Kal the Wrestler













Kal the Wrestler may be new, but it's abundantly clear in Match 795's first minutes that this ain't his first rodeo. Zack may be a former UCW champion, but titles mean nothing to Kal, especially titles not currently held by his opponent. Zack is caught off guard - more than once - in a match that is tough, mouth-watering, and up in the air for most of its twenty-eight minutes.

In dark sunglasses, Reno saunters towards the camera like he's Mister Hollywood, ignoring his opponent's attempt to greet him with a sportsmanlike handshake. Zack acts like the new hire is beneath him, mispronouncing the rookie's name (calling him "Kyle," instead of "Kal") and flaunting his celebrity status: "I'm Zack. You already knew that. I get it."

Kal looks confident, all smiles, in fact. Zack tells him to lie down on the mat. Not sure of how things are done at UCW, Kal obliges. "Ring that bell," Zack tells an unseen somebody outside the ring. The bell sounds, and Kal starts to get up on his feet. Reno tells him to stay in place, puts his foot on the guy's chest, and starts to count, "1 ... 2 ...." No fool, Kal thrusts out of the "pin" and stands to face the ex-champ.

Zack tries the same ruse a second time. Still puzzled, Kal again tries to do what he's told, saying he feels as if Reno is trying to trick him into an easy pin. Of course, that's exactly what Zack is attempting. Kal is just too nice and trusting to believe anybody - much less a former UCW champ - could be this calculating - or this transparent.

I like this storyline, especially the direction it heads in the following few minutes. Zack continues to boss Kal around, but he doesn't get the pin he's after as soon as he hopes. Despite his compliance, Kal is a decent fighter - more than decent, flexible and well trained. He's hot and beautifully built, too, but Zack cares nothing for that. Often the story gets in the way of the wrestling, but for once I don't mind. I have never claimed to be consistent in my judgments. The wrestling here is more than just good. It's extraordinary, especially since it's ostensibly a veteran-versus-rookie fight.

You need to watch this one to the end to get the whole picture, and then, if you're anything like me, you'll replay it with a new set of perceptions.


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