Review: Brendan Byers vs. Ethan Axel Andrews (BGEast)

I will admit, I'm going to miss a lot of great rookies for the next little while. With my break from watching wrestling videos, I'm mainly focused on matches featuring my favorites. And there have been quite a few of those across the gay wrestling world. Brendan Byers and Ethan Axel Andrews definitely qualify as favorites. I've watched a lot from both and couldn't wait to see them hit the mats at BGEast.

We get the best from both these studs.

Review: Axel vs. Ty Alexander (UCW)

Ty: "So what are the rules for this again?"
Axel: "Um, there are no rules. No rules at all."

Now, this was a very pleasant surprise. I never expected Ty Alexander to pop up in UCW, even though it makes perfect sense now that I've seen this match. He and Axel have wrestled before, so there is that connection. While he's made a great shift onto the indie scene with a lot of bookings (pre-pandemic, of course), I'll always be happy to see him in our neck of the woods.

Welcome to UCW, Ty.
Hope you survive the experience.

Review: #685 Axel vs. Gabe Steel (UCW)

Gabe Steel: I believe that people like to see you suffer, Axel. I don't think there's been enough of that. So, that's when a guy like me comes in and takes care of that problem.

Gabe Steel must be reading blogs because he nailed a very common sentiment that I see in the comments for posts of Axel matches. There are definitely some vocal commenters who want a change of pace where UCW's golden boy gets taken down a peg or ten. Well, Axel vs. Gabe Steel might be the video for you. Axel definitely suffers here as he gets brutally punished.

Just so I don't deceive you, this match is back-and-forth (UCW doesn't really do 100% squashes), but Gabe dominates more (probably 65% of the action) and it feels like even more than that. More importantly, he gets Axel squealing in a way I haven't heard before.

Gabe tries to answer the shortage in Axel suffering.

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.

Review: Marco takes on the competition

If you follow Underground Wrestler, you likely got the same email I did. Marco is retiring from wrestling in front of the camera to focus on his work behind-the-scenes. His matches on UW will disappear tomorrow 5/1.

As far as his behind-the-scenes work, I will say that I was very pleased to see UW dabbling in virtual reality. It's something I commented on years ago when I first tried out a VR headset, so it's nice to see technology moving forward. However, not sure it's worth losing him as a wrestler, but I never begrudge anyone pursuing their goals. If this is what he needs to do, this is what he needs to do.

Marco doesn't want to get stretched too thin. 

Relax while you can, Marco. The hard part is coming.

Review: #652 Austin Tyler vs. Axel (UCW)

I jumped the gun with my last Austin Tyler post, but not this time. This time, we have confirmation from the source that #652 Austin Tyler vs. Axel match is the last Austin Tyler match for UCW. Although the language of Axel's tweet suggests there might be a "lost match" somewhere. Until one surfaces, this video has special meaning. Is this a suitable sendoff for a star?

Review: Dash Decker vs. Ethan Andrews (88Wrestling)

Rematches are tough to do, especially when they follow a great first match. I used to avoid them, but I have done more than a few now, mostly from Thunders Arena or the same guys facing off at a different promotion. Regardless of my feelings, when 88Wrestling announced Dash Decker vs. Ethan Andrews, it was pretty much a must-buy. How'd it go?

Hm, Dash vs. Ethan? Yes, I'm all in.

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: #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.

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: Ethan Axel Andrews vs. Nick Flex Part 1 (Muscleboy Wrestling)

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

Ethan Axel Andrews vs. Nick Flex was, hands down, my most most anticipated video of the new Muscleboy Wrestling catalogue. I mentioned that in my Aspen vs Gabriel Cross review, but didn't explain why. Maybe it's obvious. It's the guys. This is a superstar match, as big as Nick Flex vs. Justin Powers. Maybe even bigger, since that was intra-organization, while this is inter-organization.

It's a rough and sweaty battle between
two of the toughest guys around.

Review: Ethan Andrews vs. Chad Daniels (88Wrestling)

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

Any new venture takes some time to figure out. Even with my blog, I've switched a lot of things around. 88Wrestling grew out of Rock Hard Wrestling, but a few of my favorite things didn't make it to the new group. On the production front, the black background that made bodies pop was missing, as was the crisp videography and closeups. With the more recent videos, they've returned and everything is better for it.

Ethan Andrews vs. Chad Daniels is the first video I've seen with the new approach and it really does make a huge difference.

Superstar heel plan a takeover.

Review: Coop/Jake vs. Ethan/Jason Kane (RHW 1.0)

Now that Rock Hard Wrestling is officially defunct and replaced (my post here), we can't be sure how long its website will be up and running. So I figure I better have what I want before the cost outweighs the income. Luckily, I probably have everything I want, including every Jake, Bruce, Dash and Alex solo match.

During the recent Jake Jenkins sale, I completed my Jake collection adding the four tag team matches that I had previously skipped. Out of all those tag matches, I decided to review Coop/Jake vs. Ethan/Jason for some variety and nostalgia. Coincidentally, it's also the "Encore Presentation" right now.

Three huge stars in one match!
Jake plays the concerned partner perfectly.

Review: Kid Karisma vs. Ethan Axel Andrews (BGEast)

BGEast is creating some exciting new matchups with these bad boy battles. I loved Josh Goodman vs. Cole Cassidy (reviewed here). And the minute I saw Kid Karisma vs. Ethan Axel Andrews in Heel Bash 2, I knew I'd be OTA'ing it. These are two seasoned studs with strong heel credentials, full of cocky attitude and the talent to back it up.

Like Josh vs. Cole, this match delivered against my high expectations. It wasn't quite that great, but I really enjoyed this back-and-forth match. I'm avoiding spoilers by telling you upfront that none of these images come from the final 10 minutes of this 34-minute video.

One of the best bulges in the business
takes on BGE's award-winning butt.

Review: Ty Alexander x 2 (Wrestler4Hire)

Squash is a very broad term for matches where one wrestler dominates from start to finish. Usually the dominant stud is a heel and the jobber is a face, but not always. I know there are folks who say they love them and folks who say they don't, but for me not all squashes are the same. They vary in storyline, action, personality, and tone.

Ethan really enjoys playing with Ty

While Lon uses the opportunity to put Ty through his paces

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: Duke Russo vs. CT Rematch (Movimus)

And I'm back. Yesterday, I covered the first Duke Russo vs. Case 'CT' Thornton encounter. Today, it's rematch time. I specifically made sure to write my review for the first match before watching this to ensure I wasn't influenced by anything that happened here. It turned out to be the right approach, because things change up a little, including a couple of my points from the first match.

Duke and CT are back at it

Review: Duke Russo vs. CT (Movimus)

In a recent blog post, Joe at Ringside at Skull Island said, "Either you like submission wrestling or you don't." I suppose that's true for some, but I think there are a lot of people who could like submission given the right wrestlers and the right action. I'm actually kind of like that, for example when Mikey Hanlon's working with his charming and cocky chatter.

Now, I'm really into Duke Russo with his wrestler's physique and steely determination. He's certainly another guy who has broken through for me, so I was definitely interested in picking up Duke Russo vs. Case 'CT' Thornton.

Now that's a genuine superhero pose right there

Review: #426 Aron vs. Axel/Pvt. Marino (UCW)

When I asked if folks wanted to weigh in on my April reviews, I received two responses. I did the first request - the three Mikey Hanlon vs. Max Anderson matches - so now it’s time for the second one, which is from UCW.

I received the request for a review of UCW’s Aron vs. Axel/Pvt Marino via email. It’s a good thing for this reader that he asked, because I probably wouldn’t have written a review on it otherwise. It’s not a bad video, but it’s not one I’m likely to re-watch any time in the future. In spite of the talent and the intriguing premise, I think it was pretty lackluster.

Axel and Marino are powerless against Aron

Review: #435 Axel vs. Nick Diesel (UCW)

So there must have been a rope sale at Home Depot or something, because here we are again with a match where ropes are involved. This time, it's in UCW with Axel vs. Nick Diesel. Champion Axel puts his belt on the line against challenger Nick Diesel. I know I've said it before, but I really like that they have a belt. It's fun and adds a unique element to their matches.

Champ Axel

Challenger Diesel

The champ is confused by the ropes until he sees Diesel, who I guess has used them before. It's my first time watching him in action, but the narrative is clear. The challenger is gunning for the belt and plans to use any and all means to get it.