Infamy

Ric Converse vs Ben Tyler, No Excuses, 20 July 2013, Gibsonville, NC (CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling)

According to Cagematch: The Internet WrestlingDatabase, this was Ben Tyler's last match, and it ends in brutal betrayal. Tyler and Trevor Lee had been tag team partners - regrettably named Fun Athletic Guys (think the acronym) - but in the summer of 2013 Trevor was courting Chet Sterling, Ben's partner in Aftermath after Fun Athletic Guys disbanded. The commentators remark on Sterling's absence at ringside, where he should be in a show of support for his partner. Ric Converse defeats Tyler, despite a strong offense on Tyler's part. Then, Trevor and Chet show up as Ric is exiting the ring. Ben shoves Chet into a corner, enraged and humiliated by his sudden loss and Sterling's lack of support. The final GIF above shows what happens next.

Both Trevor and Chet are a bit younger than Ben, who was 25 at the time of this contest and always seemed more mature. Ben has the toughness and fiery temper of a boxer, with matching physique and square jaw. Tyler's ruggedness and pugnacity are in fine display in the first four GIFs above. I wish I could have seen Tyler live and in action in his heyday. His name and image popped up several times on this blog during its early years. This match with Converse is not consistently riveting, but it has several terrific moments when the moves, personalities, and dramatic moment come together perfectly.

Betrayal is not a new plot twist in pro wrestling. It's one of the great themes in tag team wrestling, typically leading to a grudge match in which the traitor receives his comeuppance, often spectacularly. I wish Tyler had had the chance for vengeance after this knife in the back. I wish I could have witnessed it.

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