Three to Get Ready

Z-Man vs Kelly King and Joey King, Three-Way Thrash 5 (BG East)

Although his tag partner is a no-show, Z-Man refuses to forfeit the scheduled match against the King cousins. So he sets himself against two wrestlers, either one of whom would pose a challenge for anyone. He puts up a strong fight against the two, Kelly first, then Joey, but the wear and tear on the Z is evident five minutes into the 27-minute thrash, and the Kings haven't started double-teaming ... yet.

According to the stats listed in Catalog 134, Z-Man weighs in at 200 pounds, equidistant from Kelly (at 210) and Joey (at 190). Similarly, he falls dead center between the two in height at 5'9" - Kelly at 5'10", Joey at 5'8". Frankly, I did not expect him to put up as good a fight as he does. Even after the cousins have submitted him twice, Z-Man's hope spots are far more convincing than I would have imagined him capable of years ago, back when I complained that he failed to "sell" his matches.

He still smiles when I would least expect him to, but the guy takes a hard banging from Kelly, Joey, and, in the final nine minutes, both heels together. And his smiles are probably better described as scowls or grimaces now. And when he turns on his tormentors, his temper and effectiveness are top-notch. The Kings may outrank him in ring experience and noisy oomph, but Z-Man not only suffers beautifully but displays a propensity for strategy, too, which almost but not quite puts him on even footing with his antagonists.

Kelly and Joey whoop and holler almost nonstop through the contest, taunting Z-Man and boisterously encouraging each other in the man's slow but steady demolition. But don't let the noise distract you. There's a science hidden beneath all the Texas-style hectoring. These guys deliver high-quality bumps, and the way they work off each other (and against their hapless opponent) is magic.

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