nice guy Chase stalks him
(the goatee should've tipped him off)

Review: #470 Nero Angelo vs. Chase Michaels (UCW)

UCW continues their winning streak with Nero vs. Chase. They're having a great year with new and returning talent all delivering great action. This is one of those matches where I pull a ton of images then have to dial it back. I had 24 grabs/videos that I've filtered down to 12. Even now, I'm second guessing whether I made the right choices, but what're you gonna do?

After a big suplex, Nero enjoys his spoils