Review: Cole Dallas vs. Lobo Gris (UCW)

Lobo: "It's good to see you here. New faces. New muscles to destroy."

Cole: "Destroy?" 

Lobo: "Yeah, yours." 

Cole: "I don't think you'll be doing that."

The images in my review of Cole Dallas vs. Lobo Gris will be deceptive. Just owning up to that right now. UCW doesn't do 100% squashes, but as I pulled my favorite images, I had a baker's dozen (13) of Cole Dallas suffering and four of the reverse. So, I decided, why fight it? Just post ten of your favorites with Lobo Gris kicking the rookie's bare muscly ass.

If Lobo can't destroy Cole's muscles for real, he can at least do it on my blog.

Lobo: "Nice pecs."
(yeah, nice pecs ... to destroy!)

Review: Cheetah Boy vs. El Fuego #698 (UCW)

If you were designing a match for me, putting one of the wrestlers in a loincloth is one way. Or having both guys wear masks works, too. But combining masks and loincloths is unique and I'm all-in. In this case, there's also an early threat and implied promise of one guy actually losing his mask. That's always a thrill because let's face it, it's the ultimate humiliation for any masked wrestler.

Cheetah Boy: "You like that? It's been in my ass!"

Review: #703 El Fuego vs. Wolf Boy (UCW)

Conversations are weird these days because there's not really much new. At least in my life or the life of my family and friends. We're all dutifully staying sheltered and safe. However, there is some news in the blogosphere. Gym Dude has a new story on Mangler's blog (all you Gym Dude fans can thank me, since, by using transitive property, I am 100% responsible for this). And on Twitter in a reply to Ash DeLeon on 4/27, Bard teased a blog reboot (for which I am roughly 0% responsible).

So, some good news. And here's more good news, El Fuego is still a masked stud that I love watching in action.

All right, guys, let's get it on.

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 #691 Gabe Steel vs. Zack Reno (UCW)

UCW has been adding a bit of established talent to its roster lately. Maybe they're "mainstream" now. Maybe they're paying better. Maybe Axel is hustling hard on the recruiting side. After all, UCW's Golden Boy wrestles everywhere so he knows everyone. No matter the reason, the big thing for me when guys jump around is do they adapt to the new place or does the place have to adapt to them?

That's one way to tenderize the big slab of beef.

Review: #683 Tyson the Champion vs. El Fuego (UCW)

I watched Tyson the Champion vs. El Fuego thanks to a reader suggestion in the comments suggestion for another UCW match (HERE). I’ve praised the masked muscleboy before, so I was game to check it out. I’m actually pretty easily swayed IF it’s a sincere recommendation. I do get the odd self-serving request but most are actually helpful suggestions. I can’t keep up with everything, so comments like these are definitely appreciated (even if I don’t take them).

The champ looks to pop Soda open
in this classic feeling UCW mat match.

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: #642 Austin Tyler vs. El Fuego (UCW)

This is officially the least UCW match I can remember from UCW. If that sounds like a criticism, it’s not. I enjoyed this quite a bit and it required two viewings to get through. The wrestling is hot, the guys have arguably UCW’s sexiest bodies and the whole thing it produced well. So, my opener is a provocative observation, meant to be somewhat intriguing but mostly informative.

It's a really good and really unique match from UCW.

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: #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.

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: #638 Tyson the Hammer vs. Austin Tyler (UCW)

One of my favorite things about UCW is that they have a long-standing championship belt that gets frequently defended. Rookie Chase Michaels upending "Golden Boy" Axel a few years ago in match #490 was the high point for me (reviewed here), but it's still fun to see something be on the line. The current champ is Tyson the Hammer, whom I've liked a lot but only reviewed a couple of times. And his opponent is my 2018 Cavey Award winner for Favorite Wrestler.

Yes, Tyson Hammer vs. Austin Tyler for the belt was a must-buy.

It's a big title match at UCW.

Review: #607 Austin Tyler vs. Ref Trevor (UCW)

Ref Trevor: Everyone and anyone is going to lose to me. I will always be undefeated. Starting at the expense of this asshole.

Here's the follow-up to my last review of the latest UCW tag team match. I'm so glad this is being resolved so quickly. I assume that there's still Axel vs. Ref Trevor to come, but Austin Tyler vs. Ref Trevor gives the hot indie hunk and fans some measure of closure as the diabolical ref from the tag match is made to answer for his dirty dealing. Or is he? The unpredictability and competitiveness of this match is just one element that makes it amazing.

Trevor transitions from ref to wrestler.

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: #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: #590 Austin Tyler vs. Miles (UCW)

Of all the underground groups, I'd say that UCW has been the most consistent. They know who they are and what they do well. Week after week, they've done this for years. Heck, they're closing in on a whopping 600 videos. So imagine my surprise when they went into a ring. What? Yeah, apparently UCW is evolving.

It's too early to judge the shift. I don't even know if the future is a mix of venues or if the garage days are over. However, I can judge the first ring match I've bought, the amazing Austin Tyler vs Miles, a newcomer to UCW, but not to wrestling.

Austin checks out the newest UCW stud, Miles.

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.

Review: #545 Austin Tyler vs. Max Ryder (UCW)

If you've visited the blog very often, you know that I ask for comments on virtually every post. I love all comments, but one of my favorite things is when you guys give me suggestions and recommendations. I mentioned in my last UCW review (here) that I hadn't watched much from them lately. My readers came through with a couple of suggestions and I bought both.

Wow, a friendly start for Austin vs. Max.

I will acknowledge that it didn't take much convincing to get me to try it. I figure readers know my tastes well enough by now to make a solid recommendation and both videos feature two guys that I really like. Max Ryder vs. Austin Tyler was the first one I watched and it was definitely a good one.

Review: #551 Austin Tyler vs. Erik the Viking (UCW)

It's been a little bit since I reviewed a UCW video. It's been even longer since I bought one. I'd say we went in different directions, based on Joe at Ringside's reviews. He talked about 'no homo' and gay creeper stuff that my regular readers know isn't something I like. There was also a 'death match' in June. Uh, no thanks.

So that's how nine months can go by as I just got out of the habit of regularly checking UCW out. I finally remembered they exist when I wanted to look at something different. I decided to see what was up and chose Austin vs. Erik.

How did it go?

Can Austin bend the Viking to his will?